Sheraton Raleigh Hotel Review: The Heart of Downtown Convenience

When visiting Raleigh, whether for a conference, a concert, or simply to explore the vibrant city, finding the right place to stay is crucial.

When it comes to location, you cannot beat the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel on Fayetteville Street in the heart of downtown.

This 17-story hotel offers an unbeatable location, being within walking distance of many of the top attractions in Raleigh.

It also boasts top-notch amenities, and we personally had a comfortable stay, so we have no doubt that it’s an ideal choice for travelers seeking convenience and quality in downtown Raleigh. Here are some reasons why we recommend the Sheraton Hotel Raleigh.

Reasons To Stay at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel

Let’s take a deeper dive into some of the reasons you may choose the Sheraton Hotel in Raleigh whether you are traveling for business or leisure.

Prime Location for Downtown Raleigh Festivals and Events

Located in the heart of downtown, the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel places you at the center of the city’s bustling activity.

Just steps away from the Raleigh Convention Center, it’s a perfect base for business travelers attending conferences and events.

It’s also slap bang in the middle of the business district, across the road from Raleigh Civic Center, which is perfect for business travelers looking to be close to the downtown offices for meetings.

It’s also within walking distance of the State Capitol & Amtrak, as well as Fayetteville St, E Hargett, and Moore Square, which are all vibrant areas filled with cafes, bars, and local shops, offering a taste of Raleigh’s eclectic culinary scene right at your doorstep.

Music lovers will appreciate the hotel’s proximity to the Performing Arts Center, the Lincoln Theater, and Red Hat Amphitheater, both renowned venues hosting a variety of events from symphony and ballet performances to top touring musical artists.

For food enthusiasts, the hotel is surrounded by a plethora of dining options in downtown, from gourmet restaurants to casual eateries.

Nightlife lovers are only a short walk, or Uber ride, to Glenwood Ave – the party street, more favored by the younger crowd.

Being just 20 minutes’ drive from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), and a short drive (7 minutes’ drive) to North Carolina State University, its location cannot be beaten if you want to stay in Raleigh city center.

Easy Check-In and The Lobby

One of my favorite features of the Sheraton Inn is its inviting and spacious lobby. The huge light-filled atrium lobby has been decorated with an industrial-style brick design, which has been warmly complemented by classic furnishings and hardwood flooring.

In the atrium you’ll find lots of comfortable seating areas, palm trees, and a small cafe (Café Siena) serving coffee and snacks. Anyone can come and sit in here, and you’ll find its a popular meeting point for friends. Note that during festivals, you will need to be a guest to gain entry to the atrium.

I was also very impressed with the warm friendliness of the front desk staff. As a local, I was very happy to know visitors to Raleigh would be treated with that “y’all welcome” attitude we have long been known for.

They went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and happy and helped us late at night when we could not access our room. (It was a little sticky and would not open. Honesty Time – I just did not push it hard enough! Oops!)

Modern, Comfortable, and Quiet Rooms

Being a 3-star hotel, you can expect rooms to be comfortable but not overly flamboyant.

The rooms and suites are designed with contemporary decor and equipped with all the modern conveniences you’d expect such as free wi-fi, en suite with a shower, seating area with desk, flat-screen cable TV with HBO and other great channels, and coffee-making facilities.

Hotel guests often highlight the comfort of the beds and the cleanliness of the rooms.

As it’s in the heart of the city, you may be worried about noise from late-night revelers. That was not our experience, despite attending one of the city’s top festivals.

Festivals in Raleigh usually finish by 11pm due to noise restrictions. Fayetteville St is also not a huge late-night area, as most places close early, so there are few people roaming around making loads of noise.

Even if you’re not staying in a high-floor room, you’re unlikely to hear any traffic noise.

Most rooms come with great views of downtown. You can also upgrade to a high-floor room for exclusive Club Lounge access.

Outstanding Property Amenities

The hotel offers a range of amenities including a 24-hour, on-site fitness center, a heated indoor pool and hot tub, and a business center.

Whether you need to keep up with your workout routine, relax after a day of meetings, or catch up on work, the Sheraton Raleigh has you covered.

You can also take advantage of concierge services such as room service and valet parking (additional fee). There’s 24-hour reception, so there’s always someone on-hand to help you should you need someone in the nighttime (like we did!).

If you’re driving into Raleigh, Sheraton Hotels offers parking located adjacent to the hotel, but there are daily fees payable directly to the parking deck.

On-Site Dining

I was impressed with the buffet breakfast offered at the on-site restaurant, Jimmy V’s Osteria – especially the morning after the Beerfest.

Those hearty omelets and breakfast potatoes were much appreciated! (Breakfast is not complimentary unless it comes with a package deal!)

Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar serves modern Italian dishes and traditional comfort food, as well as signature cocktails. It’s a favorite for guests and locals alike on their large outdoor patio for lunch or dinner – the wood-fired oven pizzas are a particular favorite!

When the Bluegrass Festival is on in September, Jimmy V’s is a popular pop-up music venue. So, you can enjoy the action without even leaving your hotel – although I recommend you do as Raleigh has so much to enjoy.

It also has the largest open-air patio in Raleigh, with incredible views of downtown Raleigh.

Event Facilities

While I have not experienced an event at the Sheraton, I know that it is very popular for weddings and other events.

It has extensive meeting spaces and innovative event venues with state-of-the-art technology and a dedicated event planning team, making it an excellent choice for weddings, business meetings, and other gatherings.

And it is right across the road from the Convention Center so an easy stay for anyone attending business conferences and events there.

Our Experience Staying at the Sheraton Hotel in Raleigh

We stayed overnight at the Sheraton Raleigh when attending the Brewgaloo Festival on Fayetteville St. I can tell you how much I loved walking out of the hotel lobby right into the action!

It also meant I could breeze into the lobby and use the hotel facilities and not have to line up for skanky festival portable restrooms.

I didn’t have to carry around a bag with jackets and water bottles. I could pop back into my wonderful, city-view hotel room when I needed them!

In terms of hotel quality, I prefer the Residence Inn around the corner – also conveniently located to downtown Raleigh attractions, especially the Performing Arts Center. Their suite rooms were spacious and perfect for families, and their rooftop bar is a highlight.

But, the Sheraton is still a great choice, especially if you’re a business traveler in need of high speed and wireless internet (which was pretty fast!) or if you’re attending a festival or event on Fayetteville St. The location is one reason why you can’t beat staying here.

Would We Recommend the Sheraton Hotel, Downtown Raleigh?

In summary, the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel on Fayetteville Street offers a combination of prime location, excellent amenities, and outstanding service, making it an ideal choice for travelers visiting downtown Raleigh.

Its convenient and walkable location to nearby attractions, restaurants, and venues, makes it a very convenient downtown Raleigh hotel.

The hotel’s comfortable rooms and quality amenities receive high marks, with the indoor pool and fitness center being standout features.

Whether you’re in town for business, attending an event, or simply exploring the city, the Sheraton Raleigh ensures a comfortable and convenient stay.

See prices and availability for the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel and experience the best of what downtown Raleigh has to offer!