Sheraton Hartford South: Your Dream CT Getaway Awaits!
Sheraton Hartford South: More Than Just a Room Key (My Brain's a Whirlwind, Honestly) - A Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's dry hotel review. This is the real deal, straight from someone who's just spent a few days sprawled (and sometimes flailing) in the Sheraton Hartford South. I'm here to spill the beans, the coffee, and maybe a few tears (happy ones, mostly) about whether this place truly lives up to its "Dream CT Getaway" billing.
Let's Start with the Essentials (Because, You Know, Priorities):
Accessibility: Right off the bat, HUGE props to the Sheraton for Accessibility. They've got the basics down: Wheelchair accessible rooms, definitely. Didn't see any obvious glitches with elevators or hallways. Details are important, they even got Facilities for disabled guests.
(Rambling Alert!) Honestly, its a good start, you know? I've seen way worse. Thinking back to that trip to Switzerland… let's just say getting around with my friend who uses a wheelchair was an adventure – a stressful, slightly-catastrophic adventure. Here? Seemed smooth sailing. Kinda forgot about access, and that's a good sign.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because the World's a Mess):
Okay, COVID-era travel. It's a freakin' minefield. But! The Sheraton clearly takes this seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, check. Daily disinfection in common areas, absolutely. Seeing staff constantly wiping down surfaces gave me a weird sense of calm, even when I was wrestling with a vending machine that refused to give me a Snickers. Rooms sanitized between stays, yeah, they seemed to have it down. Staff trained in safety protocol. It was hard to miss, really. Everyone was masked, and hand sanitizer stations were EVERYWHERE. Individually-wrapped food options were a nice practical touch.
(Side Note/Impression) The "Room sanitization opt-out available" – I liked it. It’s a nice sign of respect for personal preference. Felt like they were offering up all the protection and then saying “Hey, its you. Do what YOU need.”
Getting Around, the Parking Tango, and Other Mundane Realities:
Car park [free of charge] - Score! Nothing worse than an extra charge for parking. Car park [on-site] meant I could stumble in from the car after a long drive without becoming completely horizontal. And the fact that they have Airport transfer is a huge bonus. Taxi service is available, too, for when you're feeling less intrepid.
Services and Conveniences - The Little Luxuries (and the Not-So-Luxurious Moments):
Concierge: I actually used the concierge! Needed a decent late-night pizza recommendation. They didn't disappoint. Also, the Cash withdrawal machine in the lobby saved my bacon when I ran low on… well, you know. Daily housekeeping was a blessing after my somewhat messy excursions. The Dry cleaning service was surprisingly fast!
Internet Access - The Modern Essential:
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Thank the internet gods! Because let's face it, in this digital age, bad Wi-Fi is a personal crisis, am I right? More about Internet [LAN] down below. Wi-Fi in public areas was generally reliable, though it did hiccup once during a particularly crucial episode of… a show I won't mention. (Okay, it was Love Island. Judge me.) Not as many options for Internet services.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - My Stomach's Adventures:
Restaurants: Now, this is where things get interesting. The hotel has restaurants, plural! Asian cuisine in restaurant? Yup. Western cuisine in restaurant? Yep. Breakfast [buffet]? Yes, and I devoured it. The omelets were seriously on point. Breakfast service as well. Coffee/tea in restaurant helped me keep my eyes open, and the Coffee shop was a lifesaver. Happy hour: Essential! And the Poolside bar was tempting.
(The Disaster/Triumph of the Poolside Bar) Okay, FULL disclosure: I attempted the poolside bar on like, day two. I swaggered over, ordered a fancy cocktail (something with pineapple, very aspirational), found a comfy chair, and promptly spilled half of it. The waiter, bless his heart, was incredibly patient and brought me a replacement. I then proceeded to get sunburnt. (I'm pale! I burn!) But, despite the self-inflicted torture, the atmosphere was lovely. It's that weird mix of relaxed and, well, slightly tragic.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: The restaurant area seemed pretty easy to get in and out of.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax (Because, You Know, Vacation):
Swimming pool [outdoor] - Beautiful! I tried it. I failed the poolside bar again. However, it was glorious. Pool with view? Absolutely. Just stunning. And thankfully, they had towels available. Sauna, Spa, Gym/fitness - I actually hit the Fitness center once. It was clean, had decent equipment, and enough space.
(Rambling alert.) I swear, I had BIG plans for that Spa! A massage, a body scrub, maybe even a body wrap! But life, as it often does, got in the way. Maybe next time.
For the Kids - (Because Someone Else's Chaos is Somehow Charming):
Family/child friendly – Definitely seemed that way. Saw a ton of families. Not a single screaming fit, which, based on past experiences is a miracle.
Available in all rooms: Okay, let's get down to the nitty gritty inside your little stay palace:
Air conditioning - Essential. Alarm Clock: I used it. Bathrobes: YES! Bathtub: Was glorious. Bathroom phone: Okay, a bit old school, but still there! Blackout curtains: For sleeping in after too many cocktails. Coffee/tea maker: Essential. Desk: Had to do SOME work. Free bottled water: Hydration is important Hair dryer: Always a plus for me. High floor: Nice view. In-room safe box: Safe is safe. Internet access – wireless: More important than air. Ironing facilities: Helpful for business trips. Internet access – LAN: This made me feel like a nerd, which is good. Laptop workspace: Always a good thing! Linens: Soft! Mini bar: Overpriced, as always, but there! Mirror: To admire yourself in. Non-smoking: HUGE plus. On-demand movies: Netflix and chill. Private bathroom: Peace and quiet. Reading light: Needed it. Refrigerator: Fantastic for snacks. Satellite/cable channels: Always a welcome option! Scale: It's there. Seating area: Nice for relaxing. Separate shower/bathtub: Fancy. Slippers: So comfortable. Smoke detector: SAFETY Socket near the bed: YAY. Sofa: Cosy. Soundproofing: Need it. Telephone: For urgent calls only. Toiletries: So many. Towels: Soft! Wake-up service: Actually helpful. Wi-Fi [free]: Amen. Window that opens: Refreshing!
Extra Bits and Bobs (The Smaller Details That Count):
Pets allowed unavailable: (Shame. My little Pomeranian, Max, is a travel pro.) Room decorations: Pretty standard. Smell: Fine, not chemically. Security [24-hour] - peace of mind. Daily housekeeping - appreciated. Luggage storage - handy!
The Verdict (My Brain is Finally Deciding):
Sheraton Hartford South? Overall, a solid YES. It’s a comfortable, well-equipped hotel that delivers on the basics and throws in a few extra perks. Is it perfect? Nope. Is it pretentious? Thankfully, no. It's a good home base, especially if you're planning on exploring the Hartford area. Would I go back? Absolutely, and with a renewed respect for SPF.
Vienna Hotel Chengdu: Unbeatable Luxury Near the Expo Center!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, 'cause we're diving headfirst into a weekend at the Sheraton Hartford South Hotel in Rocky Hill, CT. This isn't your pristine, perfectly-Photoshopped travel blog. This is real life. Expect spills, thrills, and probably some questionable life choices fueled by hotel coffee.
Friday: The Pre-Game Panic & Pizza Procrastination
3:00 PM - Arrival & Hotel Heebie-Jeebies: Okay, first things first. The drive up from… let's just say "down south" was a nightmare. Traffic? You wouldn't believe it. And then, after hours of pure road rage, I finally pull into the Sheraton. My brain's already screaming, "Am I even ready for this?!" Check-in's a breeze, thankfully. The lobby smells vaguely of chlorine and ambition. I can practically taste a weekend of questionable decisions already. My room is… well, it's a room. Cleanish, generic. The usual. The bedspread pattern, though… seriously considering wearing it as a fashion statement later.
4:00 PM - The Great Unpacking… or the Art of Procrastination: Ugh, unpacking. The bane of my existence. I throw my suitcase on the floor, promising myself I'll sort it out "later." "Later" usually means "20 minutes before checkout," so, you know, the usual. Right now, I'm strategically arranging snacks on the desk – a bag of chips, a sad apple, and a rogue granola bar that's seen better days. Fueling up is crucial.
6:00 PM - Pizza Quest: Dinner. Gotta eat, right? Rocky Hill, as it turns out, isn’t exactly a culinary mecca. Okay, that's a kind assessment. Yelp's my friend, and, after some scrolling (and a growing sense of despair), I decide on a local pizza joint. The reviews are… mixed. But pizza is pizza. And I’m starving. The pizza, after some travel, was almost cold. But the garlic knots? Chef’s kiss.
7:30 PM - The Couch Coma & Channel Surfing: Back to the room. Bed, TV, and the sweet, sweet embrace of mediocrity. I flip through channels, landing on a reality show about people hoarding… things. My life is not that interesting, but at least I don't hoard stuff. (Okay, maybe a little stationary… don't judge me.)
9:00 PM - The Hotel Bar Debacle (Maybe): This is where it could go sideways. The hotel bar is… well, it's a hotel bar. Predictably dim, slightly depressing. I've already talked myself out of going, three times. But that feeling of “missing out” is nagging at me. Maybe one drink? Maybe just to people-watch? Tune in tomorrow to find out if I succumbed to the allure of the watered-down cocktails and questionable small talk.
Saturday: Sensory Overload & Unexpected Adventures
8:00 AM - The Breakfast Scramble & Coffee Catastrophe: Ah, hotel breakfast. The buffet. A glorious, messy spread of lukewarm eggs, suspiciously rubbery bacon, and the promise of endless coffee. I load up my plate, and then I commit the cardinal sin - I pour coffee over my cereal. Seriously. How did I do that?!
9:00 AM - History… or, Yawn?: I should probably do something, right? The itinerary I tried to make included visiting the Dinosaur State Park. This sounds fun. I put it off, because… well, because I can.
12:00 PM - The Lunchtime Lull: Lunch is a sandwich from the hotel's "grab-and-go" – aka, pre-packaged sadness. I wolf it down in the room, wondering if I can sneak a nap. The answer: yes.
2:00 PM - The Dinosaur Dilemma (Finally!): Alright, enough dithering. I drag myself to the Dinosaur State Park & Museum. The sheer volume of dinosaur footprints? Kind of amazing. Seriously, these things are massive! It’s enough to make me feel… strangely insignificant. Also, the humidity is brutal. I think I’m sweating dinosaur sweat. (Note to self: pack more deodorant.)
5:00 PM - The Dinner Dilemma & Accidental Shopping: Dinner time. I end up at a mediocre chain restaurant. The food is fine. The service is… chaotic. As I was leaving, I found a shop full of scented candles. Scented candles. I might be weak, because I bought some. What is happening to me?
7:00 PM - The Room Renovation (Mental Edition): Back at the hotel, I unpack my candle haul (and decide on a lemon verbena scent), I rearrange the furniture. I consider deep-cleaning the room. I decide to watch a terribly-rated movie. I am living my best life.
9:00 PM - The Hotel Bar Saga (Continued): I finally go to the hotel bar! (I did feel the need for a very strong drink) It's even more depressing than I remembered. The bartender looks like he's seen a ghost. But hey, at least the drink specials were decent. And I made a friend. A very, very talkative friend.
Sunday: The Departure Dilemma & The Sad Reality
9:00 AM - The Dreaded Checkout & The Last Breakfast Buffet: The final morning. The hotel breakfast is an even sadder affair than yesterday. I force down some eggs and stare at the suitcase of clothes I haven’t worn. Is this… what it’s all about? Maybe. Checkout is swift and painless, thankfully.
10:00 AM - The Last Look & The Bitter Goodbye: As I pull out of the Sheraton parking lot, I glance back. It's a sad, generic building. But… I had a moment, during the entire weekend, where everything felt kind of… okay.
10:30 AM - Heading Home (and the inevitable post-trip blues): That drive home? Long. The traffic was evil. I am already planning my next getaway.
So, uh... what *is* this thing anyway? Like, what are we even talking about?
How do I even *start* with this? Is there a beginner's guide? Because I'm feeling a bit lost.
What's the hardest part? I need to know, so I can prepare myself.
Okay, let's get practical. What's the best way to stay organized? My brain is a chaos factory.
I did something wrong and now everything is broken - What should I do?
But what if I mess up really, *really* badly? Like, spectacularly? I'm terrified of failure.
What about the people who just *get it*? Its so easy for them - What's their secret?
Why am I even doing this? Seriously, what's the point?
I feel stuck, like I'm spinning my wheels. What do I do?
