As one with many thousands of miles in Superliner sleeping cars since they were introduced about 1980, I find I prefer lower level roomettes for lower cost and better convenience to the toilets (no plumbing in Superliner roomettes or family bedrooms). It's also quieter, especially #13 or #14, which abut the family bedroom. I should note that the upstairs toilet adjacent to roomette #1 (the attendants' room) may or may not be kept as clean as one might wish as it gets the traffic from 10 roomettes as well as perhaps someone passing through or from the adjacent dining car. It varies from attendant to attendant.
I've managed to occupy every room in a Superliner sleeper through the years, but mostly roomettes. The handicap room, at the opposite end of the lower level from family bedroom, are both unique that they are 'full width' and have windows on both sides, albeit less than 1/2 the size of all the other Superliner windows. As I always travel solo, I feel 'lost' in the large space provided in each. Although the handicap room has plumbing, it also gets a lot of door slamming sounds from the 3 toilets and shower that are on that end of the car. So of the two, my preference is the FB.
Bedrooms, if reasonably priced...ie, 'competitive with roomette prices' are great. Full plumbing including a shower in the tiny toilet 'room'. I think they took that idea from the RV industry. The lower bed is also wider than all other beds in the car other than the lower bed in the family bedroom. But to me, the downside of a bedroom is the beds are perpendicular to the rails, meaning that the side to side swaying (more pronounced on the upper level were the bedrooms are) is head to toe rocking while in bed. It takes some getting used to, in my opinion.
So, for me, a roomette is always my first choice. Among other things, I can prop myself up and watch out the window while horizontal (I never use the upper bed). And since one can't book a specific room number online, I always ask the Amtrak agent to put me in #14 if available, or any other lower level roomette in descending number order. Lower level rooms have the advantage that I can grab a wet paper towel plus a dry one and clean my window at a stop when the platform is on the same side as my roomette. Also, being on the lower level, it's only a couple steps to the vestibule to watch out the doorway windows on either side as desired. It also saves me from hoisting my airline-carry-on-size rolling bag containing my clothing and 'gym bag' containing my meds, toiletries and electronics up the stairs when boarding. It also affords an easy glimpse to determine if the shower is available and saves a trip down the steps and back up if it's occupied.
As for the Sightseer lounge car, it seems clear that many passengers know well in advance when the best scenery will be traversed and the car fills within 5 to 10 minutes after departing Denver, for example. And unless one has a traveling companion, going to the restroom, snack bar, or diner, may well find your seat taken upon your return. Add in that in the section with tables, people will 'camp out' putting all their stuff on the table leaving maybe enough space on the other side for another person with a laptop and/or some food and beverage. It's no different on the NEC with the 'campers' in the lounge car for the full duration of their trip. And the conductor(s) are unwilling to intervene, in my experience. And, of course, the conductor(s) keep one table for themselves, unless there's an open bedroom in one of the sleepers.
