Europe: Top Starwood properties, 2006-9: discussion and summary
Jun 15, 2007, 1:08 am
#31
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ericj, wow. Simply wow. What a great addition to my knowledge about European Starwoods. Love some of the ripostes.
Jun 15, 2007, 11:47 am
#32
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I'm surprised no one mentioned my favorite SPG property in Europe: Le Meridien Hotel Des Indes in The Hague. It's a fantastic hotel, with stunning rooms, and set on a picturesque wooded square in The Hague. The interior design there is phenomenal and well done.
Le Meridien Limassol in Cyprus is also amazing (with even nicer rooms than the LM in Den Haag). The suite we were placed in on a points stay was gorgeous. About 900 sq. ft., with huge living room (50+ inch Philips Plasma TV), modern furniture, large verandah overlooking the Med with nice wooden, cushioned deck chairs, and a jacuzzi tub in the bathroom you could swim in, and free bottles of wine and canapes nightly. The property itself is also beautifully landscaped.
I also enjoyed my stay at the Goldener Hirsch in Salzburg this past New Years. The hotel rooms and furnishings were rustic (which I generally don't prefer), but the whole hotel just seemed perfect for the location, and the staff was excellent and attentive.
For an excellent business hotel, I would also recommend the Le Meridien Munich. Plat upgrades there can be quite nice (900 sq. ft. executive suite with a rack-rate of 1300 EUR/night off a 125 EUR/night prepaid stay was much appreciated).
As far as the other hotels in Europe I've stayed in:
Sheraton Grand Edinburgh - Average rooms (needs a refresh), but good Plat treatment, nice lounge (but small), and very nice staff.
Sheraton Belgravia, London - Small rooms with stuffy, old-school furniture (it's London), but great location and appreciably cheaper than the Park Tower.
Sheraton CDG - One of my favorite airport hotels. Clean, well-appointed, modern rooms with nice bathrooms and great views of the airport.
Westin Rotterdam - Good business hotel with nice rooms, and my favorite property in the Netherlands until I stayed at Le Meridien Hotel Des Indes, which completely blows this hotel out of the water, and at similar rates.
Sheraton AMS - Decent airport hotel, nothing too fancy, and the rooms are not especially large. Good if overnighting to catch an early-morning flight to Schiphol, but otherwise would recommend the LM in Den Haag or Westin Rotterdam.
Sheraton Diana Majestic, Milan - Stayed last summer. Initially no Plat recognition & was placed in a dank room resembling a broom closet. After conversing with the front desk, was placed in a fairly large executive room on the top floor, but it was tatty and in a very sorry state of repair. It looked like it had not been updated since 1982, and smelled like it as well. I will not stay at this hotel again.
Forgot the Sheraton Heathrow. Only stayed there pre-renovation...what a dump.
Le Meridien Limassol in Cyprus is also amazing (with even nicer rooms than the LM in Den Haag). The suite we were placed in on a points stay was gorgeous. About 900 sq. ft., with huge living room (50+ inch Philips Plasma TV), modern furniture, large verandah overlooking the Med with nice wooden, cushioned deck chairs, and a jacuzzi tub in the bathroom you could swim in, and free bottles of wine and canapes nightly. The property itself is also beautifully landscaped.
I also enjoyed my stay at the Goldener Hirsch in Salzburg this past New Years. The hotel rooms and furnishings were rustic (which I generally don't prefer), but the whole hotel just seemed perfect for the location, and the staff was excellent and attentive.
For an excellent business hotel, I would also recommend the Le Meridien Munich. Plat upgrades there can be quite nice (900 sq. ft. executive suite with a rack-rate of 1300 EUR/night off a 125 EUR/night prepaid stay was much appreciated).
As far as the other hotels in Europe I've stayed in:
Sheraton Grand Edinburgh - Average rooms (needs a refresh), but good Plat treatment, nice lounge (but small), and very nice staff.
Sheraton Belgravia, London - Small rooms with stuffy, old-school furniture (it's London), but great location and appreciably cheaper than the Park Tower.
Sheraton CDG - One of my favorite airport hotels. Clean, well-appointed, modern rooms with nice bathrooms and great views of the airport.
Westin Rotterdam - Good business hotel with nice rooms, and my favorite property in the Netherlands until I stayed at Le Meridien Hotel Des Indes, which completely blows this hotel out of the water, and at similar rates.
Sheraton AMS - Decent airport hotel, nothing too fancy, and the rooms are not especially large. Good if overnighting to catch an early-morning flight to Schiphol, but otherwise would recommend the LM in Den Haag or Westin Rotterdam.
Sheraton Diana Majestic, Milan - Stayed last summer. Initially no Plat recognition & was placed in a dank room resembling a broom closet. After conversing with the front desk, was placed in a fairly large executive room on the top floor, but it was tatty and in a very sorry state of repair. It looked like it had not been updated since 1982, and smelled like it as well. I will not stay at this hotel again.
Forgot the Sheraton Heathrow. Only stayed there pre-renovation...what a dump.
Nov 20, 2007, 2:01 am
#33
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 413
1. top tier (i make an effort to book that hotel)
Le Meridien Atlantic Park, Lisbon (stylish, affordable, simply a great place overlooking this beautiful city)
Le Meridien, Vienna (super stylish and hip, great bar with DJ at times, great location and yes, NOT the BRISTOL type place)
4P Zurich. go try! great!
2. very nice (I enjoy coming back there, but there are other good hotels or chains in each location I could go to)
Westin Camporeal, outside Lisbon (beautiful Golf resort, 30 mins drive from Lisbon, my backup if i need some time or the LM in Lisbon is booked)
Westin Dragonara, Malta (been there once, nicely set on a cliff with access to the sea, centrally located, nice rooms)
Sheraton Imperial KL (a close call for me between the MO and the Sheraton)
3. nono
Sheraton LHR (all)
4p Cologne (Youthhostel?)
Sheraton Brussels (hmm)
happy sleeping,
yapak2
Le Meridien Atlantic Park, Lisbon (stylish, affordable, simply a great place overlooking this beautiful city)
Le Meridien, Vienna (super stylish and hip, great bar with DJ at times, great location and yes, NOT the BRISTOL type place)
4P Zurich. go try! great!
2. very nice (I enjoy coming back there, but there are other good hotels or chains in each location I could go to)
Westin Camporeal, outside Lisbon (beautiful Golf resort, 30 mins drive from Lisbon, my backup if i need some time or the LM in Lisbon is booked)
Westin Dragonara, Malta (been there once, nicely set on a cliff with access to the sea, centrally located, nice rooms)
Sheraton Imperial KL (a close call for me between the MO and the Sheraton)
3. nono
Sheraton LHR (all)
4p Cologne (Youthhostel?)
Sheraton Brussels (hmm)
happy sleeping,
yapak2
Nov 20, 2007, 2:58 am
#34
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This preoprty has only been "open" since August and even then, it was nowhere near finished. The only reviews posted on FT so far have not been positive. Is all the building work now complete and has service undergone a miraculous improvement in recent weeks ?
Nov 20, 2007, 5:32 pm
#35
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Westin Excelsior Rome great location a grand hotel!!
Last edited by intheairagain; Nov 20, 2007 at 5:32 pm Reason: forgot city!
Feb 10, 2008, 4:18 pm
#36
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Unfortunately Schloß Fuschl is no more starwood
Feb 10, 2008, 6:00 pm
#37
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Seems like the E&R in Venice is a recurring favorite-love the brunch on the canal and the fact you can get it for 1500 pts per person. St.Regis in Rome is also an all-around class act. Westin Trianon in Versailles has stepped up a notch with its renos, we got in one of the renovated rooms, hope the rest of it has turned out as well!
Feb 10, 2008, 7:18 pm
#38
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the sheraton diana majestic may not be for everyone but for me it is the best. i have been staying there for 20 years and have ended up growing up with a couple of the concierges.
just spent two nights at the st regis rome and that is quite a hotel. was a little bit afraid they wouldn't let me back in after a long day of sightseeing.
just spent two nights at the st regis rome and that is quite a hotel. was a little bit afraid they wouldn't let me back in after a long day of sightseeing.
Jun 6, 2008, 9:34 pm
#39
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Just spent 2 weeks in Italy and Austria (March 2008) - using points for all stays. Every hotel we stayed at was first rate. All hotels greatly respected my Platinum status. Highly recommend all for Platinum members.
Westin Excelsior Rome- corner suite. Service was outstanding. Put Hotel Eden to shame (I had stayed there 18 months ago and they showed absolutely no regard to my status- and that was a revenue stay !!)
Westin Excelsior Florence - High floor, corner, view of Arno. Again, outstanding service. Concierge was unbelievable. He was able to find a ranch in the off season so that my daughter could 'Ride a Horse in Tuscany'. He must have spent 2 hours researching this. Great Hotel!!
Hotel Danieli in Venice- Canal view, junior suite. Extended us for a night without problem. Can't beat the location. Classic hotel.
Hotel Goldener Hirsch in Salzburg- Suite. great location for walking around town. Great service. Another classic.
Westin Excelsior Rome- corner suite. Service was outstanding. Put Hotel Eden to shame (I had stayed there 18 months ago and they showed absolutely no regard to my status- and that was a revenue stay !!)
Westin Excelsior Florence - High floor, corner, view of Arno. Again, outstanding service. Concierge was unbelievable. He was able to find a ranch in the off season so that my daughter could 'Ride a Horse in Tuscany'. He must have spent 2 hours researching this. Great Hotel!!
Hotel Danieli in Venice- Canal view, junior suite. Extended us for a night without problem. Can't beat the location. Classic hotel.
Hotel Goldener Hirsch in Salzburg- Suite. great location for walking around town. Great service. Another classic.
Jun 7, 2008, 12:49 am
#40
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Just spent 2 weeks in Italy and Austria (March 2008) - using points for all stays. Every hotel we stayed at was first rate. All hotels greatly respected my Platinum status. Highly recommend all for Platinum members.
Westin Excelsior Rome- corner suite. Service was outstanding. Put Hotel Eden to shame (I had stayed there 18 months ago and they showed absolutely no regard to my status- and that was a revenue stay !!)
Westin Excelsior Florence - High floor, corner, view of Arno. Again, outstanding service. Concierge was unbelievable. He was able to find a ranch in the off season so that my daughter could 'Ride a Horse in Tuscany'. He must have spent 2 hours researching this. Great Hotel!!
Hotel Danieli in Venice- Canal view, junior suite. Extended us for a night without problem. Can't beat the location. Classic hotel.
Hotel Goldener Hirsch in Salzburg- Suite. great location for walking around town. Great service. Another classic.
Westin Excelsior Rome- corner suite. Service was outstanding. Put Hotel Eden to shame (I had stayed there 18 months ago and they showed absolutely no regard to my status- and that was a revenue stay !!)
Westin Excelsior Florence - High floor, corner, view of Arno. Again, outstanding service. Concierge was unbelievable. He was able to find a ranch in the off season so that my daughter could 'Ride a Horse in Tuscany'. He must have spent 2 hours researching this. Great Hotel!!
Hotel Danieli in Venice- Canal view, junior suite. Extended us for a night without problem. Can't beat the location. Classic hotel.
Hotel Goldener Hirsch in Salzburg- Suite. great location for walking around town. Great service. Another classic.
ive stayed in the first three listed and they were all great. so ditto ur comments!
Jun 7, 2008, 5:32 pm
#41
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I love the Imperial and Bristol in Vienna. As a SPG basic member, was upgraded at the Imperial from Deluxe to Jr. Suite and at the Bristol on a points reservation from Penthouse Jr. Suite to Prince of Wales Suite. Absolutely fantastic hotels.
Jun 7, 2008, 5:55 pm
#42
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Great thread!
Loved our stay at the LM Munich last year. Great location, wonderful front desk staff and fabulous doormen. Tips and assistance here were great.
We had a large corner room on a higher floor overlooking the courtyard. The bathroom was extraordinary by European standards imo. Plenty of room even with all our luggage.
The only downsides were issues that the hotel can't really control. Kids running up and down the hallways banging on doors and parents letting their kids finger and touch the foods on the breakfast buffet.
However, next time I'd pony up the Euros and take a taxi from the airport rather than take the train.
Walked by the GH Salzburg during a day trip and can't wait to stay there soon.
Loved our stay at the LM Munich last year. Great location, wonderful front desk staff and fabulous doormen. Tips and assistance here were great.
We had a large corner room on a higher floor overlooking the courtyard. The bathroom was extraordinary by European standards imo. Plenty of room even with all our luggage.
The only downsides were issues that the hotel can't really control. Kids running up and down the hallways banging on doors and parents letting their kids finger and touch the foods on the breakfast buffet.
However, next time I'd pony up the Euros and take a taxi from the airport rather than take the train.
Walked by the GH Salzburg during a day trip and can't wait to stay there soon.
Jun 17, 2008, 2:25 pm
#43
Join Date: Jun 2005
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[QUOTE=yapak2;8759808]1. top tier (i make an effort to book that hotel)
Le Meridien Atlantic Park, Lisbon (stylish, affordable, simply a great place overlooking this beautiful city)
Le Meridien, Vienna (super stylish and hip, great bar with DJ at times, great location and yes, NOT the BRISTOL type place)
4P Zurich. go try! great!
What does Bristol type place mean?
Le Meridien Atlantic Park, Lisbon (stylish, affordable, simply a great place overlooking this beautiful city)
Le Meridien, Vienna (super stylish and hip, great bar with DJ at times, great location and yes, NOT the BRISTOL type place)
4P Zurich. go try! great!
What does Bristol type place mean?
Jun 18, 2008, 2:01 pm
#44
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Posts: 108
does anyone care about my opinion ? :)
I've spent the last five years travelling in Europe for my job, as based in Paris. During this time I spent a fair share of my week ends in hotels, too 
Here is a highly subjective shortlist of the best and worst hotels I came across:
The best:
Alfondo XIII, Sevilla
Kamp, Helsinki
Westin, Florence
Royal Meridien, Hamburg
Westin, Madrid
The worst:
Skyline, Heathrow
Park Meridien, Frankfurt
Bristol, Warsaw
Le Meridien Brussels
Sheraton Roma West, Italy
Here is a highly subjective shortlist of the best and worst hotels I came across:
The best:
Alfondo XIII, Sevilla
Kamp, Helsinki
Westin, Florence
Royal Meridien, Hamburg
Westin, Madrid
The worst:
Skyline, Heathrow
Park Meridien, Frankfurt
Bristol, Warsaw
Le Meridien Brussels
Sheraton Roma West, Italy
Jun 18, 2008, 2:30 pm
#45
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Best/favorites for rooms, ambiance, history, warmth of service:
Fürstenhof, Leipzig
Elephant, Weimar
Bristol, Wien (the Imperial is TOO rococo/luxe for me)
Best/Favorites for location*:
Bristol, Wien
Westin Grand, Berlin
* Favorite because each is adjacent to, or just a few steps from the city's major opera house(s)
Hotel that is no longer part of SPG that I miss:
Principe Di Savoia, Milano
Fürstenhof, Leipzig
Elephant, Weimar
Bristol, Wien (the Imperial is TOO rococo/luxe for me)
Best/Favorites for location*:
Bristol, Wien
Westin Grand, Berlin
* Favorite because each is adjacent to, or just a few steps from the city's major opera house(s)
Hotel that is no longer part of SPG that I miss:
Principe Di Savoia, Milano