Sheraton: Complete Travel Guide & Tips

Last Updated on August 26, 2026 by Daniel Globe

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts is one of Marriott Bonvoy’s best-known global hotel brands, with a mix of city hotels, airport properties, convention hotels, and destination resorts. Sheraton sits in Marriott’s Premium tier rather than its Luxury tier, and the brand is still rolling out a major design transformation. That means the experience can vary by property, so checking renovation status, amenities, fees, and Marriott Bonvoy benefits before you book is important.

How Sheraton Became What It Is Today

Sheraton’s history goes back to 1937, when founders Ernest Henderson and Robert Moore acquired their first hotel in Springfield, Massachusetts. The brand later recorded several important hotel-industry milestones. In 1947, Sheraton Corporation of America became the first hotel chain listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

In 1958, Sheraton introduced Reservatron, which the brand describes as the hotel industry’s first automatic electronic reservation system. In 1985, it became the first international hotel chain to operate a hotel in the People’s Republic of China. By 2013, the opening of Sheraton Shantou marked the brand’s 100th hotel in Asia Pacific.

Sheraton became part of Marriott International in 2016 when Marriott acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts, whose portfolio included Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis, W Hotels, and other brands.

As of Marriott’s November 2025 brand update, Sheraton had more than 425 hotels and resorts in nearly 70 countries and territories.

What to Expect at Sheraton Hotels

Sheraton is part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Premium brand group. In practical terms, that usually means full-service lodging with restaurants, meeting facilities, fitness amenities, business-friendly spaces, and more on-property services than you would normally expect from a select-service hotel.

The exact experience depends heavily on the individual property. A transformed Sheraton may have a bright, open lobby built around the brand’s “public space” concept, while an older property may retain a more traditional layout.

Signature features of the newer Sheraton concept include:

• Public Space: an open lobby designed for meeting, working, dining, or relaxing.
• Community Table: a shared worktable that may include power outlets, charging features, lighting, and ergonomic seating.
• Studios: flexible enclosed or semi-private spaces for small meetings, gatherings, or dining.
• Booths: privacy-focused spaces designed for calls and concentrated work.
• &More by Sheraton: a combined bar, coffee bar, market, and all-day food-and-beverage concept at participating transformed hotels.

You may also find Sheraton-branded bedding, work areas, restaurants, pools, club lounges, meeting rooms, and fitness centers, but these are not identical at every property.

What’s New in Sheraton Renovations

Sheraton’s modern transformation began after the Marriott-Starwood combination. When Marriott formally presented its transformation strategy in 2018, it said owners of Sheraton hotels in the United States had already committed an estimated $500 million toward renovations. That figure referred to owner commitments at that point in the transformation; it should not be read as a new or current $500 million Marriott renovation budget.

The transformation is still visible across the brand. Marriott’s current New Sheraton experience emphasizes adaptable public areas rather than a conventional lobby used mainly for check-in.

The most recognizable changes include Community Tables, technology-friendly Studios, sound-conscious Booths, &More dining areas, and redesigned guest rooms intended to work for both productivity and rest.

Because hotels renovate on different schedules, two Sheraton properties can look and feel quite different. Marriott was still describing the transformation as ongoing in its late-2025 brand communications, so travelers should not assume that every Sheraton has received the newest design.

How to Choose the Right Sheraton Hotel

Brand name alone should not decide which property you book. Compare the specific hotel against the parts of the stay that matter most to you.

• Check recent room photos: They can help you determine whether the room category you are considering has been renovated.
• Read the amenity list: Confirm whether the hotel has a pool, fitness center, lounge, spa, business center, or other facilities you need.
• Check parking and transportation: City and airport Sheratons may charge for parking or offer different shuttle arrangements.
• Review mandatory fees: Some resorts may charge resort or destination fees that are separate from the room rate.
• Check breakfast and lounge rules: Breakfast is not automatically included with every Sheraton booking.
• Read the cancellation policy: Cancellation deadlines and penalties depend on the particular hotel and rate you select.
• Compare location, not just price: Paying slightly more for a property close to your activities may reduce transportation time and cost.

How Marriott Bonvoy Works at Sheraton

Sheraton participates in Marriott Bonvoy. Members generally earn 10 base Marriott Bonvoy points per eligible US dollar at Sheraton, plus any applicable elite-status bonus and eligible credit-card earnings.

When you redeem points, do not rely on an old Sheraton award chart. Marriott now uses Flexible Point Redemption rates. The number of points required can change with the property, dates, availability, seasonality, room type, and length of stay, and rates may fluctuate daily.

• Silver Elite: begins after 10 qualifying nights in a calendar year.
• Gold Elite: begins after 25 qualifying nights.
• Platinum Elite: begins after 50 qualifying nights and adds benefits that can be particularly useful at full-service Sheratons.
• Titanium and Ambassador Elite: add higher-tier benefits on top of Platinum-level benefits.

At participating Sheraton hotels, complimentary lounge access is a benefit for Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite members plus one eligible guest staying in the same room. Property exceptions, lounge schedules, and availability rules can apply, so check the individual hotel before relying on lounge access.

How Stay for 5, Pay for 4 Works

Marriott’s current benefit is called Stay for 5, Pay for 4. When an eligible member redeems points for five consecutive nights under one qualifying award reservation, Marriott deducts the lowest point-value night from the five-night redemption.

The benefit applies to qualifying Standard Redemption or PointSavers award stays and is based on a standard room. It is more accurate than saying the literal fifth calendar night is always the free one.

How to Earn More Sheraton Points

To build your Marriott Bonvoy balance faster through Sheraton stays, concentrate on eligible hotel spending, elite bonuses, promotions, and any co-branded card that fits your normal spending habits.

• Book qualifying stays: Sheraton normally earns 10 base Bonvoy points per eligible US dollar.
• Use elite status: Eligible elite members receive a percentage bonus on base points, with the bonus increasing at higher tiers.
• Register for promotions: Marriott periodically offers targeted or global promotions that can add bonus points or elite-night credits.
• Consider eligible credit-card earnings: Marriott co-branded cards differ in annual fee, automatic elite status, hotel earning rate, and other benefits.
• Use Stay for 5, Pay for 4 strategically: A qualifying five-night points stay can reduce the total number of points needed.

Do not assume that holding any Marriott credit card automatically opens a Sheraton Club Lounge. Some cards provide Silver or Gold status, while others can provide Platinum status. Complimentary participating Sheraton lounge access is tied to qualifying Platinum Elite status or above, not simply to having a Marriott-branded card.

Sheraton Hotels and Resorts Worth Comparing

There is no single “best” Sheraton for every traveler. A beach trip, family theme-park vacation, city break, and sightseeing trip require very different properties. These current Sheraton examples show the range available within the brand.

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa sits on Ka‘anapali Beach beside Pu‘u Keka‘a, or Black Rock. Its current amenities include swimming facilities, a lazy river, water slide, snorkeling access, cultural activities, wellness activities, and an on-site spa. It is a strong option when beachfront access and resort activities matter more than being near an urban center.

Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort

Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort offers direct Waikiki Beach access, renovated rooms and suites, multiple restaurants, an adults-only infinity pool, a family pool area, cultural activities, and easy access to central Waikiki shopping and dining.

Its cash and Bonvoy points prices change with dates and demand, so a fixed points quote quickly becomes obsolete. Compare the live cash and award rates for your dates instead.

Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas, Lake Buena Vista/Orlando

Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas, Lake Buena Vista/Orlando is geared toward longer family stays. It offers one- and two-bedroom villas with kitchens or kitchenettes, washers and dryers, separate living areas, several pools, recreation, and convenient access to Orlando attractions.

Sheraton Fallsview Hotel

Sheraton Fallsview Hotel in Niagara Falls, Ontario, is directly across from Niagara Falls and offers Falls-view accommodations, multiple restaurants, an indoor pool, a seasonal rooftop pool, spa facilities, and indoor access to the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark complex.

Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk

Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk is a strong urban option in Chicago’s River North area. It has an indoor pool, fitness facilities, restaurants, meeting space, and a participating club lounge, with the Chicago Riverwalk and Michigan Avenue nearby.

Sheraton Vacation Club vs. Regular Sheraton Hotels

Sheraton Vacation Club and a standard Sheraton hotel stay are related names but different products. Sheraton Vacation Club is a vacation-ownership program, while ordinary Sheraton Hotels & Resorts properties are conventional hotel or resort accommodations.

Vacation Club properties commonly emphasize villa-style accommodations and may include kitchens, washers and dryers, living rooms, and other features designed for longer stays. The ownership program can also include options for converting ownership interests into Marriott Bonvoy points under applicable program rules.

If you simply book a Sheraton Vacation Club property as a hotel guest, that does not mean you have purchased vacation ownership. Likewise, ownership costs, exchange options, annual fees, and benefits should be evaluated separately from a normal hotel reservation.

What to Check Before Booking a Sheraton

Before you confirm a Sheraton reservation, review the actual property page and rate details rather than relying only on brand-level expectations.

• Is your room category renovated?
• Does the property charge a resort or destination fee?
• How much does parking cost?
• Is breakfast included in your selected rate or elite benefit?
• Does the property have a Sheraton Club or another qualifying lounge?
• Is the lounge open on the days you are staying?
• Are the pool, spa, restaurant, or other facilities you want currently open?
• What is the cancellation deadline for your specific rate?
• Is the cash rate or Bonvoy redemption more attractive for your dates?
• Do you need to reserve resort activities, dining, parking, or transportation in advance?

Sources

1. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts — About Us — Sheraton history, 1947 NYSE milestone, Reservatron, China expansion, and brand heritage.
2. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts — The New Sheraton — current public-space, Studios, Community Table, Booths, &More, and guest-room concepts.
3. Marriott Bonvoy Hotel Brands — Sheraton’s current classification as a Premium Marriott brand.
4. Marriott Bonvoy — Earn Points at Hotels — Sheraton base-point earning rate.
5. Marriott Bonvoy — Flexible Point Redemption Rates — current award-pricing rules and daily point fluctuations.
6. Marriott Bonvoy — Lounge Access Benefit — current elite lounge eligibility and participating-brand rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sheraton considered luxury?

Sheraton is not classified as a Marriott Luxury brand. Marriott places Sheraton in its Premium group alongside brands such as Marriott Hotels, Westin, Le Méridien, and Renaissance. Individual Sheraton Grand properties or resorts may offer luxury-style rooms, restaurants, spas, or services, but the overall Sheraton brand sits below Marriott’s dedicated Luxury tier.

What are the benefits of joining Sheraton Vacation Club?

Sheraton Vacation Club is a vacation-ownership program rather than a standard hotel loyalty membership. Depending on the ownership product and applicable rules, benefits can include villa-style accommodations with kitchens and laundry facilities, access to Vacation Club destinations, exchange options, and the ability to convert eligible ownership use into Marriott Bonvoy points. Because ownership involves financial commitments and ongoing costs, review the current ownership documents and fees before buying.

What is the dress code at Sheraton?

There is no useful worldwide Sheraton dress code that applies to every hotel, restaurant, lounge, and event. Requirements depend on the property and venue. Many hotel restaurants are casual, while some fine-dining restaurants may require formal or more polished clothing. Check the individual restaurant or hotel page before your visit.

Where is the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass?

Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass is at 5594 W Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Phoenix, Arizona 85226, in the Wild Horse Pass area near Chandler and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The resort’s architecture, art, dining, and experiences are designed around the heritage and culture of the Gila River Indian Community.

Does every Sheraton have a Club Lounge?

No. Lounge availability varies by property. At participating Sheraton hotels with qualifying lounge facilities, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite members generally receive lounge access for themselves and one eligible guest staying in the same room. Always check the specific hotel’s lounge details and operating hours.

How many Sheraton hotels are there?

Marriott stated in November 2025 that Sheraton had more than 425 hotels and resorts in nearly 70 countries and territories. The portfolio changes as hotels open, close, convert, or leave the brand, so Marriott’s current Sheraton directory is the best source for an exact live count.

Conclusion

Sheraton remains one of Marriott Bonvoy’s most established global hotel brands, but the experience is not identical everywhere. Transformed properties bring the brand’s newer public spaces, Community Tables, Studios, Booths, and updated rooms, while other locations may still have an older design.

For the best stay, compare the specific property rather than the Sheraton name alone. Check the room you are booking, renovation status, fees, parking, breakfast, lounge access, and cancellation terms. If you use Marriott Bonvoy points, compare the live cash and points rates and remember that eligible five-night award stays can qualify for Stay for 5, Pay for 4. Those checks will tell you far more about the value of a Sheraton stay than an old award chart or brand-wide assumption.