This is the first time I’ve stayed at this hotel since they established a fee for parking (which I think is terrible). Anyway, when we arrived – I had no idea where to park prior to checking-in. There was absolutely no signage indicating short term parking for guest registration (which was frustrating). I told the parking valet that we were checking in. He was very nice and told me to pull ahead into an unmarked spot and to please leave my car keys with him (he also asked my last name). We went inside the hotel to check-in. The girl at the counter did not ask to see my ID. I placed my confirmation on the counter in front of me. She said, “I don’t need to see that!” Then she inquired whether I would be parking a car at the hotel. I said, “Yes, but, the parking is included with the Great America Package, correct?” (1 night’s lodging, 2 -- 1 ½ day Park tickets, transportation to the Theme Park and complimentary parking at the hotel.) She retorted indignantly, “NO!” like I was an idiot. I said, “Oh, yes it is – see right here” (on the paper she had previously rejected). The lady next to her, behind the counter quietly indicated to her that it was indeed included. “Oh, my bad!” she laughed. The room was okay – a bit small – and was a tower room, as requested (with a nice view of the rollercoasters). The room was nicely furnished (the Santa Clara Hilton is fancier). The bathroom had decent amenities, but was very tiny. However, the bed was absolutely fabulous! In fact, it might be the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in at a hotel. We enjoyed our “welcoming cocktail party” (a glass of wine each that we brought ourselves – the Marriott would have graciously provided us with a $36.07 bottle of Chardonnay on arrival, at our request) and then went down to the pool. This is the first time I’ve stayed here since their pool area renovation and it is fantastic! The large pool kind of looks like a modified grand piano shape to me – and is just the right depth (2.5 feet to 5 feet in one small section). (I read somewhere that it is a lap pool – but it only has one lap lane.) The temperature of the water was comfortable as well. But, what sets this pool area apart from most hotels is that it totally has that “resort” type feel to it. Attractive landscaping and lots of lounge chairs, and tables with umbrellas. The spa was nice and large (and very clean) too. The rest of the property just feels like your garden variety business hotel – but, I really had the feeling that I was away on vacation in that attractive pool area. Since check-out was at 11:00 a.m. and we wanted to go to the Park on that day (Sunday) – we decided it was just easier to pack up the car and drive over to Great America and pay the $10 over there to park. (I was rushed off the phone when I pressed the “At your Service” button inquiring about shuttle service to the Park). Otherwise, we would have had to take the Marriott shuttle (available only on weekends), wait for its return, etc. And, besides, we didn’t know whether the complimentary parking, included with our package, would continue being free after check-out – despite the fact that it was supposedly included.

We stayed here as 1 night a convienent stop over on a road trip. Rooms were nice and beds were great. Desk staff were very nice and parking attendants were friendly. We were there the night before the 4th of July and there was some dinky fireworks display going on. They had blocked the interstate exits for this and you would have thought it was NYC. I was upset that the hotel staff did not tell me of this impending problem when I made the reservations. When we finally drove though the interstate cones and tried to get to the hotel (2 blocks), it took 40 minutes!! Do not even try to go here around a holiday. The breafast provided with the room was a nice buffet with very friendly staff.

I have been staying, mostly for business travel at the Santa Clara Marriott for many years. Over the last year, as business activity in general in Silicon Valley has picked up, the SC Marriott has seemed to lose touch with its customers. As a Platinum Marriott member, I am entitled to complementary room upgrades on an availability basis. The SC Marriott is not trying to reserve the entire Marquis tower for the high paying guests. They recently instituted a daily parking fee without any upgrade to thier aging parking lot. I have had their security people knock on my door at 10:30pm, insist on entering the room, simply so they could inform me that there was a complaint my tv was on too loud. Twice now, I have returned to my room after 5pm and it was not made up. And most recently, after my wallet was "lost" in the hotel laundry and their front desk clerk tried to assist me in my hour of need, when I checked out of the hotel, I was rudely told they would not provide the cash I had arranged for on my credit card and laughed at by the front desk manager when I complained about this. I was told to come back in several hours if I needed assistance after accounting was open - this was at 7:30 am and I had a 9:00am flight to catch.

While this is in many respects a pleasant hotel in a convenient location, they have lost touch with customer service.

Very disappointed! Got there at 7pm after flying in fr the East Coast, and was told that the KING Bed we requested was not available. We were there to celebrate our 15th yr anniversary. Front desk did not offer any options. She could have said, they'd do their best to get us a King room the next day (we booked 3 nights). No followup, no apologies. If we weren't so tired, we would have looked for another room. There's a beautiful Hilton and Hyatt Regency around the corner....By the way, the room was small, with dirty & old carpets. Only nice thing were the bedding - duvet covers and soft sheets. Beware, they charge $9 per day to park. This is not located in a big city or a downtown area where parking is a premium. But, you have no choice but to pay this fee and they know you need a car to get around the valley.