We will be staying in the Pittsburgh area over night in Aug. on our way to Toronto. We are Starwood members and would like recommendations regarding the Sheraton Four Points at the airport or the one in Mars. Which is better?
Thanks

kelgrove:

The Sheraton in Mars is way more convenient, you can view it off I-79 North with easy access back onto the Interstate compared to the Airport one where you would have to get off I-79 and then have to travel for several (8-10) miles on the Parkway West.

Depends on how long you are staying. If you have enough time, I suggest driving into the city and staying at the Sheraton, Station Square. It is on the river, with lots of shops, restaurants, perfect view of the skyline, the "incline" and more.

PattyG's got a good point. If you can, treat the stop as a mini-destination. Pittsburgh is a very neat city whose core can easily be seen from that area. And don't miss a trip up the Duquesne Incline....

I too recommend a trip up the incline. The pictures in the little 'museum' at the top are amazing. It's right down the road from the Sheraton Station Square; you can probably even walk from there. The parking lot at the incline is free. Views of the rivers from that Sheraton are nice. The riverboats are right there also. I think some do daily cruises. (Many are rented for private events.)

Just wanted to say that I agree with all of the above and wanted to add that the airport Sheraton is not really very easy to find if you don't know where you are going. It is tucked in the back of an office park. Even if all you are doing is sleeping overnight, the Mars hotel is newer, nicer, and closer to more shopping and restaurants.

Note that the shops at Station Square close pretty early on weekdays, as do many of the eateries connected to it. I go to Pittsburgh on business quite a bit and, after 7 PM on a weekday evening, Station Square is pretty deserted. As is much of downtown. You'll find more people milling about on the South Side at that time.

But indeed-- if you get to Pittsburgh early enough, there are some fun things to see in the downtown area.

If you won't have time for the downtown Pittsburgh visit (or don't need to), the FP Sheraton in Mars is much nicer than the very tired Airport FP property. But clarify one thing: Are you on a driving trip up to Toronto (great city!), or are you going to be flying PIT-YYZ and need to crash overnight before catching an early morning flight? Even then, I'd recommend the Mars hotel-- the Airport one is just that old and out-of-the-way.