Just returned home after spending 2 weeks on Denarau Island - the first week at the Sofitel (see separate entry) and the second week at the Sheraton.
We were really looking forward to staying at the Sheraton and deliberately made it our second stop.
Unfortunately the Sheraton was a huge disappointment and left us regretting our decision to split our time across two hotels - just grateful it wasn't two weeks at the Sheraton!
For starters - don't let them put you in the 1301-1315(!) rooms. We had just settled down to read at 8.30pm on the first night when we heard an incredibly loud noise - that we quickly discovered was the nightly resident band - playing in an outdoor bar just metres from our room! When I rang reception to ask what was going on I was informed that the band played 'til 12 midnight six nights a week! By 11pm we were both frantic and I had to get dressed and go to reception and demand to be moved the next morning.
The new room was quiet but very average. The bathroom was very nice - large shower and twin sinks. However that was the only highlight. The air conditioner (even on low) was incredibly loud and resulted in poor sleep every night. The clock was broken, the bar fridge smelt very bad, and we were unable to sit on our front porch because its roof was the slat floor for the balcony above and the outdoor furniture was soaked for the entire week from the torrential rain.
The hotel does not have free wifi so I purchased a weekly Internet plan. Three times I rang "Guest Services" for a required password and each time was told that someone would ring me straight back with the password - this went on all afternoon - and no one ever rang back.
Even when I would go to the reception desk to follow up on a request I was told to go back to my room and someone would call me - quickly I learnt never to leave until I got some help, as the culture of staff seems to be - just try to get rid of guests and take no responsibility for anything.
All the restaurants/bars advertise prices exclusive of the 20% tax - which means that every bill brings a sting - unlike every other resort and restaurant we visited on the Island.
The range of restaurants at the Sheraton is very poor - particularly if one of your party is allergic to seafood (eliminating the mid range Flying Fish restaurant). The "Feast" buffet is a typical all-you-can-eat diner, the Port of Call is OK for a very high end dinner and the Pantry has a very limited "to go" selection of fast food. we ended up returning to the Sofitel, as well as enjoying a meal at the Radisson and several meals at the Port - particularly good were Indigo (Indian) and Amalfi (Italian).
The pool at the Sheraton was a huge disappointment - half of it is a foot-deep kiddies pool with imported sand and the "adult" section is tiny and boring compared with the other resorts. It looks good in the photos due to what surrounds it.
Unlike the Sofitel, the Sheraton doesn't have a guest laundry - requiring guests to pay to have clothes laundered by the hotel.
The main problem with the Sheraton is the malaise of the staff. I got the sense that they are fed up with their jobs and that they view guests as a nuisance. This was in such contrast to the Sofitel staff who have a giggle in their voice and a sparkle in their eye and actually offer assistance instead of performing constant disappearing acts.
We were glad to leave the Sheraton and just grateful that we'd had so many wonderful experiences on the Island outside the hotel.