Sheraton Grand Tel Aviv, Israel (formerly 'and Towers') [Master Thread]
#181
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ZRH/INN/MUC/FDH
Programs: LH/*A Gold, BA/OW Emerald, EK Silver, SPG Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 84
I have stayed there as a Plat 6x this year. Great staff and I get usually an upgrade (from the cheapest room booked). The breakfast is excellent (you can choose from the club lounge or the breakfast restaurant). Unfortunately, hotel prices in Israel are in general very expensive.
#182
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ*G, Mar LTT, Hyatt Glb, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,018
The kids are also welcome to play on the computers next to the lounge reception desk.
I agree that the policy is annoying. Parking is also very expensive. I've got a great upgrade ratio, so there is that.
If you booked a prepaid rate, you may have a case for cancelling because of not knowing about this policy.
I agree that the policy is annoying. Parking is also very expensive. I've got a great upgrade ratio, so there is that.
If you booked a prepaid rate, you may have a case for cancelling because of not knowing about this policy.
#184
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Belgium
Programs: SPG Platinum & Gold for life, M&M Senator, Flying Blue Platinum,
Posts: 90
Had some chats with the hotel last week, was even more dissapointed after my calls. The person i talked with never even heard spg plat members often benefit from complementory continental breakfast. According to her this is only possible as the welcome amenity...
Decided to keep the booking anyway. My little family prefers staying opposite the beach, for my next visits to Tel Aviv i will consider other options though.
#185
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
She is correct in a literal sense. Lounge access is guaranteed. Breakfast (in the absence of a lounge) is an amenity. She may not have made the connection that lounge access includes breakfast.
#186
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ*G, Mar LTT, Hyatt Glb, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,018
The Sheraton in Hershey/Harrisburg, PA also has an age limit I think on breakfast. So what they do is give you breakfast coupons for the main restaurant in the event that you have children with you, IIRC
The Sheraton in Tel Aviv is very gracious towards guests and I have a great upgrade ratio you. But they are generally by the book. In fact, while I was working in the empty lounge earlier this year, after the wine and cheese service, my gf dozed off with her head on my shoulder, not lap. The lounge attendant reminded me that there is no sleeping in the lounge.
#187
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LHR and ZRH
Programs: BA GGL, SQ PPS, HH Diamond, SPG LTP/100, Marriott Platinum, Mucci des Lois Constitutionelles
Posts: 1,007
Currently in-house and loving it.
My last visit was a year and a half ago. The lounge had been renovated I think, but the rooms had not been. This time the rooms have been renovated. I booked 5 nights, 2 nights, 5 nights. Applied SNAs to the two 5-night reservations and ended up with all 12 nights in the same suite. Your24 was accepted for both the first and last reservation. The first reservation for a 9AM check-in (IRROPS led to us not arriving until 5PM ) and a 6PM check out for the last reservation.
The lounge staff is really friendly. I was a bit amused by the "no sleeping int he lounge" policy being mentioned when my gf dozed on my shoulder as I was working on the laptop on one of the couches. The lounge was empty so it couldn't have bothered anyone and she was leaning on my shoulder, not strewn across a couch with her feet up. But such is life.
I need to mention something to them about the croissants. They are pretty bad. Maybe they should import from Aroma.
The rooms renovations made a big difference in the bathroom. There is now a walk-in shower, in addition to the bathtub, and large sink with a counter. I typically dreaded this property because of the shower in the bathtub but that annoyance is gone.
MAGC works like a charm.
I used the Whatsapp customer service for a few things and they were extremely responsive and prompt.
Great place for an extended stay!
My last visit was a year and a half ago. The lounge had been renovated I think, but the rooms had not been. This time the rooms have been renovated. I booked 5 nights, 2 nights, 5 nights. Applied SNAs to the two 5-night reservations and ended up with all 12 nights in the same suite. Your24 was accepted for both the first and last reservation. The first reservation for a 9AM check-in (IRROPS led to us not arriving until 5PM ) and a 6PM check out for the last reservation.
The lounge staff is really friendly. I was a bit amused by the "no sleeping int he lounge" policy being mentioned when my gf dozed on my shoulder as I was working on the laptop on one of the couches. The lounge was empty so it couldn't have bothered anyone and she was leaning on my shoulder, not strewn across a couch with her feet up. But such is life.
I need to mention something to them about the croissants. They are pretty bad. Maybe they should import from Aroma.
The rooms renovations made a big difference in the bathroom. There is now a walk-in shower, in addition to the bathtub, and large sink with a counter. I typically dreaded this property because of the shower in the bathtub but that annoyance is gone.
MAGC works like a charm.
I used the Whatsapp customer service for a few things and they were extremely responsive and prompt.
Great place for an extended stay!
The Sheraton is my first choice when visiting Tel Aviv. I got fed up with the lousy attitude of the Hilton Tel Aviv staff, particularly the totally-invisible GM.
#188
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Belgium
Programs: SPG Platinum & Gold for life, M&M Senator, Flying Blue Platinum,
Posts: 90
Stayed at the Sheraton TLV during the first week of August.
Can't say I was impressed with my stay and that's an understatement.
Plat recognition:
I got in touch with the hotel way up front to inform I was coming with my family and an upgrade would be appreciated if this was possible.
The reservation manager seemed to be very helpful, but she informed it would be extremely difficult and even had to waive SNA's as the hotel is fully booked.
When arriving at the hotel i was really happy when we were informed we got upgraded to a studio suite after all.
But when we entered the room we noticed a strong musty smell, also the room was not a renovated one and gave a really sad impression.
So we told we preferred to be in a renovated room, even if it was not a suite.
In case they had nothing better, we prefer to move to another hotel in the morning, as I found many options at the rate of $290 in TLV.
what followed was really surreal, they showed us 6 other available suites, while they initially said they had no suites available. We ended up in a great renovated Deluxe suite.
They dealt with the situation, but only after I said I would leave to another hotel.
Pool
I only used the pool twice during my stay, but at both times it was not great at all.
The first time my son got bullied by one of the lifeguards because he jumped in the water.
True, there are signs everywhere indicating it is not allowed to dive in the water and rules are there to be respected.
But the pool was completely empty except for us, so there was no need to get angry at my 7 year old...
If the lifeguard would have told this in a way like he did it because he cared for his safety instead of shouting at him, it wouldn't have ruined it for him.
Now my son just got scared and didn't want to come to the pool anymore.
A second incident was at the last day of our stay, it was shabbat and very crowded at the pool.
All of a sudden everybody could do as he wish at the pool.
While there is a non smoking policy, people were smoking cigarettes and marihuana on the sun-loungers next to us all day and nobody seemed to care about that.
We decided to go to the room as we did not feel comfortable wit our kids.
When I later informed the front desk manager about the situation at the pool, he said I should have warned the staff.
Maybe thats true, but everybody could see and smell this, they were being served with food and drinks all the time, nobody said a word.
I am a guest and I don't feel it is my duty to inform anybody.
Lounge
Well... I had a baby and my son with me, since they have a 'no children policy' it took me till the last day to actually go try the lounge.
After the pool incident we decided to watch some movies at the room so I went up to the loung to grab some bites, but was told I can't take plates with me and I have to put it all in a napkin...
This is a 5 star hotel and they tell you to put your bites in a napkin??? really?
I understand about the no children policy, but it would be great if, as one of the most expensive hotels of TLV, the hotel would anticipate on this policy and give something instead for families with kids.
Location
Right in front of the beach, could not be better!
staff
While I really didn't like the hotel, I really appreciated the staff of the hotel.
They always made their best efforts to help us out when we needed something.
I talk with the front desk manager about what happened at the poolside because he was really annoyed with the smoking (pot) at the pool and he told me I should inform him when I would come back back so he would make sure I had a good stay.
Well, I am sure of one thing, I will have to start reading really good reviews for me to ever go back to Sheraton TLV.
I would not recommend families with children to visit this hotel as we did not feel welcome at all.
For me this stay was a waste of money and I would not risk to go there again.
Can't say I was impressed with my stay and that's an understatement.
Plat recognition:
I got in touch with the hotel way up front to inform I was coming with my family and an upgrade would be appreciated if this was possible.
The reservation manager seemed to be very helpful, but she informed it would be extremely difficult and even had to waive SNA's as the hotel is fully booked.
When arriving at the hotel i was really happy when we were informed we got upgraded to a studio suite after all.
But when we entered the room we noticed a strong musty smell, also the room was not a renovated one and gave a really sad impression.
So we told we preferred to be in a renovated room, even if it was not a suite.
In case they had nothing better, we prefer to move to another hotel in the morning, as I found many options at the rate of $290 in TLV.
what followed was really surreal, they showed us 6 other available suites, while they initially said they had no suites available. We ended up in a great renovated Deluxe suite.
They dealt with the situation, but only after I said I would leave to another hotel.
Pool
I only used the pool twice during my stay, but at both times it was not great at all.
The first time my son got bullied by one of the lifeguards because he jumped in the water.
True, there are signs everywhere indicating it is not allowed to dive in the water and rules are there to be respected.
But the pool was completely empty except for us, so there was no need to get angry at my 7 year old...
If the lifeguard would have told this in a way like he did it because he cared for his safety instead of shouting at him, it wouldn't have ruined it for him.
Now my son just got scared and didn't want to come to the pool anymore.
A second incident was at the last day of our stay, it was shabbat and very crowded at the pool.
All of a sudden everybody could do as he wish at the pool.
While there is a non smoking policy, people were smoking cigarettes and marihuana on the sun-loungers next to us all day and nobody seemed to care about that.
We decided to go to the room as we did not feel comfortable wit our kids.
When I later informed the front desk manager about the situation at the pool, he said I should have warned the staff.
Maybe thats true, but everybody could see and smell this, they were being served with food and drinks all the time, nobody said a word.
I am a guest and I don't feel it is my duty to inform anybody.
Lounge
Well... I had a baby and my son with me, since they have a 'no children policy' it took me till the last day to actually go try the lounge.
After the pool incident we decided to watch some movies at the room so I went up to the loung to grab some bites, but was told I can't take plates with me and I have to put it all in a napkin...
This is a 5 star hotel and they tell you to put your bites in a napkin??? really?
I understand about the no children policy, but it would be great if, as one of the most expensive hotels of TLV, the hotel would anticipate on this policy and give something instead for families with kids.
Location
Right in front of the beach, could not be better!
staff
While I really didn't like the hotel, I really appreciated the staff of the hotel.
They always made their best efforts to help us out when we needed something.
I talk with the front desk manager about what happened at the poolside because he was really annoyed with the smoking (pot) at the pool and he told me I should inform him when I would come back back so he would make sure I had a good stay.
Well, I am sure of one thing, I will have to start reading really good reviews for me to ever go back to Sheraton TLV.
I would not recommend families with children to visit this hotel as we did not feel welcome at all.
For me this stay was a waste of money and I would not risk to go there again.
#190
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 26
I'd love to know as well if the towers club still exists? I dont see anything like this on their website (only club lounge).
Does anyone know what the diff is between exec club and club rooms?
Any recent points bookings with upgrades to club floor or know if amenities can be purchased at check-in?
Does anyone know what the diff is between exec club and club rooms?
Any recent points bookings with upgrades to club floor or know if amenities can be purchased at check-in?
#191
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 592
My thoughts after a recent stay:
1) This is not a great hotel. It isn't a terrible flee-trap, but from the dark and slightly musty halls to the odd layout of the suite (door opens into the bedroom instead of the living room), the general feeling is that this is a slightly run-down Sheraton in need of a top-to-bottom renovation. The basics (e.g., cleanliness of the room) were fine, but no one is ever going to say it is a great or memorable hotel.
2) View from our suite was out the back of the hotel and the suite--which was advertised as having lounge access, was 10 floors away from the lounge.
3) The policies are obnoxious and not always well or obviously disclosed. There has been much discussion of the fact that children are barred from the lounge. The rationale given: we serve alcohol in the lounge (of course, so does every restaurant and airline...). I don't agree with the policy and find it obnoxious, but it is what it is. However, if you book a room that includes breakfast in the lounge, it would be simple, fair and reasonable to provide breakfast in the restaurant instead. Similarly, when I went to the lounge to get a snack for my child, they stopped me from carrying the food out of the lounge. That was just petty. Similarly, I was surprised by another charge that had not been disclosed at booking.
I guess I don't have that much else to add: a ho-hum slightly run-down hotel that may be fine--albeit forgettable--for a business person, but a poor choice for families. There are a couple of Marriott options (Renaissance and a Ritz). I can't comment on those, perhaps they are better if you really care about points.
1) This is not a great hotel. It isn't a terrible flee-trap, but from the dark and slightly musty halls to the odd layout of the suite (door opens into the bedroom instead of the living room), the general feeling is that this is a slightly run-down Sheraton in need of a top-to-bottom renovation. The basics (e.g., cleanliness of the room) were fine, but no one is ever going to say it is a great or memorable hotel.
2) View from our suite was out the back of the hotel and the suite--which was advertised as having lounge access, was 10 floors away from the lounge.
3) The policies are obnoxious and not always well or obviously disclosed. There has been much discussion of the fact that children are barred from the lounge. The rationale given: we serve alcohol in the lounge (of course, so does every restaurant and airline...). I don't agree with the policy and find it obnoxious, but it is what it is. However, if you book a room that includes breakfast in the lounge, it would be simple, fair and reasonable to provide breakfast in the restaurant instead. Similarly, when I went to the lounge to get a snack for my child, they stopped me from carrying the food out of the lounge. That was just petty. Similarly, I was surprised by another charge that had not been disclosed at booking.
I guess I don't have that much else to add: a ho-hum slightly run-down hotel that may be fine--albeit forgettable--for a business person, but a poor choice for families. There are a couple of Marriott options (Renaissance and a Ritz). I can't comment on those, perhaps they are better if you really care about points.
#192
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 592
I cannot comment on the progress of the renovation (or if there has been any progress at all). The entire hotel seems to need a gut renovation at the moment. Pretty musty.
#193
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LHR and ZRH
Programs: BA GGL, SQ PPS, HH Diamond, SPG LTP/100, Marriott Platinum, Mucci des Lois Constitutionelles
Posts: 1,007
My thoughts after a recent stay:
1) This is not a great hotel. It isn't a terrible flee-trap, but from the dark and slightly musty halls to the odd layout of the suite (door opens into the bedroom instead of the living room), the general feeling is that this is a slightly run-down Sheraton in need of a top-to-bottom renovation. The basics (e.g., cleanliness of the room) were fine, but no one is ever going to say it is a great or memorable hotel.
2) View from our suite was out the back of the hotel and the suite--which was advertised as having lounge access, was 10 floors away from the lounge.
3) The policies are obnoxious and not always well or obviously disclosed. There has been much discussion of the fact that children are barred from the lounge. The rationale given: we serve alcohol in the lounge (of course, so does every restaurant and airline...). I don't agree with the policy and find it obnoxious, but it is what it is. However, if you book a room that includes breakfast in the lounge, it would be simple, fair and reasonable to provide breakfast in the restaurant instead. Similarly, when I went to the lounge to get a snack for my child, they stopped me from carrying the food out of the lounge. That was just petty. Similarly, I was surprised by another charge that had not been disclosed at booking.
I guess I don't have that much else to add: a ho-hum slightly run-down hotel that may be fine--albeit forgettable--for a business person, but a poor choice for families. There are a couple of Marriott options (Renaissance and a Ritz). I can't comment on those, perhaps they are better if you really care about points.
1) This is not a great hotel. It isn't a terrible flee-trap, but from the dark and slightly musty halls to the odd layout of the suite (door opens into the bedroom instead of the living room), the general feeling is that this is a slightly run-down Sheraton in need of a top-to-bottom renovation. The basics (e.g., cleanliness of the room) were fine, but no one is ever going to say it is a great or memorable hotel.
2) View from our suite was out the back of the hotel and the suite--which was advertised as having lounge access, was 10 floors away from the lounge.
3) The policies are obnoxious and not always well or obviously disclosed. There has been much discussion of the fact that children are barred from the lounge. The rationale given: we serve alcohol in the lounge (of course, so does every restaurant and airline...). I don't agree with the policy and find it obnoxious, but it is what it is. However, if you book a room that includes breakfast in the lounge, it would be simple, fair and reasonable to provide breakfast in the restaurant instead. Similarly, when I went to the lounge to get a snack for my child, they stopped me from carrying the food out of the lounge. That was just petty. Similarly, I was surprised by another charge that had not been disclosed at booking.
I guess I don't have that much else to add: a ho-hum slightly run-down hotel that may be fine--albeit forgettable--for a business person, but a poor choice for families. There are a couple of Marriott options (Renaissance and a Ritz). I can't comment on those, perhaps they are better if you really care about points.
I find the hotel very good. I like the GM and his team - so much better than under his predecessor.
As for the lounge policy, it's your right to find it obnoxious. But I find screaming kids obnoxious too. And I'm very happy they aren't allowed in the lounge.
#194
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 592
The policy also does not bar loud, obnoxious and potentially screaming adults.
But, like I said, they are free to set the policy.
However, my primary complaint was that they did not make common sense, free and simple accommodations for those they bar from the lounge while simultaneously charging for lounge access.
#195
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Silver, *A Silver, SPG/Marriott/Ritz Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 13
Has anyone had any problems using a corporate rate at this property? I have one from a friend that drops the nightly rate by $85!