I've come on Flyertalk and written pretty bad reviews about the last 4-5 hotels I've stayed at. I was getting a bit worried I'd just turned into a complainer.

I haven't.

I'm at the Metropol Palace at the moment and it's rapidly turning into one of my favourite SPG hotels outside of the top end price range.

Checked in as a Platinum, was upgraded into what they call a Junior Suite. In today's world I've increasingly seen just large rooms described as Junior Suites: http://www.sheratonstockholm.com/en/rooms/juniorsuites
http://www.stregisflorence.com/en/rooms/juniorsuite

The Metropol Palace Junior suite has two full, mid to large sized rooms with a proper door separating the living room from the bedroom. As well as being large, the room is well designed and the fittings look high quality.

The Platinum benefits are the most generous I've come across. Despite taking the points I was offered a free 30 minute massage, a (real) bottle of champagne, a fruit bowl and some nuts.

Staff so far show the signs of working under a good GM. Everyone is very attentive, proactive and things like room service trolleys are promptly removed. Looking forward to chilling out at the spa tomorrow.