Sheraton in Key West has poor expectations of thei
Most people think I am wacky for complaining about this but:
THERE ARE TOO MANY RULES AT THIS HOTEL!
First rule: "Pool towels are available at pool side. Please do not remove room towels." This is not the first hotel that I've seen with this request. Okay, so I have to walk in my bikini to the pool. I can do that, on this ridiculous cold day in Key West.
Second rule: "POOL TOWELS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE POOL ATTENDANT. YOU MUST RETURN THEM TO THE POOL ATTENDANT. DO NOT LEAVE THEM IN YOUR ROOM OR AT THE BEACH. YOU WILL BE CHARGED $25.00 FOR EACH TOWEL NOT RETURNED TO THE POOL ATTENDANT." Come on peoples! Is it really a $25 problem for housekeeping to pick towels up from the room?!#$? That is ludicrous!
Third rule: "PLEASE REFRAIN FROM HANGING TOWELS OR CLOTHING FROM BALCONY RAILING." This is BS that my homeowners association pulls because hanging linens reduces the value of our property. So, the Sheraton is scared that your clothing is going to decrease the value of their property! Maybe it is unsightly, but deal with your customer's bad habits; stop slapping their hand for every little thing.
Fourth rule: "Sheraton Suites Key west is proud to be a refreshing smoke-free environment. A $200.00 cleaning fee will be added to your bill if we find evidence of smoking in your room. Smoking is allowed ONLY in designated areas." I have a cigarette once a day. I don't believe in throwing the butt out the window of the car. Thus, I held it until I got to Key West and threw the butt in the room trashcan. When I was made aware of this statement, I had to run to the trash and pull the butt out. I am still holding that butt as it flakes in my pocket. Also, I am anonymously posting these issues, as my admittance to having a butt in their room is grounds for a $200.00 fine; excuse me, "cleaning fee."
Fifth rule: "This shuttle is on a reservation basis with a maximum capacity. Seats are limited and tickets are required for boarding. To reserve your seat, please see our friendly front desk personnel. No phone calls please." I can understand knowing when you want to leave the hotel and scheduling it appropriately. What I don't understand is that you have to schedule your return with them! I don't know if I'll be in town 4 hours or 8 hours. And as they said, don't call them to schedule your return! My family and I found it easier to drive, pay $8 to park on the road, and come back when the little one's were tired. Don't make your customers have to second-guess schedules while on vacation! Geesh!
Requests not fulfilled: "We need 12 creamers." 3 creamers were delivered. "We need 12 creamers." 3 creamers were delivered. "We need 6 sugars." 3 sugar packets were delivered. "We need 20 creamers." We were told- "That is like stealing." How can asking for creamers be stealing?!@#? The Sheraton has accused us, their customers, of stealing from them! Where did they learn customer service etiquette?!@#? I realize that there are people that steal because they "don't think it will be missed" but we are not those people. You do not accuse your customers of stealing even if they are. Instead, you build the cost of these losses into your room rates.
It has been 35+ years since I've stayed in a Sheraton. Their lack of trust in my family and me being able to handle ourselves does not make me want to come back.
Anonymous (who hasn't smoked since getting to Key West for fear of $200 evidence)
Unique Quality: Lets see if I can come up with something nice about this location:
They have complementary computers for Internet access. Their Internet pipe could not handle the 5 pm traffic, but they still have a better setup than most hotels.
2 good size flat-screen TVs in our room. The remotes barely worked but the TVs were not bad quality.
The grounds are really nice, although tainted by signs of more rules.
