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?
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