First of all, welcome to CRT, AlphaNumbers!
The Clarion is a decent hotel with a good casino, restaurant and the usual amenities one would find at a business-class/3-1/2 star hotel. If you're a V.I.P. member of CRT, a discount is available through Sr. Nixon Netto in the casino..
The Mansion wing at the Sportsmen's Lodge is amazing. Five-star appointments, huge baths, flat screens, private lounge...the whole lot.
The Amistad is also wonderful. Both hotels offer CRT V.I.P. members big, fat discounts.
Small v. Large hotels: Even the large hotels near the action in SJ would be considered small hotels by U.S. standards. The personal service and friendliness of these hotels is enjoyable for me, of course YMMV.
If you're coming into town to pay for play, there are only a few great choices. Amistad and SPortsmen's are among the greats, as are the suites at Hotel Little Havana. The SleepInn and Presidente are only somewhat chica friendly, and in the case of the Sleep Inn, charge a huge "guest fee." Not cool.
Read the Hotels section here for reviews, etc. And don't hesitate to ask if you have other questions!
