Sheraton Sonoma Wine Country Petaluma

The location was nice, and the breakfast was tasty, though you have to pay for it. The hostess working breakfast was super sweet and a highlight of an otherwise middling stay. The shower and bath were really nice, too. Parking costs $15 a day, which is ridiculous, so factor that into the price. The room was old and not particularly clean, even by hotel standards. The walls are very thin. I could hear my neighbors' kids arguing about which movie to watch.

The breakfast was one of the few bright spots, fresh and hot, with genuinely warm service from the restaurant staff. But the stay did not match the Marriott standards I know from other properties, including a great eight-night stay at Le Méridien, Mauritius, last September. I booked through Expedia, and my Marriott membership wasn't acknowledged at check-in. Breakfast information had been misplaced, so we had to email a screenshot to confirm it. The same thing happened with the parking details, which we had to resend. The room needed maintenance: wine stains were visible on the carpet, one side of the curtain was loose, and the room phone was damaged. We told reception in the morning on our last day that we needed fresh linens. After returning tired from travel, we found the room just as we'd left it. They eventually offered to move us, but arranging that took over an hour. Our deposit was also deducted without explanation or warning, and we're still waiting for clarification. I hope this feedback helps close these service gaps so future guests, especially loyal members, get the quality Marriott is known for.

From our room we watched the lift bridge rise a couple of times for a tourist boat. The marina is dreamy, and walking around the grounds is beautiful. Grocery stores and the adorable downtown are a short drive away. The room was spacious and very clean, right down to the spotless bathroom grout, with wonderful towels and great bedding. Parking costs extra, but the lot felt safe for both our vehicle and people. It’s well lit and patrolled, and outsiders can’t park there, which mattered a lot to us. The lobby is peaceful and inviting, with a lounge area, sofas, a fireplace, and an open glass staircase leading up to the restaurant. Check-in was easy to find at the desks on the left side of the spacious lobby. Cinai checked us in, and she was wonderful: kind, quick, friendly, and incredibly helpful. There’s nothing I’d change. I look forward to staying here again.

Our room was adequate but not great. The phone didn't work, the wall thermostat was inoperable, the windows were dirty, and the shower clothesline was broken. A sign on the thermostat said to use the controls on the AC unit under the window. I expect that sort of thing at a Motel 6, not a full-service Sheraton or Marriott. The hotel is on the edge of town by a limited-access highway, with ample surface parking, so I was surprised they charged for parking. We were told on arrival that the pool was closed while they waited for a repair part. My wife had seen other complaints suggesting it had been out of service for some time, so I wondered if that was really the reason. The desk clerk gave no more information when we said we were disappointed. On the second day, after my brother's memorial service in Sonoma, we returned late in the afternoon to find the room hadn't been serviced. It had been taken care of the first night. Housekeeping wasn't available, and they could only bring up fresh towels. Some staff seemed jaded and didn't show much empathy when we raised the housekeeping and parking issues. It felt like they were tired of hearing complaints. I was handed the customer service manager's card and told to call him if I wanted to complain. That's not Marriott service. Five of my family members and I booked here to attend my brother's memorial. We could have stayed at the nearby Courtyard, but wanted to be together at a more full-service Marriott. I know Marriott acquired the Sheraton brand recently, but this hotel doesn't measure up. I've been a loyal Marriott member for more than 25 years and never had such a bad experience at one. It was an emotional trip for all of us, and the hotel fell short. I don't usually post negative reviews, but wanted to share what happened. Someone from corporate might want to visit unannounced and see for themselves.