Luxury Hotels - SJC/Palo Alto/Silicon Valley

Heading up next weekend for a dinner at Manresa, and wondering where to stay? There's a FS up there, any thoughts on specific rooms (or, at least, categories)?

Doesn't seem to be much info on the boards, at least from my search.

Thanks.

Here's the thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxury-hotels/357195-four-seasons-palo-alto-3.html

My trip report is near the end of the thread. Note that Manresa is about 22 miles from the hotel. Don't know how much you plan to drink - but I might consider staying somewhat closer to the restaurant (you can call the restaurant for recommendations). Robyn

Here's another thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxury-hotels/542851-four-seasons-silicon-valley-east-palo-alto.html

Robyn

Manresa
there is actually a bunch of (negative) info on the area
but this may be "new" location so perhaps mike_la_jolla and RichardinSF will chime in

cordevalle isnt much farther than FS

Probably best to stay by SJC airport in view of the traffic. Another alternative is Los Gatos which has some nicer accomodation and isn't so bad to get to SJC (but bad enough).

The two best possibilities in Palo Alto are FS Silicon Valley and Rosewood Sand Hill. FSPP amenities with the former, and Virtuoso amenities with the latter.

The FS is off of 101, and Rosewood is off of I-280.

there is actually a bunch of (negative) info on the area
but this may be "new" location so perhaps mike_la_jolla and RichardinSF will chime in

cordevalle isnt much farther than FS

The hotel is in East Palo Alto. Not the highest class area in the world - but the hotel is a business hotel in a higher end office complex (mostly law firms and the like). Don't think I'd want to take a long walk around the neighborhood at night - but it's an ok location if you plan to be driving in/out.

My primary concern for the OP would be the proximity to Manresa. 20+ miles. The day I had bad GI problems was the day we were supposed to dine at Manresa. So we had to cancel. But we didn't plan to drive there (can't remember whether we booked a taxi/car service/limo). But no way we were going to have a large tasting menu with lots of booze - and then try to drive back to the hotel.

IIRC - we stayed at this property for about 6 nights - 5 days. So dinner at Manresa was just part of our plans. The original point of the trip was a mileage run. At the time - it was $279 RT from JAX to SJC - but it turned into a nice little vacation. The hotel was centrally located for everything we wanted to do/see - except dinners more than a short distance from the hotel involving the consumption of alcohol. We don't drink and drive - period. Whatever we have to pay to have someone drive us for an evening like this is cheap insurance when it comes to something like a DUI charge (or worse). Seems the OP is just driving up for a weekend specifically to dine at Manresa. No other plans. In which case - I would probably try to stay at a place in/near Los Gatos.

There have been various reports about the quality of the hotel dining facilities. Since I was there 6 years ago (and was happy) - and the OP is going to Manresa for dinner - that issue doesn't seem important in this thread. Robyn

The two best possibilities in Palo Alto are FS Silicon Valley and Rosewood Sand Hill. FSPP amenities with the former, and Virtuoso amenities with the latter.

The FS is off of 101, and Rosewood is off of I-280.

I think the FS is - best I could tell from my trip in 2006 - the nicest hotel in the area. But - since the OP is coming up for a weekend just to dine at Manresa in Los Gatos - he should be prepared to pay for transport to/from Manresa if he isn't staying within walking distance of the restaurant. We have never been at a restaurant like Manresa and come out less than "drunk as skunks". Don't know what the DUI laws are like in California - but I reckon they're not more tolerant than those in Florida. Robyn

Yeah, I'm not driving up; flying in to SJC. Might just be for one night (depending on work), but more likely two. Thought it might be fun to check out Stanford, maybe another thing or two, but the only reason is for a special Tomato menu Kinch is executing.

And regardless of where we stay, we will be using a taxi/car service for the evening.

Manresa is a great restaurant and definately worth a visit. The two best luxury hotels as people have stated are a good 20 min+ drive from the restaurant. The most convenient is Rosewood Sand Hill menlo Park. It is right off 280 freeway and is a bit more resort like, but really primarily used by local cos for conferences. It is not a high rise but a series of low rise buildings around a very nice pool with views of the hills to the west, but also the highway. It has a very good Michelin star restaurant as well. During the week the who's who of VCs in silicon valley lunch there but food is best at dinner! Rooms are nice.

Four seasons Palo Alto is the other option. It is less convenient from Manresa and Los Gatos as you have to drive down highway 101. The hotel is very corporate. Modern rooms most of which overlook a very busy freeway, small rooms but very nice. Despite freeway rooms are quiet so well insolated. Restaurant ok. Hotel has courtesy car into palo alto for dinner.

I would personally choose rosewood over FS for getaway weekend although neither is really resort. Rosewood more convenient to Manresa, a bit more resort like, and much better restaurant, especially for a dinner.

If you just want to crash near Manresa without driving a significant distance Hotel Los Gatos is ok. Definately not luxury, but an ok local boutique 4 star. Small and very close to restaurant - 2 min drive in town. It depends on if you are willing to drive. If ok with a longish 20 min freeway drive I would choose Rosewood. If don't care would spend the night at hotel Los Gatos, but ont expect luxury - but not bad at all if need to be very close.

Hotel Los Gatos is ok. Definately not luxury, but an ok local boutique 4 star. Small and very close to restaurant - 2 min drive in town...ont expect luxury - but not bad at all if need to be very close.

22.8 mi / 25 min - rosewood
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=manresa+restaurant+to+rosewood+sand+hill&saddr=manresa+restaurant&daddr=rosewood+sand+hill&hl=en&ll=37.324851,-122.067032&spn=0.394232,0.550003&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&t=h&z=11&geocode=Ff8KOAIdure6-CFeH99VJrHt1CnloD3R7zWOgDFeH99VJrHt1A%3BFQb7OgIdAj K3-CFtw5KmsGTHbSmJQ0B8-6SPgDFtw5KmsGTHbQ

22.7 mi / 27 min - FS
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=manresa+restaurant&daddr=Four+Seasons+Hotel+Silicon+Valley,+East+Palo +Alto,+CA&hl=en&ll=37.343959,-122.048492&spn=0.394131,0.550003&sll=37.324851,-122.067032&sspn=0.394232,0.550003&geocode=Ff8KOAIdure6-CFeH99VJrHt1CnloD3R7zWOgDFeH99VJrHt1A%3BFROZOwIdTk G4-CHMvX2Ed176YykfCvBzbruPgDHMvX2Ed176Yw&oq=four+se&t=h&mra=ls&z=11

30.8 mi / 37 min - cordevalle
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=manresa+restaurant&daddr=CordeValle,+San+Martin,+CA&hl=en&ll=37.161411,-121.791&spn=0.395088,0.550003&sll=37.343959,-122.048492&sspn=0.394131,0.550003&geocode=Ff8KOAIdure6-CFeH99VJrHt1CnloD3R7zWOgDFeH99VJrHt1A%3BFQicNQIdWg fA-CHUUtDis0k1VCl5YDI93h-OgDHUUtDis0k1VA&oq=cordev&t=h&mra=ls&z=11

rosewood >
Rosewood Sand Hill...hosting an 'event' that choked up the entire facility: parking, restaurant, bar, pool, everything. My subsequent, heated, discussion with the GM did not go well
so either have a backup or dont book in advance

i know there have been some negative comments about the 'sort of people who frequent the bar' at Rosewood Sand Hill, but I thought it was a really nice, refreshing place to stay in that area. This was a while back, though, when it first opened.

What everyone is alluding to but not saying is that the bar at the Rosewood Sand Hill is famous for cougar pick-up 'events,' especially on Thursday night (honest, I've never been there so can't verify it first hand!).

It would be the closest drive to Manresa of the luxury hotels listed above since it is adjacent to I280.

Not luxury but possibly also in the running if it's only one night is the Fairmont San Jose.

What everyone is alluding to but not saying is that the bar at the Rosewood Sand Hill is famous for cougar pick-up 'events,' especially on Thursday night.

The Cougar circus is only Thursday night. And it is quite a circus. It paralyzes the entire hotel: parking, room service, bar, resturant, everything.

Not luxury but possibly also in the running if it's only one night is the Fairmont San Jose. I think this makes a lot of sense given the itnerary and would save a ton of time. The FS and RW are awfully far away especially without a car. The thought of getting stuck in EPA without a car made me wince a little. Actually, it made me wince a LOT. EPA is quite the garden spot .....

I really don't think FS or RW is sensible here. I like the sugestion to stay at a hotel in Los Gatos.

The Cougar circus is only Thursday night. And it is quite a circus. It paralyzes the entire hotel: parking, room service, bar, resturant, everything.


This is a feature not a bug.

I second Hotel Los Gatos. It's not a luxury hotel but a nice enough boutique hotel for one night. The hotel is about 15 minutes walking distance to Manresa if you decide to walk and it is a very safe area to walk around at night. You can check exotic card on the way to the farmer's market on Sunday morning or have breakfast at Southern Kitchen or Purple Onion before heading down.

We've ended up booking FS-SV for a couple nights via a FSPP; nothing else looked great, and while my only stay at a Rosewood (Inn of the Anasazi, in Santa Fe) was quite nice, the "Cougar Camp" demo doesn't seem to mesh with my style. Plus, the Mrs. is keen on the spa credit for a treatment at the FS.

So, I'll report back with thoughts after the weekend.