StarwoodGuy

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Sheraton Lisbon Portgual

So time to head off on my big birthday trip. I flew from Seattle to Chicago with a stop in the Chicago Admiral's Club before boarding my 787 flight on American Airlines. The Admirals Club was under renovation but still quite good, the more retro mid-century modern areas slowly being replaced by new modern places.

Once on-board the 787 Dreamliner flight I had a row 2A a Business Seat which was rear-facing. The service was quite good and the staff friendly and attentive. The food was quite good, still not as good as the European or Asian carriers, but still tasty.

Upon arrival in London I used the American Airlines Arrivals Lounge at Terminal 3 where I had a quick shower and a coffee before spending my 8 hour layover sleeping at the Sheraton Heathrow Hotel. I made my way back to the airport by the Hotel Hopper shuttle bus and cleared security quickly. I then went to the Galleries Lounge which was quite busy, and since my flight to Lisbon was out of Terminal 3 I would not see the great main hub for BA at Terminal 5, but the lounge was still quite good. After a quick glass of wine I headed to my flight on to Lisbon. It was the typical European business class with 3 and 3 seats with the middle seat blocked out. The food and service were excellent for a 2 hour flight.

On arrival in Lisbon I grabbed an Uber-X and headed to the Sheraton Lisbon, situated slightly up from the main toursit attractions but near similar hotels such as the Intercontinental and the Ritz-Four Seasons. The hotel is a large older tower but amazingly renovated. The hotel was quite full so no suite upgrade, but my room was modern with a good view, and the Club Lounge though a little small for such a large hotel had good offerings for breakfast and appys and drinks at night. The Panorama Bar on the roof offers the city's highest view. The gym was separated into a few different areas with the pool deck being somewhat sheltered (a plus since it is quite windy in Lisbon) but there was quite a bit of shade.

I did not spend much time at the hotel since I was meeting one of my high school best friends on this trip. Together we toured a great deal of the historic sites in the city, which I found very affordable, and took a bus out to Belem on the water and then the train on to Estoril and the beach there, only 40 minutes from town.

Lisbon offers plenty of historic sights with a friendly people and all at an affordable price. Uber and public transit make travel easy. The city has some hills so this is something to keep in mind when walking quite a bit. Some of the Mercados were where we had our best meals. Great neighborhoods and a wonderful trip. The Sheraton Lisbon had some amazingly attentive staff as well. Great property.

Chicago Admirals Club

American Airlines 787 Business Service to London

American Airlines Arrivals Lounge Terminal 3 London

British Airways Galleries Lounge Terminal 3 London

British Airways Club Europe Dinner

Sheraton Lisbon Room

Sheraton Lisbon Welcome Amenity

Sheraton Lisbon Room View

Lisbon

Sheraton Lisbon Gym

Sheraton Lisbon Gym/Spa

Sheraton Lisbon Gym

Sheraton Lisbon Pool

Sheraton Lisbon Club Lounge

Sheraton Lisbon Lobby

Sheraton Lisbon Restaurant and Bar- Lobby

Belem

Me in Belem

Belem

Belem- Pasteis de Nata

Estoril

Lisbon

Estoril Beach

Westin Phoenix Downtown

Westin Phoenix Restaurant

Downtown Phoenix

Westin Phoenix Suite

Westin Phoenix Suite View

Westin Phoenix Suite Bathroom

Westin Phoenix Exterior

Westin Phoenix Gym

Westin Phoenix View

Westin Phoenix Club Lounge

Westin Phoenix Pool

Just a quick work stop in Phoenix before heading down to Puerto Vallarta in March, 2017. I would have loved to have seen Scottsdale but the Westin Downtown was convenient for work and offered a very affordable price.

The check-in was a little slow and my confirmed early room was not ready, but I just worked in the lobby for a bit first until the cleaners had finished the room from the previous guest.

I was given a very nice suite upgrade in the modern hotel, and the views out over the desert were stunning. The modern bathroom and soaker tub were impressive as well. I used the gym which was quite good for a hotel gym, with free weights and some good machines, but I did not have time for the pool or sun deck which was also quite good. The pool deck was not a party scene, but it was very functional for a city hotel and it seemed hardly utilized, not surprising considering more lounge and spa like pools are nearby in Scottsdale..

The location was perfect for downtown meetings, and the Club Lounge was quite good as well.

Overall the Westin Phoenix Downtown was a good and reliable choice for a city hotel and very modern and efficient for the most part.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Sheraton Centre Montreal

I had a work trip to Montreal for a few days and tried out a few of the properties downtown, the first was the Sheraton Centre Montreal. My flight there was from Seattle to Atlanta on Delta One and then regular Delta first class on a small plane from Atlanta to Montreal. The new Delta Lounge is open at Seatac and I have to say it is even more impressive then their lounge in Atlanta. Their push in competition against Alaska Airlines is clearly evident in the magnificent space, attentive staff, and spa.

The flight on Delta One on a 767 was wonderful, flying across the country in a lay flat bed is a huge upgrade to regular 737 trips.

I had stayed at the Sheraton Centre Montreal years earlier and nothing much had changed. It is a massive hotel right in the heart of town and easy walking distance to all of the sights in the city.

The gym is quite large and there is also a beautiful indoor pool. I was given a very nice welcome gift, but the highlight of the hotel is the amazing Club Lounge on the roof. I sat in there and did work for a few hours since there is coffee, tea, and snacks all day but the views are outstanding.

A great option in Montreal, but definitely a busy and large hotel, so if you need something quieter, the nearby Le Meridien which was my next stay might be preferable.