- To the Vaterland with my Vater: Introduction
- Review: Executive Club Houston Airport
- Review: Lufthansa First Class Houston to Frankfurt
- Getting paid $150/hour to sit in the First Class Lounge
- Hotel Review: Sheraton Salzburg
- Review: InterContinental Berchtesgaden
- Review: The Hotel Brussels
- Review: Hilton Frankfurt Airport
- Review: Lufthansa First Class Frankfurt to Miami
- To the Vaterland with my Vater: Dad’s Thoughts
I booked the Sheraton Salzburg for a prepaid rate of 170EUR. The Sheraton Salzburg is a category five Starwood property, ordinarily making it 12,000 Starpoints per night, or 6,000 Starpoints plus $110 per night through cash & points.
The hotel is located just a few kilometers from Salzburg Airport, so we took a taxi, which cost less than 20 Euros.
Entrance to Sheraton Salzburg
The lobby of the Sheraton is pretty “classic,” and we quickly found the reception desk on the right side.
Sheraton Salzburg lobby
Sheraton Salzburg lobby
Upon handing the associate my credit card and passport I was recognized as a Starwood Platinum member and informed we had been upgraded to a deluxe room. She also confirmed that as a Starwood Platinum member I’d receive complimentary internet access, access to the club lounge, and 4PM check-out.
We took the elevator up to our room (#120) on the 1st floor.
Hallway
Entrance to room
Even though the lobby was more “classic,” the room was modern and clearly recently renovated. There was an entryway which led into the rest of the room.
Entryway
The room featured two twin beds joined as a king, and a table with two chairs.
Sheraton Salzburg deluxe room
King bed
Across from the bed was a dresser with a flat screen TV.
TV and dresser
On the table at the back of the room was a bottle of water and some Mozart chocolate as a welcome amenity.
Welcome amenity
While the weather was horrible for our entire stay in Salzburg, there was also a nice balcony with a table and a couple of chairs overlooking the garden.
Patio
Back near the entrance was a modern bathroom with double sinks, a walk-in shower, and toilet.
Sheraton Salzburg deluxe room bathroom
Shower
Toilet
The toiletries were Frette branded, which I haven’t before seen at a Sheraton.
Bath amenities
The highlight of the stay as a Starwood Platinum member had to be the club lounge, located on the seventh floor. It’s probably the nicest club lounge I’ve experienced at any Sheraton.
Entrance to club lounge
Physically the lounge was a nice space, and while it wasn’t huge, it was never crowded. There was also a beautiful terrace that extended along the whole lounge, though due to the weather it wasn’t really usable.
Sheraton Salzburg club lounge
Sheraton Salzburg club lounge
In terms of the lounge spread, in the evenings there was an impressive buffet with both hot and cold options, as well as an extensive self serve bar.
Hot buffet
Cold buffet
Bread and cheese display
Finger sandwiches
Dessert
Beverages
Liquor selection
Coffee, sodas, and juices
The breakfast spread consisted of both hot and cold options, and cooked to order eggs were available on demand as well.
Breakfast at club lounge
Breakfast at club lounge
Breakfast at club lounge
Breakfast at club lounge
Cereals
Jams
Bread and cheese
There was even champagne with breakfast, which was a first for me at a Sheraton.
Champagne with breakfast!
Most impressive about the lounge had to be that they had hot food available throughout the day. Starting around lunchtime they had an extensive buffet, which I thought was really impressive since I’ve otherwise never seen a Sheraton that has anything other than nuts or chips available during the day.
Daytime buffet
The hotel also had a basic gym along with a relaxation room, which I didn’t have a chance to use.
Gym entrance at Sheraton Salzburg
Sheraton Salzburg relaxation room
Sheraton Salzburg gym
Sheraton Salzburg gym
In terms of the hotel’s location, the Sheraton is located just next to the Mirabell Palace and Gardens, on the opposite side of the Salzach River as the Altstadt.
Mirabell Palace
Everything was within walking distance, with the Altstadt being at most a 15 minute walk away.
Salzburg Altstadt
Salzburg Altstadt
Salzburg is an extremely charming city that I’d return to in a heartbeat, and the Sheraton is a great base for exploring. Given the club lounge and friendly staff I’d return in a heartbeat.
@ Lucky - did you go up to Festung Hohensalzburg (Fortress Hohensalzburg)? Cool place and the city views are amazing (advice for others -- definitely pay to ride the train up instead of walking).
Anyway, I spent five nights in Vienna (10/26-10/31) in Hotel Bristol (an awesome SPG hotel!) and took a day trip to Salzburg on 10/29 or so. It was 12-13 hrs long but would highly recommend. The weather was a bit better...
@ Lucky - did you go up to Festung Hohensalzburg (Fortress Hohensalzburg)? Cool place and the city views are amazing (advice for others -- definitely pay to ride the train up instead of walking).
Anyway, I spent five nights in Vienna (10/26-10/31) in Hotel Bristol (an awesome SPG hotel!) and took a day trip to Salzburg on 10/29 or so. It was 12-13 hrs long but would highly recommend. The weather was a bit better (sprinkled on & off) but it was still fairly warm.
However, I'd recommend coming to Salzburg earlier during the year because by the time I got there, fountains (and probably other items too) were covered to protect from the winter.
I just stayed at this hotel from 10/24-10/26/2013. Everything was perfect. Sunny weather with temps in the high 60's. We booked it before the latest devaluation so it was only 9,000 points and $90 per night. Salzburg is a great place to visit and we even enjoyed it more than Vienna. The sound of music tour is kitschy, but fun and a nice way to spend half a day. I recommend a 2 day stay...
I just stayed at this hotel from 10/24-10/26/2013. Everything was perfect. Sunny weather with temps in the high 60's. We booked it before the latest devaluation so it was only 9,000 points and $90 per night. Salzburg is a great place to visit and we even enjoyed it more than Vienna. The sound of music tour is kitschy, but fun and a nice way to spend half a day. I recommend a 2 day stay there, but you can easily use it as a base for the Lake District. The hotel itself is very nice. The service was also excellent.
I highly recommend a visit there.
Another nice and very objective review. The Salzburg Sheraton is a great house and I agree that the Club Lounge offerings are top-rate. (I've stayed there only once, perhaps 2010 or early 2011?) What troubled me was the stark, sharp-edged modern interior for such a classical building in a classic city. It was just out of place to my eye. I've since stayed in a much smaller, non-chain hotel with hands-on personal service. They too...
Another nice and very objective review. The Salzburg Sheraton is a great house and I agree that the Club Lounge offerings are top-rate. (I've stayed there only once, perhaps 2010 or early 2011?) What troubled me was the stark, sharp-edged modern interior for such a classical building in a classic city. It was just out of place to my eye. I've since stayed in a much smaller, non-chain hotel with hands-on personal service. They too have a room for "Club" service, but it follows Classical lines and quiet, attentive service. Rather than a buffet, there is a menu and even light snacks are prepared to order. The end cost was about the same and I find it a nice way to relax after the first part of they day. Each to his own, I guess. I'm delighted to hear that your Father enjoyed the trip!!
I stayed at this property in April 2013 and I have to say it is one of the best non-airport Sheraton's in Europe if not the USA. The Club Lounge is amazing and the service is top notch. Great pics - completely do justice to the amenities.
Stayed here for 1 night before driving to Berchtesgaden during first week of July. Was on a cash and points rate and upgraded (SPG platinum)to a junior suite. Agree with you about club lounge being one of the nicest for a Sheraton. Only nicer one I've been to was the one in Macau.
@ Tatyana -- Nope!
Is it your dad in the lobby?
Awesome! This is one of the cities on the top of my list of places to visit.
I have found that the Club premium on top of a standard redemption to be reasonable: 13.5K pts for a Club/Executive instead of 12K for a standard room. Of course, there needs to be availability, and it may differ with each property or category.
I remember it was 2.5K for a Towers upgrade at the Sheraton HK, and this was well worth it.
This is now my life as a non-SPG Plat. :(
@ wwk5d -- Everyone we interacted with was friendly. Nothing over the top, but service was good.
How was the service overall in the hotel?
Wow--bonus pics of the sightseeing spots! Too bad the weather didn't cooperate. And how was the Sound of Music tour? ;-)
Bircher muesli--a staple of the local diet. Sehr gut!
Does your Dad snore or was it a peaceful night?
It is strange to me that a Sheraton in Germany has slogans written in English on the walls of its gym. I know English is widely-spoken by Germans and business travelers in general, but still...
I'm still a fan of the Goldener Hirsch in Salzburg. It's also a Starwood hotel, but it dates back to like 1671. Location is right in the middle of old town.
BTW, the Salzburg airport has a lovely rooftop garden with cocktails and an awesome view. Doesn't look like you had the weather to enjoy it, but build in some time next time through for an Aperol Spritz.
@ JohnnieD -- I was there in September. Sorry you didn't have nice weather either!
OMG The weather looks like it did when we were there. You didn't happen to have been there around May 5 were you? We were at Radison Blu ....
I stayed at the same hotel for 50EUR 6 months ago on a corp rate. It is indeed a nice hotel.
Lily,
Lucky might now, but as far as I'm aware, access to Club Lounges seems to differ by hotel. Some hotels allow Gold access when in a Club Room. Others limit access to Platinums only. Yet others have very open Lounge policies. If you have a hotel in mind, it might be best to call and ask directly.
Hi, Lucky:
Do you know how to use SPG points to access the club lounge for a SPG gold member? Thank you!
@ Lily - If you're offered an upgrade to a Club Room you would have lounge access, as Jon suggests. Otherwise you can use points to upgrade, though it's generally not a great value.
Looks like you got the same room I did in my post. I enjoyed the outdoor patio, but didn't have access to the lounge. Nonetheless, we enjoyed the location and atmosphere. http://romsdeals.com/2013/09/06/sheraton-salzburg-and-exploring-salzburg/.