Sheraton Dallas Hotel

The Sheraton Dallas Hotel is a mega-hotel and conference center, situated in a three-building complex of angular corporate-style skyscrapers. Two towers and the conference center are connected to hotel facilities by skybridges. The property is large enough that signage above entryways direct guests on how to get where, though some complain that the hotel's multi-building layout is confusing.

The vast lobby features a registration area, a separate concierge desk, and little nooks for sitting down to relax, perhaps with one of the free newspapers fanned out across a table, or a cup of something hot from a courtesy station offering Starbucks coffee and Tazo tea. The decor smacks of a multinational chain. Nonetheless, it's all tasteful enough, and the hotel delivers a satisfying level of comfort and lots of convenience. Clientele skews toward the business set, though tourists, including families, find their way here, too.

While the Sheraton Dallas Hotel isn't situated on a particularly scenic street, the hotel is located in the heart of Downtown Dallas. It's within walking distance to businesses, art galleries, attractions, and restaurants. The location is central to many neighborhoods too, and guests can walk to the heart of Main Street in under 10 minutes and to Deep Ellum, an artsy neighborhood ideal for a night out, in less than 20. Some classy Uptown spots are even reachable on foot in about 25 minutes. Public transit options are plentiful, with the Pearl/Arts District Station DART stop as well as bus and cable car stops just a minutes' walk from the hotel, with most attractions reachable in about 15 minutes.

• Eight-minute walk to Dallas Museum of Art
• 10-minute walk to AT&T Performing Arts Center
• 15-minute walk to the Dallas World Aquarium
• 12 minutes to the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza via public transit
• 12 minutes to the the American Airlines Center via public transit
• 15 minutes to Reunion Tower via public transit
• 15 minutes to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center via public transit
• 18 minutes to Dallas Heritage Village via public transit
• 35 minutes to Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden via public transit
• 60 minutes to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport via public transit (30-minute drive)

Guest rooms are nicely sized and comfortable, if generic. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, free bottled water, and coffeemakers with free Starbucks coffee. Units also have safes, irons and ironing boards, hairdryers, and free individual toiletries. Mini-fridges and microwaves aren't standard, but can be rented for extra fees. In-room Wi-Fi is free for SPG rewards members only, though membership is free. Bathrooms are roomy, with counter space next to sinks and shower/tub combos.

The smallest of the entry-level rooms start at a 316 square feet and sleep two to four guests, with either double queen beds or king beds. Suites can be twice that size, and the Presidential Suite tops out at 2,180 square feet. Suites may add extras like 50-inch HDTVs, seating areas with sofa beds, and dining areas. Club-level rooms have exclusive access the the Club Lounge.

Features here are extensive and cater to the hotel's main business traveler clientele. The business center, the Link@Sheraton, is a brand staple that goes above and beyond, feeling more like a casual computer lab than the classic hotel computer nook. Wood-slatted partitions mark off work and hangout areas, which include spaces with computers and printers for guest use, informal meeting spaces, and even places for watching TV or playing chess. There's also 260,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and a Penfield's shipping center on-site.

The Kitchen Table is the classic chain hotel restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The breakfast buffet features hot and cold options, like cooked-to-order eggs, omelets, and waffles, but it isn't included in the room rate. For grab-and-go bites, there's a Peet's Coffee & Tea shop on-site, but arguably the favorite hangout is the 4,000-square-foot sports bar and eatery, Draft Media Sports Lounge. It serves casual dishes for lunch and dinner, and offers a dozen beers on tap. Room service is available into the evening.

Wellness facilities include a enormous fitness center with a classic gym floor, rows of cardio machines with individual screens, weightlifting machines, bar bells, and a full rack of free weights, plus exercise balls and other accoutrements. The gym overlooks the rooftop pool, and though it's not huge or particularly luxurious, it's surrounded by lots of faux wicker furniture, including large cushioned loungers and even a canopied lounge bed. The only real amenity missing in the wellness department is a spa.

This property offers surprisingly personal service for a hotel of its size, with guests often praising staff members or the concierge for helpful assistance. In-room Wi-Fi will costs extra for guests without an SPG (Starwood Preferred Guest) rewards membership, though membership is free. An exclusive Club Lounge offers free beer, wine, snacks, and breakfast for guests in club-level rooms. Self- and valet-parking (with in and out privileges) incurs an extra daily fee, and airport shuttles, town cars, taxis, and SUVs are available at the front door. There's also a self-service laundry center on-site that's the size of small laundromat. Some units are pet-friendly (for cats and dogs under 50 pounds), with a per-stay extra fee attached.