Where Familiarity Breeds a Good Night’s Sleep
Yes, the Sheraton Sioux Falls Hotel and Convention Center was a chain hotel. So, what was wrong with that? As far as we were concerned, absolutely nothing.
When Simon, Otto and I travel, we most often opt for a bed and breakfast, AirBNB or other smaller accommodation. Our reasoning is we stand a better chance of connecting with locals in a unique environment. But there are times when the consistency and familiarity of a chain hotel is exactly what we need after a hectic day exploring a new destination. During our visit to Sioux Falls, the Sheraton Sioux Falls Hotel and Convention Center provided us with this ideal refuge.
Located a mere two miles from the city’s revitalized downtown area, and an even shorter distance from the airport, Sheraton Sioux Falls is conveniently situated for both tourists and business travelers. An enclosed walkway from the first floor connects the hotel with the 97,400 square foot Sioux Falls Convention Center, taking the stress out of attending a large conference or event. The Sheraton provides a free airport shuttle service, taking the stress out of arrivals and departures. And the Sweet Sleeper™ Beds take the stress out of everything.
Upon entering the hotel, we were wooed by lush botanicals and two indoor waterfalls that defined it as a welcoming place to relax. The six-story atrium lobby also offered comfortable seating areas, computer workstations, an ATM and a gift shop.
Lobby of the Sheraton Sioux Falls Hotel (Photo from Sheraton Hotel)
The glass elevators whisked us up to our floor. Our room, one of 243 rooms and suites available at the Sheraton Sioux Falls, had a familiarity about it with its functional furnishings, coffee maker and travel-size toiletries. It was spacious, clean, the shower was top-notch and the free wifi worked flawlessly. A no surprises, no disappointments place to lounge, work and sleep.
What made the Sheraton Sioux Falls stand out was the friendly staff, who were eager to insure we had a pleasant experience. From the front desk, to the restaurant to the guest services, everyone demonstrated genuine warmth and a professional demeanor.
Because of our determination to see as much of Sioux Falls, AKA “the Best Little City in America”, we didn’t take much advantage of either of the hotel’s two dining options. The breakfast of hot oatmeal we had at the Falling Water Grille definitely fortified us against the early morning chill. It was flavorful, substantial and came with little pots of brown sugar, raisins and nuts to add to the perfect consistency of the oatmeal. If I could make oatmeal like that, I’d make it more often.
We also enjoyed a plate of assorted hors d’oeuvres in our room. The food was innovative without being weird, and certainly hit the spot after a long drive.
The Water’s Edge Lounge serves bar food and beverages. We didn’t try it out on this trip, but hope to check it out on our next visit.
For events not requiring a venue as large as The Sioux Falls Convention Center, The hotel offers meeting rooms and partitioned spaces in the Fontenelle Ballroom. When completely open, the ballroom can accommodate up to 200 people.
We were in Sioux Falls as tourists, and what an eye-opener our visit was. There are enough attractions and activities to keep the most hard-to-please person happy and busy through eternity. Sioux Falls has a rich and fascinating history, which can be explored through museums and historic houses, an active arts and culture scene, more restaurants and food types than you would expect for a city this size and a treasure of a park in the middle boasting the famous waterfall. In Falls Park, you can walk, bicycle, hike or simply drink in the beauty and tranquility of this center-city oasis.
We spent two days taking in the history of the area, attending two festivals, visiting Falls Park, examining the art works along the downtown Sculpture Walk, wandering through the Saturday Market, trying out local eateries and appreciating the fine works of local crafters. Is it any wonder we were pleasantly exhausted at the end of each day? Fortunately, we had our comfy, familiar room at the Sheraton Sioux Falls in which to unwind. With a few original touches and a friendly, competent staff, even a familiar chain hotel can feel brand new.
Sheraton Sioux Falls Hotel and Convention Center
1211 West Avenue
North Sioux Falls
South Dakota 57104
Phone: +1(605) 331-0100
Amenities include:
- Fully wheelchair accessible, including the indoor pool and fitness center
- All rooms and facilities are Non-Smoking
- Free parking
- Pet friendly
- In-Room Safe
- Complimentary wifi in all rooms and public areas
- Complimentary airport shuttle
Check in: 3:00 PM
Check out: 12:00 PM
I do the same thing: stay in Airbnb accommodations to get a taste of local life, but retreat to a hotel when I want peace and quiet and a bit of pampering.
There’s a certain degree of snobbery, of which I was once guilty, regarding hotel chains. But the older I get, the more a little predictability in my bed-for-the-night occasionally makes sense.
Looks like an amazing destination. One more for our bucket list. We don’t like cold so will need to look at the seasons..
Early fall is a perfect time to visit Sioux Falls. The temperature is mild, and there are at least two festivals to add an extra dose of fun to your visit. Love that City!
Really enjoyed the article. We now have another destination to place in our ever increasing bucket. The Sheraton is a favorite of ours and it seemed to be a wonderful experience.
Thanks, Jane. I really hope you get to Sioux Falls. What they’ve done to revitalize the downtown area is impressive, and there’s so much to do and see.