- Introduction: Christmas Markets With A Touch Of Garuda
- Review: Lufthansa First Class A330 Dallas To Frankfurt
- Review: Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt
- Review: Lufthansa Business Class A321 Frankfurt To London
- Review: Sheraton Grand London Park Lane
- Review: No1 Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 3
- Review: Garuda Indonesia First Class 777-300ER London To Jakarta
- Review: Garuda Indonesia First Class Arrivals & Chauffeur Service Jakarta
- Review: Keraton At The Plaza Jakarta
- Review: Garuda Indonesia First Class Lounge Jakarta
- Review: Garuda Indonesia First Class 777-300ER Jakarta To Singapore
- Review: Dnata Lounge Terminal 3 Singapore Airport
- Review: Garuda Indonesia First Class 777-300ER Singapore To London
- Review: Lufthansa Lounge London Heathrow Airport
- Review: Le Meridien Munich
- Review: Park Hyatt Vienna Park Suite
- Lufthansa First Class 747-8 Frankfurt To Boston Review
- Review: Aloft Boston Seaport
For the second part of our trip, Ford’s mom was joining us to to visit the Christmas markets in Munich and Vienna. While we were arriving from Jakarta by way of Singapore and London, she had landed from Boston earlier in the day.
We were spending two nights in Munich, and in the end we decided to book two rooms at the Le Meridien Munich at the rate of 140EUR per room per night. Munich isn’t a great hotel market, in the sense that there aren’t many centrally located hotels for which you can redeem points. While I’ve stayed at the Sheraton and Westin in Munich in the past, their locations aren’t great, as they’re a bit removed from the center of town.
While some of Munich’s luxury hotels are sometimes reasonably priced, that wasn’t the case for when we were visiting. The Mandarin Oriental, for example, was going for over 600EUR per night.
The Le Meridien Munich is located right across from Munich’s main train station, within a block of the Sofitel and Aloft. This was convenient, as we decided to take the train to Vienna after our stay. Furthermore, the hotel was within about a 10 minute walk of some of Munich’s beautiful pedestrian zones.
Le Meridien Munich exterior
We arrived late at night, and were welcomed by a front office associate working the overnight shift. He clearly loved his job, which is fantastic, and was every bit as thorough as anyone would be during the day (which isn’t usually the case in my experience, for better or worse).
He apologized that no suite upgrades were available because the hotel was sold out, proactively offered us late check-out, etc.
The Le Meridien’s lobby was a nice enough space, though perhaps what I enjoyed most about it was the people watching, given that several airlines put their crews up here.
Le Meridien Munich lobby
Le Meridien Munich lobby
There’s a lobby bar which has service throughout the day, with coffee in the morning, and a more extensive selection later in the day.
Le Meridien Munich lobby bar
Le Meridien Munich lobby bar
Given that it was just before Christmas, there was a cute gingerbread house display in the lobby.
Le Meridien Munich gingerbread house
The elevators were down the hallway from the lobby, not far from the hotel’s restaurant.
Le Meridien Munich lobby
Le Meridien Munich elevators
Our room was located on the third floor, and as we got off the elevator the first thing I noticed was the aviation-themed art, of a Lufthansa A330 parked at Munich Airport.
Le Meridien Munich artwork
Le Meridien Munich hallway
We were assigned room 371, which was a king room.
Le Meridien Munich room entrance
Le Meridien Munich floorplan
The room featured an entryway with a mirror on the left and the bathroom to the right.
Le Meridien Munich king room entryway
The room was a very good size, to the point that it almost felt sparsely furnished with the “standard” hotel room furniture.
Le Meridien Munich king room
Le Meridien Munich king room
The room had a comfortable king size bed facing a wall-mounted TV, a sitting area by the window with a chair and ottoman, and a desk.
Le Meridien Munich king room bed
Le Meridien Munich king room sitting area
On the table next to the chair with the ottoman was a small welcome amenity consisting of Christmas cookies.
Le Meridien Munich welcome gift
I found the desk setup to not be especially comfortable, as the seat didn’t have much padding.
Le Meridien Munich king room desk
Underneath the tea was a kettle with instant tea and coffee, as well as an empty mini-fridge.
Le Meridien Munich in-room coffee & tea
Le Meridien Munich in-room mini fridge
The room had pretty non-existent views, largely due to the scaffolding on the outside of the hotel, which could remain there for a while, since the hotel is undergoing a major renovation.
Le Meridien Munich view
Next to the bed were four bottles of complimentary water.
Le Meridien Munich king room plentiful bottled water
On the wall closest to the entrance was a closet.
Le Meridien Munich king room closet
The bathroom was back near the entrance, and was on the small side. It featured a sink, walk-in shower, bathtub, and toilet.
Le Meridien Munich king room bathroom
Le Meridien Munich king room tub
The shower was small, and when the door was closed the water still seemed to leak into the rest of the bathroom.
Le Meridien Munich king room shower
Toiletries were provided by Malin + Goetz, which I quite like.
Le Meridien Munich Malin + Goetz toiletries
On account of my Platinum status we received complimentary daily breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant. Technically Platinum members only get complimentary continental breakfast, though like most Starwood hotels in Europe, this property gives Platinum members access to the whole buffet.
Le Meridien Munich Le Potager restaurant
The food spread was pretty good, though it took a lot of self-control not to go to town on the fresh pretzels and Nutella. Mmm…
Le Meridien Munich breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Munich breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Munich breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Munich breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Munich breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Munich breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Munich breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Munich breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Munich breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Munich breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Munich breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Munich breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Munich breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Munich breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Munich breakfast
In terms of the hotel’s other features, there’s a spa on the basement level, which is also where the gym and pool are.
Le Meridien Munich spa reception
The gym was reasonably well equipped, and the fact that the hotel has an indoor pool is a pretty cool feature that you often don’t see in German city hotels.
Le Meridien Munich gym
Le Meridien Munich gym
Le Meridien Munich pool
Le Meridien Munich bottom line
The Le Meridien Munich is a perfectly nice option if visiting Munich. The hotel has a great location, clean and spacious rooms, and a great breakfast for Platinum members. At the same time the hotel isn’t especially charming or luxurious, and doesn’t seem to have many suites to upgrade Platinum members to. However, at the right price I think this is the best option for a Starwood loyalist.
Do you have a favorite hotel in Munich?
Good job avoiding the bread part of the buffet. The Laugenstaenge and Brezeln are to die for in Munich. I stayed in the Aloft once while in Munich, after having lived an hour south of it for a few months. It was solid. One of the previous commenters is right about not staying near the Hauptbahnhof. The train makes it very easy to get there, and it's not one of the better parts of Munich...
Good job avoiding the bread part of the buffet. The Laugenstaenge and Brezeln are to die for in Munich. I stayed in the Aloft once while in Munich, after having lived an hour south of it for a few months. It was solid. One of the previous commenters is right about not staying near the Hauptbahnhof. The train makes it very easy to get there, and it's not one of the better parts of Munich to stay in. Going over towards Theresienwiesn or the Altstadt will bring cheaper rates and much better views.
Also, if you're ever going to Salzburg from Munich by train, be sure to check out Bernau and Prien am Chiemsee. There's an island in the middle of the lake with a near full size copy of Versailles built by Mad King Ludwig.
Grant
Was it a platform bed? I would appreciate it if you could mention that in your reviews- the bed is the most important part of the room, no? Platform beds are often in Le Meridiens and I find them extremely hard and sleep poorly in them.
Otherwise a nice review.
I've stayed at both the aloft and Meridien in Munich multiple times.
As a platinum I would say the Meridien would slightly edge out the aloft, if you are into breakfast. They seem to change their minds on what the platinum breakfast is though, as our last stay there didn't include the warm food options.
Personally I prefer the aloft. The rooms are large, modern, and the lobby / bar has a bit of an...
I've stayed at both the aloft and Meridien in Munich multiple times.
As a platinum I would say the Meridien would slightly edge out the aloft, if you are into breakfast. They seem to change their minds on what the platinum breakfast is though, as our last stay there didn't include the warm food options.
Personally I prefer the aloft. The rooms are large, modern, and the lobby / bar has a bit of an upscale youth hostel vibe to it. One other benefit to the aloft is it has DIY laundry, which when you are traveling in Europe on a longer trip is awesome.
If there is a huge difference in price I would do the aloft hands down.
@Ben Skelton: Aloft looks great and DIY laundry is highly preferred. Thanks a lot for the recommendation!
How about Aircon in the Aloft, is it cooling it down well (to 20 degrees)?
Also, is there a solid door to the bathroom (as opposed to a 'see through' or glass door, my pet peeve).
Thanks in advance!
How can one go to Munich and not stay at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel. Truly Bavarian, still Family owned 5-star Luxury! Fond Memories.
Aircon in summer: does it work? It seems most hotels in Munich have issues with the aircon. Thanks
I stayed at this hotel back in March of 2009. It was nice for the price I paid back then. Haven't been to Germany in a few years.
We stayed here (Le Meridien) on points for Oktoberfest and were very pleased. Excellent location (10-15 minute walk to festival tents and across street from train station) and the staff was very nice. We used concierge for clothing purchase advice and to get tickets for main tent seating and were very pleased (almost too close to the band !).
I'm sorry, but that hotel room looks like a glorified dormitory. The bathroom is industrial. The only good thing were the Malin + Goetz toiletries and the single bathrobe. I can't believe that a supposed upscale Le Meridien doesn't have a coffeemaker in the room.
Yes, being right there at the station is great for an overnight or weekend stay...but the other SPG properties are VERY close by S or U ( and very significantly cheaper). I stayed at the Sheraton Westpark on New Year's Eve specifically to avoid being right at the station: and 3 stops, 5 minutes, very easy, nice hotel ( and about € 50 cheaper). Plus they pre-upgrade to Suite as SPG plat ( although in...
Yes, being right there at the station is great for an overnight or weekend stay...but the other SPG properties are VERY close by S or U ( and very significantly cheaper). I stayed at the Sheraton Westpark on New Year's Eve specifically to avoid being right at the station: and 3 stops, 5 minutes, very easy, nice hotel ( and about € 50 cheaper). Plus they pre-upgrade to Suite as SPG plat ( although in the end I couldn't use it because I arrived so early and opted to accept the club room that was ready).
The Aloft is equally convenient, being across the street from the Le Meridien and is similar to the Alofts in North America. Obviously the breakfast won't compare, and I'm not even sure what they offered because I took the points as my Platinum amenity given that it was a 1 night stay before a morning flight, so I knew I'd be having breakfast in the MUC Senator lounge.
Useful pictures.
We stayed at the Aloft at the end of November. Staff was absolutely fantastic, rooms were well designed and wired well for the contemporary traveler. It's right across from the train station too.
Too bad you missed out on the Sofitel right across the street, which is such a unique property (in contrast to the Meridien).
Would have loved a review.
Where's your pictures from the magical markets of Munich?
Four Points for Oktoberfest. It's right near the grounds and right in the middle of the action. Small rooms, as is generally the norm in Europe, but I love it.
Have been travelling to Munich for business for a long time. With a decent company rate at around 150 EUR I was from time to time staying at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski in Munich which is substantially more luxurious than the SPG properties there. Also the Sofitel is quite nice and well located. However, given the structural flaws in the GHA and LeClub loyalty programs these two do not really represent valid alternatives in...
Have been travelling to Munich for business for a long time. With a decent company rate at around 150 EUR I was from time to time staying at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski in Munich which is substantially more luxurious than the SPG properties there. Also the Sofitel is quite nice and well located. However, given the structural flaws in the GHA and LeClub loyalty programs these two do not really represent valid alternatives in case someone is looking for a hotel with an appropriate point earning or redemption possibility.
Nice review. Do you know anything about the Aloft nearby? I've stayed at Alofts before, but it's much cheaper for my visit than Le Meridien.
I stayed at the Residence Inn Munich over New Years. It was a solid place with breakfast and nearby the central east rail terminal.
I wouldn't bother sticking to center of the city because it's bound to have high tourist like prices and noise. I simply used the S-Bahn to get around to the central terminal, which was like an 8 minute ride.