Amarillo's BEST Downtown Hotel? Four Points Sheraton Review!

Four Points by Sheraton Amarillo Downtown Amarillo (TX) United States

Amarillo's BEST Downtown Hotel? Four Points Sheraton Review!

Amarillo's Best Downtown Digs? My Rambling, Unfiltered Review of the Four Points by Sheraton!

Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to unleash a full-blown, slightly-obsessive review of the Four Points by Sheraton in downtown Amarillo. I just got back, and my brain is still buzzing. Trying to be objective? Forget about it. This is going to be more of a "what I felt" than a dry bullet-point rundown.

First Impressions & Getting There (Messed Up but Good):

So, pulling up to the Four Points, I was immediately impressed. It's a good-looking building, right in that up-and-coming downtown area. The location is gold; close to everything, and the promise of Amarillo's vibrant downtown life. I say "promise" because, honestly, downtown Amarillo is a work in progress. But hey, the hotel itself, the building exterior? Solid. Sleek.

Accessibility: A Solid Start (mostly) –

Okay, this is important to me. I need to know a place "gets" accessibility. The Four Points seems to, at least in theory. They say they have facilities for disabled guests, including things like elevators (phew!), accessible rooms, and, hopefully, the ability to not make someone who needs wheelchair assistance feel like a burden. The entrance seemed pretty easy, but I didn't stay in a designated accessible room, so I can't give it a full thumbs-up or down. But the initial impression? Good. They've thought about it.

Check-In – Smooth Sailing (Mostly):

The check-in process was a breeze. Fast, friendly, and efficient. I love a good, efficient check-in. The front desk staff were perfectly pleasant. No drama. No long lines. Nice and easy! It gave me that "Okay, this is going to be a good stay" vibe, you know? They also have the option for contactless check-in/out, which is a godsend in this current climate.

The Room – My Little Sanctuary (Mostly):

Now, the room. Oh, the room. I booked a non-smoking room (duh) and was immediately happy. Clean, spacious, and with all the standard comfy features. Free Wi-Fi? Yes, please! Finally a modern hotel! I mean, come on, it's 2024. Internet should be standard. Wi-fi signal strength good in the room. The bed was comfortable, and I crashed HARD every night. The blackout curtains? Glorious. Those things saved me. I have a hard time sleeping, and the darkness was incredible.

Here's the Breakdown, Room Feature by Room Feature, Because I'm Nuts:

• Air conditioning: Worked perfectly. A MUST in Texas.
• Alarm clock: It was there, I didn't use it. I'm a phone alarm person.
• Bathrobes: Nope, boo.
• Bathroom phone: No, I don't want that.
• Bathtub: There was one. I took a shower instead.
• Blackout curtains: GOLD.
• Carpeting: Clean, thankfully.
• Closet: Okay, enough space for my modest wardrobe.
• Coffee/tea maker: Standard! Huge bonus for that morning caffeine fix.
• Coffee/tea, Complimentary: There was, but it could have been better. Instant, basically. Not my favorite thing.
• Daily housekeeping: Yes! Cleaned and tidy space. Excellent!
• Desk: Fine. I worked from it.
• Extra long bed: Nope, standard size. Fine by me.
• Free bottled water: Included.
• Hair dryer: Yup, worked well.
• High floor: Nice view.
• In-room safe box: Meh. Didn't use it. I'm not hiding jewels.
• Internet access – LAN: Unavailable.
• Internet access – wireless: Excellent.
• Ironing facilities: Yep, iron and board, so if you need them.
• Laptop workspace: More than enough.
• Linens: Clean and fresh. No complaints.
• Mini bar: Not really. Just a mini-fridge.
• Mirror: Fine.
• Non-smoking: Duh.
• On-demand movies: Didn't use.
• Private bathroom: Excellent.
• Reading light: Good lighting, good for reading.
• Refrigerator: YES! Always a perk for me.
• Safety/security feature: Standard.
• Satellite/cable channels: Plenty of channels.
• Scale: No.
• Seating area: Just fine.
• Separate shower/bathtub: Not in my room.
• Shower: Good water pressure.
• Slippers: Nope.
• Smoke detector: Safety first!
• Socket near the bed: Essential these days.
• Sofa: Nope.
• Soundproofing: Mostly good.
• Telephone: Still there.
• Toiletries: Standard hotel stuff.
• Towels: Soft and fluffy.
• Umbrella: Well, I didn't need it.
• Visual alarm: Not that I saw any signs of it.
• Wake-up service: Never used it.
• Wi-Fi [free]: Wonderful.
• Window that opens: Nope.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Food is Definitely a Thing (sometimes):

Let's be honest: hotel restaurants are often a crapshoot. The Four Points has a restaurant, plus a bar and (thankfully) room service!

• Restaurants: The food was… fine. Nothing mind-blowing, but perfectly edible. Breakfast was buffet style, with the standard options. The buffet was included with my room which was a bonus!
• Bar: Good for a casual drink. The atmosphere was nice, and they had a decent selection.
• Happy hour: Yes!
• Room service (24-hour): HUGE win. I took advantage of this at 2 am one night after a long drive and that was everything. A lifesaver!
• Breakfast buffet: Included with my room. Usual food.
• Coffee/Tea. Good in the restaurant.

Cleanliness and Safety – Feeling Safe (Mostly):

• Anti-viral cleaning products: They say they use them.
• Daily disinfection in common areas: Yes.
• Hand sanitizer: Available everywhere.
• Hot water linen and laundry washing: Good.
• Hygiene certification: I didn't see proof of it, but everything looked clean.
• Individually-wrapped food options: Standard.
• Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: I saw it being followed.

Things to Do, Ways to Relax, and That Whole "Spa" Thing (or Lack Thereof):

Okay, so this is where things get a little less exciting. I'm not sure if the hotel had a spa or steamroom. I didn't see the information in the amenities. I don't think it did. Okay, for actual "relaxation," they do have a fitness center and a pool.

• Fitness center: Yes!
• Pool: YES. Outdoor, which was great, given the heat.
• Spa: Nope.

Other Services and Conveniences – The Little Things:

• Air conditioning in public area: Yes!
• Cash withdrawal: You can.
• Concierge: I didn't need one.
• Convenience store: Not that I could see.
• Currency exchange: Nope.
• Daily housekeeping: Yes, and excellent.
• Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service: There are.
• Elevator: Yes!
• Facilities for disabled guests: Yes!
• Luggage storage: Fine.
• Non-smoking rooms: Yes!
• Safety deposit boxes: They have them.

For the Kids:

• Family/child friendly: It seemed to be.
• Kids meal: I didn't see a kids menu, but maybe they offer it.
• Babysitting service: None.

Getting Around:

• Airport transfer: None.
• Car park [free of charge]: Yes!
• Taxi service: Yes!

Staff – Mixed Bag:

The staff members I interacted with were, for the most part, very friendly and helpful. Some were absolute stars.

The Verdict: Worth It? YES!

Would I stay at the Four Points by Sheraton in Amarillo again? Absolutely. Great location, good rooms, and pretty decent amenities. It’s not perfect, but it's a solid pick for a comfortable stay. The room

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Four Points by Sheraton Amarillo Downtown Amarillo (TX) United States

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average, sterile travel itinerary. This is my survival guide to the Four Points by Sheraton in Amarillo, TX… and trust me, I needed one.

Day 1: Arrival and the Lone Star State's Embrace (Maybe a Headlock?)

• 1:00 PM: Touchdown at Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (AMA). Airport? More like a giant, slightly dusty welcome mat. Seriously, the plane trip was the most exciting thing about it and I didn't even hit turbulence (boo). I'm already starting to feel that vast, Texas emptiness.
• 1:45 PM: Rental car pickup. This is where my meticulously planned itinerary starts to…well, it gets a little wonky. I chose a giant SUV "for safety". Safety from WHAT, exactly? Amarillo tumbleweeds? Okay, maybe I'm being dramatic. Mostly, I'm just a terrible driver and wanted something I wouldn't immediately curb-check.
• 2:30 PM: Check-in at the Four Points by Sheraton. Okay, truth bomb: I'm already judging. The lobby feels…beige. Beige and slightly sad, like a rejected episode of The Golden Girls. The front desk person is friendly enough, bless her heart, but I can already envision the blandness of the hotel's soul. They have a pool, though, and that's a point in their favor. I'm picturing myself needing it to relieve my stress in the next few hours.
• 3:00 PM: Room recon! Okay, the room… it's…a room. Clean enough, I guess. The bed looks like it's seen better days but also looks like a cloud, I'm hoping for the cloud. The bathroom? Basic. The view? Of another building. My expectations weren't sky-high, and they've been met. I'll give it that.
• 4:00 PM: A quest for snacks. Hotel vending machines are the pinnacle of despair in the travel world. I’m making a run to a local grocery store for provisions. Chips, salsa (extra spicy, for emotional support), and maybe a family-sized bag of M&Ms. Self-medication is the name of the game, people.
• 5:00 PM: The Sunset Room. This is a restaurant in the hotel, and yes, I am going to it. Wish me luck because I have a feeling my night will be a combination of quiet desperation and mild disappointment. I'm really hoping for a Texas-sized margarita to help wash down the meal… and my existential dread.
• 7:30 PM: The Sunset Room, Pt. 2. I'm back in my room, defeated but full (and also, strangely, a little buzzed). The food was…fine. The margarita, however, was an experience. Strong. Like, "I can't remember how I got here"-level strong. I'm pretty sure I told the waiter my life story. Oh, the shame. At least it made the beige room seem less…beige.
• 9:00 PM: Attempt at sleep.

Day 2: Cadillac Ranch and the Vastness of…Well, Everything

• 7:00 AM: Wake up. The bed was indeed a cloud. Surprisingly restful night, fueled by questionable decisions and a potent margarita. This is either going to be a good day or a spectacular train wreck.
• 8:00 AM: Breakfast, which I promptly skipped - for the simple reason that the breakfast bar at the hotel looked depressing. I'm not sure if I can even get a good breakfast from the hotel. I should just go to a diner, I think….
• 9:00 AM: A pilgrimage to Cadillac Ranch. Okay, this is pretty cool, even if it's just a bunch of graffiti-covered, half-buried Cadillacs. It's so Texas. So uniquely bonkers. I take a can of spray paint with me because why the hell not? A bunch of other "artists" are present and the air is thick with the smell of aerosol and dreams. I tag a car, channeling my inner rebel (which, let's be honest, is pretty pathetic).
• 10:30 AM: The Big Texan Steak Ranch. Alright, this is my thing. The 72-ounce steak challenge. It's a cliché, I know, but I must TRY. I'm not sure if I can do it, but dammit, I'm going to give it my best shot. The place is pure Texas kitsch – the decor screams cowboy chic, the staff are friendly and the atmosphere is charged with both anticipation and the scent of sizzling meat.
• 10:45 AM: The Challenge. The steak arrives. It's HUGE. Like, the size of a small child. I'm intimidated. I dig in anyway. And then, I eat. And eat. And eat. I try, I really do. I’m sweating. I'm panting. I feel like I could die. The crowd cheers. The pressure is on. I even took a picture of the steak before I started eating it. I wanted to cherish the moment before it was gone.
• 11:00 AM: I make it to the halfway mark! A victory! I'm full, but I'm so close to defeating the challenge. I take a picture of the steak, I feel so much pride and joy.
• 11:30 AM: Defeat. I tap out. The shame! The agony! The meat sweats! I hate myself. I fail.
• 12:00 PM: I swear, I'll come back another day and win.
• 1:00 PM: An epic nap. (After the Big Texan, you NEED a nap.)
• 3:00 PM: Check out the local shops, and maybe find a souvenir or two to help me reflect on my stay.
• 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel.

Day 3: Farewell, Amarillo (and My Sanity)

• 8:00 AM: Check out of the hotel. No, I didn't get to eat the hotel breakfast again. I'm just going to leave it behind and act like it never existed. I already can't wait to leave.
• 9:00 AM: Depart from Amarillo International Airport. The end.

Postscript:

Amarillo, you were… an experience. The Four Points by Sheraton? Well, you were a clean place to sleep after you've been to a restaurant. I'm gonna miss the people, they were great, and the food, which was surprisingly good. But you know what? I'm also ready to go home. Back to my messy life. Back to my comfort zone and, oh God, to my own bed. Maybe next time I'll conquer that steak. Maybe. Probably not.

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Four Points by Sheraton Amarillo Downtown Amarillo (TX) United States```html

Amarillo's Downtown Oasis: Four Points by Sheraton - The REAL Lowdown!

Is this place *actually* the best in Downtown Amarillo? My expectations are…well, you know…Texas.

Alright, let's cut the bull. "Best" is subjective, right? But for Downtown Amarillo? Yeah, the Four Points probably *is* as good as it gets. I mean, is it the Four Seasons? Nope. But for Amarillo, a city that's seen its fair share of questionable hotel experiences, it's a solid, reliable haven. It *tries* to be all modern and sleek, and for the most part, it pulls it off. The lobby? Not half bad. Actually, the lobby’s pretty decent. Always that slightly-too-loud but ultimately harmless elevator music playing. Always. I, a seasoned traveler, am completely used to that, but, you know. It makes you feel like you’re in a movie. A slightly cheesy movie, but a movie nonetheless.

What about the rooms? Are they…clean? Because, you know, bed bugs are a thing. And I'm a worrier.

Okay, calm down, fellow worrier. From my experiences (and, fingers crossed, the experiences of everyone else I know who's stayed there), the rooms are generally clean. They’re *Sheraton* clean, which is a level above ‘Motel 6’ clean, but maybe not quite ‘hospital operating room’ clean. The beds are comfortable enough; I've slept worse. The *one* time I stayed there, there was a slightly suspicious stain on the carpet, I won't lie. I blamed the previous guest and moved on. The bathroom? Standard hotel fare. Functional, not luxurious. But hey, the water pressure was good, which is a major win in my book. And the free toiletries? Standard issue. Which leads to *way* more to unpack, but let’s not.

The location. Is it actually *in* downtown? And is downtown Amarillo worth being "in?"

Yes, it is *actually* in downtown. Like, right there! You can practically roll out of bed (after you've woken up from your perfectly clean nap in your perfectly clean room) and stumble into…well, not much, honestly. Downtown Amarillo is…developing. It has its moments. There are some decent restaurants nearby (more on that later!), a few bars, and some interesting historical buildings. But it's not exactly a bustling metropolis. However, it's close to the Civic Center, which is a bonus if you're in town for a convention or event. You can walk there. Kind of. You *could* walk there, if you're feeling energetic. I wouldn't recommend it at night, alone, when I was there. Just my opinion!

The Pool and Gym - Are they worth it?

The pool and the Gym? I was promised a heated pool. Now, *I* wouldn't go to a heated pool in Texas in the Summer...but I went in the wintertime. And it wasn’t heated. Okay, that’s a little harsh. It was *slightly* heated. Like, if you really needed a swim, you could tolerate the chill. The gym? Standard hotel gym. A few treadmills, a weight machine or two, and some dumbbells that looked like they'd seen better days (and probably been through a few Amarillo rodeos). I think I used it once. Probably out of guilt. Don't expect a state-of-the-art fitness facility. Expect a place to walk on a treadmill while you stare out the window wondering how the rest of your day is going to go.

Food situation? Breakfast? Dinner? Anything edible?

Breakfast is okay, they offer a standard buffet, and sometimes have a waffle maker. But, and this is a BIG but, it’s not *amazing.* It'll fill you up, and probably won't give you food poisoning. I think there was yogurt and fruit. I'm pretty sure, anyway. I generally went for the waffles and immediately regretted it. But the options are there. And, it's free so I can't complain too much. As for dinner, there's a restaurant/bar on site. I’ve eaten there. Once. The service was...slow. The food? Decent. Nothing to write home about, but it was edible. The bartender made a killer margarita, though. Worth it just for that, honestly. There are also other restaurants nearby within walking distance. So you won't starve to death.

Parking? Is it a disaster? That downtown parking scene... it can be a nightmare.

Parking is... manageable. There's a parking garage, and it’s usually not *completely* full. But I've definitely had to circle a few times looking for a spot. It's not the end of the world, but it’s something to consider if you're arriving during a peak time. There's also street parking, but good luck with that. Basically, roll with it. Sometimes the world just doesn't let you do what you want to do!

Okay, spill the tea. What's the *worst* thing about this hotel? Be honest!

Ugh. Okay. The worst thing? Probably the… inconsistency. One time, the internet was lightning fast. The next time? Dial-up speeds. The music in the lobby is either a genius stroke of marketing, or someone’s going through some things. Occasionally, the elevators get a little temperamental. Also, I swear the sheets are *slightly* scratchier than they should be. Fine for a night or two, but I wouldn't want to live there. Also, the decor is a bit… generic. Modern hotel decor, you know? Brown, beige, and vaguely Southwestern-inspired. But hey, it’s clean. And the staff is pretty friendly. It's a trade-off.

So, should I stay there? Give it to me straight.

Look, if you need a place to stay *in* downtown Amarillo, it's probably your best bet. It's not perfect, but it's decent. It's clean-ish. It's convenient. The beds are comfy enough, and the margaritas are worth it. Go in with realistic expectations. It's not the Ritz. It's Amarillo. And for Amarillo, it's a decent hotel. Just bring your own pillow. And maybe a blanket. Oh, and a sense of humor. You’ll need it.

Anything REALLY stand out, good or bad?

Okay, so this is kind of random, but there was (and I hopeHotelish

Four Points by Sheraton Amarillo Downtown Amarillo (TX) United States

Four Points by Sheraton Amarillo Downtown Amarillo (TX) United States

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