Dec 30-Jan 1, Le Meridien Munich:
In reading comments on this hotel, I expected it to be easy to find, as it's adjacent to Hauptbanhof (Munich's Central Train Station). Unfortunately, when we exited the train station from the S1 Airport Line, the exit we took deposited us fairly far from the hotel. Hauptbanhof is absolutely massive, so depending on where one exits the station, you could end up several blocks from the hotel. Exiting on the main level (where the surface Intercity train platforms are) onto Bayerstrasse will deposit you right across the street from the hotel.

The lobby area, though small, was quite modern and stylish, with a view of the nice interior courtyard area. Check-in was quick and efficient, and we were upgraded to a Junior Suite without asking. The room was on the second floor (first floor above the lobby). It was an interior corner room, looking out onto the courtyard. The Junior Suite itself was fairly spacious (I would estimate about 400-450 sq.ft.). The bathroom contained separate bath and shower, and was contemporary modern (glass shower enclosure, marble sink, wood-trimmed mirror, porcelain tub). The shower itself was rather small, and suitable for only one occupant at a time. Hermes bath products were provided.

Opposite the bathroom (to the left of the entryway) was a massive walk-in closet. The walk-in closet easily matched the size of the bathroom. There was ample room left over after we had stored our six bags in the closet.

The main portion of the room was an undivided bedroom/living area. The living area contained a sofa, chairs, 42+ inch plasma TV, work desk, and black lacquered bureau/mini-bar below the TV. The "king" bed was two singles pushed together, with separate duvets. Overall, the room was stylish and modern (had a very W feel, without being totally over-the-top). The ochre colored leopard-print carpet, though unique, will likely not age well. It shades oddly when walked over, and tends to look dirty, even though it isn't.

Our $135 EUR/night rate included breakfast, which was the best breakfast spread I've seen at any *Wood hotel (as good as Le Meridien Limassol, better than Park Tower Buenos Aires).

Jan 5-7, Le Meridien Munich:

On my second stay here, was upgraded to an "Executive Suite." Our room, No. 555, was an exterior corner room, looking out onto Hauptbahnhof/Bayerstrasse. The room was quite large (approx 650-700 sq. ft.). Upon entering, there was a long entry corridor with a toilet off to the right. The entryway opened onto a living-room with sofa, chairs, work-desk, and massive (50+ inch) Philips Plasma TV.

The living room was divided from the bedroom by a set of double-doors. The bedroom area was similar to the combined bed/living room of the Junior Suite, with couch and chair at one end, and bed at the other. The bed was an actual queen-size mattress (not two beds pushed together). However, the bedding was still two separate single duvets. The bathroom was indistinguishable from the one in the Junior Suite (perhaps slightly wider). TV in the bedroom was a 27 Inch model (non HD or Widescreen) that sat on a round pedestal containing the mini-bar. Oddly, the suite had a rather standard sized closet...a bit surprising considering the massive closet offered in the Junior Suite.

Given that the rack rate for this room (shown on a card in the closet) was 1,025 EUR/night, I was quite happy to score this upgrade for two nights on a cheapie nonrefundable 115 EUR/night rate. I booked at the LM Munich despite some reports that it was not honoring Plat Upgrades. I can certainly say I was impressed with upgrades there, and did not have to ask for them. I would imagine those that did not receive upgrades in the past were there during peak season and/or had lengthy stays. My relatively short, weekend off-season stays resulted in impressive upgrades.