Sheraton Suites Plantation – A Review

Sheraton Suites

311 N University Dr, Plantation, FL 33324

GRADING
Overall Score: B
Staff: C
Room: A
Amenities: B
Recommended?: Yes

Overall Impression: A solid mid-level hotel with big rooms in sunny Florida

When traveling to Plantation, Florida, there are many different options for lodging. During a previous visit here, I stayed at the Renaissance Hotel. Read my review of the Renaissance Hotel here. This time, I stayed at the Sheraton Suites Plantation on University Drive.

The first thing I noticed about the Sheraton Suites was the spacious lobby, lush tropical foliage, and the clean and inviting atmosphere. Check-in was easy and we were upgraded to a jacuzzi suite on the second floor. Fruit infused water is available for guests in the lobby. There are three elevators for guest use within the hotel. Guest rooms are on floors 2-8 and the 9th floor features the pool, sauna, and workout room. Also, the first floor has space for conference rooms. Just off the lobby is Cilantro’s, the hotel’s bar and restaurant, each located on opposite sides of the lobby.

Rooms

Each room is designed with modern decor and has 2 televisions, one in the living area and one in the bedroom. The living space features a desk, sofa bed, coffee pot, microwave, refrigerator, and wet bar. The bedroom is separated from the bathroom by a standard door and has a sliding door separating it from the living area.

The bathroom has two entrances, one from the bedroom and one from the main area. The bathroom has a very open and modern design. There are two sinks, a lighted makeup mirror, blowdryer, and a separate toilet area, with its own door. Our bathroom had a jacuzzi tub with a shower as well. The jacuzzi tub didn’t look incredibly clean; it may have been clean, but it didn’t look it. Needless to say, I didn’t use it, even if I had wanted to. There is also a closet in the bathroom that contains hangers, an iron, and ironing board. The bathroom was very spacious, which is something most hotels don’t usually offer.

Overall, the room was clean and I was pleased. Being that the rooms are suites, it’s nice to stretch out and have ample room when traveling.  My only negative comment is that I did feel some pressure by the maid to check-out, despite it being hours before check-out time (noon). She stopped by my room a couple of times, which made me feel rushed.

(I did stay in another room in this hotel on a completely different day. This suite did not have a jacuzzi tub. The bathroom was different in that the toilet and tub/shower were in their own room. Everything else was the same.)

Below are the results of my speed test for the Sheraton Suites Plantation. The wifi connection was excellent here. Wifi is free at the Sheraton Suites.

Amenities

On the top floor of the Sheraton Suites Plantation, you can find the pool and fitness room. The view from the roof was sensational. The pool itself was very inviting – clean and warm. There are ample pool chairs around and towels are provided (at the entrance to the pool) by the hotel. The jacuzzi was not operational for part of my visit, but was up and working within a day.

The Sheraton Suites Plantation was replacing their fitness equipment on the day of my arrival.  Most, if not all of the equipment in the room is new, as of early February 2017. Two ellipticals, three treadmills, one recumbent bicycle, free weights, and fitness accessories were provided in the room. Despite the newness of the cardio equipment, a few machines were dirty with dried sweat. There are disinfectant wipes provided in the room that people should be using after using the equipment, but obviously guests were not following that rule. In my opinion, it would be a good idea for the staff to come up to the workout room once a day and spend some time cleaning the bottom of the machines and the surrounding floor area, where sweat tends to drip. Other than that, the workout room is small, but sufficient. Magazines, cold water, cold towels and regular towels are provided. You will need your room key to access the workout room. You also need your room key to access the 9th floor on the elevator, which takes you to the fitness room and pool.

On the ground level, just outside the lobby, guests can find a serene outdoor seating area, surrounded by tropical landscaping. In the center is a fountain with ample seating around. The hotel welcomes guests to take their drinks from the bar outside, but smoking is not permitted.

Exterior Renovations

Keep in mind that this hotel was once attached to a fashion shopping mall. Despite the mall closing ten years ago, renovations for a new development (apartments, offices, and retail space) have begun. Recently the mall itself has been torn down, but the parts attached to the hotel, as well as the parking garage, still remain. The sides and rear of the hotel have been fenced off due to the demolition and renovation (as of February 2017). A letter found in our room apologized for the daily construction noise, which occurs during weekday business hours and from 10am-6pm on weekends.

The staff here was average; no employee stood out in a positive or negative way. My dining experience at Cilantro’s restaurant was fine; the food tasted good, but the service, albeit friendly, was on the slow side. In addition, the hotel provides free self-parking, a free shuttle service within three miles of the hotel, a sundry shop next to the front desk, as well as an ATM.

So, if you are looking for a nice hotel with a spacious room, a great pool, and a restaurant and bar on-site, you should find the Sheraton Suites Plantation a great choice for lodging.

Happy Travels!

Julie

source: sun-sentinel.com, starwoodhotels.com