Starwood Preferred Guest - Sheraton SMF vs Sheraton Concord, CA?

We are driving up to Lake Tahoe in a couple of weeks on a Friday night and decided to break up the drive by using one of the free Fridays I have. The most logical stops would either be the Sheraton Grand in Sacramento or the Sheraton in Concord. Any comparative opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Unless they have renovated Concord in the last year, then IMHO, the Sheraton Grand is a much newer and nicer hotel. Compare the room rates available online. That being said, the Sheraton Grand is a new hotel and seems to have management issues. I did not get my Platinum benefits on a recent stay and the staff does not seem as friendly. I actually had to remind them I had a paid Club Floor reservation before they gave me access to the Club Floor and told me where the lounge was. The Club Floor experience at the Grand was not as friendly as in Concord. The Grand also charges for valet parking - the only parking at the hotel. (Note there is often free on street parking if you get there late enough at night and are willing to leave early or feed the meter.) There is plenty of free parking in Concord. There is probably more to do at night in Sacramento than Concord. The other way (besides flash and newness) the Grand wins hands down is the exercise room. The exercise room at Concord is old and sad. I personally would pick Concord unless Grand was much more convenient - but I rate being treated as a valued guest much more important than location or flash.

Since I live in SMF I have no reason to stay
at the Sheraton Grand. We have associates
who come into the City all the time so I did
a site inspection of the Grand. In addition
one of those associates recently switched
from the Hyatt to the Grand. The Hotel is
new with good size rooms. Since your stay
is free $ are not a ?. Having stayed at the
Sheraton Concord I was not impressed. Since
your are coming from Santa Cruz you might
just as well drive another hour closer to
your objective of Lake Tahoe and enjoy a much
more comfortable stay. From the Grand you
can have a very nice walk down K Street into
Old Sacramento. This is a nice historic area
on the Sacramento River which has been
preserved. The dining is also good. As a
parking option there is a City lot (which I
believe the Sheraton uses) literally by
making a left after the Sheraton on J Street.
I have no idea on the rates. Do the Sheraton
Grand and you will not be disappointed. In
regards to Starwood benefits the Lounge was
just ok with a decent spread but lousy size
and seating. The Concierge sounded very
competent. The other staff (front desk)
seemed a little new to the project. How is
that for diplomatic.

Thanks, just booked the room in SMF.

Good choice, JerryFF. I have stayed at the Concord Sheraton several times. From disappearing rates (which they begrudginly honored on 3 or so stays) that they told me they NEVER CHARGE a rate which I had confirmed, in print, to all kinds of other things, from breakfast voucher issues when the club lounge closed (they have a ever-changing policy), to attempting to charge me for the SPG upgraded room (not even a suite, just a club level room with a closed lounge), and so on and so forth....

I would also suggest that if you had booked in Concord, you would find yourself there so early, looking for something to do, leaving you with a mall and movies. Oh fun. Downtown Sac will be much more entertaining.