Which Westin near Santa Clara closed? The only SPG properties around there that I know of are the two Sheratons (San Jose and Sunnyvale), and the Sheraton/Westin combo up in Palo Alto. The renovated San Jose property is the better of the two - they even offer smoked salmon at their Elite lounge breakfast. Plat upgrades to suites and even upgrades to the SPG floor, however, are not easy to come by. Also, the property insists on multi-night stays during the week, and I need to engage the skills of the Plat concierge team to force the hotel into a single night booking.

The Sheraton Palo Alto is actually on El Camino Real, but a short walk up the street will bring to you University Av, or further up El Camino, you will find the Stanford Mall. I've stayed at this property a few times, but I much prefer the Westin next door, especially for the fireplace suites I get as a Plat, and the fact they know me there and recognize me even though there is a month gap in between stays. It's a nice touch.

I used to stay at the W out in - well, the middle of no where. It was a pain driving to either 880 or 101 to get to my office, the place is too isolated, and getting an upgrade there is often like pulling teeth. One agent comps Plats breakfast, while the next won't.

The rooms are OK - and certainly nicer than the Sheraton PA, but it's just an odd hotel in a really odd place.