Non-Marriott "Gate Hotel" (formerly Sheraton JFK Airport Hotel), New York
May 23, 2011, 10:06 am
#46
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Victoria, B.C.
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Gold LT
Posts: 1,940
I decided to book this stay at the end of a weekend stay in NYC as we had a 7:30 am flight home, so I figured stay near the airport. Next time I will stay in town and pay a cab to take me to the airport instead.
We took the subway then Q10 Bus from the subway to the hotel. For anyone doing this route from Manhattan it take about 1h 15 minutes, but the 30 minute bus ride feels like an hour on its own as it stops every half block, but the good thing is it stops just a block from the hotel, next to the sanitation department. My wife gave me heck as we walked from the bus stop by the sanitation department to the hotel. She kept saying there is no way we are staying anywhere near here. Wow - I can't believe anyone would build a hotel in this part of town. On a good note I didn't really notice the smell of the sewage/garbage here.
Good
Check in agent was quick, explained everything and checked us in.
Lounge was open on the Sunday night at 8pm when we arrived. Lounge had just about run out of everything (we cleaned up what was left) but the attendant was very kind however not able to get anymore chicken wings as I think the lounge is suppose to close by 9pm. Also she brought us beer and wine without charge. The hotel has a FREE shuttle that leaves every half hour (00 and 30)
Bad
Wow, where to start. The hotel location is worse then bad except it is only a 10 minute drive to the terminals (20 if you stop at several other terminals) The hotel rates are sky high for the quality of the hotel. I presumed that since I was paying over $250 a night that the hotel would be at least OK. It has a very four-points feel to it. I would like to know who stays here? I wonder if other SPG members book because they need a airport hotel and figure its a Sheraton so it should have some quality to it. The hotel feels very worn, stain on carpet/wall. The bathroom is also very motel/hotel-ish. Small with a clogged drain and very little water pressure. Internet - wired and wireless are terrible. There is an advertisement from "Active Networks" If I were Active Networks I don't think i would advertise that they are supplying the network. Very very very slow. Doesn't matter if you use wired or wireless it is all slow. The hotel is also a little noisy as the freeway is on the opposite side.
I would suggest if you plan on staying here, be prepared for a stay at a hotel that should charge say $59-$79 per night even though you will be paying a couple hundred more and you will be OK.
We took the subway then Q10 Bus from the subway to the hotel. For anyone doing this route from Manhattan it take about 1h 15 minutes, but the 30 minute bus ride feels like an hour on its own as it stops every half block, but the good thing is it stops just a block from the hotel, next to the sanitation department. My wife gave me heck as we walked from the bus stop by the sanitation department to the hotel. She kept saying there is no way we are staying anywhere near here. Wow - I can't believe anyone would build a hotel in this part of town. On a good note I didn't really notice the smell of the sewage/garbage here.
Good
Check in agent was quick, explained everything and checked us in.
Lounge was open on the Sunday night at 8pm when we arrived. Lounge had just about run out of everything (we cleaned up what was left) but the attendant was very kind however not able to get anymore chicken wings as I think the lounge is suppose to close by 9pm. Also she brought us beer and wine without charge. The hotel has a FREE shuttle that leaves every half hour (00 and 30)
Bad
Wow, where to start. The hotel location is worse then bad except it is only a 10 minute drive to the terminals (20 if you stop at several other terminals) The hotel rates are sky high for the quality of the hotel. I presumed that since I was paying over $250 a night that the hotel would be at least OK. It has a very four-points feel to it. I would like to know who stays here? I wonder if other SPG members book because they need a airport hotel and figure its a Sheraton so it should have some quality to it. The hotel feels very worn, stain on carpet/wall. The bathroom is also very motel/hotel-ish. Small with a clogged drain and very little water pressure. Internet - wired and wireless are terrible. There is an advertisement from "Active Networks" If I were Active Networks I don't think i would advertise that they are supplying the network. Very very very slow. Doesn't matter if you use wired or wireless it is all slow. The hotel is also a little noisy as the freeway is on the opposite side.
I would suggest if you plan on staying here, be prepared for a stay at a hotel that should charge say $59-$79 per night even though you will be paying a couple hundred more and you will be OK.
May 23, 2011, 10:35 am
#47
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: 1K 1MM; Bonvoy Ambassador; Nat'l EE; Hertz PC; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,465
I think this sums up this property pretty well. Don't stay here. This might take the crown from the four points south beach as the worst property in the chain. Lurkers can you please help!?!?
May 23, 2011, 11:05 am
#48
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Not likely. The best help comes from guests filing formal complaints with Corporate Customer Service whenever they have a bad stay experience.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
May 23, 2011, 1:31 pm
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,080
next to the sanitation department. My wife gave me heck as we walked from the bus stop by the sanitation department to the hotel. She kept saying there is no way we are staying anywhere near here. Wow - I can't believe anyone would build a hotel in this part of town. On a good note I didn't really notice the smell of the sewage/garbage here.
No locals stay at JFK airport hotels for fun. They're only used by folks flying in late/flying out early. FYI, this location is better than some other JFK properties.
Shameless plug for the BRT below. Seats still available.
dh
May 23, 2011, 10:04 pm
#50
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: Mucci (for services to Gin), VS Au, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Avis Pref+, Hertz 5*
Posts: 980
It is great to see that the Sheraton JFK is still racking up the plaudits and rave reviews! Perhaps someone should print out this thread and post it to the GM! Then perhaps they'd make some improvements.
Nov 9, 2011, 4:59 am
#51
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: LAN, AA, SPG
Posts: 1,965
Thanks to all for sharing your suffering: I just canceled my upcoming res (five minutes after making it). Thanks FT ^
Nov 10, 2011, 3:44 pm
#52
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: IAD
Programs: Chase Million Miler, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 2,729
This dump is now a Category 4 hotel 
Nov 10, 2011, 4:16 pm
#53
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Goshen,New York
Programs: AA 2 Million-miler , SPG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,000
Stayed there once---probably never again. Cheaper to use a limo at any hour rather than pay hotel's high rates. Then again , I really have no idea where to stay around JFK or LGA which would even remotely be considered a "nice " hotel
Nov 15, 2011, 1:27 pm
#54
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
Just wanted to say that the chocolate chip cookies at the evening lounge spread were GREAT. Big thumbs up to them.
Nov 15, 2011, 5:16 pm
#55
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 208
Also stayed here ONCE about a year ago. Unless there's been a vast upgrade to the rooms and property would never come here again. waste of points or money. Not just a dump, it borders on sleazy.
Nov 16, 2011, 2:16 am
#56
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
I'm not sure if there has been a renovation, but I disagree. I had 2 one night stays over the past 3 weeks and I got a nice room that appeared to perhaps be updated. Expensive for an airport hotel, but it is NY. Don't see any issues with the condition of rooms or hotel and I would be critical if there was a reason to be.
Apr 20, 2012, 11:19 am
#57
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
Avoid!
I read the reviews here but figured I'd try any place once. Big mistake!
Airport shuttle pickup requested at 11:30pm (from Federal Circle AirTrain station) required two calls and over a 30 minute wait - despite the short 3 minute drive to the hotel (though I wouldn't recommend walking at night considering the neighborhood). 10 minute wait to check-in, after which I was told my reservation didn't exist and the property was booked full. Only after I opened my laptop and provided a confirmation number was my reservation acknowledged. Assigned an "upgrade" to the club floor, but the room overlooked the Beltway and had a broken window (the desk was covered with large chunks of makeshift caulking in an apparent effort to fix the window). Between the 58 degree room temperature and the incredibly loud highway noise the room was uninhabitable and that should have been plainly obvious to maintenance/housekeeping staff. This room should never have been assigned. Was first told no other room was available, but eventually assigned a room on the 3rd floor after being told I'd lose my club/breakfast privileges if I moved from my 7th floor room. Finally got into bed around 1am - despite a 11pm flight arrival. Not my definition of a good overnight airport hotel.
This place is an absolute joke for both a Cat. 4 ("superior hotels and resorts in choice locations") and a $200+/night airport property. I strongly recommend you think twice before booking at this property.
-FlyerBeek
Airport shuttle pickup requested at 11:30pm (from Federal Circle AirTrain station) required two calls and over a 30 minute wait - despite the short 3 minute drive to the hotel (though I wouldn't recommend walking at night considering the neighborhood). 10 minute wait to check-in, after which I was told my reservation didn't exist and the property was booked full. Only after I opened my laptop and provided a confirmation number was my reservation acknowledged. Assigned an "upgrade" to the club floor, but the room overlooked the Beltway and had a broken window (the desk was covered with large chunks of makeshift caulking in an apparent effort to fix the window). Between the 58 degree room temperature and the incredibly loud highway noise the room was uninhabitable and that should have been plainly obvious to maintenance/housekeeping staff. This room should never have been assigned. Was first told no other room was available, but eventually assigned a room on the 3rd floor after being told I'd lose my club/breakfast privileges if I moved from my 7th floor room. Finally got into bed around 1am - despite a 11pm flight arrival. Not my definition of a good overnight airport hotel.
This place is an absolute joke for both a Cat. 4 ("superior hotels and resorts in choice locations") and a $200+/night airport property. I strongly recommend you think twice before booking at this property.
-FlyerBeek
Apr 20, 2012, 12:42 pm
#58
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: Mucci (for services to Gin), VS Au, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Avis Pref+, Hertz 5*
Posts: 980
I read the reviews here but figured I'd try any place once. Big mistake!
Airport shuttle pickup requested at 11:30pm (from Federal Circle AirTrain station) required two calls and over a 30 minute wait - despite the short 3 minute drive to the hotel (though I wouldn't recommend walking at night considering the neighborhood). 10 minute wait to check-in, after which I was told my reservation didn't exist and the property was booked full. Only after I opened my laptop and provided a confirmation number was my reservation acknowledged. Assigned an "upgrade" to the club floor, but the room overlooked the Beltway and had a broken window (the desk was covered with large chunks of makeshift caulking in an apparent effort to fix the window). Between the 58 degree room temperature and the incredibly loud highway noise the room was uninhabitable and that should have been plainly obvious to maintenance/housekeeping staff. This room should never have been assigned. Was first told no other room was available, but eventually assigned a room on the 3rd floor after being told I'd lose my club/breakfast privileges if I moved from my 7th floor room. Finally got into bed around 1am - despite a 11pm flight arrival. Not my definition of a good overnight airport hotel.
This place is an absolute joke for both a Cat. 4 ("superior hotels and resorts in choice locations") and a $200+/night airport property. I strongly recommend you think twice before booking at this property.
-FlyerBeek
Airport shuttle pickup requested at 11:30pm (from Federal Circle AirTrain station) required two calls and over a 30 minute wait - despite the short 3 minute drive to the hotel (though I wouldn't recommend walking at night considering the neighborhood). 10 minute wait to check-in, after which I was told my reservation didn't exist and the property was booked full. Only after I opened my laptop and provided a confirmation number was my reservation acknowledged. Assigned an "upgrade" to the club floor, but the room overlooked the Beltway and had a broken window (the desk was covered with large chunks of makeshift caulking in an apparent effort to fix the window). Between the 58 degree room temperature and the incredibly loud highway noise the room was uninhabitable and that should have been plainly obvious to maintenance/housekeeping staff. This room should never have been assigned. Was first told no other room was available, but eventually assigned a room on the 3rd floor after being told I'd lose my club/breakfast privileges if I moved from my 7th floor room. Finally got into bed around 1am - despite a 11pm flight arrival. Not my definition of a good overnight airport hotel.
This place is an absolute joke for both a Cat. 4 ("superior hotels and resorts in choice locations") and a $200+/night airport property. I strongly recommend you think twice before booking at this property.
-FlyerBeek
Apr 22, 2012, 5:54 am
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,076
Can't believe they still let this dump carry the Sheraton name.
Avoid if you aren't desperate!
Avoid if you aren't desperate!
May 24, 2012, 10:00 pm
#60
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Portland, Maine
Programs: UA 1K, SPG PLAT, HYATT PLAT, HH GOLD, AA GOLD, MR GOLD
Posts: 1,179
I cannot list the number of faults this hotel has as it would take too long....
I had a one night and full day stay and was one of the worst hotel experiences in my entire life/career.
Inthe future I will pay more money, on rooms(even *wood) and taxis just to avoid and Not stay here.
WARNING:
READERS DO NOT DO IT!
CANCEL YOUR RESERVATION IF YOU ARE BOOKED HERE!!
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!
This hotel does not measure up.......................even if you are trying to get a elite night credit.
I had a one night and full day stay and was one of the worst hotel experiences in my entire life/career.
Inthe future I will pay more money, on rooms(even *wood) and taxis just to avoid and Not stay here.
WARNING:
READERS DO NOT DO IT!
CANCEL YOUR RESERVATION IF YOU ARE BOOKED HERE!!
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!
This hotel does not measure up.......................even if you are trying to get a elite night credit.