One of my favourite Starwood hotels in JP... I thought I'd do a mini-report and put up some pictures from a stay end-2015. Especially since the hotel is very lax about putting up updated pictures.
About the Hotel
Sheraton Grande is one of six "Official Tokyo Disney Resort Hotels". These hotels surround the park and are physically closest to the parks, aside from the actual Disney Hotels. The only other international chain hotel of the six is the Hilton. The other four are Japanese domestic chains.
The Sheraton has been there for ages, and was getting very long in the tooth. However, in the last 2 years it has been undergoing a pretty extensive refurbishment, probably spurred on by the renovations done by it's neighbour, the Hilton.
It's a great location for visiting the parks, walkable from the nearest Disney monorail stop, and personally I feel the location isn't too bad for visiting Tokyo city (45-75 minutes away depending on where you're going). I've done that when I got Disney Burnout. If that's too far for you, heading 10 mins in the opposite direction on the Keiyo line brings you to Miniami-Funabashi Station which is 7 mins walk from LaLaPort Tokyo Bay, a huge mall with all the delights of home.
Plat Recognition
I've always had pretty good experiences here, receiving a suite each time. The renovations have unfortunately cut the number of standard suites drastically to 8, and I've been told that they will only offer these to cash bookings or SNA upgrades. The Japanese tatami suites are only available for cash upgrades.
TBH, the suites were/are a bit dated. Now that I've seen the new rooms, I'm pretty happy forgoing them. You just lose a little space.
Breakfast is served in the Club Lounge, the Summit Restaurant (ex lounge), the coffee house Toastina, the Japanese restaurant Asuka and the Grand Cafe. Previously, Plats were only offered breakfast in the first 4 - the biggest buffet at the Grand Cafe was a buy-up. That may have changed (see previous post) - I wouldn't know because since I've become Lifetime Gold I've been accorded the privilege of dining at the Grand Cafe as well :P.
The new renovated Club Lounge is much nicer. It is all floor to ceiling glass so everyone can see you inside and since it faces one of the main corridors... :P. The food offerings are about 5-6/10. I've been spoiled by the likes of LM KUL.
Lifetime SPG Recognition
This is the ONLY hotel which has given me any sort of recognition for my Lifetime Gold status. As mentioned before, you get breakfast at the Grand Cafe, the biggest and bestest. Nothing else besides that but hey, at least it's something. I asked if it was a mistake and they thought I was Lifetime Plat... no it's recognition of Lifetime XXXX.
A picture is worth a 1000 words... you also get a fancy gold sticker on your room keycard.
