Sheraton Baltimore North [Master Thread]
Feb 15, 2010, 12:26 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: MD
Posts: 384
rather "bleh" property...
Just returned from stay at the Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel, located near the center of Towson, Maryland, about 20-30 minutes from Inner Harbor/Downtown Baltimore.
Stayed on C&P. Check in went smoothly with acknowledgment of plat status and was offered choice of plat amenity. We were upgraded to Club Level, though I don't know if the rooms themselves are different from standard rooms. FWIW, Club Lounge is closed on weekends (No Friday, Sat or Sun evening hors d'oeuvres, no brekkie on Sat, Sun mornings.) We stayed on a Sunday night, and the FDR said that lounge was closed for President's Day on Monday, so we were issued a voucher for the D/R (called Rain).
As for the hotel itself, it's a little hard to put a finger on, but I'll try to clarify with this: The hotel looked like it had been refurished within the last few years, but managed to have a strong "motel" sort of vibe. Everything about most of the hotel facilities felt really subpar. Marginally acceptable cleanliness, elevators that needed repair, half-hearted maintenance, chipped paint, etc. were the overall impression you're left with. With some good lighting and some care, this property could show marked improvement, but it just felt dingy, glum and indifferent. I also got the sense that the hotel was running on a near-skeleton staff. Even the Sweet Sleeper bed, felt below standard.
Mrs. ttrltb had an a.m. appt, so I don't know if the voucher for the breakfast buffet would've worked for two. The breakfast buffet ran to 10:30 and the a la carte menu was until 11:00 (hours not provided at check-in). I went to the buffet at around 10:15 and there was no one at the host stand. After about 4 minutes of no contact (eye or otherwise), I decided to be proactive before they closed and just grabbed a plate , found one of the few clean small tables and tried to leave as small of a footprint as possible to make cleanup easier (just used knife, fork, napkin...would've bussed my own plate, were there a station.) I felt a bit sorry for the staff since a look around told that they weren't just in the weeds, but in an entire bamboo forest.
Halfway through my breakfast, a waitress came over, offered me juice and took the voucher. I'd finished and left, leaving a tip, before she returned. The food was the typical buffet fare: waffles, bacon/sausage, potatoes, scrambled eggs, omelet station, fruit, etc. I will say that the food was of better quality than one typically expects of hotel buffets, so kudos there. I do not know if the offerings at the restaurant buffet are comparable to those in the Club Lounge.
As for the style/decor of the restaurant: the mall was packed so we'd stopped by during the evening to grab a bite and/or beverage, but the place was so much of a drab, sad hotel restaurant/bar, it was a cliche.
I checked out the gym and pool and they were both cleaner than all of the other areas of the hotel. The gym seemed adequately equipped with several elliptical machines, a stairmaster, one or two bikes including a recumbent, and, oddly, a lone treadmill. There were also some free-weights. The pool was closed for renovations, though it wasn't clear what kind. In it's present state, the pool is a bit small and with no where to grow, really, I would imagine it's dimensions will remain at least close to the same size. Also, the low end of the pool was 3.5 feet and the deep end was 4.5 feet.
There's plenty of free parking and, according to the website, valet parking (for a fee) as well. The hotel connects, via an open walkway on the 2nd floor, to the Towson Town Center, a recently expanded and updated mall.
FYI, the entrance to the hotel is NOT on Dulaney Valley Rd, but on Southerly Rd., just North of Fairmount Ave. (Just go north on Dulaney Valley and take the first right after the hotel...)
Given the "motel" feel of the attention & care given to the property, I don't see me returning for any reason other than desperation combined with an excellent price...and a need for a stay credit.
Stayed on C&P. Check in went smoothly with acknowledgment of plat status and was offered choice of plat amenity. We were upgraded to Club Level, though I don't know if the rooms themselves are different from standard rooms. FWIW, Club Lounge is closed on weekends (No Friday, Sat or Sun evening hors d'oeuvres, no brekkie on Sat, Sun mornings.) We stayed on a Sunday night, and the FDR said that lounge was closed for President's Day on Monday, so we were issued a voucher for the D/R (called Rain).
As for the hotel itself, it's a little hard to put a finger on, but I'll try to clarify with this: The hotel looked like it had been refurished within the last few years, but managed to have a strong "motel" sort of vibe. Everything about most of the hotel facilities felt really subpar. Marginally acceptable cleanliness, elevators that needed repair, half-hearted maintenance, chipped paint, etc. were the overall impression you're left with. With some good lighting and some care, this property could show marked improvement, but it just felt dingy, glum and indifferent. I also got the sense that the hotel was running on a near-skeleton staff. Even the Sweet Sleeper bed, felt below standard.
Mrs. ttrltb had an a.m. appt, so I don't know if the voucher for the breakfast buffet would've worked for two. The breakfast buffet ran to 10:30 and the a la carte menu was until 11:00 (hours not provided at check-in). I went to the buffet at around 10:15 and there was no one at the host stand. After about 4 minutes of no contact (eye or otherwise), I decided to be proactive before they closed and just grabbed a plate , found one of the few clean small tables and tried to leave as small of a footprint as possible to make cleanup easier (just used knife, fork, napkin...would've bussed my own plate, were there a station.) I felt a bit sorry for the staff since a look around told that they weren't just in the weeds, but in an entire bamboo forest.
Halfway through my breakfast, a waitress came over, offered me juice and took the voucher. I'd finished and left, leaving a tip, before she returned. The food was the typical buffet fare: waffles, bacon/sausage, potatoes, scrambled eggs, omelet station, fruit, etc. I will say that the food was of better quality than one typically expects of hotel buffets, so kudos there. I do not know if the offerings at the restaurant buffet are comparable to those in the Club Lounge.As for the style/decor of the restaurant: the mall was packed so we'd stopped by during the evening to grab a bite and/or beverage, but the place was so much of a drab, sad hotel restaurant/bar, it was a cliche.
I checked out the gym and pool and they were both cleaner than all of the other areas of the hotel. The gym seemed adequately equipped with several elliptical machines, a stairmaster, one or two bikes including a recumbent, and, oddly, a lone treadmill. There were also some free-weights. The pool was closed for renovations, though it wasn't clear what kind. In it's present state, the pool is a bit small and with no where to grow, really, I would imagine it's dimensions will remain at least close to the same size. Also, the low end of the pool was 3.5 feet and the deep end was 4.5 feet.
There's plenty of free parking and, according to the website, valet parking (for a fee) as well. The hotel connects, via an open walkway on the 2nd floor, to the Towson Town Center, a recently expanded and updated mall.
FYI, the entrance to the hotel is NOT on Dulaney Valley Rd, but on Southerly Rd., just North of Fairmount Ave. (Just go north on Dulaney Valley and take the first right after the hotel...)
Given the "motel" feel of the attention & care given to the property, I don't see me returning for any reason other than desperation combined with an excellent price...and a need for a stay credit.
Last edited by ttrltb; Feb 15, 2010 at 4:53 pm Reason: typos
Nov 18, 2010, 8:04 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
I live in the area so I have not stayed there myself but I tend to put up out of town coworkers there when they are in town. Overall no one has ever complained about the hotel and the staff has always been very nice. Only small issue that one visitor mentioned is that evidently the lounge can be kind of a zoo scene but I think that can happen anywhere if people bring in their entire family. Platinum upgrades have always been to Club Floor rooms with access to the lounge. No suite yet! Location is good since you can walk right over to the mall and the area is very safe.
Nov 23, 2010, 7:35 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DC and Texas
Programs: Delta,SPG, Hyatt
Posts: 543
My two night stay was nice and pleasant. Customer service here is outstanding....every employee was nice - asked how you were doing, or simply said hello, sir/ma'am, etc. Free parking in garage and nice courtyard. From check-in to lounge the employees were great.
The hotel is attached to a mall through a skybridge and its huge (PF Changs, TGIF, Cheesecake Factory, and Stoney River). The hotel itself is ordinary and nothing special. Restrooms dont appear to have been redone. Nice entry way with tile, sheraton bed, and carpets were clean. Elevators were fast - but carpet was dirty, and elevators didnt seem to be redone. I liked the hotel and would be back if needed.
Club lounge is small - decent spread for evening - had cheesecake!
breakfast - bagels, pastries, french toast, taters, fruit and various other cold items...coffee was no good but wife said her tea was nice.
Request a corner room as they are much bigger. only two suites that i saw on the 12th floor. Not all floors have vending machines. Despite the lounge being closed on Sunday, it was available for use and we were able to get drinks, though it seems they do not replenish the fridge.
cheers to the staff...
The hotel is attached to a mall through a skybridge and its huge (PF Changs, TGIF, Cheesecake Factory, and Stoney River). The hotel itself is ordinary and nothing special. Restrooms dont appear to have been redone. Nice entry way with tile, sheraton bed, and carpets were clean. Elevators were fast - but carpet was dirty, and elevators didnt seem to be redone. I liked the hotel and would be back if needed.
Club lounge is small - decent spread for evening - had cheesecake!
breakfast - bagels, pastries, french toast, taters, fruit and various other cold items...coffee was no good but wife said her tea was nice.
Request a corner room as they are much bigger. only two suites that i saw on the 12th floor. Not all floors have vending machines. Despite the lounge being closed on Sunday, it was available for use and we were able to get drinks, though it seems they do not replenish the fridge.
cheers to the staff...
Jun 22, 2011, 8:10 pm
#20
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: La Quinta, CA
Posts: 2,056
FYI - unrelated to the hotel itself but I believe there was a multiple murder in a room at this hotel recently.
Caught my eye on the news as I stayed there a lot in the mid 90's.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/mar...,7311642.story
Caught my eye on the news as I stayed there a lot in the mid 90's.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/mar...,7311642.story
Last edited by idainc; Jun 22, 2011 at 8:53 pm
Jun 23, 2011, 4:19 am
#21
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Singapore
Programs: SPG
Posts: 4,002
FBI probes financial dealings of N.Y. man who killed family, himself
By Nick Madigan and Gus G. Sentementes
April 24, 2009"
[email protected]
Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd
Jun 23, 2011, 7:56 am
#22
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
Recently???? This happend back over 2 years ago! I thought maybe I had missed something on the local news when I saw this post. Guy back then had financial issues and ended up taking his own life as well as that of his family. Sad situation that could have happend at any hotel he picked to stay at with his family in the area.
May 28, 2012, 7:12 pm
#24
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlanta but Washington DC will always be home.
Programs: Marriott LTP, Hilton Diamond, Accor Gold, Hyatt Explorist,, Delta Plat,
Posts: 2,075
May 28, 2012, 7:15 pm
#25
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: York, PA
Programs: MRSPG LT Tit, HH Diamond, Hertz Pres.
Posts: 1,737
May 28, 2012, 7:25 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlanta but Washington DC will always be home.
Programs: Marriott LTP, Hilton Diamond, Accor Gold, Hyatt Explorist,, Delta Plat,
Posts: 2,075
Oops, sorry. The Mrs. And I have Symphony tickets at the Myerhoff and since it'll be on a Friday night after work we've decided to spend the night in/near Baltimore than drive back to our home in Virginia.
Mar 22, 2013, 6:47 am
#27
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott/SPG Gold, Alaska MVP Gold, Delta Gold, AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 64
Not allowing standard points reservations?
This hotel just got downgraded to a Cat 1, but now they are not offering any standard points redemptions..ever! Strange because they have C+P available every day. Is this a glitch? Can they opt out of standard points redemptions? Im sure they aren't too pleased to only get 2k points a night on weekends! Starwood Lurker - any ideas what is going on?
Mar 22, 2013, 10:20 am
#28
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Temporary technical issue perhaps? Seems to be wide open to me.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Seems to be wide open to me.Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Mar 22, 2013, 1:25 pm
#29
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 7
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 6_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/536.26 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0 Mobile/10B144 Safari/8536.25)
I recently made an award reservation here. I had this issue also of no full points availability but C&P available. I called plat concierge who first made revenue reservation and then noted on reservation that it will really be an award stay. The points deducted from my account immediately, but I will only be checking in next week. We'll see how it works out.
I recently made an award reservation here. I had this issue also of no full points availability but C&P available. I called plat concierge who first made revenue reservation and then noted on reservation that it will really be an award stay. The points deducted from my account immediately, but I will only be checking in next week. We'll see how it works out.
Apr 2, 2013, 12:53 pm
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Programs: Marriott Plat Premier/LT Plat; SPG Plat/LT Gold; Hilton Gold; Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,356
Lurker,
Called SPG Plat who says this hotel is showing the pts requires of a Cat 3 and unable to book a room using pts. After 15 min and a call to the hotel by them (who said this is a known issue) they book a paid rate that will be converted.
Any ETA when this technical issue will be fixed?
Called SPG Plat who says this hotel is showing the pts requires of a Cat 3 and unable to book a room using pts. After 15 min and a call to the hotel by them (who said this is a known issue) they book a paid rate that will be converted.
Any ETA when this technical issue will be fixed?
Last edited by welookgood.com; Apr 2, 2013 at 12:59 pm