Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol, Austin, TX [Master Thread]
Aug 29, 2009, 2:55 pm
#61
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K,SPG Plat,
Posts: 1,091
I have now switched to the downtown Hilton, when I visit Austin. TONS better, and better room upgrades, bar, restuarant and service. Even though I am losing Starwood points, to me the Hilton there is one of the best Hiltons I have stayed at, and well worth the Starwood point sacrifice.
Jan 22, 2010, 9:59 am
#62
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Diego CA
Programs: SPG Plat/Hyatt Plat/DL/AmexPlat/CO
Posts: 142
I am at the Sheraton Austin as I am writing this post. I must agree with the previous posters - only stay here if you are on a business trip and ONLY for 1 night at the most! I won't go into all the sordid details - but quite frankly this is one of the worse Sheratons I have been to. Just my opinion!
Jan 22, 2010, 6:14 pm
#64
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,816
"Won't get into the sordid details"?? 
Isn't that the point of flyertalk (i.e., give specifics of the good and bad of particular airlines, hotel properties, rental car companies, etc.)?
Any other recent reviews to refresh this thread a bit?
Isn't that the point of flyertalk (i.e., give specifics of the good and bad of particular airlines, hotel properties, rental car companies, etc.)?
Any other recent reviews to refresh this thread a bit?
Jan 24, 2010, 3:55 pm
#65
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Diego CA
Programs: SPG Plat/Hyatt Plat/DL/AmexPlat/CO
Posts: 142
Alright, some of the details. Only 1 elevator (out of 3) was working - and I had to wait as long as 15 minutes on our floor to get down to the lobby - for both days I was there. The hot water in the room sink took at least 10 minutes to just get warm. The restaurant food was mediocre at best, and I'm being kind here. The lobby bar is absolutely devoid of any ambiance whatsoever. You need more?
On the other hand, the Sheraton Lisboa (Portugal) which I stayed at a couple of months ago was absolutely fabulous - a 5 star experience - so not all Sheratons are bad.
On the other hand, the Sheraton Lisboa (Portugal) which I stayed at a couple of months ago was absolutely fabulous - a 5 star experience - so not all Sheratons are bad.
Jan 25, 2010, 6:58 am
#67
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,816
Alright, some of the details. Only 1 elevator (out of 3) was working - and I had to wait as long as 15 minutes on our floor to get down to the lobby - for both days I was there. The hot water in the room sink took at least 10 minutes to just get warm. The restaurant food was mediocre at best, and I'm being kind here. The lobby bar is absolutely devoid of any ambiance whatsoever.
Jan 25, 2010, 9:37 am
#68
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, MTA Rust, Hertz Five Star something or other
Posts: 2,858
I have business travel to Austin coming up and my corporate rate is cheaper at the Driskill and Four Seasons, so I am going to stay at the former. Based on the dreadful reviews, I'm not sure why this property charges so much.
Last edited by thepointsguy; Jan 25, 2010 at 11:16 am
Jan 25, 2010, 9:54 am
#69
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: DFW -
Programs: AA EXP 5MM, DL DM, Bonvoy Titanium, Avis CHM, National VIP
Posts: 556
I've stayed here 3 or 4 times in the last couple of years and haven't really had any problems. There's nothing special about the hotel, but nothing really bad about it either. As mentioned above, the lobby bar is characterless, and I don't think I've ever received an upgrade as a Plat here. However, the rooms have been recently renovated and are fine, and the location is convenient (walking distance to the UT stadium), and the rates I've gotten have been decent.
However, both the Four Seasons and the Driskill are clearly much superior hotels.
However, both the Four Seasons and the Driskill are clearly much superior hotels.
Jan 25, 2010, 11:48 am
#70
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: check swarm
Programs: DL DM & 2MM, SPG/Bonvoid LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, $tarbucks Titanium
Posts: 14,404
It's going to be interesting to see how many SPG plats are fighting for that one suite.
Jan 25, 2010, 11:55 am
#71
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,743
Starwood won't lack for feedback, that's for sure. If I were the property GM, I'd be reading this thread, figuring out what quick improvements I could put in play.
Jan 25, 2010, 2:51 pm
#73
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: A Southern locale that ain't the South.
Programs: Bah, HUMBUG!
Posts: 8,014
The problem is that this hotel does a TON of student/educational business. Not as bad during the week but on weekends???? Wow. Good luck getting any sleep! I've never had any *problems* staying there but the property is way tired and the staff beleaguered. If you ask for something they'll *absolutely* try to accommodate you. And if you ask 'em to keep you away from noise sources they do their best as well.
The Driskill is one of my favorite hotels EVER... one of the few places I'll give up *points/nights to stay at a different property.
The Driskill is one of my favorite hotels EVER... one of the few places I'll give up *points/nights to stay at a different property.
Jan 28, 2010, 10:22 pm
#74
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,816
Feb 2, 2010, 3:14 pm
#75
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
As part of the Sheraton Austin's $30-million renovation we had upgraded a
portion of our elevator mechanics as recommended by the manufacturers.
Unfortunately, the upgraded portion of the elevator did not communicate
with the parts that did not need to be replaced. This caused a problem where, for a few weeks, some elevators were not responding properly when called.
Yesterday, we found the missing link and all elevators now come when called! We hope to see everyone at the Do later this month.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]