I made my reservations on line through Starwood Hotels' website. As a Starwood Preferred Guest member, I'd stayed in Westin Hotels and an occasional Sheraton, so the Sheraton Four Points seemed like a good choice. I was wrong.

When my flight plans changed, I called the hotel the day before I was scheduled to arrive, to ask whether I could check in at 1:00 p.m., two hours earlier than their normal check-in time of 3:00 p.m. The clerk took my name, checked my reservation, asked me again what time I wished to check in, then commented, "You ARE aware that our check-in time is 3:00 p.m.?" I was more than a little surprised by his attitude.

When I arrived at the hotel, the doorman apparently checked the ID tag on my luggage to determine my name, then loudly announced to the front desk clerk that "Ms. ____" is here to check in. While I suspect he was merely being friendly, it made me uncomfortable. Although I was able to check in at 1:00 p.m., the front desk clerk asked me if I wanted to upgrade to an oceanview room, at an additional cost of $50 per night. (Quite a switch from other hotels, which upgrade members automatically, at no additional cost. At the Intercontinental Hotel in Chicago, for example, I was upgraded to a suite by a very gracious front desk clerk who simply told me, after he'd completed the check-in, "I've gone ahead and upgraded you to a suite.") With several people waiting in line behind me, the Sheraton's front desk clerk announced my room number -- a huge security breach -- and pointed out the elevators, but failed to inform me that the room key was necessary to activate the elevator.

The room was located on the "Starwood Preferred Guest" floor...but it was at the very back of the hotel, 100 steps from the main elevators, down a twisting and turning hallway. There was no balcony. The room was very small, the bathroom was smaller and the shower stall was tiny. You had to sit on the bed or at the desk to watch television, as the only upholstered chair in the room was in the corner outside the open closet/hallway leading to the bathroom. The bathroom had no counter space, only the edges of the sink. The lights were situated between the sink and the toilet, with the heatlamps inexplicably placed over the toilet. There was no bathtub. As for the shower, I can't believe that it passed building codes -- it was so small that you could stand against the back wall, reach out and touch the front wall. The shower curtain -- that's right, a curtain -- got wet and stuck to your body, as there was no room to get away from the curtain. There was nowhere to put essentials such as shampoo and conditioner -- only a soapdish attached to the wall. The "amenities" in the bathroom included low-cost, low-quality Jergens soap and lotion.

Although I was initially disappointed in the room, I was pressed for time and had to immediately shower, dress and leave. When I returned to the hotel that evening, I noticed that two service elevators were right next to my room and beyond the elevators, a door to an outside stairwell was propped open. The next morning, I discovered that my room was very different from the hotel's other rooms when I passed an open doorway on my second day in the hotel and saw a much bigger, much brighter, much nicer room.

The hammering sounds that woke me at 7:46 a.m. reminded me of the front desk clerk's casual comment that the hotel was upgrading. The next morning, I discovered that the service elevators next to my room were apparently being used to transport construction materials and workers at 6:00 a.m.

The hotel does offer free parking for hotel guests, but charges a surcharge for all phone calls, including $2.00 for a tollfree call! The hotel advertises a spa; however, upon calling the spa, you receive a recording asking you to leave a message so they can get right back to you. Two days after leaving the message, I'm still waiting. The hotel seems understaffed throughout all areas -- only one front desk clerk on duty, only one doorman/bellman, one waiter, one bartender, one housekeeper. As a result, one often had to wait for any type of service.

When I checked out, I expressed my disappointment with the room and the hotel. The front desk clerk -- a different clerk -- expressed surprise that I was given the small room. "We usually only use those rooms when we're sold out!"

My best advice -- stay away until they get their act together!

Great hotel. Lobby is very modern and spacious. Bar/lounge is very hip and welcoming for the late 20's/early 30s crowd. The rooms were furnished with contemporary settings, down comforters and great bathrooms.

One complaint - parking. They do have a self-park garage as well as valet service, but the cars must block each other in and, therefore, slow down departure a bit. Not a big deal, though.

Spent a week here in November and found the hotel to be clean, friendly
and in a good location. About a 10min walk to the shops and beach.

The location also means that their is no problem with any noise pollution after dark. Great for families with young kidz.......Would consider coming back here in the future.

We were also at this Hotel in July when the renovations were being done and stayed in a room that had just been done up and found this hotel to be very clean and staff to be very helpful. The beds were very comfortable and there was plenty of pillows if you need more.

It is only a short walk to the shopping centre and beach or you can catch the T bus.

Would stay at this hotel again, but maybe go to a different area.