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Rosewood Sand Hill
Category: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Hotels [Edit]
2825 Sand Hill RdMenlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 561-1500
- Price Range:
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$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
84 reviews for Rosewood Sand Hill
Review Highlights
"Accommodating, fun, friendly staff @ Madera lounge."
(in 21 reviews)
"...marble everywhere, large rain shower head and huge shower..."
(in 2 reviews)
"Amazing rooms - the finish out is top notch."
(in 5 reviews)
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84 reviews in English
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Review from Emm C.
Manhattan, NY
Updated - 1/2/2012
After getting worn down and beat up by the wedding industry vendors of the Bay Area, I was praying (and I'm not even religious!) that Rosewood would pull through. I'm a foodie, a New Yorker, and a closet perfectionist. After all that's happened in what everyone calls "Your Day" what I really wanted was a good time for my friends. what does that mean? It means AMAZING food, service, and decor for this set of guests who've traveled the world once over, eaten at the best restaurants in NY, and come from families of cooks! We chose Rosewood because it felt like a getaway without the 2 hour ride to Napa, the Michelin star rating for the same executive chef running Madera, and to give this hotel a chance, shunning the big-box brands like Ritz, Fairmont, & Four Seasons. While there were a few snafus such as: 1) late check-in for the groomsmen even though it was told the rooms were ready the night before 2) Shari taking off on vacation without a heads up on the second in command. Todd picked up the slack and updated her when everything was finalized and 3) typo on the menu for one of the wine pairings.
Our tasting of the entire menu was so good it busted the buttons on my dress. also the cupcakes won us both over, so we ditched our idea of bringing in cake from Aki's or Sibby's. They allowed us to bring in a few personal wines we liked (with a corkage fee of course) and we offered reds from their menu. Guests told me they thought the food was top-notch -- and I'm glad because it was the one thing I wanted done right. Servers offered synchronized service and I didn't hear of anything bad with the food. If you decide to have your wedding there, feel free to contact me for any q's or tips.
This review is not just for the wedding venue but we've been there for drinks, lunch, dinners at Madera, and hotel stay there. Turn down is very nice and the parents appreciated the personalized service for their kids. Madera won its first Michelin star...I hope the Wedding/Marketing/Catering dept doesn't rest on its laurels because it takes continuous work to stay on top of its game.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/13/2011
yikes why is the trailing average of this place slipping to less than 3 stars!?!?! My wedding is… Read more »
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Review from Joseph M.
CANAL STREET, NY
12/11/2011
Major disappointment...THE WORST!!! I have worked in and with hotels for the past 25 years, from Park Hyatt's Four Seasons, Kimpton, Taj, Fairmont, etc. etc. from San Francisco, Paris, Sydney and New York and beyond... For the price and the hype of outstanding customer service this was absolute the WORST I've ever experienced.
I held a dinner here for 50 people and the banquet service was shameful. Several times during my event staff was missing in action. I had to get up and search for someone in the service area 3 TIMES during the event to serve us!!! Can you believe that I had to go back into the service area to find someone!!!
On top of that I had reserved the outdoor patio area for the welcome reception only to find out they had no gas for the heaters, it was 50F outside. Several times staff told me the gas was on it's way only to be told 1/2 through the reception no gas was coming.
A few days later I had complained to the Director of Catering only to be rudely brushed off. My emails and phone calls were not returned until 3-4 weeks later. I would give this place a BIG AVOID. It's too bad that in the Stanford area your choices are limited when looking for a high caliber venue, The Rosewood is a beautiful hotel that offers crappy service, over priced wines and mediocre food. Stanford University needs to find a new hotel management company to run this hotel.Comment from Sharon M. of Rosewood Sand Hill 12/19/2011
Dear Joseph M., Though I know you are in conversation with… More » -
Review from Natalie S.
San Francisco, CA
11/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came for my brother's wedding at Rosewood and I'd give it 4.5 stars, rounding up to 5. I had no expectations on this hotel since I never heard of this brand. It is definitely UPSCALE!!!
The rooms are well thought out and the amenities are awesome! We were missing an ipod connection to our TV and they went out and bought us one! I liked the turn down and chocolates by the bed. We even had a welcoming pear and biscuit tray in our room. I loved the walk in closet (never have been to a hotel with a walk-in closet that was so well thought out). The rainfall shower was heavenly and I must have stayed in there for ages. I liked the chaise lounge as well in the room.
One thing is the property is spread out, so if you can't walk far, try to get a cottage near a parking entrance.
As for weddings, it makes for an intimate affair. The food is good. FYI, the vegetarian option was by far the most tasty, then the chicken and then the beef. They have a new pastry chef, which makes delicious wedding cakes.Comment from Sharon M. of Rosewood Sand Hill 12/19/2011
Dear Natalie S. Thank you for taking the time to write… More » -
Review from Tassie C.
San Mateo, CA
2/3/2012
Terrific atmosphere, great service. You can sip wine under the stars, and if you get cold they'll bring you a blanket. Unbeatable!
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Review from Joanne L.
Burlingame, CA
11/8/2011
One of my best hotel experiences. Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries upon arrival, rose petal turndown on the bed and in the bathtub, ginormous bathroom, and beautiful views of the mountains. The pool and hot tub are open late so we had a chance to relax a bit after spending the entire day out.
My favorite part of our stay: hanging out at the bar in the Madera Lounge in our Rosewood bathrobes on a Saturday night at 10pm. There were a few stares. -
Review from SCOTT C.
Atherton, CA
10/22/2011
For a good full years, Madera's lounge was my go-to spot in the afternoons evenings - my credit card statement reports that I was there a few dozen times. Close to my home, it was a great location to kick back and enjoy a few drinks with friends. It's a rare opportunity to get away from the questionable downtown Palo Alto evening crowd. Service was very on top of things and the whole vibe was a pleasant extension of someone's backyard. If I had written a review back then, it would have been a glowing 5 stars.
Then, common sense got the best of me and I started running a GoPro in my car, just in case a valet decided to crash my car into something (happened once a few years ago). I was dismayed to see two of the valets making disparaging remarks once I was out of earshot. I did post it on youtube, and yes the whole thing became a bit bigger than I expected. Rosewood management did contact me and apologized. Everything seemed to be fine, so I resumed my visits.
My first visit back after the hubub had died down, I visited in the evening with some friends, in my other car (no GoPro running). Valet service at this property is pretty prompt, since cars aren't normally parked very far away. This time, with a pretty empty lot, my car took over 10 minutes to come. Curious, I then noticed that a lot of things inside my car had changed and the driver's area was soaked with rain. When I mentioned this to the managing director, he said this was probably just the valet adjusting everything to his liking before parking it. Well, the valet must have been about 7 feet tall and driving like a homie since that's how my seat was positioned. later, I learned that after Rosewood did some digging in the tapes, the valets were doing something shady with/in the car. I was never told what exactly this was, but I know it resulted in the firing of two employees.
On top of all this, service these days is very spotty. One or two of the waitresses in particular are great, but with others, there have been instances where it took so long for anyone to come to the table and say "hello," I grew tempted to leave for another bar.
Anyway, as for the actual menu, the cocktails are geared towards the sweet (female) taste buds and the appetizer menu is consistent. On some nights, you might see some extra workers...Comment from Sharon M. of Rosewood Sand Hill 10/26/2011
Dear Scott, The employees who participated in this… More » -
Review from Larry L.
San Francisco, CA
10/18/2011
Very nice and elegant hotel. Came here for a wedding and the hotel is beautiful. Quiet, clean, luxurious and comfy feel. Food was good. Nothing to brag about but I didn't like the fish option. It didn't taste fresh. Service was good. Obviously not your normal hotel. This place is a notch higher than your typical 4/5 star hotel. Nestled in Menlo park area and not many signs. Very quiet and relaxing location.
While I didn't stay the night I'm sure the rooms are beautiful. -
Review from Natasha R.
San Francisco, CA
6/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
A beautiful sunny day. Sprawling mountain views covered in trees.
Our table- no umbrellas for shade.
People at the table in front of us- 3 umbrellas.
We ask the waitress if we can have an umbrella brought over. Seems like a reasonable request.....
"Nope, sorry, the umbrellas cannot be moved. But you can change tables if you'd like" she says.
Fine, we move to a corner with a side wall that provides some shade.
As we patiently waited 20 minutes for our cocktails I look over and see the staff setting up a FOURTH umbrella for that other table. Wow. Okay....
2 rounds of delicious cocktails, 4 people, $100 bill- we ask our server if she can call us a cab. Mind you this is an upscale resort and we are in a cocktail lounge- seems like a reasonable request....
"Hmmm....I don't know, let me check" she says.
Seriously??
You see my point. This place makes fantastic specialty drinks, the view was lovely, but the service? Good grief. -
Review from Christina D.
Palo Alto, CA
7/17/2011
This is my family's go-to place to check in whenever there's a power outage, or some pipes burst, or a neighbor hires a DJ. (It's one of the only hotels in the area that allows dogs.)
Wonderful, quiet, and spacious rooms - beautifully appointed and serene. It's amazing that this place is so close to the freeway - there was some slight noise but nothing to keep this light sleeper up.
I think that I paid $40 for fruit and coffee for breakfast, and the weekend scene at the restaurant was a bit bridge-and-tunnel-ey (improbably tan women cackling wildly), but those are minor gripes. Everything in the room was fantastic - I can't wait for the next plumbing fiasco at home so I'll have an excuse to check in again. -
Review from GottaHughJazz Y.
Saratoga, CA
6/19/2011
Staff is over qualified by design, but they don't act like it. They're on the ball for sure. Beautiful service for beautiful people...(I'm not one of the later, by the way)
Facilities are gorgeous- Super well maintained and feels like it's in a world of its own where everything is just the way you'd want it.
Pool side service is insanely good.
Why the minus 1 star? Food at Madera took 40 minutes to arrive for a simple lunch/ brunch on a non-peak period. Got part of our order wrong also, but I give them partial benefit of the doubt because everything else was excellent.... -
Review from L L.
Palo Alto, CA
4/30/2011
Not sure what's up with these guys. We really wanted to have our wedding here, but our emails and phone calls went unanswered for several weeks. We decided to just drop by, and sure enough, nobody was available to help us. They came recommended but I hope they don't pull these stunts after contracts are signed.
Also, my experience took place in the fall when most of their reviews were positive. I feel somewhat validated by a string of poor reviews from others recently, I'm guessing they have some issues. -
Review from Bren Z.
San Francisco, CA
9/27/2011
This is the most sociable people watching awesome lounge I have been to in the peninsula area. You can always count on seeing beautiful people especially on Thursday night. The drinks are pricey but the atmosphere and views totally justify the prices. The bartenders are friendly only problem is seating it fills up fast. All in all a beautiful place.
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Review from Adrienne C.
Philadelphia, PA
12/11/2010
Beautiful venue, large rooms and nice-looking lounge....but overpriced, bad food and yes - the typical finance crowd.
I've been here twice for holiday parties and have never been impressed with the food. However, they do have great wines to choose from and the decor is gorgeous. The lounge is just ok - I found the bartenders to be off-putting and not particularly willing to pay attention to us. -
Review from Gaurav P.
11/15/2010
So you're a Silicon Valley professional eh? Well if you are, or if you're trying to be one, or if you're trying to score a job with a Venture Capital firm and/or any of their companies they've invested in, hanging out at the Rosewood is definitely something "you want to do".
I've "partied" in their lounge several times and mingled with some of the Valley's finest enjoying some of their fabulous libations from bartenders that rival some of my hometown's finest (New York).
I've also enjoyed my morning and mid-day nourishments on several occasions (breakfast, brunch and/or lunch) in the restaurant and they usually don't disappoint. Every member of their wait staff addresses you by your last name, "Hello Mr. So and so" throughout your dining experience which is a classy touch. They are also quite accommodating for those of you like myself, who like to take conference calls from the restaurant and want to pop open your laptop, jump on their "not free" wireless and plug in to the wall for street power. Then when the executives of your high-tech Silicon Valley firm arrive to join you, they are hot fast quick to come to your table and make sure they are taken care of.
Their egg white omelettes (mine was with onion, mushrooms and green peppers) paired with buttered wheat toast that I dipped in to a bowl of EVOO combined with salt and pepper, with a small plate of fruit on the side was just about as good as it gets. It's also hard to screw up an omelette in my eyes but recently I've noticed a lot of places screwing it up so I guess maybe it isn't that hard to screw up an omelette.
I will continue to come and meet executives here, whenever I'm town visiting my company's HQs...I love the area and it's conveniently located right off of beautiful I-280. I however, will continue to stay at properties owned by the Starwood Hotel Group (stock ticker HOT) and not at the Rosewood unless it was free. I like my starpoints.
This has been a review by Gaurav -
Review from jill g.
San Francisco, CA
2/6/2011
Visited this place twice and the first time was ok. The second visit, was horrible. The service and the food was not good. We ate on the deck and yes, they have a beautiful view but, the prices are ridiculous!
The cocktails are way overpriced and the menu for the deck is limited. We had calamari which was greasy and not made well.
If you visit this place make sure you are ready to PAY and leave your high standards at home. Otherwise, you will only be disappointed and angry that you did not choose another destination for dining/ cocktails. -
Review from Paige K.
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
9/12/2011
Stayed there with my family for a horse show and loved it. The rooms were quiet and the beds were comfortable. The kids loved the pool and the restaurant breakfast was delicious. Will definitely stay there again next year.
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Review from Tiffany H.
Sunnyvale, CA
12/27/2010
Today, 12/26/10, we went to the rosewood sand hill hotel to have lunch.
I read the review before we go and heard that they have great restaurant in this hotel, so, we are going to try it. It's really a beautiful hotel, When you see outside, you may felt it's just like a apartment or condos. After you enter, wow, it's really amazing, I like their design. Of course, we need to try their food. oh my god, I love it, their mussels is very great, every one who is mussels lover need to try it. I like their dessert too. I may give them 5 stars, but why he lose one star, because I saw the one bowl is not clean enough. Service is good, food is good, environment is good. I and my honey plan to go to live their if they have any hotel promotion. -
Review from Betty N.
6/4/2010
**MADERA LOUNGE REVIEW ONLY**
WELCOME TO COUGARVILLE!!!
Wow, this place is pure entertainment. Get yourself an outside table on the balcony and enjoy the free show of gold diggers, cougars, pumas, and of course, richie RICH men!
Beautiful, clean, and modern decor. Love the bathroom, too. Likey, likey!
Free popcorn, nuts, and salty snacks at every table. Heck yeah.
Ordered the following:
(1) Cobb Salad ($15) - OK, by far, the best BEST Cobb salad I have ever HAD. Holy moly. Big chunks of bacon, fresh boiled eggs, and crispy greens with creamy sauce? I just jizzed thinking about it.
(2) French Martini ($9) - If you have been following me, this is my new signature drink. And for $9, that is a good deal for a fancy lounge.
(3) Asian Pear Martini ($12) - For a few dollars more, you will get pureed pear in your drink! But a tad too *sugary* for me! I'd stick with the French martini.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND for COUGAR-watching and don't forget the COBB SALAD and French martinis! -
Review from Will P.
Los Altos, CA
7/15/2010
This review is for our wedding reception in June 2010. We contacted Rosewood in January 2010 to host our wedding 6 months later and the entire experience could not have been more first class from the beginning. Todd Outhouse in particular was amazing, and there is a long list of staff members there including Bo, and Chefs Peter and Lori, that were just amazing. However, it goes beyond individuals. Many of our guests noted to us and we agreed that the *overall* staff competence level was simply very high. Everything from the restaurant's food to the rooms to the service throughout was top notch.
The reception itself in the ballroom on a mid-Summer's eve was as perfect as we could have hoped. It sprawled out onto the lawn, the hors'd'oeuvres were awesome, they later served hot fois gras to 85 people which is a feat all by itself but making it the best fois most guests had ever had at the same time is quite the task.
The wedding cake was amazing and we had very high standards for it, and we had a special station for espresso and in-house custom ice creams that the guests loved. Honestly, we could not recommend Rosewood more highly for your events. We threw a number of curve balls including showing a video on two projectors at the same time during the dinner that Rosewood handled with ease. We came so close to picking other places because they had been around longer, but that would have been a huge mistake.
Oh, and the wedding suite? Quite simply the best hotel room (house?) we've ever seen. -
Review from G N.
Daly City, CA
4/13/2011
Where do I begin? I was expecting a "simple" night out to enjoy the woderful weather, and wind down from a crazy week at the Rosewood lounge, I was never delivered that simple dream.
Not only was I not extended acceptable service, I was laughed at by a manager who claimed "can't you see we're busy." Our tab was over $300.00, and no one even poured the bottles which we orderd. I even had to beg a bus boy to bring me an ice bucket. On several different occasions when I did try to get the attention of the manager I was pointed the finger (1 sec) never to see him again. When we decided to order some food, I personally had to hunt down a menu, and walk over to the bar to place my order.
I am in awe, that though the Rosewwod Sandhill has established and prides itself in being one of the areas finest, they clearly were not.
They were overpriced, delivered dis-service, and I should have gotten a tip for servicing myself.
I don't think I will ever return, and if I do, I might have to apply to be a server, just to get what I need as a patron. -
Review from Seong P.
11/3/2010
I was here for a private event so I can't comment on the bar scene, which I heard was interesting. We had cocktails out on the deck downstairs. The heat lamps were on and it was still light enough to see the lovely view of the hills. Very nice.
Dinner was served in one of the rooms on the same floor. Various members of the wait staff slipped in notes with the score of the Giants game. We passed them around so that the outcome wasn't ruined for those Tivo'ing the game for later.
The facilities are nice and service was excellent. The food was average but I won the giant centerpiece. Not bad at all for a networking event. -
Review from Lily R.
9/17/2010
Beautiful scenery. Accommodating, fun, friendly staff @ Madera lounge.
I was here for happy hour in the lounge and felt like I was transported right into Napa for the evening.
I ordered a Gin Fizz and the bartender came over, hand delivered it and thanked me for ordering such a classic drink. Thanked for ordering a drink!? I could get used to this!
Ambiance: Definitely a cougar zoo but if you don't mind people watching and drinking with your pinky in the air, I suggest you come try happy hour here once in a while.
It was a refreshing change of scenery and not to far from home base. I'll be the yuppie in the back corner drinking a gin fizz and playing with my "cougar sounds iphone app." hahah! -
Review from L F.
San Mateo, CA
3/22/2011
NO SEATING FOR PARTIES GREATER THAN 12 - really?!!!....
Me - Reservation for 15 @ lunch on Saturday May 7, 2011....
Rosewood - "We can't accommodate more than 12 in our dining room. We do have a private room that seats 18, but it's booked that day."
Me - "Ok, can we be seated in either the public dining room or outside on the patio?"
Rosewood - "No, we have a max of 12 for our dining room, that is our policy"
Me - "Given the private room is already reserved, can't you fit in 3 more for lunch by adding on a table outside"
Rosewood - "No, we can't do that as it would require fitting more tables together (duh), and it would also be a strain on the kitchen"
Me - "well, what will the kitchen do for the private party that's already reserved the private room (that seats 18)?"
Rosewood - "they choose from a fixed menu"
Me - "I'll take a fixed menu for my event"
Rosewood - "again it's our policy to not seat more than 12 in our main room/patio".
Seemed completely unreasonable that they do not seat parties of more than 12 during a Saturday lunch AND they could not be flexible for 3 more AND they charge $100 for lunch on average AND the food/bev Director NEVER called me back to confirm nothing could be done as an exception. -
Review from Monica S.
San Francisco, CA
6/14/2010
Super Swanky for the Peninsula! The decor is very Ian Schrager, it felt like NYC, but the view is very California. If you ease drop you know you're in the Bay Area somewhere.. everyone's talking technology. I love it!
This was my first time, it's perfect on a sunny day - especially if you can find a spot on the deck. Service and food both average.. The 4 stars are for the ambiance, the view and the great conversation. -
Review from Jaejean K.
Palo Alto, CA
8/2/2010
We stayed a night to relax for a weekend. Now I know why people love to go on "staycations." Oh my goodness. The hotel room is beautiful with all the amenities, including a huge bath tub, a beautiful shower, yummy espresso machine in-room, comfy/plush bed, amazing and huge flat screen w/ dvd player, etc. and they even offer free shoe-shining!
The grounds are beautifully kept and so peaceful. The pool is amazing. We had such a great time, we're planning another staycation. Oh, and best part? They're dog-friendly ($50 extra a night)... -
Review from Andreal W.
Owings Mills, MD
9/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
the whole place was gorgeous. went for a wedding. the rooms were very spacious, loved the rain shower and walk in closet. the landscaping reminds me of a zen garden.
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Review from Candice T.
San Jose, CA
9/12/2010
I believe I may have attended the most perfect wedding ever, last weekend, and I'm going so far as to attribute it greatly to this facility.
The Rosewood Sands Hill Hotel provided a one stop shop for all the wedding needs. I believe I experienced (almost) everything this hotel has to offer... From the outdoor wedding accommodations to star-filled sky out on the bar patio, and a heavenly delicious menu of mixed drinks to compliment it.
I experienced the high-end accommodations of rainforest showers, gorgeous views and espresso makers available in every hotel room, the fabulous pool and a staff that was eager to fulfill your every wish.
I did not golf. -
Review from Crystal S.
San Mateo, CA
3/8/2011
This review is for my wedding/reception at Rosewood Sandhill. Or it would be, had they ever responded.
My wedding was March 5, 2011 so in Sept. 2010 I inquired about using them as a wedding venue.
I left 3 messages with the really nice receptionist, who, each time, assured me that the catering manager (Todd Outhouse?) would get back to me that day. He never did. Not once.
I wrote 2 emails through wedding sites also inquiring about the venue. Never got a reply.
(So, needless to say, I moved on to The Mountain Terrace, who were responsive and super nice, and really, isn't that what you'd rather spend your money for?)
EIGHT weeks later I get an email asking if we still would like to use their venue. WTF?!?
I responded that no, we didn't need them as we had already gone with someone else who was able to respond in a TIMELY manner.
I don't know about you, but my time and money are valuable and I'm not willing to spend it on flakes who can't respond or people who might let me down on an important day.Comment from Sharon M. of Rosewood Sand Hill 3/14/2011
Dear Crystal, Congratulations on your recent nuptials! We… More » -
Review from Rob M.
Los Altos, CA
6/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
My favorite hotel chain. Makes the Four Seasons feel like a Marriot!
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Review from M L.
Palo Alto, CA
11/29/2010
Pretty building, great view, attentive staff....... ugh, but $100 for a few glasses of wine, a burger and some cold cuts?
This place is expensive; better put, it is a rip off. Seriously, they made the assorted meat appetizer sound great on the menu but it ended consisting of pimento loaf, salami, pickles and crusty bread for $19.
If, however, you are looking to bag a younger man, or perhaps you're a gentleman of a certain age looking for your next mid-life crisis, then you probably won't mind paying 20 bucks for a glass of average zin. And I guess it is a good place to be seen in the little tiny Sand Hill VC chiefdom.
Obviously if your VC boss wants to take you out for a drink, suggest this place. Otherwise, do yourself a favor and drive down the road to Flemming's or California Cafe for better food and better drink deals. -
Review from Julie K.
4/29/2009
I was supposed to meet an old friend for drinks in the Stanford area, so I suggested the Rosewood Sand Hill.
The property is situated at the crest of Sand Hill Road and looks rather corporate from the outside. I used to work in one of the building complexes across the road, and the hotel pretty much matches that look: low-key, greyish-brown wooden buildings that blend into the background. But the interior was a different story, with an eclectic mix of swanky yet clean-lined furniture and contemporary artwork.
The reception area is spacious and welcoming, as were the rest of the public areas. We wandered down the hallway, which then opened up into the library/lounge, and out onto the terrace to enjoy the late afternoon sunshine. Along the way, we were greeted by several staff members.
The terrace overlooks the pool and the rest of the property--and, in the not-so-far distance, 280. If it weren't for the noise of the freeway, I could easily have imagined myself somewhere in the countryside. Regardless, it was a wonderful place to relax with a drink and enjoy each other's company. It was a bit breezy today, so the outdoor fireplace was a nice touch. But on a hotter day, it will be gorgeous.
D. and I chose to try the "mocktail," which was an alcohol-free concoction of pomegranate juice, citrus juices, mint, and soda--and it was delicious and refreshing. The complimentary snacks served--warmed marinated olives, mixed nuts, and popcorn and rice crackers--were nice. As the temperature dropped, we moved inside to the quietly plush library to sit in front of the two-sided fireplace that also opens onto the bar area of Madera, the hotel restaurant. Here, we tried one of the flatbreads on the menu, with smoked salmon, creme fraiche, potatoes, caviar, and a curry sauce. The flatbread was almost cracker-like, but delicious, with a generous serving of smoked salmon. The curry sauce and caviar were superfluous. It was better without either of them.
I'll definitely want to come back here once the weather warms up to try some of the other drinks and lounge menu items. Madera and the restaurant's bar area were pretty crowded. I'd like to come back to try out those as well. -
Review from Katharine A.
San Jose, CA
10/6/2009 1 Check-in Here
I want to move into one of the rooms here. Beautifully decorated with great amenities, I would recommend staying here to anyone wanting to stay in the Menlo Park area in a resort-like environment. I have eaten at Madera, had drinks at the bar, lounged by the pool, spa-ed at the spa, and slept in the rooms and I have been pretty impressed with all of them.
My only complaint here is the parking and length of time that it can take to get around the facilities. It is quite large and the running around can be quite inconvenient. -
Review from Ted D.
Seattle, WA
4/14/2011
Don't get me wrong, but the property is nice. But it's very high-priced, and lots really bugged me about my stay there. First, right in the middle of Silicon Valley and they charge for WiFi. How dumb? Then, you need to walk outside and up/down steps to get to your room. Fine on a nice California day, but I was there when it was raining and windy. It's a spread-out set of rooms, and my way-too-expensive room is on the first floor. The design with the curtains and blinds was such that I had to keep every window closed up to keep people from looking in. It would have been nice to have blinds that go from low to high, so some sunlight could still come in while maintaining privacy. The bed wasn't particularly comfortable. And the shower design was braindead. Oh, and I had no hot water for one of my morning showers.
I know all of my points sound pretty low level, but it's an expensive place, and at that price point I think they should be providing a much better experience. I won't stay there again. -
Review from .Nette T.
Updated - 8/7/2009
Came here with the girls for drinks at the Madera bar and had a lovely time.
The lobby of the restaurant had an original Rex Ray. It's the first time I've seen one up close and LOVED the colors and textures of the artwork.
The bar area was packed with the folks from Sand Hill Road - VCs, I Bankers and a few cougars....
We decided to go outside in the lounge area for more breathing room and the admire the view of the mountains and pool. We ordered drinks and food - we got sliders, lamb sausages, flatbread with cherry tomatoes, salt cod brandade and arugala and tempura greenbeans. Our server Maile was gracious and very apologetic when said greenbeans got waylaid at another table. The food was actually not bad considering we were starving.
It was starting to get chilly and the servers were kind enough to ask us if we needed blankets and brought out fleece blankets and turned on the patio heater next to our table. After a while it was just too cold (this is supposed to be summer, what is up with the cold weather?!) we moved indoors to the library. Library had comfortable overstuffed couches and lots of room for bigger parties.
Overall I liked the Madera bar, ambiance was relaxing and not a total meat market like in some bars in the city. The service was attentive yet not intrusive. I would definitely come here again, hopefully on a warmer night so I could focus on the view and not freeze to death.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/17/2009
3.5 stars
I went there for an event last night. From the outside the hotel is nondescript but when… Read more »
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Review from Emily L.
San Francisco, CA
10/30/2010
Five Star Service. Five Stars Food. Five Stars Everything!
I was here for a wedding on 10-10-10 and had a great time. It's perfect for 200 guests or below.
The scenery is perfect. You'll feel like you're away from San Francisco and just far enough that you'll be home in 45 minutes.
The SENSE Spa..........WOW.. Another amazing 5 Star experience.
This place is a keeper. Just booked my massage and worth every penny.
Thank you!! -
Review from Janel Y.
7/17/2009
Came here for a "meet and greet" type of event with some friends the other night. Honestly, I never knew there was a swanky type of hotel in the MP area. You can't even tell it's a hotel off of Sand Hill Road. And the parking...confusing. Of course there's valet, but why valet when there are spots open? The only thing is that the parking lot is not one big lot. It's several "pods" sprawled out which makes it hard to find where you parked and where the hotel entrance is.
After parking, I entered the hotel which was very nice inside. There were lots of staff just standing around by the entrances of doorways, greeting you. I found Madera Bar which looked nice, but couldn't find the event I was headed to so I asked a hostess in the restaurant and instead of giving me directions, she actually walked me to the Portico area (downstairs and outside).
Once outside, I think you get a chance to greatly appreciate where you are. You have views of the hills and the pool below is lovely. The outside terrace was set up with couches and tables to stand at. There were 3 mobile bars stationed at different spots and the bartenders were nice (but the drinks were high: wine $11 and cocktails $16). There was another outdoor patio upstairs, which I found to be the outside of the Madera Bar.
I didn't get a chance to fully observe the decor inside, but what I did see was nice. If I were to throw a small event, I'd look into the Rosewood for it's chic interior and friendly service. -
Review from Lulu M.
San Francisco, CA
2/26/2010
This is a five star property that deserves 5 stars. The hotel is beautiful, the art and interior design is stunning and most importantly the rooms are huge with stunning bathrooms.
We were there for a wedding and had a wonderful weekend! I enjoyed the spa amenities as part of our room and had wonderful food service at the pool. We also ate brunch at the restaurant (it was expensive but good).
The bar is also very fun, the bartender made wonderful drinks and it has an intimate feel and a gorgeous outdoor lounge area. A wonderful addition to the Peninsula. -
Review from Larry L.
Union City, CA
6/16/2010
It's amazing how I can enter from a busy street, walk down a short hallway, and suddenly I'm in a place of beauty and serenity. Everything is immaculate from the candles on the tables, to the staff's uniforms, to the hand towels in the wash closet. (For this review, I will say wash closet.)
This place is spectacular when the weather is nice. Sitting outside, I am treated with scenery of the hills that is untainted by roads and buildings. I don't even here the cars that I swear is only 300 yards away. The drinks are fantastic, whether it's a cold beer, mixed cocktails, or spirits. I have always been pleased. I especially appreciate the variety of bourbons on the menu. The appetizers are good too.
I don't like it here during the winter season because you can't really sit outside. There's nothing extraordinary about the inside and it is always packed. Prices are steep, but I think it's reasonable for what they offer. -
Review from Bret W.
Woodside, CA
4/7/2009
I've watched this huge construction project for many months, and so as soon as it opened we had to check it out. We only had a couple drinks in the bar - so I can't say anything about the hotel, spa, restaurant, or any of the other facilities - but I suspect the whole resort will be a big success with the Sand Hill Road high-rollers.
The interior of the bar/lounge/restaurant is beautiful, and very comfortable feeling. The lighting is soothing, and the lounge is set up as a sort of indoor/outdoor room which will be especially nice on summer evenings. We sat by the fireplace outside, relaxed with our drinks, and the service was top-notch (attentive without being intrusive). My only real complaint is that the wine list is not outstanding, and a place like this should really have an extraordinary wine list. Some of the wine choices are simply overpriced ($26/glass), and the ones priced in the more modest sort of range ($12/glass) just aren't particularly good choices. We have pretty high standards for wine lists around here, and theirs isn't yet up to par.
But overall, considering they've only been open for a week, we had a nice experience, we enjoyed a relaxing evening by the fire, and will look forward to returning again to try the food sometime soon.Listed in: Best Places for a Glass of…
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Review from Chelsea M.
Washington, DC
10/27/2009
Why didn't this oasis exist when I lived in Palo Alto for four glorious years?!?
It was love at first sight when I stopped here in July with Katrina L. for drinks and a bite with some girls and was wowed by everything from the modern decor and stunning views to the swanky lounge and lobby.
Three months later, I've had the pleasure of staying at the Rosewood twice: once in August for a wedding and just this past weekend for Stanford Homecoming. This hotel has it all: spacious rooms (two queens bed to a room? don't mind if we do), extremely accomodating service, a jaw-dropping pool setup I've yet to take advantage of extensive room service menu with delivery to satisfy your midnight snack cravings I've had more than my fair share of.
I wish they all could be Rosewood hotels. Good thing my group of girls has already requested rooms for Homecoming 2010 and I've got a wedding shower there next summer!
