Four Points by Sheraton BWI Baltimore Airport [Master Thread]
 

After checking into the Sheraton BWI yesterday, I turned on the TV and pressed MENU (you know, where you go to check your folio and order porn.) I was only slightly surprised to see that everywhere within that system the hotel is referred to as the Four Points BWI.

The reason I was not-quite-surprised is that the property is getting a little long in the tooth, and a bit worn. The beds are nice, but not quite Sweet Sleepers, they have old and noisy individual A/C / heating units, etc. It does seem more like both the LAX and ORD Four Points than either the LAX or ORD Sheratons.

It's a Four Points now. On June 15, I booked four reservations for this coming September. The confirmations all say, "Sheraton International Hotel on BWI Airport." When I checked my reservations tonight, they all show, "Four Points by Sheraton BWI Airport." The rates are still $159 a night -- at a Four Points? :confused:

BWI is now a 4 Points
 

I noticed the new signs up when I was in BWI Friday night. Even the panels in the hotel directories at baggage claim now show it as a 4 Points.

Given that this is one of the shabbiest, least-pleasant Sheratons I have ever had the bad fortune to stay at, I think it's about time that it rebranded. Even placing it into Four Points category devalues Four Points, in my mind.

IMHO it should be a Three Points certainly not a Sheraton.

It went from being a Sheraton to being a Four Points. The times I've stayed here, I had to teach the desk about Platinum amenities, etc. The rooms were nothing special. While it is the closest property to BWI, there are FAR better values for a one-night stay that have very convenient shuttles. They are outside the Starwood family, but can be half the price.

If you don't have to stay in the BWI area and are looking for a *W property, I would definitely go with the Sheraton Inner Harbor. Let's just say...location, location, location! Definitely a lot more to do in the Inner Harbor and the dinning alternatives are huge.

This property is a nightmare. I got stuck here a few months ago (when it was still a Sheraton) because I missed the last US flight out. I got a distressed rate here... but it took three separate rounds of phone calls to get a front desk clerk who could speak proper English and not put me on hold for 10 minutes and walk off. I finally got quoted a rate on the third call (and 45 minutes of trying) after I got the Platinum desk to patch me through yet again after I was hung up on. I got over to the hotel 15 minutes later and the rate they had me booked on was $20 higher than the rate I was quoted. I recognized (by voice) the girl who quoted me the rate at the desk - she denied it - and we finally had to get a manager to sort it all out.

The rooms are old and dingy and the hotel is laid out oddly... the outward and inward appearance resembles converted Army barracks. Room service was mediocre. A requested wake-up call came 15 minutes late (when I was already up from the alarm and in the shower). The room itself was threadbare and cramped.

I wouldn't stay here again unless I had to catch a 6 am flight again.

BWI area hotels are very expensive during the week, though much less costly on weekends. Any of the Hilton properties in the area will go for $120/nt and up. The only Starwood property is the Four Points, and it doesn't sound so hot. When I need a room prior to an early morning flight, I have resorted to Priceline in the past, but again that has been on weekends.

The one advantage is that you can park for 6 days for about $30. To be able to avoid parking at BWI plus an early a.m. flight, then it's not an awful deal. The hotel is minimal but I actually found the room service fine and the room was adequate.

We have stayed a number of times for the 6am out of BWI. Two weeks of parking were free in the old days.

I always found the hotel to be adequate. The restaurant was not so very good. Go to G&M, and have crab cakes.

Never got the free breakfast, as the flight was always too early.

In the past 50% off tickets had a pronounced effect on the rate.

On two occasions, after going to the trouble of staying and parking, the flight was cancelled, and we ended up having to catch a cab to DCA due to time constraints for the replacement flight.

It's a dump!

Definitely hit and miss (mostly miss). A shame given it's decent location.

- RightD

Hmm... the property sounds a little dubious, but I've got a 6am flight out of BWI coming up. Can one merely walk to the terminal, or is a shuttle still necessary?

You really need to take the shuttle.

It's not the Taj Mahal, but it's adequate. I've been in here many, many times. It was a good decision to change it to a Four Points. Expectations were lowered. It's not a vacation hotel, it's a "we have to sleep 8 hours here" hotel, for which it's fine.