DCFlyer0306

We loved our recent stay at the Palo Alto Sheraton. We were upgraded to a large Club room with two tvs (not quite a suite, but large enough) with a large deck overlooking a very relaxing poi pond with three fountains. The deck had two chairs and a table, making it a pleasant place to sit in the 70 degree whether. The Club lounge is open M-F for breakfast and M-Th for the evening reception, though I think they were giving out breakfast vouchers to Plats for the weekend.

Breakfast in the lounge was plentiful with fruit, fresh juice, baked goods, bagals, hard boiled eggs, a latte machine, etc. But the evening reception in the lounge was the best I have seen in the US - it had three different types of wine, champagne, beer, soda, water, cheese, cheese sticks, fruit, crackers, vegetables and cookies with no charge for alcohol.

The staff was gracious and helpful with directions, the rooms were clean and quiet, and it was a great location for visiting either Palo Alto or Stanford. It was an excellent stay and I would highly recommend it.

Wallease

I am planning to go there in April using points. I have the following question.

-How much is the parking fee?
-Does it worth the extra points to stay at the Westin?
-Any update with granting lounge access to the Shearton if you are staying at the Westin?
-is it a convenient location to drive back and forth to SF? Would like to do some sightseeing in SF, but have family in San Jose, so consider this is a mid point between SJ and SF

Thanks.

gabo02

Both properties are great. But you should try the Sheraton Sunnyvale. I love the Sheraton Sunnyvale. Always treated great there. Easy to get on the freeway to go to SJ or SF

paranoid

Stayed at the Sheraton early Feb.
$10 for self-parking and $15 for valet.

Didn't check out the Westin, so don't know the answer to your lounge access question. However, I think the lounge in the Sheraton is just so so. Don't expect too much.

40 mins drive to SF. It is convenient.

LIH Prem

Actually, for a domestic Sheraton, it's a very nice continental breakfast, with quality items. But if you are looking for hot items ...

Last time I was there on a weekend night, the FD gave me a voucher for the full buffet since the lounge was closed (weekends) and I asked them if they offered it. I wouldn't necessarily assume that's a benefit, as it may have been a courtesy extended to me, though we'll see what happens with the new lounge policy if it ever goes live.

-David

Wallease

Thanks for all the info. I probably need to stay in the Westin because the Shearton do not have any 2 beds available on the date I wanted. Looks like extra 8000 points needed for my 5 nights stay.

worldtrav

I've never stayed at the Sheraton but I love staying at the Westin.

dankyone

The Westin has some very cool top floor suites with enormous balconies. The rooms themselves are quite small for suites, but the balconies are awesome if you have time to use them. I was upgraded to one ONCE and have found, though, if you really want one you should probably book it as there are not very many (maybe 4?) I have done so for sub $300 rates which I think is a great deal, especially for Stanford football game days

Wallease

I just checked in and no upgrade is available. What it bugs me it shows there is 1 King Suite available to purchase for April 15th to 20th. Am I eligible to upgrade to that room?

mahasamatman

Maybe yes, maybe no. It depends on whether they consider it to be a "select standard suite", and whether it was ready at the time you checked in.

Wallease

The front desk said the hotel was full and the SPG website still allow you to reserve a room?

Starwood Lurker

It should not; however, I've learned over the years that some hotels are fairly sloppy when it comes to closing out their available inventory.

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William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

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montreid

Sheraton stay and Westin stay last month here.

Sheraton much more family active with busy pool and lobbies--both very nice. Lounge is smallish on 4th floor and STILL remains closed on weekends. A visit to the front desk was needed to obtain vouchers for breakfast at patio grill...full buffet, which was actually quite nice. Awesome Koi pond with matue Koi in there...$10 self park was easy. No upgrade offered or mention of the lounge status or vouchers offered....which was unfortunate.

Westin was smallish suite but very nicely done. For couple travel ....choose Westin. For family, you'll be much happier next door with the Sheraton IMHO. Sheraton does tend to be booked or events and can get a bit loud in the evenings.

ryno

18 months ago I stayed at the Sheraton and did not want to go back. Service was not there, I got totally lost walking the labyrinth to my room, club room was ultra depressing.

I just stayed there last week and was so pleasantly surprised. The rooms are still old and dark, and yes, there was a homeless man on my patio in the morning, and there are train tracks on the other side of the hotel... That aside, the pool is heated, the food was great (palo alto prices), and the club lounge and the attendants there are really fantastic. Complimentary champagne and wine and beer in the evening. The gym is OK, everything you need, but in a small space. I mentioned my lack of direction and the FD walked with me to the correct building so I wouldn't get lost. I would stay there again.

I have also stayed at the Westin (right next door). It's a no frills Westin, but the rooms are large and clean. The restaurant here is really fantastic, and they do an amazing breakfast. I've never been upgraded, but I also have no complaints.

I totally agree, if you have the family, stay at the Sheraton. If it's more important to have a brighter, more contemporary room, go for the Westin.

Palo Alto is rough as you will undoubtedly spend a lot of money so your expectations are high!

OneWorldTraveller

Some update:

- Parking (self): $14
- No club lounge open in weekend, so the coupon for full buffet breakfast at the restaurant was given.
- Free domestic beer/house wine coupon also given
- Breakfast was so so, but really crowd..
- Partial construction/renovation is going, so little bit messy in the entire hotel