Starwood Preferred Guest - San Jose - W Newark or Sheraton SJ?

Quick question. I have some training in San Jose next week (right in the middle of the city) and I was wondering if I should stay at the W or at the Sheraton San Jose. The Sheraton is closer, but the W is only a quick 18-mile jaunt down the highway. I don't have to cross that blasted bridge (like I did to get to Sunnyvale) so I'm not expecting traffic will be an issue.

I don't really like the W Newark because it is literally in the middle of NOWHERE but I do like to support the W brand.

Is the Sheraton SJ within walking distance of some cool bars / restaurants?

Thoughts?

Sadly I haven't stayed in SJ, but did stay at the W in Newark 10 days ago. Service was excellent and we got a great upgrade to a Wow suite as well.

Yes it is in the middle of nowhere, but help support the W I say :)

One section of the freeway between Newark & San Jose (highway 880) is currently undergoing some major construction work, and traffic is horrible. I will advice you to stay at the Sheraton SJ. There are some good restaurants around the highway 237 area, which is 1 exit up north on highway 880 from Sheraton SJ.

Is the Sheraton SJ within walking distance of some cool bars / restaurants?
In a word, NO. It's not within walking distance of anything much. San Jose (the whole area, really, with the exception of some smallish "downtowns") is mostly a driving town. The hotel is actually in the city of Milpitas, not too far (short driving distance) from a mega-mall, if you're into that. (I'm sure that the mega-mall, with its families and screaming kids, is the antithesis of what you're looking for! ;) )

There are lots of threads on the San Jose Sheraton. Some think it's a dump, while others like it.

I like it, but mainly because the cheap weekend rates offer good mattress run opportunities, and Platinums receive good recognition (rooms with balconies; lounge access, or buffet breakfast on weekends when lounge is closed, etc.).

Be warned that one side of the hotel overlooks a freeway, and earplugs instead of chocolates are left on the pillow in those rooms! Try to get a room overlooking the courtyard instead of the street. @:-)

when lounge is closed, etc.).

Be warned that one side of the hotel overlooks a freeway, and earplugs instead of chocolates are left on the pillow in those rooms! Try to get a room overlooking the courtyard instead of the street. @:-)

We were startled when we were offered the earplugs but the noise really seemed minimal. Maybe its the deafness of old age setting in.

If you are looking for restaurants in downtown SJ, I recommend A.P. Stump's. It's not cheap but it may be (in my opinion at least) the best restaurant in San Jose.

Both hotels are in the middle of nowhere somewhat, but the Sheraton is better bet. 18 miles from Newark to San Jose can take 2 hours at the wrong time. I went through there last week at 11:00 PM and it took over an hour. I would stay in San Jose. I have stayed at the Sheraton a few times recently and it's decent. It's a little dated and isolated, but it's comfortable and they are friendly.

The traffic between Mission BLVD and HWY 237 is horrible.

The GreatMall is short drive away.

The Milpitas/Ranch 99 strip mall is within 'walking distance.' If by cool bar/restaurants, you mean pick-up joints, I had seen it happens(not every night, mind you), but how good is your Chinese?
Even if you do, the scene is not that great.

My recommendation is walk to lightrail to go into downtown San Jose. Or taxi to the happening Santa Row area.

I've stayed in a CL room at the Sheraton San Jose overlooking the freeway.

It wasn't *that* bad, though I am used to sleeping next to a busy highway. And, I'm a big sucker for upgrades, which this hotel seems very good at giving (as opposed to the W Newark).

Here are some pics from a stay I had there last year (password: flyertalk)
http://slippahs.smugmug.com/gallery/838826

I've stayed in a CL room at the Sheraton San Jose overlooking the freeway.

It wasn't *that* bad, though I am used to sleeping next to a busy highway.
Agreed, it's not THAT bad -- but the courtyard-facing club-level rooms are SO much nicer, especially if you're actually going to be in the room and using the balcony sometimes to sit outside and relax and read the newspaper and have a cup of coffee (or glass of water or your favorite beverage). I'd much rather do that overlooking the pool than the freeway! :D

Hm - guess I don't really have a clear choice. I'm not a big fan of traffic (at all) so I guess I'm going to stay at the Sheraton SJ.

I'll post a quick trip report after next week.

Hm - guess I don't really have a clear choice. I'm not a big fan of traffic (at all) so I guess I'm going to stay at the Sheraton SJ.

I'll post a quick trip report after next week.


I think that is a wise choice. I was working in Santa Clara for 5 months and stayed at both the W Silicon Valley and the Sheraton San Jose. Traffic on the 880 South from the W was a NIGHTMARE. It often took me 30-40 minutes to get through 5 miles as there were only had two lanes operating.

One word of warning about the Sheraton San Jose. They seem to get quite full on weekdays. On several occassions, I had colleagues get "bumped" from their rooms as the hotel was overbooked. If you plan on arriving late, I suggest you call the hotel in advance and let them know to hold your room.

Agreed, it's not THAT bad -- but the courtyard-facing club-level rooms are SO much nicer, especially if you're actually going to be in the room and using the balcony sometimes to sit outside and relax and read the newspaper and have a cup of coffee (or glass of water or your favorite beverage). I'd much rather do that overlooking the pool than the freeway! :D

As a Gold, I was "upgraded" to a decent two-room king suite, with a balcony overlooking the lagoon & waterfall. It was, as Kathy points out, a great place to just chill out, read the paper, have a cup of coffee. One night it was nice to just leave the screen door in place & fall asleep to the sounds of the waterfall. I received access to the club lounge on a couple of weekdays, and coupons for the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet on the weekends (when the lounge was closed).

I've been to both and the W Newark is the nicer hotel, but the sheraton has been better to me (as a gold) for upgrades. One time I got upgraded to an executive level with free buffet breakfast, and the next time I got a suite. Also have free internet in the rooms.

skye1 and olimaspecto, I'm impressed that the Sheraton SJ offers upgrades/lounge access to Golds as well! Were these experiences recent?

I actually prefer the Sunnyvale Sheraton, its not that far from SJ either.

skye1 and olimaspecto, I'm impressed that the Sheraton SJ offers upgrades/lounge access to Golds as well! Were these experiences recent?

Yes, I have stayed there three times in the last few months.

skye1 and olimaspecto, I'm impressed that the Sheraton SJ offers upgrades/lounge access to Golds as well! Were these experiences recent?

Mine most recent stay there was just this past July. Yep, upgraded to a suite just above the lagoon. They actually offered me a choice of this suite, or a room on the club floor. They said that the suite would be the nicer room, and that while the club floor may normally be more convenient during the week for accessing the club lounge, the lounge was closed on the weekend part of my stay (I was there over a weekend and a few weekdays.). And, they did give me club lounge access on the weekdays I was there. The club lounge breakfast was kinda' different, being offered in the "hallway/elevator lobby" to get your food, then you go into lounge (yep, re-done hotel room) to sit down & eat. I think I liked the restaurant options better, actually. And yep, given coupons for the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet in the restaurant for each & every day of my stay.

What was also really cool about the "suite" was that it was at a sort of isolated end of the hallway (just four suites in that area, all alcove'd to themselves). In that alcove, was the "fire stairs" down one flight to right where the pool was, and you could get back in from the outside door. That to say, it was like having your own private access to the pool area, without having to walk thru hallways or the lobby in swim attire.