Sheraton Imperial Hotel

The name "Imperial" suggests a fortress, a stronghold worthy of an emperor, or perhaps a Dark Knight. Located in the heart of the "Research Triangle" (which sounds suspiciously like a villainous organization, if you ask me), the Sheraton Imperial Hotel is a surprisingly modern outpost for the weary traveler. My reconnaissance of the lobby revealed a space that has shed its 1980s skin for something much sleeker. It is vast and open, a "Great Room" concept that encourages socializing, an activity I usually avoid, but the strategic placement of the “&More by Sheraton” cafe provided excellent cover. I was able to secure a dark roast and observe the comings and goings of the business elite without drawing attention to my 8 inch stature. The sleeping quarters are efficient. The recent renovations have stripped away the clutter, leaving clean lines and functional furniture. The wall sconces are sturdy enough to support a grappling hook (or a pose, see Exhibit A), and the blackout curtains are effective enough to turn high noon into the midnight darkness I prefer. However, the "Imperial" title does come with a few quirks. The sheer scale of the convention spaces means you might be sharing the elevator with a wedding party or a few members of the exterminator conference like I did. Silence is a luxury here, not a guarantee. BatmanJawn's Detective Tips: Tactical Extraction: The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle to RDU airport. It runs on a schedule, so time your extraction perfectly. The "Seasons" Change: The on-site restaurant, Seasons, serves a solid breakfast and dinner. It’s a safer bet than venturing out into the Triangle traffic during rush hour. Aquatic Training: There is a seasonal outdoor pool. It is open from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM. A late-night swim is good for muscle recovery after a long patrol. Market Recon: The market in the lobby is well-stocked with snacks. Useful if you need to stock up on provisions before hunkering down in your quarters. Final Verdict: The Sheraton Imperial is a modernized fortress that serves as a reliable base of operations. It lacks the gothic charm of Wayne Manor, but its clean rooms, strong coffee, and proximity to the airport make it a strategic win.

I was here for a holiday party. I didn't stay overnight, so I can't speak on the rooms. The banquet room was large and had lovely decorations for the holiday season. The food served was good, it could've been warmer. All of the waiters and waitresses were very polite. The dance floor could've been a smoother surface to make it easier on the knees when dancing. I enjoyed myself. I would host an event at this hotel.

This hotel was chosen for us by our soccer club. The only marks against it are: Parking is not free if your group doesn't have it included (ours was included) No free breakfast (very important for early games and hungry girls) Multiple parties going on every night in the ballrooms in the lobby. Parking lot is full, smoke-filled stairwell stinking up our hall and intoxicated people. And no, I'm not a prude, but I also don't feel comfortable letting my teenage daughter go to the lobby or to other floors alone. The room: VERY NICE. The beds are comfy, nice TV, mini fridge, safe, well-stocked bathroom, coffee station The staff: all very helpful and professional. In fact, everyone we've dealt with from a customer-service standpoint in the Raleigh area has been super-friendly. From the hotel, the mall and food service...A+ people. Overall, a very nice place to stay...but more suited to young professionals rather than soccer teams, in my opinion.

The Sheraton Imperial has a fantastic aesthetic; the lobby is well-designed and offers a very comfortable atmosphere for relaxing by the bar. The rooms were updated and modern, featuring a satisfying walk-in shower. ​Unfortunately, the guest experience didn’t quite live up to the Sheraton name. I felt no hospitality which was disappointing as you usually expect a higher standard from this brand. Additionally, keep in mind that this hotel is very busy with events. If you are looking for a quiet morning to head down to breakfast in your PJs, this isn’t the place.

I stayed there last week due to important business meetings. My room initially assigned on the 2nd floor was very cold and could not sleep at the first night even the heater set to 82F. Also there were no shower curtains set in the bathroom. How odd. I talked to the front desk next day and they were trying to be helpful even though they were short stuffed. I patiently waited and got to talked to the manager after 30 minutes. He said he could not give me a different room on the 2nd night as hotel was fully booked, but he said he will give me a different room on the 3rd night (even though the replacement room on the 7th floor was not that great either). He also said he will refund me $100 each for the 1st night and the 2nd night to compensate my inconvenience ($200 in total). I said my company is paying for the hotel cost so it won’t be good for me, and then he promised that he will give me the bonus Marriott points instead. He said he will give me 10000 points for each night. I was happy to hear that and I thought I would be receiving additional 20,000 points as a bonus points. However, I checked my points this week and turned our only 10 points were given to me as a bonus and that’s NOT what was explained to me. I called the hotel twice so far, but still not being able to get a hold of the manager. I waited for a long time being on hold for the first time I called them yesterday and had to leave my phone number at front desk for him to call me back. However no one called yesterday at all. I called them back today but the phone is not going through to get to the manager. How frustrating and waste of my time because there is no way to reach out to him directly. I’ll keep calling them but NEVER use this hotel again.