The Capital of Silicon Valley and the most dynamic place in the world where plastic bags are illegal… San Jose is a truly unique, beautiful place that is also home to incredible hotels. Hotel Valencia Santana Row, Hotel De Anza, Hayes Mansion – you won’t regret picking one of these gems for your stay.
Hotel Valencia Santana Row
Conde Nast Traveler readers voted for Hotel Valencia as the best hotel in San Jose in 2020. The place is part of the Valencia Hotel Group – a hotel management company that specializes in the development and operation of full-service luxury hotels that offer authentic local experiences.
It is the only hotel located on Santana Row – the Rodeo Drive of Silicon Valley with dozens of shops, restaurants, and cafes.
The interior will remind you of Old-World Spain. Enjoy the seductive textures, the terracotta splashes, and, of course, the wonderful courtyard with three fountains.
The hotel has plenty of meeting space, a fitness center, a pool, and a new restaurant where you can give traditional tapas with a modern twist a try. But one of the things that makes the place so special is the bar (two of them, to be exact).
Cielo Rooftop Bar is a seasonal oasis where guests can gather around a fireplace and have a glass of wine while taking in the view of the Santa Cruz mountains.
VBar has a totally different atmosphere with its red tones, a state-of-the-art sound system, plush seating areas, and a balcony with stunning views of Santana Row. Enter the space via the metal-beaded curtains and head to the most Instagram-worthy part of VBar – the gorgeous red-lit acrylic bar. The handcrafted cocktails are served atop this piece of art that is swathed with vintage Spanish comic strips.
Hotel Valencia is within walking distance from the Winchester Mystery House and the Westfield Valley Fair mall.
Fun fact: the place is the favorite spot for pro hockey players.
The Rooms
The boutique hotel features 215 rooms and 17 suites, all with custom-designed beds with 300-thread count designer Egyptian linens.
The contemporary-style rooms that overlook either Santana Row or the peaceful courtyard feature cool bedside lamps that look like stacks of white and black boxes.
Tip: a lot of rooms have balconies, so make sure to request one.
Hotel De Anza
Hotel de Anza is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was built way back in 1931. It was named after a famous explorer, Juan Batiste de Anza. The man was one of the founding fathers of Spanish California.
The luxurious boutique hotel is located in the heart of downtown San Jose, only a few minutes away from the SAP Center and just 3 miles from the airport.
The 10-story building was once the tallest hotel in the city’s central business district. And it still remains one of the few Zig Zag Moderne buildings in San Jose – the zigzag parapet and the 9-story sections give the building a stepped appearance. By the way, the parapet may have been inspired by Mayan architecture.
The hotel’s west elevation features a painting of a 25-foot ‘diving lady’ that indicates the swimming pool and a mural by Jim Miner that was added in 2016. However, the first ‘art piece’ that you are going to notice is the iconic rooftop neon sign with the hotel’s name.
The main lobby is one of Hotel de Anza’s most stunning features. Imagine a mix of Art Deco elements and a Spanish Colonial Revival decorative scheme, giant wooden beams with floral patterns, wrought iron balconies, an enormous wrought iron chandelier, double arch doorways, and a marvelous fireplace with a canopy that reaches to the ceiling. Have we already mentioned that the lobby area is two stories high?
Hedley Club is a premier cocktail lounge and wine bar where the guests can listen to live music – this is the place where real jazz lives. Enjoy Mediterranean-influenced appetizers and a glass of wine in one of the most beautifully appointed rooms in the area.
Fun fact: the top floor was once home to one of the city’s most popular radio stations.
The Rooms
With a total of 100 rooms, Hotel de Anza offers every guest a king-size bed with luxurious linens, plush robes, an Illy Espresso machine and coffee selection, and discounts on select local attractions.
Fun fact: Eddie Murphy stayed in the hotel’s top-floor penthouse during the filming of the ‘Beverly Hills Cop III’.
Hayes Mansion San Jose, Curio Collection by Hilton
A historic mansion estate located in the Edenvale neighborhood – a place named with reference to the Garden of Eden as it is one of the most tranquil and beautiful areas in the city. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the most spectacular examples of 19th-century Mission Revival architecture.
Originally, the mansion belonged to the Hayes family. At one point, the property became self-sufficient with its own chapel, carriage stop, railroad station, and even power plant and post office.
In the 1990s, Hayes Mansion was purchased by the City of San Jose. The property has been renovated and today includes a 20-acre park, over 200 guest rooms, and 33.000 square feet of meeting space.
The giant mansion was built in the shape of a Maltese Cross. It has a solarium that connects the south and north wings, a glass and marble conservatory, and a loggia that connects the west with the east.
The member of the Curio Collection by Hilton is an exclusive getaway perfect for guests looking for a place away from the crowds.
Tip: there is a championship golf course nearby. The actual hotel has a game room with a pool and card tables.
The Rooms
The 214 lovely rooms have been recently renovated. Ornate carpeting, wooden furniture, plush bedding, and wonderful views. By the way, there are pet-friendly rooms.
However, do bear in mind that some balconies are not private.
Tip: tall palm trees line the road leading up to the Hayes Mansion – a great spot to snap a pic before an unforgettable stay.
