While staying at the Sheraton Chapel Hill once, the Il Palio restaurant at the Siena Hotel was recommended. I was so impressed by the really outstanding service, the nice, comfortable elegance, and the quite good food at remarkably affordable prices, that I asked to see one of the rooms. I suppose I'd say it's a nice room, but I was underwhelmed. Maybe it's because I was so impressed by the restaurant, I was disappointed that the room didn't seem to meet the same standard. As janeway says, not really outstanding. The Siena Hotel generally charges ca. $200/night compared to ca. $140 or so at the Sheraton. While the Sheraton is a fairly run-of-the-mill Sheraton, for the money I'll return there over the Siena, though I'll be back to eat at Il Palio.

There's a B&B out in the country nearby called the Fearrington House that presents and prices itself as a luxury accommodation, but I've not been there to say for sure if it lives up to its image.

The Siena is showing a lot of wear. The restaurant is still quite good.

Considering that the Sheraton AND Carolina Inn are much cheaper, it's hard to justify staying at the Siena (especially when the CI is so much closer for University business and to the downtown commercial area).

The B&B and associated restaurant do live up to their image IMHO. A very nice place. I should point out that the B&B/restaurant are not really free-standing. Fearrington House is part of Fearrington Village, which is a faux-country village-cum-housing development type deal that folks may or may not find appealing as a destination.

[QUOTE=janeway]

3) Carolina Inn - yet another AAA 4 diamond hotel with Mobil 4 star award restaurant also, in the heart of Chapel Hill. Used to be managed by Doubletree, but I don't think so anymore.

QUOTE]

When you click reservations on their site, it takes you to DT reservations, so I assume it still a DT property.

Apparently some major renovation work is being planned at the Sheraton in Raleigh. Does anyone have details?

Last week I stayed at the Four Points in Durham. The SPG website lists the hotel as being built in the last few years. It feels like a new hotel. This is the nicest Four Points I have stayed in.

HDTV, Free Wired/Wireless Internet, Upgraded to Jr. Suite, Open Airy Lobby, Decent Rate.

I would return to this property.

It appears Starwood is trying to improve the image of Four Points, so why do they have toiletries that prominently say MADE IN CHINA?

i have stayed there also and really like the hotel.

Good news indeed^ My nephew is getting married in September and we just booked there for the wedding.

Fearrington Inn is AAA five diamond rated, if that says something. "Fearrington Village" is a little hokey for my tastes, but there is a good bookshop on the premises; it's fine for a few hours or one night. The Umstead Hotel, on the SAS Institute campus in Cary, also made five diamond this year, but I can't vouch for it as it opened long after I moved away.

Yes, the downtown Raleigh Sheraton overlooks the Wake County courthouse & jail. (I got treated to tours of it in a high-school law class.) No, Raleigh's not renowned for its nightlife, even as the metro population zooms towards 2mil. And yes, it was built as part of a 1980s downtown renewal project, although thankfully the worst parts of that (the old Civic Center and the pedestrian mall) are now history, ripped out in 2006. However, I still vastly prefer a location where there is something within walking distance besides a parking lot -- and there are quite good restaurants in DT Raleigh -- which is astonishingly difficult to find in the South. Heck, surprisingly difficult to find anywhere in America.

The Soleil/Westin project is still in presales.

Dittos on the raves for the Four Points at Southpoint in Durham. New build as of April 2007, friendly staff, knowledgeable about SPG benefits. Big airy central courtyard design. There may be a master thread on this, I seem to recall that I posted something about this before. Stayed at it a bunch of times before I got a work touchdown apartment in Raleigh. Have recommended it to colleagues who liked it a lot.

Sheraton Imperial is a worn-out property. As noted upthread, business-oriented, and one of the old dull dark colors worn-down Sheratons. Also poor SPG Platinum recognition. Routinely would refuse to set me up with a 4pm checkout at check-in, saying "come down in the morning on your last day and we probably can do it." Which means my keys aren't coded right, and I have to make an extra stop rather than every single other SPG property I've ever stayed at which always sets it up at check-in if you request it. :td:

However they have a nice club lounge, with a really excellent host. She remembers people from stay to stay, great conversations, very friendly.

Sheraton Chapel Hill is nothing special IMHO. Very haphazard service, probably due to college-student staffing. I don't know if it's officially affiliated with UNC, but most of the front desk and restaurant staff seem to be college students with part-time jobs there and not very committed to the work. Really slow service at the breakfast buffet (coffee service, restocking empty food trays, etc.). No lounge. Room fixtures seem cheap.

Haven't stayed at the downtown Raleigh Sheraton. Of the three I have stayed at, the Four Points is the top choice absolutely.

I have been staying at the Sheraton Chapel Hill for the last few months due to a corporate rate with that particular hotel, and they are changing it up. Renovations will have new rooms (the 3rd floor is completed which is where I stayed this week) that will have flat screens and new furniture.

But they are also making the restaurant a Shula's 357 Grill and the 4th floor will have a club lounge when their renovations are over.

[QUOTE=MarkXS;9681162]Dittos on the raves for the Four Points at Southpoint in Durham. New build as of April 2007, friendly staff, knowledgeable about SPG benefits. Big airy central courtyard design. There may be a master thread on this, I seem to recall that I posted something about this before. Stayed at it a bunch of times before I got a work touchdown apartment in Raleigh. Have recommended it to colleagues who liked it a lot.]

Agreed. 4 Points is excellent. Junior suites are especially nice (and large).

sheraton raleigh
 

Just had my family stay at the sheraton raleigh for graduation. both rooms got upgraded to the club level. rooms totally renovated and pretty nice. still smelled somewhat fresh (carpet?). one had really nice views the other one so so. folks friendly, breakfast very good. club lounge had no service over the weekend. downtown raleigh has really improved and is definitely worth a night or two.

So true. Savannah and Charleston in particular are dining wastelands. :rolleyes:

Any suggestions?