Sheraton La Guardia East
The Sheraton La Guardia Hotel is also known under the name of the Sheraton Flushing. It is located near Flushing Main Street, the end stop of the subway 7 and near the LIRR station. Travel time from Grand Central is 30 to 40 minutes; the express train does not run during weekend.
The hotel is located in an Asian Neighbourhood and owned by an Asian-American Company. The 16 storey building is of older age (80ies) and has a glass facade. If you enter the hotel you feel like you are in Asia. An Asian inspired interior in the design of the 80ies reminded me of some hotels in Asia I have stayed in.
In the basement is the restaurant. Some shops are located on the ground and on higher floor. Meetings rooms are available and a small gym on the 6th floor. I was told during check-in the hotel is undergoing renovation in the next time and this part will be refurbished.
The guest rooms are located between 7th and 16th floor with the Executive Floor on the 16th floor.
The hotel offers a shuttle service to La Guardia every 30 minutes (departing at the hotel at .00 and .30) from 5.00 till 1.00. It is free of charge. I was told travel time from the hotel to the airport and vice versa is 10 to 30 minutes depending on the traffic situation.
Executive Lobby is open between 19.00 to 22.00 and 6.00 to 10.00 serving hors d’oeuvres and juices in the evening and breakfast in the morning. Hors d’oeuvres consisted of meatballs and fried shrimps, cracker and salmon. The salmon was not in the fridge but placed right near the coffee and I think this warm place was not the best one. Juices were available in addition to coffee and tea.
The lounge had an Asian inspired interior with some chairs, lounge chairs and couches. Books about art, design and architecture as well as travel books were available. A huge plasma TV screen was wall mounted.
From the rooms you have a good view to the runway of LGA and the planes fly right over the hotel, but you did not hear them. The hotel has as far as I know soundproofed windows.
Stays: 15 January 2006
visited on New York and Chicago Trip 2006
Arrival Date: 15 January 2006
Departure Date: 16 January 2006
Room type booked: Standard Room (got Executive Floor)
Rate Plan: Best Available Rate
Room Number: 1614
Room Rate: 169.00 USD (excl. taxes)
Status of SPG: Gold
I arrived at the hotel at 15.30 and was greeted by check-in staff friendly. My reservation was prepared and I was told I got an upgrade to Executive Floor as SPG Gold. Check-in was fast , efficient and friendly – like in Asia. Unfortunately the Keycard to my room does
not work (housekeeping offered help but can’t open the room, too). I returned to check-in and told them the problem. I learnt during my check-in there was a problem with the system as another guest had the same problem. The told me, they are sorry and they will page someone to reprogram the door immediately. Meanwhile I returned to my room
and waited. It took three of four minutes and the guy with the portable computer for the door appeared. He let me in the room with the general key. After some minutes everything was okay.
The rooms was a typical hotel room. At the entrance was the cupboard and
the entrance to the bathroom. A washbasin with plenty of room to
place shaver, toothbrush etc. and a mirror covering the whole wall on
the one side. On the other side was the bathtub with shower curtain and shower head. The shower head was old and needed to replaced soon. Opposite entrance was the toilet. The bathroom was of normal size but
seemed not to be renovated.
The room seemed to be renovated.
It consists of two double beds (Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Beds) with bedside tables and lamps. A lounge chair and a small table were
placed in front of the window. Opposite the bed was the TV set with
Video and DVD player and aside a large working desk.
Air condition was noisy but could be turned off if you feel disturbed.
Turndown service was offered. One got two small bottles of
water and a muffin.
Check out was fast again and the invoice
was prepared in advance, so not waiting time.
My
overall impression of this hotel is really good and I am very
satisfied. The problem of the malfunction of my key card could happen. Interior is nice and service is friendly. The lounge is
nothing special but it is nice to have one, especially as a very good
selection of art books were available in it. Last but not least the
upgrade to Executive Floor I got, which I had not expected as SPG Gold. If you have a late arrival or an early departure, this hotel is
a good alternative to the hotels right at La Guardia. The connection
to public transportation seems to be better at the Sheraton than at
the Marriott or the Crown Plaza Hotel at LGA.
