- Bali and Berchtesgaden: Introduction
- Bali and Berchtesgaden: Singapore Airlines First Class Houston to Moscow
- Bali and Berchtesgaden: International Business Lounge Moscow
- Bali and Berchtesgaden: Singapore Airlines First Class Moscow to Singapore
- Bali and Berchtesgaden: Singapore Airlines Business Class Singapore to Bali
- Bali and Berchtesgaden: InterContinental Bali
- Bali and Berchtesgaden: Exploring Bali
- Bali and Berchtesgaden: W Retreat Bali Seminyak
- Bali and Berchtesgaden: Singapore Airlines Business Class Bali to Singapore
- Bali and Berchtesgaden: The Singapore Airlines Private Room Singapore
- Bali and Berchtesgaden: Singapore Airlines First Class Singapore to Frankfurt
- Bali and Berchtesgaden: InterContinental Berchtesgaden & Surrounding Areas
- Bali and Berchtesgaden: Le Meridien Parkhotel Frankfurt
- Bali and Berchtesgaden: Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt
- Bali and Berchtesgaden: Lufthansa 747-8 First Class Frankfurt to Washington Dulles
- Bali and Berchtesgaden: Westin Washington Dulles Airport
After an amazing four days in Berchtesgaden we flew from Munich to Frankfurt for a night before continuing from Frankfurt to Washington Dulles on the Lufthansa 747-8. Since intra-Europe flights aren’t especially exciting, I won’t be covering that flight, and will instead pick up in Frankfurt.
I was really hesitant to book the Le Meridien Parkhotel Frankfurt, mainly because Starwood’s two other Frankfurt options are excellent. There’s the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport, which is ideal for a quick overnight layover. The club lounge there is the nicest of any Sheraton I’ve been to, which is quite surprising for an airport hotel. Then there’s the Westin Grand Frankfurt, which is in the city and belongs to American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts. That means that even for a one night stay I get a $100 food and beverage credit and breakfast included, in addition to all of the usual Starwood Platinum perks. It’s an unbeatable value, and if I want to be in the city it’s my first choice.
That being I prefer the location of the Le Meridien for a city layover, given that it’s very close to the train station. Furthermore we were planning on having dinner at a restaurant just a few minutes from the Le Meridien, so in the end decided to stay there. I really was a “downer” about it, because I had only seen the exterior of the hotel, and it fits the very definition of “shabby chic.” Still, I figured the hotel was worth a review and given that the rate was only 125 Euros (compared to the other options, which were more expensive), it seemed like the best option anyway.
We took the train from Frankfurt Airport, which took about 20 minutes. From there it’s a quick five minute walk to the hotel, so the location can’t be beat.
Hotel exterior
The lobby was empty and within minutes we were checked in. The associate was extremely friendly and proactively offered us an upgrade to a junior suite in the “historic wing.” Given my previous impression of the hotel being “shabby chic,” I really wasn’t excited about being in the historic (aka old) wing of the hotel, but I was prepared to be proven wrong. We were also offered our choice of Platinum amenity, and we selected breakfast, for which the associate prepared a voucher.
Lobby
The entrance to the historic wing is to the left of the entrance of the hotel, and from there we took the elevator to the second floor. We were assigned room 200, the first room on the right.
Hotel hallway
Our room
When I opened the door I was very pleasantly surprised. The room had a classic design, though there was nothing “shabby” about it. It featured a king bed (really two twins pushed together, but that’s pretty common in Europe), desk, and seating area.
Junior suite
Junior suite
Bed
Desk
TV
Seating area
The views were of trees and some kind of weird back entrance, though sometimes it’s nice to feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere when in a city (not that Frankfurt has any especially “iconic” views).
View from the room
The bathroom was a bit on the small side though perfectly functional and well maintained.
Bathroom
Bathroom
The bathroom was stocked with Cinq Mondes amenities.
Amenities
Anyway, I was really impressed by the room, especially given the price we paid. It’s also worth noting that the Wi-Fi is fast, which isn’t always a given in Europe.
The hotel also has a pretty basic gym, though it was empty the one time I used it.
Gym
Gym
Breakfast was served in Restaurant Le Parc from 6:30AM till 10:30AM, and I was happy to see they offer Platinum members the entire buffet for free (as opposed to just a “continental” selection, which is what they have to provide as the Platinum amenity). The hotel seemed to be dead the whole time we were there, and it was especially evident at breakfast, as we were the only guests.
Le Parc Restaurant
The breakfast spread was great, consisting of everything imaginable. Given that it was my last day in Germany I definitely went a bit overboard on the fresh rolls and Nutella, which I’m working off at the gym to this day!
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast buffet
Anyway, this hotel is great, especially for the price, and I have nothing but positive things to say about it. I’ve gotta be honest, I was almost hoping I wouldn’t like this place, since I now have three great Starwood options in Frankfurt to choose from. I think I’ll continue to stay at the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport for short overnight layovers (maybe less than 14-16 hours), will likely choose the Le Meridien for layovers of up to 24 hours thanks to the proximity to the train station, and will likely choose the Westin for longer stays, especially thanks to their American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts affiliation.
Frankfurt isn’t a stellar city when it comes to hotels, though Starwood has some great options.
Sat inside room 200 now. Glad to report that the room has been enhanced with an Illy espresso machine!
Lol, I think I too was upgraded to suite 200 here. The view out the window looks awfully familiar!!!!
Hmmmmm, I got Hermes toiletries when I stayed at this hotel in a jr suite, granted that was a couple years ago. I actually quite like the hotel selection in frankfurt as there is something for any desire. I've stayed at all 3 spy's you mentioned and also the IC. I fully agree with you. Airport Sheraton is great for shortish layovers, great club lounge. Westin grand has a pretty decent lounge as well and...
Hmmmmm, I got Hermes toiletries when I stayed at this hotel in a jr suite, granted that was a couple years ago. I actually quite like the hotel selection in frankfurt as there is something for any desire. I've stayed at all 3 spy's you mentioned and also the IC. I fully agree with you. Airport Sheraton is great for shortish layovers, great club lounge. Westin grand has a pretty decent lounge as well and good city center location. Lm park hotel is very near train station for a very good option for a 1-nighter stay. And hey, even thou the hotel is somewhat old and washed up, you certainly can't go wrong with the 2 minibars in the IC panoramic suite if you are an RA.
@ FLYGVA -- Interesting, what other rooms have they upgraded you to? Are they nicer?
@Carl
Hilton is present with more than one propertys in Frankfurt, there is one in the city, one at the airport in addition to a Hilton Garden Inn and two Hiltons in near by Mainz.
@Lucky
#200 seems to be the standard SPG Platinum Junior Suite. I have gotten it a few times and now requested to have other rooms.
@ Beachfan -- Thanks! The rate was 125EUR.
NIce report. Sorry if I missed it, what was the room rate?
@ LK -- From what I saw of the new wing I preferred the "historic" wing. The new wing looked very Ikea-ish to me, while I thought the "historic" wing was well maintained.
Actually, the "new" wing isn't that great. I'm just a lowly Gold, and on my most recent stay had an "upgraded" room which was larger than the norm (but with a weird shape and a retrofitted bathroom - maybe this was once originally a post-war office building). The basic room at the Westin is nicer.
PS - I agree with you about the FRA Sheraton lounge. The lounge is awesome.
Starwood is well represented in FRA. It is bizarre that Hyatt is totally absent and Hilton only has a single property
I checked out of this hotel yesterday. I agree with you. I was a little apprehensive when they said the room was in the old wing, but the room was actually quite nice. I did not get a suite but it was a better than average room they gave me, probably because of SPG Gold. I think the Sheraton airport hotel is more generous with the benefits (I get lounge access there pretty regularly) but...
I checked out of this hotel yesterday. I agree with you. I was a little apprehensive when they said the room was in the old wing, but the room was actually quite nice. I did not get a suite but it was a better than average room they gave me, probably because of SPG Gold. I think the Sheraton airport hotel is more generous with the benefits (I get lounge access there pretty regularly) but they were pretty by-the-book here at the Le Meridien. That said, I got everything I expected. It is definitely better than the Intercontinental nearby which I used to stay at.
You should do bandwidth tests every time you use wifi at a hotel or airport. Your readership will get a kick out of it.
@ rich (arizona) -- At CDG have only stayed at the Hyatt, which obviously isn't as convenient as the Sheraton. I've been to Cologne, though stayed with family last time I was there.
Whats up with all of the "chocolate" swirls on the carpet? Looks pretty strange, otherwise seems like a nice hotel.
Ever been to Cologne? Later this year I'll be visiting and have booked the Hyatt Regency there (with the L4 cert from the cc and some points for the two nights).
The airport Sheraton was very convenient. Speaking of which, have you stayed at the CDG Airport Sheraton ?
Wow surprised that a cheap-ass like you missed the $100 bennie...
Wow. Seeing the hotel entrance, I was prepared for the worst, but the room actually isn't too bad! Even though the view isn't great, it seems like the location and the EUR 125 rate make up for the dowdy-looking exterior.