Thanks Gleff. I've never see this machine anywhere else. Are there any others out there?

I guess you can use them to check out too?

Yes. I checked out of the Sheraton Boston using the kiosk a couple of weeks back.

As of early this summer, there were 11 Sheraton-branded hotels with these kiosks: Sheraton Stamford, Sheraton Boston, Sheraton Manhattan, Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, Sheraton Colonial, Sheraton Braintree, Sheraton Framingham, Sheraton Edison, Sheraton Parsippany, Sheraton San Diego, and the Sheraton Tucson Suites. It is expected that every Sheraton-branded property in the North American Division will have these kiosks by the end of the year.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

[email protected]

What about upgrades options? Do these self-service kiosks give you options from available inventory or is it just what has been preassigned?

Would I have a better chance of getting lets say a suite upgrade as a platinum by seeing someone at front desk?

Slow but decent experience
 

I used the kiosk in Boston to check-in a couple of days ago and to check-out today. Overall it's an EXCELLENT idea but has some serious teething flaws. Here are my impressions:

The machine requires the credit card used to make the reservation, but you don't swipe it: it eats it to read it, and doesn't immediately spit it out. You simply wait. And you wait. And you start worrying whether there's a bug and you will never see your card again. So you wait some more and start panicking.

Finally something happens. I am offered an upgraded room type (thanks SPG!), and am asked to accept room/dates/etc. I am then put on hold for a while, and asked to choose the SPG Platinum benefit. Then more waiting, and am asked for the number of keys needed and whether I want a receipt (I choose yes). After waiting some more, one key comes out, and 15-20 seconds later, another. Much more waiting, and a receipt with room #, rate, etc. comes out.

At check-out, the same slowness is present. I insert the credit card, and sit for a while before it's even returned to me. I am offered if I want a copy of the bill printed and/or emailed, and I choose both as a test. My email address is not prepopulated (bad integration!) and I have to enter it again. Printing three measly pages takes about 2 minutes, and not because the printer is slow, but because the system is. After 5 hours I still haven't received the receipt via email, which would be an excellent idea if it worked.

Bottom line: the kiosks are great ideas and the software is well designed, but they're so slow and make you wait for so long that their main benefit -- expediting the process -- is negated. Until they fix this, you're much better off using the desk instead of the kiosk unless there's a line.

Is there a particular reason why non-North American Sheratons aren't participating? Other than it is too difficult? Just curious.

I can think of a couple of Westins that would benefit from this too.

Bonus!!
 

I checked my SPG account today and I received 500 points for using the check in kiosk! Plus 500 Platinum bonus which I had selected when checking in.

Also, to hillrider, I didn't see any slowness when I used the Kiosk. Perhaps it was a temporary problem you had?

I hope so for Starwood, but the extreeeeeeeeeeeeeme slowness was present both at check-in (17 September) and check-out (22 September) at the Boston Sheraton, so it wasn't a "temporary" glitch.

hmmm...i used the kiosk and the sheraton boston a month or so ago and didn't experience any slowness. i loved the darn thing. loved it.

and, yes, this property can have some truly jaw dropping lines. so, the kiosks are a welcome addition.

Anything new like this takes some time to be rolled out brand-wide. That would especially be true in cross-brand situations and where there may be potential technical challenges. So as far as other Sheratons in other divisions and other brands getting kiosks, we will just have to wait and see.

FWIW, I'm told that a Platinum member would be able to select an upgrade from what is available at check-in and also select their choice of welcome amenities.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

[email protected]

FWIW, I'm Platinum and I didn't get any choices on upgrades. However I got a great Club-level upgrade anyway. Perhaps it was pre-assigned. I did get to choose my amenity and the 500 points posted just fine.

Then that means there were no other better upgrades available when you checked in. ;)

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

[email protected]

Sheraton Boston - view of Charles River - 17th floor or higher
 

I did a search earlier today and found a couple threads on the Sheraton Boston but can not find the one I am looking for now so am starting a new thread, sorry.

If you want a view of the Charles River, you need to be above the 15th floor. I was on the 15th floor (North tower) and could see a few small sections of the Charles.
I would think at least the 17th would afford you a good view. Anything higher should be alright.

I had orginally been booked on the 9th floor when I asked if there was anything higher with a view of the river, during check-in.
I was told yes, but it was only a Queen room (orginally had a King) but that I would "have a nice view of the Charles".
When I got to the room and opened the curtains I laughed, because I thought maybe if I stand on the bed and bounce I'll be able to see it. ;)

I didn't bother requesting another room.

Just wanted to post for anyone who is interested in a view of the Charles River and staying at the Sheraton Boston... floor 17 or up should be good.

Starwood Lurker posted the above late last summer. Does anyone know if the Check-in Kiosk (and its bonus starpoints) program been expanded beyond the the original 11 Sheraton branded properties and if these kiosks are still in place? I do know that on my last visit the Sheraton Parsippany still had the kiosk in place.

i was at the sheraton boston a month or so ago and the kiosk was in place. it offered me a choice of a couple of upgrades as well as my amenity. i love the kiosks.