Hadn't stayed at this place (largest hotel in the state) for a good five years. Biz trip to me back to Burlington for several nights this week, so I checked back with my old pal the Sheraton in town.

A few background items first. This hotel has a super location, frankly. It is immediately off the interstate in exceptionally prime real estate -- perhaps 10 walkable blocks from the hip action of the downtown/waterfront/Church st scene which is really great. Also in the very midst of numerous restaurants and shopping venues. Most of the reason for this fabu location is that this hotel (in some form or another) has been here since the late 1960s, methinks. Yes, there have been numerous additions and expansions along the way, but the Sheraton has occupied that corner now for many decades.

Another feature of this hotel that tells its age is the old Sheraton sign out front of the property. This is one of the OLD Blue and White Sheraton signs that used to be the brand standard as far back as the mid 1970s (and perhaps longer). Driving in, I was struck to see it still in use. I remember seeing these signs by the dozens when Sheraton used to have numerous Sheraton INNS all over the place on the east coast way back. Anyway, the sign is old, got it?!?

Check in was a little rough. One very young attendant at the desk was having major issues with the key card encoder. Several guests had come down to report malfunctioning keys and she was doing her best to get it all to work with some limited success. Guests in the area looked frustrated and frazzled. I could hear the PBX (phone system) operator behind the front desk area answering calls left and right and also sounding very exasperated while doing so.

Eventually got my key and heading to the room many many many many steps away. (This hotel is a rambler.) Got to the top floor and --you guessed it -- my key doesn't work either. After trudging back down to the lobby, she punched out 3 keys for me and advised that "one of them should work for you." Hmmm....

Key worked and in I go. Room in relatively good shape. Furniture and soft goods are exactly as they were 5 years back and looking somewhat tired, but not horrible. Carpet a miserable green with yellow square patterns -- ugh. All rooms have the new Sheraton Sweet Sleeper. My bathroom was not up to standard and was exceptionally dated. Grey laminate sink with first generation Corian-type thin counter top. Crappy 1.5 inch "hospital ceramic tile" grey floor was not pleasant. Worst of all, the shower curtain liner was mildewed and smelled bad upon entry to the room. Add to that the ceiling area above the shower was dotted with grey and black mildew blobs. Not happy about that one bit.

Found out from hotel folk that the new GM is tough to work for and he replaced the former GM who was the hotel owner, a local guy, and in place for nearly 20 years. As one might imagine, the transition was not easy for some and many long term staffers chose to leave and follow the old GM to the Doubletree hotel in town (which he now owns).

Also found out the bathrooms are slated for total overhaul beginning this winter.

I give this place a B-.