Just returned today. Appreciate advice/feedback on this site, so my turn to contribute. Attempting to provide as much detail. Le Meridien owned partly by *wood, had stayed at Meridien's (Gold/top member there) prior to joining *wood and wanted to try also.

Lisbon (was an intermediate point between North, East, West)

Sheraton:
1. Plat amenities - Table Wine, Port, Movie, $10 mini-bar, fresh fruit [no 500 pts option, no $10 off restaurant option].
2. Club lounge - closed from July 17 through early Sept. Did have one terminal for Internet access, though a few users on for a long time. Food good. They'll cook breakfast in smaller 'dining' room. Views great. Same views can be seen on Panorama floor (25th)
3. Panorama bar/floor/restaurant - smokey. At 11:02pm, absolutely no food available to order from regular menu - after concierge experience (see below), this was not good and I left - if I wanted tortillia chips type snack food, I would have gone elsewhere
4. Staff - check-in and lounge staff quite helpful, though for most anything beyond the basics, they suggest the concierge. Noted three concierges - Jorge was helpful.

A few less than helpful experiences with other two concierges.

(1) Returned from Porto 10:30/45-ish, was hungry and wanted to try a very good restaurant in town. The other two concierges, on duty at same time, said they thought the restaurant would be closed - they said they would call the restaurant - and via the Club Lounge said that in-town restaurant's kitchen was closed. So, I tried the Panorama floor restaurant (whose kitchen was closing as I arrived). After thinking, people eat late, and this is a weekday evening, I returned to the main lobby and asked concierge to confirm - same story. I insisted they check and that in-town restaurant was open.
(2) On Saturday afternoon, enquired about specialty stores for wine, cheese, olive oil. Concierge indicated there were a couple of stores in Baixa area, but it was Saturday and they would be closed. Tried to direct me to a store north of airport. Went to Club Lounge to look at some other flights, restaurant menus (concierge desk does not have these and not many are on-line after some searching), etc. A guest couple overheard me ask the Club Lounge staff member about menus, wine, etc, and approached me with their guidebook which had a couple of specialty stores listed. Checking on internet they should be open 7 days/wk. So, I asked Club Lounge staff to phone one of the two stores and it was open -- until 8pm. Walked to Baixa, both stores were open as was a third, somewhat similar store.

(3) in middle of helping me with restaurants, attended to other guests, spending more time on their questions verus finishing info look up for me.

5. Staff (check-in, Club Lounge, Porter) -- quite helpful, though wish they knew more about local area to help more as 2 of 3 concierges not so helpful.

6. The room -- quite good, marble floors, Molton Brown products, tea/coffee honey, water, etc.

7. Turn-down service / amenities in addition to Plat amenity. On first of three stays, received fruit and chocolates. On second stay, a 375ml of Port.

8. Food (restaurant and room service). A little less than pleased. Quality so so (though did not end up having a couple of dishes I would have like to have tried), the 11:02pm situation, salt and pepper shakers at room service both filled with pepper, asking for whole wheat bread only (which they said they had) and receiving 90% white rolls/bread.


Le Meridien

1. Staff (check-in, concierge, etc) -- all very helpful, including assistance to make reservations in Porto with Meridien's Moments points.

2. Restaurant - great food - fresh, food of the Azore's festival - try the Azores' lobster. Knowledgeable staff on regional foods, etc. I would return.

3. Lobby, bar, restaurant area -- much better layout and much brighter versus Sheraton.

4. Room - larger, a view in two directions, quite bright, modern furniture, comfortable chair after a long day of walking and carrying purchases from an interior Portugal visit. Bath products the typical Meridien (Molten Brown wins there), bath robe better, shower facility better, etc. The bed was very comfortable - it beat the "sleeper beds" of Sheraton. Generally more elegant.

5. Amenities - fresh fruit (better mix than Sheraton) and a litre of water (much needed).


Sheraton vs Meridien? Depends on your situation.