sf - I think I'll call them - although I'll be up early and maybe it will force the kid to get up!

<i>maybe it will force the kid to get up!</i>

Don't know about your's -- my kids could sleep through a mortar attack!

I'm pretty sure the Crowne Plaza was the Holiday Inn was the Westbury (over a period of 36 years or more!!)

Update on Hotel480 - They will become a Marriott in April. Until then, they sound disorganized. I hope I won't regret it, but I love the idea of a newly furnished room - and it's for $134 per night.

Who's running it in the meantime?

Good question!

The Palace Hotel is definitely very impressive to see. I actually had a chance to stay there for $99/night a year ago; wish I coulda done it!

Hotel 480 was the Holiday Inn at one time. Great location Centralparkgirl. The website sure doesn't say who the owner or management is sf7307 which is unusual I think.

sf & LI - I just called to ask who's managing until Marriott steps in. I got someone who didn't speak English well and asked me to call back later when the mgr is there. This is sounding risky, don't you think?

Which is a better location? The Orchard (Bush near Powell) or its sister hotel The Orchard Garden (Bush near Grant)? OG claims very quiet rooms. They are both 'green' with similar rates.

Six of one, half dozen of the other. Bush near Grant is slightly flatter than Bush near Powell.

Throwing in another idea: Hotel Triton (a Kimpton Hotel and less expensive than Hotel Monaco). I didn't check today, but they have been running some special promotions. It is my daughter's fav hotel - very hip and good location at the gate to Chinatown. Check their website and/or call.

el,
Mrs Kal and her baby sis have stayed there a few times and like it. Appeals to a younger crowd than it's sister hotel Monaco.

And Cafe de la Presse is right there Hotel Triton -- in or near it. On the corner at that Chinatown gate.

If you want a day off driving you can also take Cal Train to Stanford but be sure to check the schedule.

I commuted to Stanford from the peninsula for 20 years and 280 is a lovely drive; I never got tired of it. But do check google and maps and even a campus map before going.

An advantage of driving 101 is you can drive in through University Avenue, which is downtown Palo Alto. But IMO this slight advantage does not override the nice drive on 280.

I wouldn't take the train to Stanford unless you want to spend many hours walking around campus. As I've told you, campus is huge. If you want to see a good part of it, you'll have to drive. As annw mentioned, check the campus map to see how big it is. From the football stadium to the dorm my son lived in freshman year is about a mile.

Oh, and I would definitely go to University Avenue at some point before or after your campus tour. I'm going to forward you an email from my son, who mentioned some places your son should see.

This will be reported to Fodor's editors asap - this is not a marketplace!

cpg - where did you end up booking a room?

I'm booked at the Orchard, but still thinking about the Orchard Garden or the Galleria Park. Just left a msg about your SIL - glad Tues is over for all of you!

You won't go wrong with any of those 3.
We've stayed at the GP many times. Another good location.
Orchard and Orchard Garden are newer but GP remodeled recently.
About a block away from Belden Place.
Perry's for breakfast or a chain cafeteria type coffee shop right on the corner for coffee, juice and a nosh.

Always had good service there.

Thanks Kal - I am looking for a good coffee shop nearby. Perry's is near which hotel?