I used 7,000 points for a Category 3 award stay, which I thought was an excellent value, especially considering the location and full-sertvice amenities offered by this property. The pool area was sparking clean, the business center was staffed and had 4 computers for usage. The front desk staff spoke good English and were able to make suggestions about day trips, walking tours in town.

Room service was prompt, well-presented and not a bad value for hotel pricing. Breakfast was predictble- cereal, yogurt, decent baked goods, fresh fruit salad and a couple of large pots for coffee, milk and orange juice.

I enjoyed the "waterfall" overhead shower, but I would have appreciated the ever-comfortable bath robe, but the oversized towels sufficed. Based on Gold status, I was upgraded to a room that faced the main Avenida de Cordoba, which offered sweeping views of the city. There was a nice cheese, fruit and cracker spread awaiting us in the room.

With so many boutique hotels cropping up in Buenos Aires, the Sheraton was smart to renovate this place and give it a little flair. This property is a far better award value than the Marriott nearby which is an award category 6!

Make sure and allow plenty of time to get to the airport, as there is traffic clogging up the main arteries to the freeway... and the freeway itself, seemingly at all hours of the day!

Review submitted by Steve B.

The amenity was actually not bad, some wine, a couple polo shirts and and a Le Meridien bag. They refreshed the water and fruit in our room daily. We were escorted to our room and given a quick tour of the property. The room, unfortunately, ended up being more of a "pool view" than an "ocean view" -- not exactly my idea of a good sales pitch on their behalf. I called down to request a different room, perhaps an upgrade to a junior suite or a suite, but the front desk manager said they were full. She didn't seem very willing to go out of her way to help us out. When we were about to bed-down for the night, I found dirt on our sheets and had to call down to have them changed. I did get good responsiveness then ... but come on. Other than that, the room and bathroom was clean. Every morning there was a fresh orchid on our pillows.

We paid for the breakfast buffet most of the days we were there (around $25 -- ripoff, yes, but this is a resort hotel what do you expect). They had a good selection of western and asian dishes, including eggs to order and cold cut meats. Despite the full occupancy, we did not have to wait in line for a table or feel over-crowded during the meal.

There were lots of Russians and other Europeans at the hotel. I didn't know that Thailand was such a Russian destination, but I guess you learn something every day! We spent a good bit of time on the white powder beach and around the pool (it is quite big), all of which was nice (and private, unlike other hotels in Phuket). The ocean was churny and rough, so not the best for swimming.

The nightlife happened all at the nearby Patong, which was accessible by taxi/tuktuk or by hotel shuttle (about $4-5). We didn't go there but once as it was full of tourists and generally not our scene. The hotel has an on-site scuba diving shop and we took a day scuba-diving lesson/trip, which was excellent. The instructor did a great job of putting us at ease, especially my wife, and showing us all the tricks.

I guess if you go to Le Meridien Phuket, it's best to keep in mind that this is a large resort property. You won't get a boutique experience here, but you'll get what you pay for -- (mostly) clean, nice beach, good pools and decent service. We probably won't go back to Phuket (too many tourists), but I have recommended the property to several friends already with appropriate caveats.

Review submitted by Charles K.

The bar/lobby area was somber and had funky bench/couch furniture that looked horribly uncomfortable, almost like Egyptian lounge chairs. People were there with their laptops, so there must have been free WiFi available. As far as I know, there is not a lounge at this hotel (or at least, i was not given access to it!). Somewhat surprising if that's the case, given that this is a business hotel in a business city.

As a Platinum member, I was upgraded to a suite with two rooms. It was equipped with a large, high-definition flat-screen TV in the living room and one in the bedroom as well, although a bit smaller. The room looked like it had been revamped probably in the last five years at least; certainly since the hotel itself was built. Oddly, the sink for the bathroom was out next to the bed itself and not in the same room as the bath. The bed itself was very comfortable, and one of the main reasons I tend to frequent Westins.

I went one evening to the hotel's fitness center for a quick workout, and luckily they had a good supply of weight machines, free weights, and treadmills (only one elliptical trainer, though). The treadmills had their own TVs attached, which I always appreciate.

It looks like work will have me back in Philly again in a couple weeks, so I may check out some of the other properties. Nothing wrong with this one, certainly, but nothing that "wow'd" me about my stay either.

Review submitted by Charles K.

Since I am an SPG Gold I was put on the 5th floor which is the preferred guest floor. The room was actually quite sizable for an airport hotel in Europe, and it had a nice modern flair to it. No view, but then again I was just there for a functional stay, not to enjoy my time in the room.

The hotel really does a good job catering to in-and-out travelers and has a late-night "light dinner" area that is open until 10:30PM downstairs. I grabbed a quick salad before heading to bed. The next morning I ate at the restaurant downstairs (35 euros for the buffet). I was seated right away and the service was very prompt. The buffet options were actually really impressive, so I was quite happy.

Like other airport hotels that seem to have a monopoly on the walk-in/walk-out airport traffic, the Sheraton Frankfurt is pricey (think hotels at O'Hare, Hong Kong and Paris CDG). But if you're company is footing the bill, it's a great place!

Review submitted by Susan K.

When I arrived and identified myself as a Platinum member, we were whisked up to the Club Floor, offered a wet towel and some juice while they processed my check-in. During the course of the stay, we would pop into the Club Room for breakfast and snacks in the evenings. The breakfast was strictly continental and did not include hot options that one might expect at a resort like this. There is nothing particularly special about the lounge as it sits right next to the elevators with barely a view of the ocean. Alcohol is free, which is great.

One important thing about this hotel: they are very picky that if you make room reservations for only 1 adult, then you will only show up with 1 adult. Luckily, I had made reservations for 2 adults and we were fine, but I've read on FlyerTalk about people that were charged extra when they showed up with an extra person. While we're talking about gotcha's, the internet cost at Le Meridien is ridiculous as well. US$28 per day! Absurd.

My wife and I were checked into a suite (upgraded) overlooking the ocean. It had a large living room, a huge marble bathroom with both a tub and a shower (amenities were Hermes), and a bedroom in the back. A bottle of wine and some cheese was delivered to our room as a welcome gift. I found a pervasive musty smell throughout the hotel, including our room, probably due to the level of humidity which made sleeping uncomfortable. The balcony with chairs was great, and we spent a few evenings out there enjoying the sea breeze and a glass of wine.

The three tiered, infinity pools at the Le Meridien are really good as well, each at different temperatures (if you have a wife, you know how important this might be!). Importantly, there was plenty of space for everyone there -- no fighting over lounge chairs! Service was always prompt and accurate. My wife wandered down to the spa for a treatment one day and came back bubbling over with enthusiasm about the place. I never did check it out personally.

From a service perspective, I found that almost every employee took pride in what they did. That just added to the world-class feeling of the place. The manager came out to greet us when we arrived, the housekeeping staff would greet me in the hallway when I passed by, the attendants at the lounge were doting, and the concierge definitely knew her stuff. A lot of this is because of the size of the hotel compared to some of the other huge hotels in Cancun -- they actually remember your names!

In summary, the positives of Le Meridien Cancun far outway the negatives. The Westin is also a good choice, but given the location of both properties I will always tip to Le Meridien instead.

Review submitted by Tim R.

This hotel is an atrium style hotel with 25 floors of rooms with the 24-25 floors reserved for Club Level and key access. Our room was 2412 and it was a very nice room - completely refurbished except for the old television! The bathroom, although small was very bright and they did a nice job on the refurbishment. Subway tiles, granite counter-top and new lighting The front desk seems to think the Capital view is the view, I disagree and think the view of the city is a much better view especially at night. More about that later...

Sunday we were upgraded as promised to a suite and a suite it was! The presidential suite, well one of them, as there are four suites on 25. It was on the 25th floor and took up the entire East side of the hotel and directly under the Sheraton lighted sign. Very, very large with sitting area with a sofa and love seat and large coffee table. Dining table that could seat 12 plus two buffets. Two bedrooms - one with two double beds and sitting area and bathroom with large dressing area. Main bedroom same size as the other with King four poster bed, working desk and reading chair, two bed tables plus Bose radio with CD. Also large dressing area, and normal bathroom.

Positives - the view was fantastic! Lots of room to spread out in. This is the view of the city as opposed to the Capital view. We looked out at the city with the twinkling lights and were mesmerized! The club level lounge was great with hot food for breakfast and hors d’oeuvres in the evening.

Negative - the suite has not been refurbished at all. Furniture is worn and scuffed, the carpet is fading, the ceiling has had several leaks, and the bathrooms have not been updated with new look so they were dark and poorly lit. The dining table only had three chairs so it looked a little empty.

The staff was top notch and very helpful! The ladies in the club lounge were the friendliest I have ever encountered! What a nice way to start the day or end it! The food was great, lots of variety and certainly beats paying $15 or more for breakfast.

The building is still old but the work done on it has paid off! I would recommend this hotel!

Review submitted by Thomas E.

On check-in, I did not have to request an upgrade and was automatically given access to the Executive Club. They told me I was put in a suite, but it was essentially a large room (or at least I assume it was a large room -- I didn't see any others!) with 1.5 baths. The hotel is not a luxury hotel by any stretch, but it meets all my standards for cleanliness and service. During my stay I found the staff to be accomodating, although I'll admit I wasn't very demanding. The doormen/bellmen would acknowledge me when coming in and the receptionist was straightforward in a very Russian way but also smiling. I did ask the concierge for some information about sightseeing and he willingly provided all of it, peppered with some history and personal experience.

The Sheraton Moscow Palace is centrally located right on Tverskaya, about two blocks from a metro station (Belorusskaya). Tverskaya is one of Moscow's high streets so always some good activity going on and restaurants nearby. Over the weekend, I found the metro to be one of the best, although a basic ability to read some of the Russian alphabet could be helpful. It certainly beats being ripped off by a cabbie. You can walk from the hotel to some of the main sights in Moscow, although I wouldn't say they were close by.

In the morning, I stumbled into the club lounge to find an absolutely incredible spread of food for breakfast. Being used to the typical cereals and stale breads one finds in the U.S., this level of high quality food was impressive. I did peek my head into the gym briefly: it is fairly standard but there are limited choices for exercise machines/stations.

On a final note, and as a word of caution, you will want to keep in mind that like most hotels in Moscow, they convert the room currency at a rate which can inflate the price of the room from what you may expect by 10-20%. In the end, the Sheraton is a passable hotel with a good breakfast spread but certainly nothing special that would make me all that eager to return.

Review submitted by jdobs.

Our room was nice. We were "upgraded" to pool/oceanview room. As a Platinum SPG, we should have been upgraded to suite, which we discovered later was available. No explanation from Front Desk Manager, as our request to speak with her was ignored.

Still, the room was brand new, flat screen TV, good bed and decent amount of dresser space. Closet space was lacking (smallish). One cup coffee maker and no fridge.

Pool and beach facilities are terrific. Three massive pools. One heated. It attracted the most people and lots of children. So it was fairly loud. We are expecting - twins - so we could hardly complain! Heard some grumbling about "Captain Kirk", who managed the music and the pool/beach activities every afternoon but Sunday. He was a tad loud and annoying, but we found he grew on us over time.

Two lukewarm jacuzzis that didn\'t any switch we could find to turn on the jets. The pool side restaurant was one of the best we've ever had in the Caribbean. Good food, not bad prices. Great service. All in all great value. We used it a lot. We also dined at the buffet (offering breakfast, lunch and dinner), which we found to be average in food and top heavy in price. So not so great value. Amicis - the Italian restaurant - was excellent. Again a tad pricey, but great food and service.

Guest services were terrible. The room had no guest directory - listings of hotel features, room service, local phone numbers, etc... I called Guest Services to ask for one and was told they didn't have one. I went to the front desk to verify this and this did. I asked how one was to order room service, let alone know about the hotel facilities and was told to "call the concierge," to which I pointed out that was hard to do when there was no directory in the room telling me how to do that. When pressed, the front desk person did give me a copy of a room service menu, but only after I started making a stink when informed all I had to do was call the restaurant and they would "tell me" what they had on their menu. Strange.

Stranger still, we returned to our room one afternoon to find the door open. We complained in person to Guest Services and was told it had nothing to do with them and we should complain at the front desk. After insisting (my wife is a former RCMP officer), Guest Services grumpily called Security, who showed up and were very professional. Meanwhile, I went to the front desk to complain to the Manager about both Guest Services and the door left open, only to be ignored by the Manager. She literally turned her back and walked away from me when I asked to speak with her. The front desk person just shrugged. Nice.

Sheraton Cable beach is part of the massive redevelopment Starwood is doing on three or four Cable Beach properties. The former Chrystal Palace next door is a dump, but has a couple of good restaruants including the steak house. The Casino there is OK, but nothing like a real Vegas Casino, or even Atlantis on Paradise Island. Next to the Chrystal Palace is the old Nassau Beach Hotel, which closed forever on New Years day and will be razed shortly to make way for the next phase of the Starwood redevelopment.

All in all, we weren't impressed with the Guest Services/management. But the property has some great features and good staff in the food areas. Fingers crossed it gets better, not worse.

Review submitted by Bill K.

The room was spacious and very clean. The room and furniture looked new and well kept. I received complimentary bottles of water and fruit. There was also an assortment of coffee and tea to choose from that was also complimentary.

This hotel is much larger than the Westin Taipei, so I faced some crowds in the lobby. It looked much busier than the Westin. Fortunately there were a number of people working at the front desk and I was taken care of promptly. Every person I spoke was very warm and helpful. Some of the elevators are farther away from the front desk which was a minor inconvenience. There is a bar and restaurant in the lobby, but I did not visit it during my stay.

The location of the hotel is very convenient since the hotel is just outside of the Shandao Temple station on the Blue line. It was nice to be close the MRT and being able to access the rest of Taipei by train. There were a number of shops and restaurants nearby the hotel, but I didn’t get a chance to visit any.

To access the hotel from TPE airport, you can take a taxi for around 1,200 NT (about $37 at the time). It takes about 30-45 minutes to the airport from the hotel.

I would definitely stay here again if I was in the area.

Review submitted by mrmakochan.

The room was spacious and I was happy to see that the room was very clean. The room and the furniture looked fairly new and well kept. There were complimentary bottles of water and free fruit. There was a 32" flat panel TV although I didn't watch any TV. The bed was a standard Heavenly bed.

The front desk was very warm and welcoming and they all spoke very competent English. I also asked the concierge for some recommendations for shopping and restaurants and they were very helpful. Ask them for a free map of Taipei. The lobby has a bar and a restaurant that occasionally had live music playing which was a nice touch.

The location of the hotel is fairly convenient. The hotel can be accessed by the Taipei MRT by walking a few blocks east to the Nanjing East station where you can board the Brown line. The Brown line will give you access to the rest of the transit system. There is a Starbucks just outside the hotel and a few convenience stores and ATMs around the corner. I walked around a bit but didn't see any restaurants to eat at. There is a shopping mall that is connected with the Nanjing East station, and a very nice supermarket in the basement.

To access the hotel from TPE airport, you can take a taxi for around 1250NT (about $38 at the time). It takes about 30-45 minutes. I think there is also a bus service from the airport called Evergreen that will drop you off at the Nanjing East station.

Review submitted by mrmakochan.

Getting There: Scheduled fights operate a few times a day between Bangkok airports and Hua Hin. However, the drive is only about 2.5 hours depending on traffic, reliability of vehicle including driver and “starting point”. On a Sunday afternoon starting from Suvarnabhumi airport the driver of our private car (3500 THB OW, 6100 THB RT via a reliable travel agent) chose to drive through downtown Bangkok on the toll way but it was smooth sailing all the way.

Upon Arrival: After waving your way through two security checkpoints, you’ll find yourself arriving at the large circular drive in front of the spacious , open-air lobby. Traditional Thai service and hospitality ensues with a “welcome drink” of herbal Thai tea while check-in formalities are processed from the comfort of a plush sofa or chair.

Property: The property is approximately 100 meters wide, running from the main highway to the gulf of Thailand. Closest to the highway is Blue Lagoon Condominium development developed by the same company (Grande Asset Management) as the Sheraton Hua Hin. On a side note, Grande Asset also owns the Westin Grande Sukhumvit. Conveniently enough there was a feature in the Bangkok Post on Grand Asset during my stay.

According to the hotel specs, The SHH boasts 240 guest rooms and 12 suites. The resort is built in a horseshoe configuration. At the bottom of the “U” is the main lobby and restaurant area.. The rooms and suites are spread across eight low-rise two-story buildings that run along either side of the property from the main lobby to the Gulf.

In the middle of the “U” there is nothing but tropical foliage, lagoon/river pools , and the pool restaurant/bar “Salas”. The lagoon view and lagoon access rooms face the inside of the “U” while the garden view accommodations face the neighboring properties (which seem to be in the early stages of construction)..

Lagoon Rooms (Inward facing): Inward facing room s are designated as either “lagoon view” or “lagoon access.” The difference being the lagoon access have a standard “pool ladder” from the veranda into the pool. While the “lagoon views” are located on the second floor. There’s a privacy tradeoff of course. The buildings 1 thru 4 on the north side of the property are sunny most of the day while the south wing’s lagoon rooms offer a shaded veranda for non-sun-worshipers. An additional note, for the “lagoon access” room is a good idea for travelers with children to note. The four buildings (3,4,7,8) closes t to the Gulf have no barrier between your sliding door and the pool/lagoon . Closer to the bottom of the “U”/lobby but further from the beach the “lagoon access” rooms do have a glass and rail barrier to keep the little ones from being able to get to the water from the veranda. The barrier is aesthetic and similar to that on all of the 2nd story rooms. Not something to avoid, but something to request if you are traveling with kids.

Ocean Rooms: In terms of Ocean Front there are 16 rooms by my estimation. All have veranda facing the Gulf. Downstairs units (incl. suites) have a small garden and direct access from the veranda to the Ocean Front lawn area. There are two standard Ocean Front rooms “sandwiched” between the 2 suites designed specifically to create a 2-bedroom suite via connecting doors. My only guidance regarding “Ocean Front” is that it’s really not worth paying extra for.

Garden Rooms (Outward facing): Truth be told, you want to avoid these rooms if you’re budget allows. These rooms offer little or no “good view” and the downstairs units’ gardens seem less than desirable. The veranda offers a place to smoke and dry you swimsuit however the garden room veranda’s didn’t seem inviting enough for evening cocktails in my view.

Suites: At the SHH any suite is sweet. The 12 suites include eight Ocean and four Lagoon divided evenly in buildings 4 and 8. Unless you specifically want veranda pool access , put in a request for upstairs. On my way to the room bellman advised me that I had the best room in the house. (8211 see pics) .In reality the suites are double wide compared to the standard rooms. Half dedicated to “living” and half “bedding”. They also sport amazing bathrooms and more closet than you really need. You can’t go wrong here with cash, points, or status. Get into a suite at the SHH and you’ve scored big time.

Service: As of Dec. 2007 after 4 months of operation, the SHH staff is still in the process if earning their stripes without a doubt. Certainly the ethic that makes Bangkok one of the leading hotel destinations in the world is visible. If Today’s traveler can accept that there’s a learning curve involved it would make for far less aggravation. Over the course of a stay expect nice surprises but also expect to need to ask twice on occasion. In addition while most staff speaks some English, communication is a “two-way” exchange Keep this in mind, leave you’re attitude at home, and make a genuine effort to make yourself understood.

Food & Beverage: All outlets on property seemed to be up and running as of Dec 2007 (Opening Aug 10, 2007) “The Deck” offers-Indoor/Outdoor Breakfast buffet. The buffet is sufficient covering all the bases. Made to order eggs, pancakes or waffle station (varies daily) fruits, juices, salads, breads as well as Asian fare. No SPG Platinum freebies here but hopefully the $20 will get you through to dinner.
“Salas” was the favorite! Located in the middle of the property’s lagoon/river area. During the day it served as the kitchen for the pool/beach lawn area. The lunch and dinner offerings seemed a bit redundant and the offerings were not very expansive. However, aside from the main seating this outlet offered many cozy sala seating areas set for 2-4 people.

“InAzia” would best be described as “Pan-Asian” as opposed to “Asian-Fusion”. The SHH’s signature restaurant, it ‘s good but didn’t differentiate itself from any other F&B outlet onsite. The menu had offerings, from Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, etc but it just didn’t stand out and wasn’t compelling enough to visit more than once during a 5 night stay.

“The Beach Bar” is cool for drinks and put’s on a BBQ buffet a few times a week. In addition there’s a market café adjacent to the spa for light snacks/bakery goods. “Pantry-The Deli Shop” should be thought of as “snackshop” not Starbucks .7-Eleven is a much better bet if you are going to venture offsite.
Last but not least the lobby bar “Sundara” offers live music in the evening and somewhere nearby is “Ink Supper Club” but I did not visit either of these outlets. If your stay is longer than a few nights only creatures of habit could avoid dining off property.

Activities: The No. 1 activity at the SHH is sun worship! The only catch is that this is done poolside or from the beach lawn. Forget about chair on the sand. It just isn’t going happen here. If you need to feel the sand between your toes, go somewhere else. The beachfront area is level lawn area approximately 40m X 90m behind a retaining wall. Chaise lounge and umbrellas abound with palm trees here and there all within a stone’s throw from the Gulf. You can take a walk on the beach for sure, but you just don’t “sit on the beach.”

There’s a fitness center with basic equipment and published calendar of activities including yoga. Of course let’s not forget the pool. The best word to describe it is “epic”. Every morning a “lap” of the property was requisite. This is not just any old lap, it’s a lap of a 5000 square-meter pool. The largest resort pool in the Hua Hin area. A huge open area (great for lap swimmers) by main lobby doubled as a reflection pool at night. Oceanfront the infinity edge pours into the lawn just a few visual meters from the Gulf. Connecting the two bodies of water are the river ways that hug the structures from beach to lobby. Meandering enough for an great feel but straight enough to swim for exercise if you look where you’re going.

Kids: The SHH is set up to offer a great family retreat. Near the lobby there’s Kid’s Club detached structure housing TV screens, PC’s, games, crafts and supervision. in an air- conditioned (I’m sure) environment. The club also sports kids pool, jungle gym and lawn. Evening childcare also seemed to be available.

SPG Elite Recognition: It’s difficult to comment on elite recognition in terms of room upgrade due to the fact that our suite was confirmed with points prior to arrival. I will comment that there is no happy hour, no free internet, and no free breakfast offered based on status.

Local Area: Getting to town was a taxi ride of 250 THB to the Clock Tower and 300 THB to the Market Village shopping center. Taxi’s do not operate on a meter so you must agree on price with driver prior to departure. You’re in a pretty weak position to bargain when you’re standing in the lobby of the SHH. Return via Tuk Tuk and you can save 50 THB.

Hua Hin is considered Thailand’s golf “Mecca” and Palm Hills is basically across the street. That being said my clubs took this trip off so I cannot comment on course quality or fees. Next time for sure.

Overall: I really enjoyed my time at the Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa and I plan to return. You really need a minimum 2 nights to make it worth the trek from Bangkok, but you’ll be happy when you arrive. As with other properties in Thailand I feel that that the property’s category is discounted one level based on its location relative to the rest of the world. Redemption rates are fabulous , the property is brand new and they are pushing to establish themselves in the Hua Hin corridor. When you add these factors up, you’re left with a high-value proposition.

Review submitted by schoflyer.

We were greeted by a friendly staff of valets and busmen as we pulled up outside the white façade and blue windowed structure. The lobby was abuzz with families about to go shopping and lovers reclining by the massive Christmas tree. We were here on a Saturday staying on an exceptional promotional rate for the month of December that included free valet parking. The Starwood Preferred Guest check-in hostess was exceptionally kind and helpful, upgrading a lowly Gold like myself to a Preferred Room just below the club level (all the double rooms on the club level were taken) with complimentary access to the club lounge and health facilities.

Beyond the main check-in area lay a larger lobby with many chairs and tables surrounding statues, another Christmas tree, the Java Bar, and Chi Bar and looking out over the Chicago River. All of the furnishings looked quite new and the common areas were very clean. The fast elevators transported us seamlessly to the 30 floor, where a bowl of mints, fresh apples, and magazines were out for Preferred Guests. The room was a bit dated (mainly the bathroom, with an older tiled tub enclosure), but most of the furnishings and the textiles seemed to be in good shape. The wood and earth tone scheme was very pleasant and soothing. The Sweet Sleeper Beds were heavenly (sorry, Westin!) and the room was quite comfortable, affording an exceptional view of the river, the backside of the Tribune Building, and the Trump Tower.

Having arrived at 4:30, we headed up to the 33 floor for Hors’ Devours in the club lounge. A key-carded door guards the club, which is housed in the top of one of the round west towers overlooking the city. It is two levels high with the second floor open to the first by a glassed-in railing. Alcoholic beverages were available for a small fee, but coffee, soda, salsa, chips, assorted cheeses, fresh fruit, and crackers were complimentary and quite tasty. The only qualm of the lounge was that there were quite a few patrons, resulting in an overworked staff and piled up dishes left on dirty tables.

The evening saw a flush of fresh snow, and a flocking of pensive types to candle-lit tables scattered around the lobby and in the Java and Chi Bars. The common areas were still quietly alive at midnight, as many were still watching the snowfall from their chairs pulled up next to large windows overlooking the Chicago River.

The beds slept wonderfully during the night and my wife really enjoyed the Mint and Mandarin beauty products by Bliss. Continental breakfast in the lounge was typical, consisting of cheese, pastries, cereal, fruit, yogurt, coffee, and fruit juices. A nice touch, but not worth the $15.95 price tag if access was not complimentary.

The check out process was very easy, and valet parking (located in the basement) had the car ready in about five minutes. Overall, we had an excellent stay and really enjoyed this property. The atmosphere (at least on a Saturday) was more geared for families and shoppers, but the spacious lobby and club level would make this a good property for travelers and business people alike.

Review submitted by abebix.

Even though I was on an award reservation, I handed over my Starwood Gold card, my passport and my Starwood American Express. Much to my delight, she announced that she had a room for me on the executive club floor but would two beds be alright. Of course! I looked around me at the lobby before jumping in the elevator: it was a hub of activity, people taking drinks together, meeting informally and dining. A gas fire was giving off heat from a contemporary fireplace near the entrance.

I alighted on the seventh floor of the property and took a peek into the club lounge. It was modern but not large; probably six or seven tables throughout the room. A large flat-screen TV at one end blared out CNN. Two all-in-one flat-screen iMacs were tucked in a corner. There was a small fridge with serve-yourself drinks and a couple long countertops for breakfast the next morning.

My room was just around the corner and faced the inner courtyard of the hotel. No matter! It was bright and airy, with Scandinavian wood floors, pastel green wallpaper, thick white duvets, and even a fresh flower in the bathroom. At one end of the room, two sitting chairs and a table with a bottle of (free) EVian. The TV was a large flat-screen and faced the two beds, next to the desk. A very comfortable, clean and modern room indeed! I set my bags down and hurried out to dinner, noticing the ever-growing pile of dirty dishes in the hallway. (Great local restaurant by the way: Restaurant Pelikan at Blekingegatan 40. It's on the southern island and a reasonably far, but straightforward walk from the Sheraton.)

The Sheraton beds were very comfortable and I had no problem falling asleep. The shower was fantastic as well -- not set in a tub, but just a walk-in shower with a glass wall. The amentities were Molton Brown.

The next morning it seemed as the number of dishes in the hallway had multiplied! They were stacked and piled outside almost every door, it seemed. And although the hotel was clean, the dirty dishes, trays and towels definitely brought the ambiance down a few notches.

Breakfast in the lounge was very complete, although seating was a challenge. I ended up sharing a table with another businessman who ignored me the whole meal, engrossed in his Financial Times. Eggs, sausages and bacon -- the typical breakfast staples -- were of course there, accompanied by Swedish pancakes (much like crepes) and an assortment of breads, fruits, and yoghurts. One of the young hostesses moved between the tables offering to get coffee or tea for the guests.

The service representative in the lounge checked me out with no problems. I was sad my short stay was over as I hauled my bags across Gamla Stan to the Hilton (for business reasons). By comparison, I will say the Hilton is much less preferred. Although well-located, with great views of the city, the interior looks like a 1970s cruise liner with wood-lined walls, thick marble bathrooms and small bedrooms. It didn't help that I found blood stains on my bed sheets. I'll definitely stay at the Sheraton on my next trip as I have nothing bad to say about it, except the dishes in the hallway!

Review submitted by John P.

The corner suite is spectacular. It consists of a bedroom with a king bed and a separate sitting room with a sofa, table, and chairs. Both rooms are equipped with a small television with international programming. There is a large bathroom with separate shower and bath attached to the bedroom, as well as a small guest toilet at the entrance. The bed is very comfortable and various sorts of pillows are available. Both main rooms have attractive wood plank floors and are decorated with Angkor-motif stone pieces. They are very spacious and meticulously maintained in top condition.

The breakfast buffet offers a very wide selection, ranging from Oriental to North American. There is a special area where various sorts of egg dishes are prepared to order, and another area for Japanese soups. An unusual touch is carrot, celery, and cucumber juices. We found the coffee, especially the cappuccino, to be excellent.

The hotel staff are very anxious to please. They go out of their way to fulfill any request you may have. We made arrangements for a car and guide to the temples with the taxi driver we met at the airport, but the hotel concierge can also arrange for tours (at higher rates).

Many other Starwood hotels could learn a good deal and improve greatly by studying and imitating Le Méridien Angkor.

Review submitted by Anthony N.

The room itself was pretty standard. It was humid as hell the week we were there so it was a bit "musty" (but very clean). The balcony had a beautiful view of the beach and pool. There were always complimentary happy hour drinks and snacks at sunset. The poolside/beachside service was prompt and ever-present.

We spent our time relaxing on the beach and doing tons of snorkeling. There is a large reef about 120 yards offshore where you can see all kinds of fish, stingrays, and lobsters. Snorkeling trips from the cruise ships and other groups actually "drop off" there periodically. You can watch them and then swim over later when no one is there. The water is beautiful, clear with no current -- like a big bathtub! We got bored with snorkeling and did a resort scuba course at Eden Roc (center near town) one day which we highly recommend. Anyway, enough about our vacation, back to the hotel.

Overall, the Westin is an adequate hotel in a perfect location. The hotel itself is a bit dated, the restaurant seems to be nothing special, and the pool is full of kids (which is cool if you have kids). The workout center is small, but useful. If you can stay there on points or points/cash combo it is definitely worth it. Again, 7 mile beach is pretty much paradise. As average as I'm making the hotel out, I'd stay there again just for the location. The Westin does not quite have the cache of the Ritz next door, but then again, nothing on the island is. (You gotta check that place out).

Oh yeah, there is a great breakfast joint across the street with awesome coffee and eggs at very reasonable prices. However, it is PACKED every morning.

Review submitted by Will.