Four Points by Sheraton Bentonville

Check out my room here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo3nx3mKngc

When looking for a place to meet, Bentonville, Arkansas has plenty of choices.  At least ten popped up on my first Google search alone. But the Four Points by Sheraton was the one selected for my last road trip into town. And I confess, I kind of wish it wasn’t.

In terms of space and business amenities. The Four Points doesn’t exactly stand out as anything more than another average convention center. There’s wifi, meeting rooms-and plenty of common area to chat while waiting on wifi and meeting rooms.

There is ample parking right outside door. The front desk staff are available and helpful as was housekeeping.  If only you didn’t have to take a 5k hike in order to reach them.

Note to the hotelier: make it easy on visitors. Employ sled dogs.

The hotel’s gym facilities were nice, as were the meeting rooms, common areas, dining area and bar. But nothing remarkable from a convention chain standard.

The in-house restaurant a nice touch. But the menu was really overpriced given the number of dining options up and down the same strip.

Guests were spaced out well for privacy. The rooms are quiet, clean and well organized. The bathroom was also clean with an adequate number of towels to get you by.  There was a small coffee bar in the room-a little too small to meet my caffeine demands on the road, and a mini fridge.

But no microwave, what the heck?

The bed and mattress were of the average type worthy of no more description than an unenthusiastic meh.

My takeaway: nice place to meet, but stay elsewhere.

Do you have a hotel or inn you would like me to review? Let me know on Facebook, Instagram or at toilandtroublemediagroup@gmail.com

Aloft Dallas

Check out my room here! https://youtu.be/9B9QdY9hBqU

I am prepared to die on this hill: boutique hotels beat chains all day, every day. 

But not all overnight travel make this possible. Corporate business trips, for example, love franchises and their convenient billing practices. Which is a shame, but what can you do?

After bashing Hilton and Hyatt hotels a time or two, a reader pointed out that I have neglected Marriott hotels. So the next time I was staying in Dallas, I decided to give their Aloft a try.

The hotel, geared towards the convenience-obsessed business traveler, definitely tries to live up to its brand. It was well-marked and easy to find, located within walking distance of shops, restaurants and businesses and parks. This can’t be said for every business within the city and after dealing with traffic creeping along at fifteen miles an hour during the most absurd rush-hour imaginable, I was grateful for the reprieve.  But it is not located near dog-friendly facilities so be prepared to walk your dog a few blocks when needed.

Parking was easy to access, but one needs to take extra steps to validate parking if they do not want a ticket for just under a hundred dollars a day on their windshield.  The front desk does have a bar code/QRL code guests can scan to ensure parking enforcement doesn’t ticket their car that they keep behind a piece of plexiglass, but it is often moved around and may not be readily visible.

The lobby is designed with an open reception area. The snack area and food window were very convenient whether you wanted to eat in your room, the reception area or take it on the road. The hotel bar was very casual and comfortable. And there was plenty of seating as well as a pool table.  

Aside from the cleanliness of the facilities, the cleaning staff are virtually invisible.

The rooms themselves repeat this theme of efficiency first, second and third. Very stylish, but not well thought out.  Along the wall with the window was a lovely desk with a lamp and hardwired connectivity access, but no USB or electrical plug. The seating area was also designed to be appealing, but not practical. The large television was mounted directly above the window seating, forcing guests to watch from the bed across the room or on the floor.

Although very spacious and easily maneuverable for those utilizing wheelchairs, the placement of other amenities also seemed to ignore accessibility. Reaching electrical outlets, thermostat and the coffee pot might prove difficult for someone unable to stand and the position of the minifridge under the sink might obstruct using the vanity as well.

Yep, the “kitchenette” area and bathroom occupy the same space. Yuck!

The room itself was very quiet. Guests were well-spaced and I hardly noticed any traffic outside my door at all.  With a Get up and Get at it vibe, it made the stay simple. Which, when traveling for business, can be a plus in itself.

It should be mentioned that if you plan to utilize special discount rates like government or others, special attention will need to be paid to ensure you are not overcharged. Mistakes do occur and the front desk staff are not able to make these corrections themselves.  All billing issues, as well as parking over charges are referred to the hotel’s manager-who seems to keep bankers hours.

But overall, it lived up to all expectations.  Good job, Marriott!

My takeaway: book a room with Aloft when you have high expectations for your trip, and simple expectations for your stay.

Do you have a hotel you would like me to review? Send me a line at toilandtroublemediagroup@gmail.com