DCFüd was invited to “Rediscover Sheraton”, a tour of three area Sheraton hotels, hosted by Travel Onion.  The night included tours of the Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria, the Sheraton Crystal City, and the Sheraton National, as well as food and beverage samples at each location.  Other bloggers from the D.C. area were also invited, including Pamela Sorensen of Pamela’s Punch, Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick of World Footprints, Linda Samuel of KidFriendly DC, Jordan Wright of Whisk and Quill, Katherine Herbert of Eating Around DC, Bryan Walsh of Eating Around DC, Tim Krepp of DC Like a Local, Greg O’Neill of Gregslist, Anita Hattiangadi of Gregslist, and Claire Mouledoux, Communications Director of Alexandria Convention and Visitors Bureau.

We started our night at the Sheraton Suites Old Town, with elderflower and chardonnay cocktails (a Starwood Hotels exclusive) and appetizers in their restaurant, Fin and Hoof Bar and Grill.  Even though it was a cold, snowy night, the cocktails were delicious and refreshing, something that would be perfect for sipping out in their courtyard on a warm day.  The hotel has nothing but suite rooms, with several that have a beautiful view of the Masonic Temple, and each room has the capability to be turned into a meeting space.  The Suites also has a board room, a ballroom, and other smaller rooms available for events.

Our next stop was the Sheraton Crystal City, where we were treated to several finger foods and drinks before our tour.  As we were sitting down, we kept noticing people in random costumes, ranging from 50’s sock hop to prom gowns.  Turns out the hotel teams with Mystery Dinner Theater, a D.C. group that performs an interactive comedy mystery while the guests enjoy a four-course meal.  Several of us bloggers were quite excited to hear this, especially me because it reminded me of that episode of Saved by the Bell.  The hotel’s upper floors had just undergone a renovation… literally.  The final pieces of the furniture had been set just four days earlier.  The meeting and event areas were beautifully decorated, with lots of open, airy space; perfect for a wedding or conference.

The last stop on our tour was the Sheraton National, located at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Columbia Pike.  This was the largest of the three hotels, with a plethora of conference space on the ground floor, and more event space on the top floor.  Several of the guest rooms, and all of the event rooms on the top floor, have a breathtaking view of D.C., including the Washington Monument, Capitol, and even the Cathedral.  The hotel’s restaurant, the Potomac Restaurant and Lounge, offers locally harvested foods, as well as sushi on Tuesdays.  It is beautifully decorated with paintings of D.C. landmarks, and black and white glass prints of politicians throughout the years.  The private dining room, the Reagan Room, is decorated with a black and white glass print of the former President in the window, and other Reagan-esque décor.

Thank you again to Cal Simmons and Dana Rosenzweig of Travel Onion for putting this event together, and inviting us.  Another special thank you to James Rattray, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Sheraton Suites Old Town, Dan Sparacino, the Director of Sales & Marketing at the Sheraton Crystal City, and Alice Walsh, Director of Sales & Marketing, and Sean Parkhurst, Sales Manager, both of the Sheraton National, for being so hospitable.  And thank you to the fine folks at truly-life for the fantastic soap and solid lotion leaves!

Not only was it great to rediscover the Sheraton Hotels in the D.C. area, but also to meet other bloggers in the area and swap stories.  The next time someone you know is looking for a fantastic hotel with great food and drink in the Arlington-Alexandria area, point them to one of these hotels- they definitely won’t be disappointed!

-JDS

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