Before returning to the US we had a one night layover in Kuwait — we were arriving at 12:25PM, and departing the following day at 9AM. As someone who tries to stay at Hyatt and Starwood properties whenever possible, the options were fairly limited — the city has no Hyatt properties, though has both a Sheraton and a Four Points by Sheraton.
The Four Points is a Category 5 property, meaning that a free night would cost 12,000 Starpoints. Meanwhile the Sheraton is a Category 6 property, meaning that a free night would cost 20,000 Starpoints. Kuwait clearly isn’t a cheap hotel market.
The price difference in cash wasn’t huge between the hotels — the Sheraton was ~$300, so we decided to stay there, and paid cash, since that seemed better than redeeming 20,000 Starpoints.
There’s something else interesting about the Sheraton Kuwait — it’s marketed as a Luxury Collection property. This is odd, because Sheraton and Luxury Collection are two different brands. It would seem on the surface to be same as a Westin Sheraton… that just doesn’t make any sense. 😉
However, this isn’t the only Sheraton to be branded that way. The Sheraton Addis Ababa is also a Luxury Collection property.
Interestingly the Sheraton Kuwait doesn’t belong to the Starwood Luxury Privileges program, despite the fact that it’s technically a Luxury Collection property, and all Luxury Collection properties are supposed to belong to it.
The Sheraton actually offers a complimentary transfer from the airport to the hotel. They call it a shared shuttle, though in both directions we were the only passengers, and they use an SUV for the transfer. The drive from the airport to the hotel took about 20 minutes with some traffic.
The exterior of the Sheraton is dated. It looks straight out of the 1970s. Entering the hotel required going through a metal detector and having our bags screened, as is the norm in many countries.
Sheraton Kuwait exterior
Fortunately inside it was a different story. That’s not to say that the inside was modern, but rather that it felt “grand” and was well maintained. The lobby had tons of marble that lined a long hallway.
Sheraton Kuwait lobby
There was also plenty of seating, with several comfortable couches.
Sheraton Kuwait lobby
Sheraton Kuwait lobby
We were escorted up to our room for in-room check-in, by one of the super friendly Filipino front office associates (as is the norm in the region, most of the front office staff were from Southeast Asia).
Sheraton Kuwait elevators
Our room was located on the sixth floor. The hallways were beautifully maintained, and reminded me of just about any five star hotel out there.
Sheraton Kuwait hallway
We had been upgraded to an executive suite, #672, due to my SPG Platinum status. The room was located at the far end of the hallway on the right.
Sheraton Kuwait room exterior
The suite featured a long entryway with a vanity of sorts just inside the entrance on the right.
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite entryway
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite entryway
Then on the left was a large half bath, with a sink, toilet, and bidet.
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite guest bathroom
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite guest bathroom
Past that was the living room, which had two couches, a desk, as well as a dresser of sorts, with the TV above it.
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite living room
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite guest bathroom
There was also a generous welcome amenity. They seem to have connected the dots on my blog, as there was the cutest little airplane cake with clouds that said “One Mile at a Time.” While the last thing I need is more sweets, what a work of art!
Sheraton Kuwait welcome amenity
The desk even had a fax machine. #TBT
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite desk
The living room had a view out over the city.
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite view
The bedroom was connected to the living room by a door. There was a comfortable king size bed with soft sheets.
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite bedroom
The bedroom was basically a guest room in and of itself, as it also featured a couch, as well as a desk.
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite bedroom
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite bedroom sitting area
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite bedroom desk
On the desk was some bottled water, a kettle, and instant coffee and tea.
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite bottled water, kettle, etc.
Below that was the minibar.
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite minibar
Past the bedroom was the master bathroom, which had a single sink, a tub, a walk-in shower, and a toilet and bidet.
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite master bathroom
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite master bathroom
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite master tub
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite master shower
I was impressed that toiletries were supplied by BVLGARI, which are certainly better than the typical Sheraton brand standard ones.
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite toiletries
Overall I was appreciative for the upgrade and how spacious our suite was. Obviously this hotel is a bit past its prime, though at the same time I thought everything was well maintained. Based on the website pictures I thought the hotel would be super dated, but I didn’t find that to be the case.
After checking in I decided to take a look at the club lounge. The hotel has two towers, and the club lounge was located in the other tower. As a result, I had to take the elevator down to the lobby, walk to the other side of the lobby, and then take that elevator up to the sixth floor.
Sheraton Kuwait club lounge elevators
The lounge is open daily from 6AM until midnight. Breakfast is served from 6AM until 11AM (though we didn’t have a chance to check it out, since we left the hotel at 6AM). Meanwhile there seemed to continuously be food available throughout the day.
The lounge was dated but spacious, with plenty of cozy and semi-private sitting areas.
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite club lounge
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite club lounge
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite club lounge
There was also a small business center.
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite club lounge business center
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite club lounge business center
I only visited the lounge once (at around 2PM), as we were sightseeing later on during the evening service. But I was very impressed by the selection, as they seemed to have an actual lunch spread, which you don’t often find in club lounges.
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite club lounge buffet
I’ll let the pictures of the food speak for themselves.
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite club lounge afternoon food selection
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite club lounge afternoon food selection
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite club lounge afternoon food selection
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite club lounge afternoon food selection
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite club lounge afternoon food selection
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite club lounge afternoon food selection
Sheraton Kuwait executive suite club lounge coffee machine
We were hungry after our flight, so decided to go to a restaurant for lunch. The Sheraton has several restaurants on the seventh floor, including an Italian restaurant, Iranian restaurant, Lebanese restaurant, Indian restaurant, and international restaurant. What a selection!
Sheraton Kuwait restaurants
We decided to eat at the Lebanese restaurant, Le Tarbouche. It was such a cute restaurant.
Sheraton Kuwait Le Tarbouche Lebanese restaurant
Sheraton Kuwait Le Tarbouche Lebanese restaurant
The food was phenomenal — I love Lebanese food, and the food here was especially good.
Sheraton Kuwait Le Tarbouche Lebanese restaurant
Sheraton Kuwait Le Tarbouche Lebanese restaurant
Sheraton Kuwait Le Tarbouche Lebanese restaurant
Sheraton Kuwait Le Tarbouche Lebanese restaurant
Sheraton Kuwait Le Tarbouche Lebanese restaurant
Unfortunately we ordered way too much of it.
In terms of other amenities, the hotel has a gym, located on the second floor. It had a decent selection of equipment.
Sheraton Kuwait gym
Sheraton Kuwait gym
There was also an okay-looking pool.
Sheraton Kuwait pool
In the evening we explored Kuwait for a bit, got a good night of sleep, and at 6AM were driven back to the airport for our flight to New York, via Shannon.
Sheraton Kuwait bottom line
For our purposes, the Sheraton Kuwait was a solid option. While many cities in the region are known for their over the top hotels, best I can tell, Kuwait doesn’t have as many luxury hotels. There are no properties from Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Park Hyatt, etc. There is a Four Seasons opening in the coming months, which looks promising.
Other than that, hotels in Kuwait mostly seem pretty outdated. The Sheraton was well maintained, had friendly staff, a nice lounge, and an excellent Lebanese restaurant. As a Starwood loyalist, it’s a solid option if visiting Kuwait.
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