Four Points by Sheraton San Jose Downtown

The building is charming and pretty, and I understand that renovations may be limited because it’s old and a historic site. The area around it is beautiful, with artwork everywhere, and the location next to the convention center is very convenient. The front desk staff were welcoming, and the bartender was attentive and gave recommendations we enjoyed. Still, the hotel’s limited amenities and basic provisions were a letdown. There were no toiletries like a toothbrush kit or shower cap, and the room had just one water bottle and one tea bag for two people. When I asked for another bottle, I was told there’s only one per room each day. There are no fountains or bottle filling stations. For the room price, that felt absurd, especially given the low cost of a bulk-bought 12-ounce bottle. Parking was confusing and expensive. The website listed $42 a day, but the attendant said it was $46 after tax. There was also a $15 daily parking sign, apparently for visitors who don’t stay at the hotel. I don’t understand why that lot isn’t reserved for hotel guests paying hundreds of dollars. The paid lot beside the hotel is uncovered and first come, first served. Otherwise, street parking is around the corner, not on the hotel’s street. I called to ask about EV charging and was told there weren’t stations. Asked where the nearest one was, the attendant said 15 minutes away, but my car search showed several within 2-5 minutes. With so many electric vehicles now, staff should know this. Public transit is across the way and dings several times when it arrives, so it may be a problem if you’re sensitive to noise. The room was small but neat and clean. The toilet flushed loudly and for a long time, and the bathroom is only a foot from the bed, so you hear everything. Its sliding pocket door doesn’t lock. The mattress was comfortable, but the sheets and duvet were thin, scratchy-sounding whenever I moved, and neither soft nor light. There were no extra blankets in the closet to keep warm or quiet the covers. The towels were rough on my skin. If you dry your face with a towel, bring a soft one of your own, because these felt like exfoliating cloths. The bartender was a highlight. We didn’t stay long, but I wouldn’t come back. If I’d been there more than one night, I’d have gone elsewhere.

The room was spacious and comfortable enough, and the front desk staff were very friendly. The location works well for restaurants and nightlife. My main issue was getting a full night’s sleep: the street noise, especially the streetcar, was hard to tune out. At check-in, the clerk asked how sensitive I was to noise, so clearly it’s a known concern. I’m not sure what they can do about it, and other nearby hotels probably have the same problem. Three stars.

Our room on the fourth floor was clean, well kept, and quiet despite the city noise. We heard one neighbor’s door slam and the trolley bells going by downstairs. The bed wasn’t the most comfortable, but it was still okay. I’d stay here again if I were in the area. The Four Points by Sheraton was handy for visiting "Christmas in the Park." The rest of our group stayed at the Hilton, about a block away. At check-in, they greeted me and thanked me for being a rewards member. I knew about the $42 nightly self-parking charge from the website. We managed to park in the small front lot, which has four spaces, one reserved for check-ins. There’s also a larger private lot on the driveway before the hotel entrance. Lots of restaurants and things to do are close by. Just remember the hotel parking entrance is on a one-way road, and you’ll need to loop around to reach the overnight lot.

The bartender argued with me when I pointed out that the Mai Thai I ordered on Saturday was completely different from the one I’d had Friday. He kept insisting I must have ordered something else. That was one of several letdowns: we couldn’t check in online or use digital keys, and our first room had windows that didn’t work and a broken toilet. Since there was no maintenance available, we moved and got a room with a prison-like view instead of the view we’d booked. There’s no microwave in the rooms, and the front desk never explained where to park after asking when we’d be moving our car. Nobody told us about any hotel amenities, either. I could keep going.