Sheraton Melbourne, Australia, Opened Mar 31, 2014 [Master Thread]
 

Staying at the new Sheraton for the first time, and thinking it is a nice addition to Melbourne for SPG stays. Entry in Little Collins Street, (between Collins and Bourke Streets) is more "urban" than grand, but actually does have some of the Melbourne laneway vibe. That lane straight in front of the entry goes to Bourke Street with restaurants and cafes, and tram stop.
Nice big room (more impressive that the new Four Points in Brisbane certainly) and good bathroom.
Room on 11th floor has view across to MCG, and Hilton on the Park.
Two bottles of water in room, and offered usual choice of Gold amenity.

I have to add that this new Sheraton property is great! Stayed at this property last week in a deluxe king room on the 14th floor Like the Sheraton Zurich, the color scheme is much better than the tired US properties (like Sheraton North Houston or Los Angeles Downtown).

If all Sheratons looked like the Melbourne property with its great work desk, bathroom and comfortable design, I'd be a happier traveler.

Sheraton Melbourne, Australia, Opened Mar 31, 2014 [Master Thread]
 

Any recent experience to share? I will be staying in 3 weeks time.

Yikes on the office proximity. Didn't realize that space was at such a premium in Australia. I can see why such a fact is not widely advertised. When I was in KL last month, the staff at the Sheraton Imperial were all apologetic about the interposition of a 60 story office building about 600 meters away and the view from many rooms of the Petronas Twin Towers.

Sheraton Melbourne, Australia, Opened Mar 31, 2014 [Master Thread]
 

This is a small hotel along the quieter eastern end of Little Collins Street, with a boutique hotel vibe. Stayed 5N on Starpoints. As a Plat was upgraded to a corner suite on the 7th floor. Zero view but the interior was spacious with separate living area and a large bedroom with comfy pillows. The staff are well trained, very friendly and enthusiastic. They happily stored my road bike in a secure storeroom after each day's ride. I opted for breakfast in lieu of points. Breakfast had an excellent selection of hot and cold food, and I was happy that I could order any style of coffee without extra charge. Speedy WiFi in the public areas and in the rooms (comp for plat). Theres an excellent Italian restaurant next door (Lupido) and a nice bar in the small alley opposite (Lily Black). Definitely my new GO TO hotel in Melbourne.

Nice rooms but not a 5* hotel
 

Stayed here recently as a SPG Gold and used a Star Privilege for a day certificate (was thinking of joining).

Didn't have a great experience at check in:
- tried for an early check in - unavailable.
- asked for a room upgrade as SPG Gold, was told there was only a room available 4 categories higher (grand view) and asked to pay $50 per night (I declined).
- returned later to check in again and when I asked about upgrades, advised superior room was available (1 category higher) and asked for $20 per night to upgrade us into it. I reminded him we were SPG Gold and it should be complementary if available, he went to go check and begrudgingly upgraded us for free.
- No SPG amenity offered

Rooms are lovely, phone service prompt and no issues with the SPG 4pm late checkout.

Replenishment of toiletries, coffee/tea not done when room serviced, but a call to service express remedied quickly.

Lunch onsite in the restaurant was good too.

In summary, staff are very pleasant, however I did not feel like a valued guest given check in experienced twice with same result with different agents. As a result I will not be joining the Star Privilege program for this hotel. Much prefer the Westin down the road for its treatment of SPG members and given the price point is similar.

Completed a 7 night stay on the 6th. Great property if you think of it as it should be, a boutique hotel and not a mega property. The staff is fantastic, by day two they knew all of my family well. Unless your lucky, your room will have nothing for a view, but think of Manhattan boutique hotels... I needed a adjoining room as my kids are young, after looking at the hotel map only 2 rooms per floor have this, so not much they could do for me. Was a non issue for us, as we had each day planned with great day trips, leaving in the morning and not returning until midnight.

They are very by the book and made sure I paid $20/child for breakfast each morning, while my wife and I were free. I know this is policy having booked two rooms, even as a Platinum, but even Hilton takes care of all of us, as they did at the Hilton Melbourne South Wharf earlier during our vacation. Given how expensive everything in the CBD is I guess this should be expected, but still somewhat frustrating given how little my kids eat. Breakfast was very good by hotel standards, offering a large variety of items. If you like coffee, you will not be disappointed, as the Long Black and Latte's were fantastic!

We had a rental car, and if you check rates your much better off using valet. The same garage is used, but with valet you have in and out privileges, but won't on your own with the garage.

Already mentioned, but I wish it had an executive lounge. This I thought was a Sheraton requirement, but I won't beat this to death at this point.

Overall a great property with some of the best staff I have experienced in years, but sadly no lounge, hot tub, or a view if that is what you want.

Good to hear the coffee was of a sufficient standard. After all, Melbourne is the coffee capital of the world!

The only bad cup of coffee I had in Melbourne was at the Westin.

any recent stay reports here?

thanks in advance.

Sheraton Melbourne, Australia, Opened Mar 31, 2014 [Master Thread]
 

Completed a 2N stay. No suite upgraded even after request. As a plat offered full breakfast or 500pt. Beds comfy. Speedy internet. Excellent steak (Raw) and Italian (Lupino) restaurants within short walking distance. I brought my own road bike and cycled every morning. Concierge was happy to store it in the secure luggage room after each ride.

Just completed a stay here. My thoughts:

1- I prefer this location over the Westin. It is more of a "locals" location whereas the Westin is more "touristic". They are only 10 minutes apart so it's not a huge difference but for me, I prefer the local area. More walkable restaurants, a laneway across the street with fun rooftop bar, and just better vibe.

2- The rooms are better and larger than the Westin as well. And they are definitely quieter which for me is a huge plus. However, the bed and pillows were not as comfortable as the Westin. Further the room I was in had electrical issues. The first night I had no lights. None. I had to use the TV as my "light". The remaining days I had an issue with the shade that is in between the bathroom and room. It goes down on its own in the middle of the night. I finally realized to keep it down so it didn't wake me up. Without these issues - I'd prefer the Sheraton rooms to the Westin.
Although the room itself is quiet the doors are thin so you hear doors and people outside. At least the hotel is small so that noise is somewhat limited.

3- Breakfast is almost identical to the Westin which means just OK. Not a fan of either but at least the Sheraton has roasted potatoes every other day where the Westin does not.

4- Friendly service - but not overly helpful people. They offered me nothing for the electrical issues. No points or a drink. Just an I'm sorry and we'll try to fix. Not good enough imo. I mean, no lights for a whole night and all I get is "we're sorry"?

Also the concierge and I had a long conversation the night before about the Skybus which can pick one up and take them to Southern Cross where the bus leaves for the airport. He told me times and details and I thanked him. The next AM, came down and walked out to get picked up and the doorman asked if I needed a cab. I told him I'm waiting for the skybus. He asked if I made a reservation. I said no. He said one must make a reservation. Huh?!?! The concierge didn't tell me that was required... just told me it comes every 30 minutes on the half and hour.

5- Gym is very small. Hard to use when other people are inside.

6- Computer had printing issues and front desk agent was unable to fix while I was there. He did allow me to email him to print. Computer was fixed the day after.

7- Platinum recognition is fair - nothing overly special. Fruit as welcome amenity, free breakfast in lieu of points and no upgrade (although the hotel was sold out so nothing could be done here). No lounge.

8- Internet speeds were nothing special but usable. Same as with most Melbourne hotels.

I'd prefer this property over the Westin if choosing among Starwood properties in Melbourne. However, I'd prefer either Hyatt over the Sheraton (or obviously Westin).

What are the suites like at the Sheraton Melbourne? How likely are SNAs to clear?

I've stayed at the Westin before, which doesn't offer suite upgrades to Platinum guests.

Delete

Sheraton Melbourne.
 

As a local it is always interesting to read reviews of this hotel from interstate or overseas guests. I also prefer this hotel to the Westin, due to location, and that they generally offer a more personalised service, particularly if you stay more often.
Was a little surprised at one of TravelinSperry's comments in regard to room size.
Most Sheraton rooms are 35 square metres, with deluxe rooms at 38/40 square metres. Westin rooms are generally 38/44 square metres. I know there is not much in it but in general I have found Westin rooms larger.
The lack of lights overnight is surprising. Would have thought if brought to the attention of front desk a room swap would have been offered, unless hotel was full due to the tennis.

The hotel has 174 rooms, with only 11 suites. Suites are not particularly large.
Your chances of a Suite upgrade are not great.

It's not surprising that the hotel has no Club Lounge. It is boutique in style, and really doesn't have that many rooms. Westin doesn't have a Club lounge either though both Melbourne Hyatts have Club Lounges.
I would have thought that the distance from the Sheraton to Chinatown was very similar to Westin and Grand Hyatt. Park Hyatt is further away.