We stayed here for 4 nights in early December 2007 before embarking on a cruise out of Fort Lauderdale.

The daily rate for a room with two double beds was $132 plus tax. This was a “special purchase, non refundable” rate. We travelled from Miami airport and the hotel was very easy to find, just yards from the I-95.

The room itself was fine, with very comfortable beds, and the hotel staff were pleasant. I knew in advance that there would be a charge for parking, but $10.60 per day does seem rather excessive to me.

The lobby lounge got very busy in the early evening and there were not many people serving there. We had breakfast each morning at the Fire Iron Grill, which was good except that the hash browns were dreadful, and we also dined there on a couple of evenings when the food was adequate but rather expensive. There doesn’t appear to be any other dining opportunities within easy walking distance, but this isn’t a problem.

There is a free Internet terminal (but no printer) at the right hand side of the reception desk but this fact isn’t advertised by the hotel. There is also a small gift shop, which doesn’t appear to offer anything worth buying.

For $132, the hotel was good value; but I would think twice before paying any more than that. It was a good base for seeing the tourist attractions of South Florida for a relatively short stay.

Stayed here for two nights prior to leaving for a cruise and after returning from it.

The hotel is very close to the airport and has a free shuttle every 30 minutes. The lobby area was very nice and a bar and restaurant were located nearby.

The only problem with the location is that you are not within walking distance to any shopping or places to eat. If you don’t have a car, you will have to take a cab which will cost you at least $20 one-way.

This is a very popular place for people to stay prior to leaving for cruises. At times, the lobby is pandemonium and the elevators full of people with all of their luggage. There is plenty of available transportation to the cruise port. The hotel can arrange van service for you (about $20 per couple) or you can take a cab for the same price. The hotel does not provide transportation there.

The restaurant was actually good. Breakfast there on two occasions was fine and the lunch we had at the bar was also good. The bar is horribly understaffed with one person working the bar and also waiting on the tables.

First Stay

We arrived right at check-in time and receive our room right away. We had a corner room which featured two sets of windows which was nice. The bed, as always at Sheraton, was great. The room itself was new and the bathroom spacious and very clean.

On the morning of our departure, I was returning from the gym and noticed a maintenance person in the room next to ours working on the sink which apparently was badly clogged. I was in the shower and started hearing loud banging noises. As I came out of the shower, the hammering continued. I shaved and dressed. Then, all of the sudden, the pipe under our sink broke throwing large amounts of water and who knows what kind of garbage all over the floor and all over me!

I stormed out of the room to inform the maintenance person as to what he had done. He could care less and have me a casual “sorry”. I then called downstairs and demanded to speak to the manager and was told that he was busy. After telling them the problem, they sent up someone to clean up the mess but no one from the front desk showed up. I made another call and got an assistant manager to come up to our room.

He was very apologetic and said that this “should never happen” but that did not solve our problems as we could not use the bathroom and my wife had yet to shower herself. He could not give us another room as the hotel was full. Instead, they cleaned up the bathroom and placed a large bucket under the sink so we could at least use that.

We then proceeded to breakfast as there was no other pace to eat. The food was buffet style and was very good. When we checked out, the front desk asked if our stay was fine, and when I told them what happened to us that morning, the clerk got the manager. He said that he could not reduce our room rate since we had pre-paid but instead gave us breakfast for free. I guess that was better than nothing.

Second Stay

We returned here from our cruise as we had already pre-paid the room and didn’t have much of a choice. Despite arriving at 10:30 a.m., they gave us a room. We took a room with two beds instead of the king we reserved due to a three hour wait for that.

This room was not as good as our first room. Despite being a “smoke free” property, we could smell cigarette stench in the room. The bathroom was clean but needed some work due to some cracked tiles in the shower and numerous marks and scratches on the walls. At least the sink pipe didn’t break this time!

The beds were fine and the room pretty clean but has seen better days. We were awakened at 7:30 a.m. by housekeeping to see if we were still there. When I told them we were, they left and did not return.

Overall

Okay for one night if in between flights or leaving for a cruise. But, you are isolated and you will have to take a cab to get anywhere.

Personally, I was less than impressed due to the incident during our first stay and the room we were given on the second. There are plenty of other airport hotels near here to stay so I would recommend looking at them. It may also save a few bucks as well.

I was disappointed with this hotel especially since it’s a Sheraton.

My husband and I stayed here one night during an overnight layover.

The hotel has recently been remodeled. It has a modern contemporary look - similar to a "W" hotel. The room was well appointed with everything you would hope for with the possible exception of a refrigerator (didn't notice one).

Staff was very helpful; they let me print boarding passes at the front desk at no cost. Check-in/out was quick and friendly. Shuttle to the hotel left on time and drivers were friendly.

Only area that needs improvement is the service in the hotel restaurant. Granted we ate at 9:30 p.m. after we arrived, but the servers were confused and food came out slowly. My husband’s entree came 5 minutes before mine, and the appetizers arrived with the main course. Even so, the food was hot, tasted good and the portions were ample. I appreciated that they had some entrees that were unique and not the traditional hotel restaurant fare.

I recommend this for business travelers or vacationers. We also stayed at the Sheraton Yankee trader and this one is by far the superior hotel. The Yankee Trader looks like it has not been updated since the 70’s.

We stayed at this hotel pre-cruise and it was a lot better than I had anticipated. Although they were a little small, the rooms were very nicely appointed.

For the money we would definetly stay here again.

We had a car so we did not eat in the restaurants. Although there isn't much in the immediate area, one exit down there is a strip mall that had Dave and Busters, Red Lobster, TGIF, Ale House along with at least 5 or 6 other popular chain restaurants. The mall had many other stores including a Kmart and a Barnes and Nobles.