I was in Palo Alto recently for a visit to the Stanford campus. My husband made reservations at the Westin Palo Alto, and it was a great choice. The Westin is located right across the street from campus. Stanford is a large campus of about 1700 acres. Getting around could be difficult, but the Westin is just across the street. The Westin is located very close to the downtown Palo Alto shopping and restaurant scene, and just a couple of blocks from the Palo Alto Transit Center where a person can get the CALTRAIN to San Francisco or the lower peninsula, as well as several buses which service San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. Marguerite, the Stanford shuttle, also stops at the Palo Alto Transit Center. So, the hotel's location is a real plus. The hotel itself was pleasant and offers food. The breakfast buffet was basic, not imaginative, and not particuarly good. That is really my only low point. The rooms were pleasant and services were very good.

When I travel to the penisula to visit family, I stay at the Westin. The hotel is lovely and the staff are warm, welcoming, caring, and knowledgeable folks. Not only are the room accommodations superior, but the hotel ammenities are the ones I need: fitness center, secure parking, and business center. I regularly enjoy the morning coffee/tea service in the lobby and occasionally take advantage of the lounge, restaurant, and gift shop. In addition, the Westin Palo Alto is conveniently located and within easy walking distance of shops and restaurants. Certainly, the hotel fulfills all my travel needs and I don't stay anywhere else when in Palo Alto.

My first time at this hotel, but business at Stanford and the proximity of this hotel to the campus were a plus. Some earlier reviews were uneven, but it appears to me that the hotel has been freshly renovated inside. Parking is a tad claustrophobic if you miss the turn off El Camino, but a friendly staff checked me in. The hallways are a little maze-like as this hotel is in "wings" laid out over gardens, but once you figure it out it's fine. My room was quiet, comfortable, well decorated, very nice bathroom, comfortable desk chair. Dinner at Soleil was satisfying and quiet. A good value.

Starting w/an excellent location if you have to go onto the Stanford campus and ending w/the friendly bartender (Marylin) - this hotel is what others should strive to be. The value proposition is there to begin with and the attitude of the staff is spot on. One minor improvment could be made is speeding up the check-in at peak time (add another person on the fornt desk for ~ 45 minutes). The gym is spotless and the pool and the spa are well maintained. The bathroom was clean, the shower worked as it should, the curtains slid easily, and the TV controls were easy to understand and manipulate. Even the bedside chocolates were tasty. The restaurant service (brunch on Saturday) was impecable and the food quality superior to excellent.