The public areas are comfortable and airy. The restaurant, now the Menlo Grill, was very good. I found my room spacious and comfortable. Though it was on the south (El Camino Real) side, the double glazing kept out all noise and I slept soundly in a bed with excellent pillows. The staff was exemplary and accommodating. When I mentioned that a bottle of tonic water from the "honor bar" was flat, both gin and tonic disappeared from my bill without my explicit request. Those who don't care for the decor in the rooms (gingham-themed canopy around head of bed) have my sympathy but should remember that tastes vary, and new fabrics can't fairly be called "dated." The hotel is restoring the cedar shingles that provide much of its siding, and it retains its character. The place is meant to have a Richardson-revival sort of look, palm court and all, and one can't ask it to be a palace of glass and steel. Ideal location for access to both Stanford and downtown Menlo Park.

Lovely architecture, palm shaded forecourt etc - service, not so friendly. Pulled up late in battered cab, I took the Caltrain from SFO, you'd have thought I opened the door and puked on the pavement or something - I was dressed in coat and tie but the clearly better than I staff didn't even approach let alone help with luggage in trunk. Room keys didn't work the whole stay, they replaced them cheerfully enough literally each time I walked into the joint but I had to be let in by the housekeeper once (didn't ask for ID either). So its pricey, has slightly shabby 80's style Marriott or Ritz Carlton faux chippendale decore and staff that couldn't be bothered to say "how was your stay, welcome or goodbye" and the room smelled like it had recently been smoked in. Oh and the wireless stopped working and never came back, though by that time I was out the door......

I really like this place. We have stayed here a few times while visiting family in the area. The first time we stayed we thought it would be a one-time splurge, but we liked it so much that we've been back two more times, and it feels like home away from home. Breakfast in the lobby coffee shop is a real treat, and the gym is extremely well-stocked.

Very disappointing visit this time. Is it under new management? Unfriendly reception, poor rooms, noisy rooms/reception area, and sporadic delivery of newspaper, replacement of amenities. Tried 3 rooms; all were noisy either from highway, railroad, or reception area. This visit was definitely not worth the cost.