I arrived at the hotel late by taxi (approximately $100 ride from SFO - the driver explained that the distance was just outside of a certain range, so the charge would be 1.5 times the charge displayed). A pool in the center of the property means that you'll be walking across the distance of the pool area, which is fairly large, and then up an elevator and down the hall to your room unless you request a room near the lobby (restaurant is near the lobby, too).

I got to my room late - 1 am or so - unpacked and settled in. When I was ready to go to sleep aroubd 2 am, I made the rounds to make sure my doors were locked and as I did, found that my sliding patio door would not lock. I called the front desk and they sent security (now it was 2:15) and the security guy on duty asked if the fact that the door wouldn't lock meant that I wanted a new room. I was a single woman with a door that was unlockable to the public pool/courtyard - not much of a choice there. So he left and I packed. He returned about 15 minutes later with a key to a new room - this one didn't have a patio door, but it did have a window which couldn't be locked shut. It was after 2:30 at this point and I had a 7 am wake-up, so I went to bed. For single travellerd, especially women, maintenance on door and window locks is very important. It's possible, I suppose, that this hotel is within the bubble of the Stanford universe and no crime happens here, but I still like to go to sleep knowing that my doors and windows can't be opened from outside.

On the plus side, the bed was comfortable and there is a cute coffee cart poolside in the morning where you can purchase a quick coffee and muffin or fruit to go. (Breakfast in the restaurant was as expensive as typical room service - omlette + coffee + tip > 20 dollars.)
There is free transportation to Stanford around the back of the hotel (through the parking lot to the street where you'll find a bus stop). There are many bus lines, so ask at the front desk which is best for you (front desk was very helpful). It took approximately 20 minutes on the bus to get from the Sheraton to the law school.

Pros: Location. Good Rate. Cons: Rooms need renovated; very outdated. Poor air quality. Charging guests to park seems unreasonable for this location. At very least, they should discount or comp. SPG Platinum.

Yikes. Don't stay here!

I stayed last Monday night on business (just one night), so I didn't even have to pay for my room. But what a letdown. The brand Sheraton implies a certain level of hotel...and this one falls short.

The bathroom was the worst part of the experience: the bathtub actually filled with dirty water (not just coppery-yellow). I mean, dirt stayed in the tub after I drained it...dirt that came from the pipes! So much for taking a bath. The bathroom was also tiny and the towels were thin and small.

The room itself had seen better days--needs a good remodel. The room they initially gave me had a broken television, which they told me about at check-in. I insisted that that they find me another room. The second room had a working TV but aheater that was so loud, you couldn't sleep with it on. So I woke up repeatedly in the night, heated the room, and then went back to sleep. Once the room got freezing cold, I would get up again, heat the room with the incredibly loud heater, turn it off, and then go back to sleep. What a mess.

Well, I was disappointed in this stay, but I will say that the bed was comfortable. That's the one plus at the Sheraton Palo Alto.

I've stayed at the Sheraton Palo Alto a number of times, after first staying there for a friend's wedding last year. The first time we stayed our room was near the kitchen, which was very loud at night when the staff was outside singing around 3am. We let the management know and they moved our room and also removed our room charge for the night.

Since then our stays have always been very pleasant, especially when we've opted for a room overlooking the koi pond. The hotel is conveniently located to the Stanford Mall and downtown Palo Alto, though a little tricky to get to the street from the parking lot.

My only complaint is that the beds are abnormally firm; If you're a hard bed lover, this is the place for you.