Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto — Hotel in East Palo Alto

Despite mostly delicious food and impeccable service, this Four Seasons lacks any personality or the je ne sais quoi that other Four Seasons hotels seem to possess. First of all, location: The hotel is near the freeway and overlooks said freeway as well as an ikea. The other view option seems to be the bland business park in which the hotel is located. Amenities: the spa is cramped and uninviting. The little spa shop was selling, among other active ware and tchotchkes, an offensive, seemingly elitist book bag proclaiming the words: "Speak English, Dress Italian, Drive German, Kiss French, Smile Southern". (Speak English? really? Really. Why would a world-renowned hotel have a bag like this? Seems small minded.) The pool was nothing more than a luke-warm lap pool, and there was no jacuzzi, despite the fact that management decided to leave the old hot tub's signage up, ostensibly just to confuse guests. Accommodations: My room had a useless long hallway with some random stains on the wall. The bathroom was cramped and had no rainforest showerhead. The bed was comfortable, and the room in general tastefully appointed. We did have a bug in the room at one point, and when I captured and reported said bug, nothing- at first- was offered to us for our trouble. It is undeniably awkward to have to ask the staff of the four seasons to compensate for an uncomfortable thing that happened, especially when it's really no one's fault, but there we were. Housekeeping did arrive promptly and changed the sheets (as the bug was found on the bed) and then the head of housekeeping called and offered to comp our bottle of champagne, which was sweet. The food, as I mentioned, was quite tasty and of good quality, and again, very prompt... perhaps a bit too prompt in the case of my burger last night which was undercooked and practically mooing on the plate. Again, they offered to make me another burger, but I declined as it was too late. Now, I'm not one to usually write scathing reviews of luxury hotels; I'm a teacher, and I like to treat myself every quarter- if I can- to something extravagant and special. Usually, the Four Seasons does not disappoint! I've stayed with San Francisco, Scottsdale, the gorgeous Santa Barbara, and now "Silicon Valley"... but if you're looking for their signature luxury getaway, stay away from this particular hotel. A friend said, "It's like this one got dropped on it's head and can't recover." Instead, go just up the road to the Rosewood Sand Hill, or just stay in San Francisco. You would think a hotel that Bill Gates owns half stock in would be a stand out in Silicon Valley, but it's completely forgettable-- or at least, I hope it is. I don't want this experience to taint my other wonderful Four Seasons stays, past or future! Disappointing experience.

5/8/18 UPDATE: After I posted the above review, management did contact me and very graciously offered a complimentary stay at a date of my choosing... however, when I called to schedule said stay, the manager I spoke to seemed like he 1) didn't know who I was at all, and 2) told me they had no room for me. I was made to feel incredibly foolish. At this point, frankly, I'd rather pay to stay anywhere else than stay at the lame and incompetent Four Seasons Silicon Valley for free. It's simply not worth the hassle and hollow, illusory,...

I just came back from a wedding banquet of my ex-roommate. She hosted her banquet at this location tonight. I am still very upset by what I experienced to night on the banquet.

When I noticed I am going to sit at the corner table inside the room, I think that's ok . What bothered me was that they allowed the DJ's very big speaker for amplifying half of the room being placed right behind me ! I am 17 weeks pregnant and I am worried about this extreme noise would affect my fetus . So, I asked them to either move the table or move the very large speaker. But they did not do anything ! I could not believe they did not even coordinate and check if the table location make sense !! The speaker was soooo Loud that it avoided normal conservations from happening at that table for the entire night ! This lack of coordination made me feel like this hotel is not professional at all on arranging and coordinating this banquet .

Fortunately , the host had an extra table with only few people that they relocated our seats to there. I thanked them for doing that.

Afterwards, I began to enjoy the atmosphere again until they just took away my plate my main course while I was only half way done !!! I was talking to other people and my silverware was clearly placed as if the dish was not done. Without asking , a waiter just took it !!!!!! The dish was really very very delicious!! I was eating it slowly because I am pregnant , I couldn't eat fast. And, there were programs from the banquet to stop me from eating because I thought I wanted to be polite and participate in the program. He just took it ! I tried to ask him to stop and figured out what happened and that waiter did not even hear or turn his head to me !!! Why didn't he look at the way I put my silverware ? Why didn't he ask ? There were so many ways that he could check and See if I was done ! And , there were totally no reasons to do so becomes the couple did not cut the cake until 1 hour later! No food in-between it! I did not understand why they were sooo hurry that they did not even ask !!!

I was so hungry for the rest of the night and I felt very upset and being discriminated as a pregnant woman .

I gave 2 stars because the food was really good . I wish I could truly taste it without wasting the preparation of the good cook . The other star is for the environment. It's very very nice and contemporary up to date interior design and i truly appreciated that. Yet, I cannot give more than that because of their lack of common sense on table arrangements and wasting my good plate of food . Waiter was rude and had no manner in a (so called ) 4 or 5 stars hotel. I would also suggest any pregnant woman not...

While I greatly appreciate the comfort and convenience and level of service of this hotel, and had consistently sought to stay here whenever I’m in town, but several incidents the last few visits has definitely pushed me to switch to other hotels.

Front desk loudly announcing my room number at the checkin counter with other guests around when I’m a single female traveling alone.

I had asked to break $100 bill for tip. After I left to head to my room, the man at the front desk chased me down and forcibly stopping my elevator to interrogate where I got the bill (straight from the bank ATM before my flight), had me fill out information because “I haven’t seen this style of bill before” and proceeded to conduct no follow ups after on whether there were any actual concerns even after I messaged in app and called. (I assume with no follow ups meant there wasn’t any concerns. But this is ridiculously unprofessional, especially since I’ve asked repeatedly to be kept informed so I can follow up with my bank). This was a startling experience, especially with how rudely I was talked down to the entire incident, and treated (there are definitely more professional or simply kinder ways to talk to someone), not to mention having a man follow and stop you so abruptly as you’re heading to your room late night then being sternly talked down to was a bit of a scary experience.

Another visit, front desk rudely giving me a hard time about having one guest with me because my reservation said 1 person. No, I didn’t have a breakfast package. Yes, the room is the same price for 1 or for 2. Yes, I even had 2 beds on the reservation.

Half my visits, the front desk promising to follow up on service requests and no, it didn’t happen.

I want to note that the service crew throughout the hotel are all amazing. The rooms are well appointed. The ladies at the front desk are the half of the staff that pleasantly follow up on any requests. But the rude and condescending behavior from some of the male front desk staff is a cautionary tale for other solo female travelers considering their stay here - if you’re looking to feel safe and rejuvenate at a hotel, I’d...