FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Sheraton Zurich Hotel (was Sheraton ‘West’), Switzerland [Master Thread]

Sep 8, 2019 | 5:06 pm

#50

claes059

Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: Ams

Programs: Marriott Gold, IHG Elite KLM Flying Blue,

Posts: 546

Sheraton Zurich West review with pics, Clublounge with a View.

After a short KLM flight and a landing with beautiful views of the Lake and mountains, I first went tot he SBB office in the airport to buy the Public transportationcard, which can be used for the train to Zurich Hbf and public transportation in Zürich.

From here is a 15 min ride with tram 4. Btw, tram 4 will take you to many interesting places, however sometimes with a transfer.

Upon arrival I was checked in at the Elite reception by mr. R. I was hoping for an upgrade and had already mailed the hotel. They informed me it could be possible upon availability and I had to ask the reception.

Mr. R told me the executive rooms were sold out and the Junior suites were not the category I was entitled for…. It was only possible for the executive room. Mr. R used the word category very often….and it seems caring for the categories was more important than being a loyal guest with preferences.

So, I was not so happy to make the choice for this Sheraton after this check in.

Entering the room I noticed no bathtub and since I always stay in suites, I experienced the room as small.

When I was standing in the room I heard noises, when I looked out of the window the traintracks were just along hotel and my room….. It was terrible.

I felt most uncomfortable and called mr. R at the reception,. He had to contact the manager and finally I was upgraded to a Junior suite.

The suite was spacious, and when I looked out of the window I did see the traintrack… I could also hear the train. Mr. R advised me to close the curtains and this seemed to be the most quiet Junior suite. All the Junior suites are located at the corners.

I liked the interior design of this suite, except for the pillar in the middle of the seating area. I noticed two comfy small chairs, a desk and around the pillar a small table, a medium sized LG tv and a great Nespresso machine. The Sheraton Sweet Sleeper was located at the other side of the room.

The room also offered a walk in closet with a safe, drawers, iron and ironing board.

The bathroom was spacious and offered a bathtub, enough towels to use during my MAGC, the Sheraton bathamenities, a hairdryer and a body scale. The toilet was not located in the bathroom but in the corridor leading to room which I liked.

The suite did not offer a robe and slippers.

The telephone in the room was not working, according to mr. R it had to recharge.

The windows had sunscreens, one side with a extern slats ( luxaflex) the other with a extern sunblind. It was not clear to me how I could turn the sunscreen up or down or how to turn the slats, I did not see information where I could find buttons to handle this.

I felt comfortable in this Junior suite. Though I did have a relaxing bath in the evening and was a little tired, I was not able to sleep due to the noise of the trains. I heard the noise even before they reached the hotel and when they were near the hotel the noise became so hard it kept me awake all night. .
It seemed during the weekend the trains run all night.

I went to the reception but according to mr. R only the standardrooms on the backside were a little less noisy. And he assumed I was very sensible to noise…. Only a very few guest have problems with the noise

However no standardrooms at the backside were available at the moment.

The next night was on a Sunday night when the trains did not run all night and I was happy I could finally have a good sleep.

The lounge is spacious and has a modern but warm style. It makes me feel at home. The view from here is wonderful, since one can even see the white tops of the mountains. In the lounge one can make a choice to sit down at the comfy couches or the seats with tables at the window. The seats at the windows offer the best view of the mountains and alsof for the many trains which pass along the hotel

During the day one can have coffee, tea, non alcoholic drinks, cookies, fruits and some nuts. And during this stay even a vegan sandwich in the afternoon.

Since I am vegan I wondered what the catering in the lounge could offer me. I had also informed the hotel regarding my foodpreferences.

In the evening, from 18hrs, the buffet offers in general healthy cold options like a range of salads, bread, nuts, cheeses, cold cuts, salat dressing and some pastries. One can also opt for a white or red wine. One hot option was the soup.

The waiters only have eyes for the buffet, to refill and clear the tables with plates and left overs. They nearly interact with the guests, which is a little strange. They come in and come out without talking to someone and do not ask if the food and drinks are fine, do not make a small social talk.

I did not have a chance to have breakfast in the Clublounge since it was closed for breakfast during the weekend and even on Monday. I regret, I always like the more personal and quiet ambiance of the Lounge.

In Zurich you can find several Vegan restaurants, one even in the corner of the Hbf building. I did not try it since the chef cook and the waittres J helped me out to create a nice meal with falafel, veggies, and french fries. And on my request a falafel hamburger!

I did not use the gym or the coffeebar.

After my sleepless night, due the trainnoise, I doubted if I would go back for my next trip. I did like the lounge and the comfort of the interior of the accommodations. And above all, the friendliness and the “going one step further” mentality of the personnel.

I did have a look at the Marriott and Renaisance. But even since before 1996 the Sheraton brand was one of my fav. brand during Starwood and still is.

So I contacted the hotel and they helped me with a room at the backside of the hotel. Mrs. F. and the manager took good care of me.

The check in was warm and smooth with mrs. F. and I was lucky I could check in early.

I was wondering if I would not hear the trainnoise anymore and could have a good night sleep.

At first I was afraid I would experience the room as cramped, since I am used to spacious suites. But after a while I experienced the size as ok. The room did not offer a bath, Clubrooms do not. Only the suites. No slippers or bathrobe either. I always like a bathtub, so that was another dissapointment. However, its ofcourse better for the environment, it takes less water and energy to take a shower. And, to be honest the rainshower was also nice to experience.

I did not receive a welcome amenity or card during my this second stay. I did not receive an upgrade since alle the junior suites were not as silent as this room.

The view was nice however and the small chair was also comfy.

I did not have a cotton sheet on the bed, it helps me with my allergy. I asked the reception and when I came back I notice no sheet but pillow…..

When I notified the guestserve, housekeeping came soon. It appeared she did not understand the English language so much. She did not have a cotton sheet but a cotton cover for the duvet. She was very helpfull however.

With the climate control in the room one can change the temperature with - or + 2,5 C. During both of my stays the weather was very hot, one day even 33 C. But I did manage to keep the room cool, I closed the Sunscreens and during the night the room became cool enough.

The room has a window which can be opened, and I always like some fresh air. One can do this in the evening or early morning when it not too hot outside, so it does not influence the AC too much.

During this second stay, the lounge did not offer sandwiches anymore in the afternoon which I regret. No veggie sandwich.

During the evening the same kind of service was offered in the Lounge compared with my first stay. In general healthy salads with delicious breads, some cheese and sweet dessert.
I did miss some vegan offerings since the hotel did know I was using the lounge. It would have been great to have some soy or oatmilk for the coffee. Or some fruits as a small dessert instead of all the creamy sweet cakes which I cannot take.

This Clublounge does not offer a toilet/washroom, which is a not pleasant for guests.

I did have had some very nice vegan offerings in the lounges of the Sheraton in Toronto and Montreal, which was a contrast with this lounge. In these lounges the buffet offered much more variations and hot items, which was very pleasant.

In the restaurant Twenty Four mrs. J was not on duty. Instead I was serviced by a waiter I did not know. When I told him I was vegan he immediately told me it was not possible to have dinner….. When I told him during my first visit mrs. Jennifer had helped me out and the chef cook did also, he told me he would help me too.

I ordered the falafelburger with some french fries and some veggies, I was happy this was possible
It was nice to sit outside on the terrace. The small dinner was a little expensive, for 27 euros it was the most expensive falafelburger I ever had.

So I do think the price for the food was during this second stay, and with this waiter, much too high.This waiter even wanted to charge me at first the same price as the one with the meat. Only when telling him I did not have meat, he told me it was 27 euro. On the other hand this is Switzerland, perhaps this price is normal here?

Breakfast was during my two stays well organized, but waiters have ample time to have a small talk, which I regret. Waiters do make an extra step to bring you what you ask for, I have noticed this very well as I opted for vegan dishes.
Bread selection is limited but the range of hot dishes is nice. Its sometimes hard to get a banana, many guest seem to like it. I also noticed this in the lounge of the Sheraton Toronto. But the waiters do their best to deliver one or two. All waiters are very kind and serviceminded, but mrs. M was really wonderfull, and took care of my vegan options.
The cook at the open kitchen and waiters do not know the word oatmeal, but call it porridge.

During both stays in the Sheraton Zurich I had chosen the MAGC, the first time I told the receptionist R I wanted to donate to Unicef. But I guess I did not made the remark on the voucher, since I recieved the points myself.

This time I was more thoughtfull and made the remark on the voucher. In the WBarcelona I always tell the receptionist and they always take care of it.

On the site of the Sheraton Zurich West, the Clubrooms are 32m2, however the manager told me they are 27m2. It seems not easy to change this information on the site. Still, comparing the room with the clubroom of the Renaissance and junior suite of the Marriott, the Clubroom seems more spacious.

Will I go back? I do like the Sheraton brand and I did like the comfort of the room, the Clublounge with the beautiful view where I felt at home, the kindness and serviceminded personnel, and the easy connections with tram 4 I will go back if the quiet room is available.