A hotel with better-than-expected service and is good for the price paid. The comfort of the bed and shower could use an improvement.

Disclaimer: This hotel stay was necessary as part of volunteering work I do related to the health care industry. While I did not pay for the room charges, the opinions contained in this post remain my own.

Booking

The cash rate for this stay was $209/night. If you’re coming here looking to use Marriott points, expect something in the range of 40,000 points/night. That makes this hotel a decent option if you’re looking to use up your 35k or 40k free night certificates.

While summer in Phoenix isn’t fun, the winter here is fairly pleasant albeit a bit on the dry side. If you want the cheapest rates at this hotel, come here in the summer. That said, the price doesn’t go significantly up in the winter.

Earning Marriott Bonvoy points

Full disclosure: in this section are refer-a-friend links where I may earn some points for referring. There is no requirement to use the below referral links to apply but note your offer may differ when going directly to the card issuer.

If you’re looking to earn Marriott points quickly, you could look into picking up a Marriott credit card. Both Chase and American Express offer Marriott credit cards.

Chase offers the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card that gives a sign up bonus of 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points & a 50k free night award for spending $3,000 in the first three months ($95 annual fee).

Or you can turn your eyes to American Express:

• The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy (not an affiliate link) offers 85,000 Marriott points for $5,000 spend in the first six months for a $250 annual fee.
• The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant (not an affiliate link) offers 100,000 Marriott points for $6,000 spend in the first six months. It also comes with instant Platinum status but with a higher annual fee ($650).

Since Amex credit cards are generally one-in-a-lifetime, it might be worth waiting for a better deal to come by.

Arrival and First Impressions

I arrived at the Sheraton around 5PM and found the hotel nicely decorated for Christmas. I always like it when hotels get festive for the season and this wasn’t any exception. The hotel had plenty of Christmas trees around the lobby, which added some joy each time I walked by.

The lobby wasn’t crowded when I arrived and I was quickly assisted. Recognizing my Titanium status, the agent proactively asked if I wanted a late checkout and asked for a 3PM checkout. However, she saw that a complimentary suite upgrade was available if I was comfortable with a 2PM checkout. I accepted the 2PM checkout time and was given access to the suite. This is exactly the type of interaction I’d hope for when chatting with the front desk. It’s nice having someone willing to give you full information so you can make the best decision for you situation.

The Room

The Sheraton Downtown Phoenix is 31 floors tall and the agent gave me a room on the top floor (room 3125). This suite is thankfully a true suite, with a separate living area and bedroom.

Living area

The extra room provided much-appreciated space. If I were here with the family on this trip, we likely would have ended up using the pull-out bed in the couch. The TV was on the larger side and there were plenty of smaller tables if you wanted to have an intimate night in your room.

The living area also has a connecting door if you want to expand it to a two bedroom suite.

Also out here in the living area is a counter that could double as a bar. There is a mini-fridge hidden in the cabinet if you need it to cool your drinks.

Additionally, there is a half bath attached to the living area. This adds to the feeling that the space could be used for entertainment if you happen to be here with a crew.

Bedroom

This suite had two double beds, which weren’t firm enough for my preferences. While each bed came equipped with four pillows each, I found the pillows quite flimsy. But if you’re keeping count, this room can easily fit six people on its three beds. However, officially, the room is listed on the website as only fitting five.

While the picture doesn’t do it justice, the TV in the bedroom is on the larger side. I’d say it doesn’t look all that massive given the large backsplash behind it. There is an area for storing your suitcase just under the TV.

There is also a small table that doesn’t work that well as a true desk. Part of the problem is just that the chair is a bit too short for the desk. And it may be personal preference, but I don’t like the electrical outlets right in the middle of the table. Depending on your setup, those outlets might get in the way of your monitor.

Attached to the bedroom is the main bathroom, which had a large mirror, a bathtub, a separate shower, and a toilet.

The bathtub felt a bit plain with no curtains around it and blank walls on all sides. It would have been cool if they had a deep soaking tub, but alas it’s just a typical tub,

The shower got hot enough but the problem here was its lacking water pressure. The water softly landed on my body, leaving me almost considering just using the tub instead.

Toiletries are the standard Sheraton offering (Gilchrist & Soames).

The view from the room was a strong reminder that we’re in a desert. The direction this room faced meant I wouldn’t see many tall buildings. That did help me see some hot air balloons in the morning off in the distance though.

Sheraton Club

This hotel does have a Sheraton Club lounge that is available to Marriott Platinum members and above, as well as anyone in rooms or rates that provide it. While I didn’t get official confirmation of the hours, my understanding is it’s open from 6AM to 10PM. Breakfast is served until about 8:30AM, but if you just miss it, you might be able to flag down a worker to help you grab a plate. It’s a bit surprising to me that breakfast ends so early, even on the weekend.

Just inside the lounge is where you can get your coffee fix if you need it.

There is also some seating around a smaller Christmas tree inside the lounge too.

Naturally, I showed up right at the end of breakfast to find most of the items gone. I’m guessing it gets replenished earlier in the morning. I’d say it’s a pretty standard US lounge offering. You have your eggs, potatoes, cereal, yogurt, fruit, and (not fresh) pastries. It’s fine for getting you through the morning but it’s not anything I yearn for.

There is a small storage unit inside the lounge. I’m not sure when this would ever get used. I’d think that storing your bags with the bellhop would be the better option if you’re going to checkout that day. But it’s at least here if you need it.

Recommendation: It’s good for the price

If you’re considering a stay in downtown Phoenix, I’d say it’s worth considering a stay here. The main downsides of the stay are just the firmness of the bed and the water pressure in the shower. However, I’d say that service here was surprisingly good, with staff that gave the appearance of looking out for its customers.

The hotel itself is also in a decent location. If you’re going to an event at the Footprint Center (where the Phoenix Suns play), this hotel is in walking distance. It’s not in the immediate area of the arena, but it’s only a few blocks away.

If you’re not looking for a luxurious stay in Phoenix and just want something good for the price paid, I’d say this is the place for you.

While you’re here, check out our review of the nearby Hyatt Regency Phoenix.

Have you stayed at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix before?