I stay at the Sheraton Suites Columbus typically 4-8 nights a month. The hotel has just completed a full renovation of all nine floors. Updates include: new carpet, new color scheme, new furniture in the rooms and lobby, new bathroom fixtures (sink-only), new refrigators and microwaves.

Sitting area: This is a suite hotel, so each room has a sitting area with couch, coffee table, work desk and side table. Also, the larger TV is in the sitting room (I think 25", but never measured). Also in the sitting area is the refrigator / microwave / coffee maker. Limited selection of coffee / tea is available, although I've never used it. Rooms have a limited selection of basic cable channels and Showtime. There is a speaker phone in the sitting area with dataport. The hotel offers wired broadband access -- although in select rooms, I have found wireless access.

Bedrooms:I have only utilized king beds at this property, although I'm sure they offer the standard two bed set-up. The bedding is the standard (and in my opinion, comfy) Sheraton bedding. The bedrooms have nightstands on each side of the bed with lamps. The TV sits atop the chest of drawers (TV size is probably 19in or 21in). Standard closet with ironning board and iron. There is an additional speaker phone in the bedroom.

Bathrooms:Bathroom is fairly standard -- although during the remodel, they removed the personal mirror that was attached to the wall. For people that like the extra magnification those mirrors provide, that is a loss. Nothing special in terms of bath products -- Sheraton shampoo, lotion, conditioner and Scope.

Preferred Guest Floors:The property has a "club floor" on the 9th floor, but outside of restricted access (need a 9th floor room card to operate the elevator)the club floor doesn't offer much else. Rooms on both the 8th and 9th floor -- typically offered only to SPG elites provide 2 bottles of water each day free of charge -- lower floors charge for the bottled water in the room if used. Rooms on the 9th floor have a weight scale in the bathroom -- digital model.

I know that the upper floors (might be every floor) has at least one "super suite" room -- typically room x15, with x being the floor number. These suites basically have an extra set of chairs in the sitting room, plus a large conference table. Additionally, the area allocated to the refrigator / microwave is larger so the guest has additional countertop space. The extra space is nothing special unless you plan on having people in the room -- then the conference table is beneficial.

Restaurant / Bar / Room Service: The property has a full service restaurant with attached bar. The bar is fairly small with only one TV. Despite staying 40+ nights a year at this hotel for the past three or so years, I very rarely eat in the restaurant or order room service. I find the local area has better quality and it gets me out of the hotel

Fitness: The property has both an indoor and outdoor pool, hottub and small workout room. I've used the indoor pool for excercise and it is fine for short laps. I believe the outdoor pool is heated

Surrounding Area: Immediately across from the property is a 10 screen movie theater and there are several restuaruants / bars within a couple minute drive -- all can be walked to in about 10-15 minutes.

Staff: I might be biased since I'm here so often, but the staff is very friendly. Warm greetings each time I arrive. Even when issues with maintenance or the like do occur, I feel the staff is doing everything they can to rectify the problem as fast as possible

Overall Thoughts: The property is a standard mid-level business hotel. It works very well for what I need. The recent renovations were needed and they improve the overall look of the property. I do wish they would have upgraded the electronics to flat screen television and I'd like to see a better selection of cable channels.

Given the large amounts of other properties close by, the fact that I'm at the hotel as often as I am, is probably the best indication of what I think.

Review by Tom.

Posted at August 28, 2006 8:58 PM