sbtinme

Rooms here are, in a word, SMALL. I've stayed here on and off for more than 15 years and only been upgraded twice that I can recall to any sort of suite. Club rooms are small, standard rooms are even smaller. This hotel seems to price out most of the year at fairly expensive rates -- I'm not sure I totally understand how they're commanding rates 25-30% higher than competition, but apparently they are. If so, I guess good for them.

choptliva

Stayed in a Double Double room. Not very spacious, but not too small. The A/C unit was quite noisy, and it was hard to get the temp right. Lighting was good in the room. One chair at the desk and an armchair in the room, so if you have more than 2 people, (we had 2 adults and a child), there would not be enough chairs (but then there wouldn't be space for more anyhow).
Large flatscreen TV. Coffeemaker, and mini fridge/refreshment center. WiFi only, as I didn't see any ethernet cables.
Bathroom was ok. Water pressure was fine.
Small closet space. No inroom safe.
No upgrade other than lounge access and free WiFi. Claimed no double double available on club floor. Did not bother asking about suites. It was one night, so I didn't really care. In the end, I was glad not to be on club floor, since only elevator services that floor (and it was slow!).
I like the customer service. Almost everyone we encountered was cheerful and all smiles. Very nice.
I find the price quite high, for what is a pretty standard Sheraton.
Was given lounge access as Platinum, but it was very small and there wasn't much there. Went in for breakfast, but there was no food left by the time we got there (at about 9). Took a couple of danish back into the room (no place to sit in the lounge, on account of overcrowding).
Location is good, right downtown. Would be a good location if visiting downtown Portsmouth. Parking is $10 outside and $15 indoors.
It's a decent hotel. I just find it excessive to pay downtown big city prices for a Sheraton at this location, that's all. But then I'm just cheap.

johnep1

This hotel thinks it's a conference/convention hotel and does not always honor 4 pm checkout. I'm here right now (on the lousy wifi) and was told by the front desk that this is a conference hotel (despite not mentioning such in its name, which appears to be the test described by the Lurkers in another thread) and that I should read the SPG fine print. They wouldn't even give a 1:30 pm checkout since they claim they have many wedding guests checking in today.

Breakfast was good though, but the rooms and (some of the) staff leave something to be desired.

jb3t

Just did three nights here and overall, it's a nice place. Here are some notes...

... Town - firstly, Portsmouth, NH is a great town. It has an awesome downtown area that is a throwback to the 1700s and 1800s. Lots of little restaurants, shops, bars, and places to explore. A nice little waterfront as well. It's a walking history tour.

... Checkin - was fine. Got SPG recognition. Due to a late booking, I could only get a 2 Double room and was put in the 4th Floor. The 5th is the Club Floor and I hear its all Kings.

... Upgrade - None. Was told hotel was Sold Out. Looked online and confirmed that it indeed was. Front desk told me to come back tomorrow and that would move me if I liked. I stayed put as the room was fine.

... Room - a bit on the small side but not tiny. Bedding, furniture, bathroom were all in very good shape. No complaints though the rooms are tight.

... Hotel - overall, the hotel is pretty nice. There was a conference going on but this is not a side-of-the-highway conference hotel. It's more of a slightly upper class in-town hotel. The hallways are long and I saw no carpet tears, scuffed walls, etc. I thought the place was in fine shape.

... Lobby - seemed pretty good. There were a few restaurants and bars and some "buzz". People there were a mix of visitors and conference people.

... Club Lounge - small but rather quaint. It reminded me of an Inn. Decent bfast selection in AM (a hot dish, fruit, cold stuff) and snacks at night including two hot dishes. Though small, never had a hard time finding seating.

... Parking - this hotel is in-town. You have a few parking options at somewhere about $10 a day. As I was working all week, I parked in street, right outside the hotel for free. There are meters but I was there before and after meter times.

... Price - This place seems to command relatively high rates and gets them. The hotel is often sold out. I tried to extend my stay but it's booked solid. There's a Hilton Garden close by and I hear the rates are high there as well.

... Service - no issues. All folks I interacted with were nice.

... Suites - looks like they have several condo-type suites. They appear to be privately owned and some have kitchens and multiple rooms. I don't think these count for upgrades. However, the price was not too far off the regular room rate. I am talking $75 difference and not $200.

Overall, I liked this place. Rooms on the expensive side and a little small but the city of Portsmouth is really cool and you're within a short walking distance to everything. Can't really complain about anything. I thought it was better than your average Sheraton, even though rooms were small.

Flews

Thanks for the update. Always wondered about this place and have been considering it as part of our annual New England adventure this year. I like what I'm hearing.

Cheers,

sbtinme

I live less than an hour's drive from this property, but I know this property well. I've stayed here on and off over the years and I'd agree that it's a solid hotel. They've oddly removed the suites from the upgrade pool, but that happened years ago. You're not missing much, take my word for it.

I'd suggest that this is a great hotel for a one or two night getaway, but anything longer than that would get tiresome. I've never had a room here that wasn't -- frankly -- smallish. They're simply built that way. Tight spaces in the room and bathroom. Just how it is.

Over the years, they vacillate between running a club lounge on the fifth floor and closing it. I guess it's back open now. When it's closed, they've always had breakfast in the lobby restaurant for club room guests.

No reason to pay their overnight parking rates. Simply look a block on any side of the hotel for other options. It's virtually as close to park offsite than it is to park in the hotel lot anyway.

jb3t

Agree on the "smallish" rooms. Not tiny by any stretch but smaller than the norm. I was there 3 nights and had no issues. If I was with a family of 4, it would get a little cramped.

The only real negative was the elevator was a little slow. The town, however, is very nice.

Peatisback

Does this property keep the lounge open 7 days a week? E-mail confirmations for club level bookings state it is M-F.

Starwood Lurker II

Perhaps we can have a copy of the email confirmation?

[email protected]

Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd

Peatisback

I forwarded a copy of my confirmation. The property's website is also unclear; it states:

"The Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel features 32 Club Level guest rooms on the fifth and highest floor of the hotel. A relaxing, upscale space, the Club Lounge offers complimentary breakfast, evening hors d’oeuvres (Monday-Thursday) and a variety of beverage options."

Thanks for researching.

nologic

The Club Lounge is comprised of two rooms at the end of the club floor. You room key works 24/7 to access a small fridge with drinks. I think snacks like chips are also available. I believe there is one hot item available for breakfast, like scrambled eggs, otherwise it's your typical Continental breakfast.

Overall, it's disappointing to me that the hotel is constructed with few balconies and small windows, but this is unlikely to ever change. When you stay in a hotel in a waterfront/harbor town, you'd hope to get a better sense of the harbor/waterfront that is generally afforded by the rooms at this property (I haven't stayed in one of the privately-owned suites).

Does anyone know how much the suites cost to buy and how they have done as an investment?

FYI: overnight parking is $15/day (self) or $18/day valet). Street parking is available, if you want to feed the meter at 8am, and there's a city garage not far away.

Barnaby100

I think the suites you refer to are the townhouses in the car park? They are privately owned. I spent 10 mins in1 before insisting I was moved to a suite in the hotel. It was a 1980s time warp with a rank smell of fried food from the businesses underneath.

The general hotel is fine. Bit dated - stayed quite a few times over the years. Breakfast in restaurant is nice- they will give you vouchers rather than having it it club room sometimes. Lounge isn't open at weekends or between christmas And new year based on my experience.

Peatisback

So apparently this property only keeps the lounge open for breakfast with access to water during the rest of the day, but does not do evening service on the weekend. They do not offer anything to make up for this. Yet another property not up to brand standards...

Starwood Lurker

The hotel confirms that they are in compliance and that the club lounge is open 7 days a week. Let us know if that is not how you find it when you stay.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Flews

Tuning into this thread turned me on to this property and we're looking forward to trying it soon. Didn't even know it had a lounge, so that's bonus.

Cheers,