Sheraton Norfolk Waterside: Your Dream Norfolk Getaway Awaits!
Sheraton Norfolk Waterside: My Waterside Dream… or Just a Soggy Dream? (A Rambling Review)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to spill the beans (and maybe a little bit of the complimentary coffee) about my recent stay at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside. The tagline, "Your Dream Norfolk Getaway Awaits!"… well, let's just say dreams are subjective, and mine sometimes involve aggressively comfortable pillows and a functioning fitness center.
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- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside, exploring accessibility, amenities, dining, and overall experience. Read about the good, the bad, and the slightly… soggy? Find out if this Norfolk getaway is truly a dream.
The Arrival (And the First Snag…):
First off, the location? Fantastic. Right on the water, smack dab in the Waterside District. Views? Stunning, when the weather cooperates (more on that later). Check-in was… thankfully, Contactless. I’m a germaphobe, so bonus points there. The front desk [24-hour] folks were generally pleasant, though the one with the slightly too enthusiastic smile seemed a bit… well, too enthusiastic at 7 AM.
Accessibility: A Double-Edged Sword
Okay, let's talk accessibility. This is HUGE for me, and the Sheraton mostly delivered. They tout Facilities for disabled guests, and I saw Elevator access, which is a must. The Wheelchair accessible claim? Seemed legit in the common areas. My room, however, was a bit of a squeeze. It wasn’t bad, but maneuvering around felt like a Tetris game. More space would have been amazing. I'm thinking wider doorways! Also, while I didn't specifically require it, the presence of a visual alarm is reassuring.
The Room… and the Pillows of Doom (and Delight):
My room had a view, thankfully. A good window that opens is essential for clearing the existential dread that can build up in hotel rooms; and I'm so glad it wasn't an exterior corridor! Plus, air conditioning that actually worked! (A rare and glorious thing.) The blackout curtains were clutch for sleeping in, except when the seagulls decided to scream at 5 AM. And let's talk about the pillows. Some were the cloud-like perfection I crave (that aggressively comfortable I mentioned earlier!), while others… well, let’s just say they seemed to be stuffed with rocks. The bathrobes were soft, though, and I appreciated the safe/security box for my… well, my slightly paranoid supply of emergency snacks.
I'm still not sure if I like the interconnecting room(s) available though. I never requested it, but the idea of hearing strangers snore or their children cry is the stuff of my nightmares.
Cleanliness and Safety: More Than Just a Checklist
Post-pandemic panic has ingrained Hygiene certification and staff trained in safety protocol in my brain. I saw a lot of evidence of this at the Sheraton. The anti-viral cleaning products eased my mind, as did the Daily disinfection in common areas. The room itself felt clean, and that's half the battle. The rooms sanitized between stays detail is really great to see! The hand sanitizer stations were ubiquitous. I'm just going to be honest, I'm not completely sold on the room sanitization opt-out available though. I understand the desire of the hotel to offer it, but I wonder if the option to skip sanitization would cause the hotel to not clean thoroughly. I also saw First aid kit on the scene, and I felt at peace.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Rollercoaster
Okay, the food situation. This is where things got… interesting.
Breakfast [buffet]: When it's up and running, it’s standard buffet fare, and there’s a Western breakfast and Asian breakfast, if you're into that.
Restaurants: I tried a few of the restaurants. One was decent; another was… not my cup of tea (or coffee/tea in restaurant). The Poolside bar was great for a quick drink, even if the cocktails were borderline offensive.
Room Service [24-hour]: Always a lifesaver when you’re too lazy or traumatized to leave your room. My chicken sandwich was tragically mediocre but at least it came with a bottle of water and a smile.
Cashless payment service: Very thankful to the hotel for this. It's a great detail.
Alternative meal arrangement: I didn't have to utilize it, but it was nice to see it available.
Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: This is a great and important detail.
Things to Do (or Not Do):
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: The swimming pool looked lovely, but the day I was there, the weather was a spitting, drizzly mess. So no poolside lounging for me. Sad face. It looked like there was a pool with a view too.
- Fitness center: This, my friends, was a disaster. Half the equipment was out of order, and the weights looked like they hadn’t been touched since the Reagan administration. I tried to use a treadmill; it wheezed, sputtered, and then died. Sigh.
- Spa: Didn’t have time for a spa/sauna, and really, I usually prefer the chaos of the hotel room.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things…
- Internet: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be! It worked, mostly. Except when it didn't.
- Concierge: The concierge was helpful with directions and local recommendations.
- Daily housekeeping: My room was always clean, which is a huge plus.
- Laundry service: The dry cleaning was great!
- Luggage storage: A brilliant detail, because I was leaving late.
For the Kids (and the Child-Like…):
I didn’t bring any kids, but the presence of babysitting service and family/child friendly amenities is a big plus for families.
The Verdict: Waterside…ish
So, is the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside a "dream getaway?" Well… it has potential. The location is amazing, the staff, for the most part, is friendly, and the bones are good. However, the hit-or-miss food, the fitness center fiasco, and the occasional Wi-Fi hiccup hold it back from true "dream" status.
My advice? Go if you're looking for a convenient base to explore Norfolk, and if you can get a good deal. Just maybe pack your own workout gear and a sense of humor. And maybe, just maybe, a really, really good pillow.
Final Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars. Room for improvement, but definitely not a complete disaster.
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Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this isn't your average, perfectly-polished travel brochure. This is the unfiltered, slightly-chaotic, possibly-caffeinated diary of my weekend getaway to the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel. Prepare for the ride.
Sheraton Norfolk Waterside: My (Un)planned Adventure
Day 1: Arrival and the "Oh, Crap, I Forgot My…" Incident
1:00 PM: Touchdown in Norfolk (ish). Okay, let's be honest, the flight wasn't exactly smooth. Turbulence? Check. Screaming toddler? Double check. I swear, I'm pretty sure I aged a decade in that two-hour window. But Hallelujah, we made it! Now, if only I could remember where I parked the car…
2:00 PM: The Great Luggage Shuffle. Dragging my ridiculous oversized suitcase through the airport felt like hauling a small sofa. And finding the rental car felt like a scavenger hunt. I swear, the parking garage at Norfolk Airport is designed by a sadist.
3:30 PM: Check-in at the Sheraton: First Impressions and the Dreaded Realization. The lobby is… well, it's a Sheraton. You know, clean, functional, slightly sterile. But the view! Oh, the view! That sleek, glass skyscraper, the water sparkling – it's undeniably pretty. Until I realized… I forgot my contact lens solution. Seriously? After all that, I'm destined to be squinting the entire trip. This is going to be a long weekend of blurry vision and a permanent frown.
4:00 PM: Room Reconnaissance and Initial Panic. The room is nice, comfy bed, a decent view, and the air conditioning is thankfully working at full blast. I always feel a bit like a tiny, overwhelmed explorer when I get into a hotel room. I unpack, and the first thing is always the question - where to put the suitcase? Then my heart just sinks when I realize… I will have to pack it all back up. Ugh.
5:00 PM: Trying to Embrace the Imperfection. Ok, let's pretend the blurry vision is just a vague artistic expression on my part. Time to hit the hotel bar. A little liquid courage, maybe?
6:00 PM: Waterside District Wanderings (Sort of). The hotel is perfectly located to stroll to the Waterside District. I did a little wandering, soaking in the bustling atmosphere. The aroma of freshly-fried seafood was intoxicating. And the street performers! One guy was doing card tricks with the enthusiasm of a caffeinated squirrel. I actually stood there for a good 20 minutes, completely enthralled.
7:30 PM: Dinner at the Waterside District Food Court. Food, glorious food! After all the travel, I skipped the hotel restaurant. The food court had a whole spectrum of choices. I devoured a delicious crab cake sandwich (a true Virginia must-have!) and sat people-watching, feeling a contented buzz.
9:00 PM: Conquering the Hotel Gym (Relatively). Look, I'm not a gym rat. But I had to try and work off those crab cakes. I spent a solid 20 minutes on the elliptical, staring out the window at the city lights. Then I gave up and went to bed.
10:00 PM: Lights Out (Mostly). I should have been asleep, but, of course, I couldn't switch off my thoughts. I had to re-evaluate the day.
Day 2: History, Hiccups, and a Whole Lot of Seafood
8:00 AM: Wake-Up Call (Mostly). Okay, I'm a sucker for a hotel breakfast. The Sheraton's buffet didn't disappoint. Overeating? Absolutely. Worth it? You betcha. I fueled up for the day with a mountain of scrambled eggs, bacon, and enough coffee to power a small city.
9:30 AM: Nauticus, The National Maritime Center: History Lessons and a Big Ship. I’m a sucker for naval history, so the Nauticus was a must-do. The exhibits were fascinating, and climbing aboard the USS Wisconsin was an awesome experience. It's gigantic, almost like a steel monster!
12:00 PM: Lunch Disaster. I stopped for lunch at a tiny little cafe that looked promising. Well, disaster. The waiter forgot my order, the sandwich was soggy, and the coffee tasted like ash. Definitely not a recommendation. I should have just gone for seconds at the hotel buffet. Ugh.
1:30 PM: A walk in the park. My moods were all over the place. So I took a walk along the Elizabeth River Trail, which was calming, with the sun shining, birds chirping, and the fresh river breeze. It was a much-needed reset button after that disastrous lunch.
3:00 PM: Crabs, Crabs, and More Crabs! After a couple of hours of relaxation, it was time to indulge in my favorite dish from the area. I ate so many crabs I thought my fingers would turn into pincers. The restaurant was loud, messy, and perfect. I could eat crabs every day.
6:00 PM: Sunset Stroll and a Moment of Contemplation. I walked along the water's edge, watching the sunset paint the sky with fire colors and reflecting on the weekend. It kind of sucked that I was alone. I'm probably the only person in the world for whom solitude feels like a bit of a mixed bag.
7:30 PM: Drinks at the Sheraton Bar. A nightcap at the hotel bar felt like a perfect idea. I chatted with the bartender (a friendly guy who clearly knew his cocktails!), and I felt a little less lonely.
9:00 PM-ish: Bedtime and a Quiet Reflection. I think all that seafood made me sleepy!
Day 3: Farewell, Norfolk, and the Dreaded Return
8:00 AM: The Last Breakfast and a Sad Goodbye. Another hotel buffet, another mountain of food. I wanted to stay in bed, but I knew I had to get some energy to pack and come back to reality after the break.
9:00 AM: Final Waterfront View. The walk along the Elizabeth River, with a final glance at the gorgeous waterscape, was perfect. Norfolk, you were charming.
10:00 AM: Check-Out and the Packing Blues. Time to return to those familiar, yet less glamorous, realities of life. The packing went smoothly. I hope I do not forget anything.
11:00 AM: The Airport Saga (Part 2). Airport security, the crowded parking garage. The flight was better than the first, but I kept thinking about my next visit.
1:00 PM: Back Home. The trip was a mix of highs and lows, perfect moments, and not-so-perfect ones. But that's what makes it, you know, real. And I had my share of fun. Norfolk, I'll be back. Next time with contact lens solution.
So there you have it. My unvarnished, slightly messy, and occasionally delirious account of a weekend in Norfolk. I hope you enjoyed (or at least, were slightly entertained by) the ride. And if you're heading to the Sheraton, well… pack your contact lens solution. You'll thank me later.
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