- Beaches and Mountains: Introduction
- Beaches and Mountains: Tampa to Charlotte to New York in US Airways First Class, US Airways Club Charlotte
- Beaches and Mountains: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse New York, Swiss Business Lounge New York
- Beaches and Mountains: Singapore Airlines First Class New York to Frankfurt
- Beaches and Mountains: Lufthansa First Class Lounge Frankfurt, Hotel Kempinski Gravenbruch
- Beaches and Mountains: Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt
- Beaches and Mountains: Lufthansa First Class Frankfurt to Bangkok
- Beaches and Mountains: Le Meridien Bangkok
- Beaches and Mountains: Thai Airways Business Class Lounge Bangkok, Thai Airways Business Class Bangkok to Phuket
- Beaches and Mountains: Westin Siray Bay Phuket
- Beaches and Mountains: Le Meridien Khao Lak
- Beaches and Mountains: Thai Airways Business Class Lounge Phuket, Thai Airways Business Class Phuket to Bangkok
- Beaches and Mountains: Thai Airways First Class Lounge Bangkok, Thai Airways First Class Bangkok to Paris
- Beaches and Mountains: Lufthansa Senator Lounge Paris, Star Alliance Lounge Paris, Lufthansa Business Class Paris to Munich
- Beaches and Mountains: InterContinental Berchtesgaden
- Beaches and Mountains: Exploring Berchtesgaden and surroundings
- Beaches and Mountains: Schloss Fuschl Hotel Salzburg
- Beaches and Mountains: Sheraton Arabellapark Munich
- Beaches and Mountains: Exploring Munich
- Beaches and Mountains: Lufthansa First Class Lounge Munich, Lufthansa Business Class Munich to Frankfurt
- Beaches and Mountains: Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt, Lufthansa First Class Frankfurt to Chicago
- Beaches and Mountains: Conclusion
After a fairly long drive from Salzburg we made it to Munich around 4PM. The Sheraton is locateed in Arabellapark, which is located in a business development consisting mostly of office buildings, though it’s only a quick subway ride from the heart of Munich.
We had only booked the trip about a week in advance and the Le Meridien was sold out. Between my Starwood, InterContinental, and Hyatt status, the next best thing was the Sheraton, which was 109 Euros per night. Munich really is lacking good hotels between those three brands!
At the door the porter helped us with our bags.
Hotel exterior
It’s obvious the hotel is on the older side based on the exterior, though it was recently renovated.
Lobby
Within a few moments we were helped by an agent who informed us we had been upgraded on account of my Starwood Platinum status. We headed up to our room, where we once again found a (more or less) standard room. I connected to the Wi-Fi and saw they were still selling junior suites, so I decided to head back down to the front desk.
I got the same agent again, and just nicely showed her spg.com, which was still selling suites. After talking briefly to her supervisor she upgraded me to a junior suite with apologies. So at least I can appreciate that there was no attitude when I confronted her about it.
We had been upgraded to room 1252, a corner suiteon the 12th floor. It looks like they skimped out on the renovations a bit for the hallways, as they looked ancient.
Hallway
Room
Anyway, the room itself was perfectly nice, typical of a Sheraton hotel. It was by no means luxurious, though modern, clean, and well appointed, which is all I expect given our rate.
The living room featured a couch, desk, and flat screen TV, along with the bathroom (I found it a bit weird that the bathroom was connected to the living room instead of the bedroom).
Living room
TV
Desk
Bathroom
Shower
The living room lead out to the balcony, which somehow felt a bit like a prison between the netting and dirty tiles.
Balcony
The balcony overlooked the Westin (which is located right across the street) and in the distance Munich.
View from balcony
The bedroom featured two twin beds pushed together, as is often the case in Europe.
Bedroom
TV
Because I’m a Platinum member we also had access to the club lounge, which is located on the top floor.
Club lounge entrance
The lounge is fairly small though was never too crowded. It featured a nice couch area and also several tables.
Club lounge
Club lounge
The evening spread in the club lounge was one of the most bizarre I’ve ever seen. They had a hot dish, which was nice, and also had chips, nuts, etc. But the weird thing was that the other half of the spread looked like breakfast — yogurt, fruit, croissants, pastries, etc.
The service was friendly and attentive, though. The server let me have all of the Fanta my heart desired.
Evening snacks
Evening spread
The spread in the morning was also pretty decent, consisting mostly of pastries, yogurt, fruit, and scrambled eggs.
Morning spread
The most interesting feature of the hotel had to be the pool on the top floor, which I also found a bit strange with fake palm trees and rocks. Not what you expect in Munich!
Pool
On the whole I had a perfectly pleasant stay. The Sheraton is by no means a luxury hotel, though you can’t beat 109 Euros per night for a suite with club access in summer as a Platinum member. The hotel was only a few minutes from the city by subway, and the subway stop was only about a five minute walk.
When I return to Munich I’ll probably give the Le Meridien a try availability permitting, though I wouldn’t hesitate to stay at the Sheraton again.
I don't see anything wrong with the Sheraton Arabellapark. We had a business meeting there where we discussed sales tactics and all of us liked the hotel!
I stayed at this hotel a couple of times many years ago, I remember the proximity to the Subway stop and if I remember correctly it is a convenient walk to Englisher Gardens sp? (Munich's Central Park)
I liked the Sofitel in Munich, its the old main Post Office right next to the central station. Downside is that Accor/Sofitel program is dire. On the other hand, you can get good rates for the hotel via the DB site.
We quite liked the Westin in April 2011
I wouldn't worry about missing out on the LM. Other than being across from the Hbf there is little to speak of. Dodgy 'hood, still a train ride to the city, and the second most un-LM hotel I have been to is no great draw (there is an active FT thread on this property).
I have enjoyed the Munich Hilton at English Gardens. Very nice.