Mermaid Inn, Menlo Park

This motel is more like a Group Home; the proprietor's extended family, including dogs, live there and were always around. There was continuous construction at all hours and the pool, which was an attraction, was never open. Plus, it's right on the El Camino, making it extremely noisy. If you enjoy the smell of cheap perfume, this is the place for you; it stinks of chemicals to mask the dirty carpet and bedding. Don't say I didn't warn you!

I come to the area often and needed a change from the rude manager I found just down the road at the Red Cottage Inn who insisted I paid cash. I left my stay early and came upon this little hide away next to Safeway. I have to say the front side left me wondering if this was at all a good idea, But I was quickly relieved of those feelings once I was greeted. Though the young woman was nice and easy on the eyes. It was her helpful demeanor that set me at easy and made me feel like it wasn't such a bad choice after all. She was also kind enough to print me directions to an address in Sunnyvale as well as recommend a few choice restaurants for dinning. While I didn't get to spend as much time as I would have liked poolside I did have two or three very enjoyable conversations with the manager after my Continental breakfast. The rate was beyond fair for the area @ 80.00 + tax. The Room was clean and the maid service was nice as well. This place is an old Gem and she's still got sparkle. I'll see you on my return.

I stayed here last week. As a single woman traveler, felt safe. The room is all that I needed. Very clean. I was delighted to be able to leave my car and take the Street Bus (#22) into downtown.There are many nice cafe's and shops along El Camino to visit as well.Will visit Palo Alto more often now that I know of this wonderful motel. And the staff was wonderful.

We booked months in advance to ensure we had lodging for our son's graduation from Stanford. We were attracted by the close proximity to campus, the "luxurious accomodations" promised on the website, and the price. Our room, while quite clean, reeked of disinfectant and featured well worn carpet and furnishings from a bygone era. There is virtually no surface available in the bath room to place toiletries. The coffeemaker worked, but the maid didn't place any additional coffee in our room after the first night. In addition our advance booking had apparently guaranteed us the closest proximity possible to the major thoroughfare at the properties edge. Our request for a quieter room was met with a stony "We're full up". It's possible the "quiet section" is for a semi-permanent resident population. The final straw for us; the promised continental breakfast didn't appear on two of the 3 days of our visit. The good news...there is a Safeway right next door. Good news; the mattress was very comfortable so if you just need a place to sleep, this might be acceptable. Otherwise look elsewhere.

When we checked in they cheerfully told us that if you stay six nights the seventh is free. When we check out (a week later) there was no mention of this, we were charged for seven days, even when the last date on the receipt was marked FREE! Bottom line, read the receipt very carefully when you check out.