A Sweet Stay in Silicon valley

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, San Jose is a popular destination for both business and leisure travelers, and is a cultural, economic, and political hub in California. As the largest city in northern California, San Jose is climbing to the top of many travelers’ must-visit lists due to its beautiful natural landscapes, entertainment and historical offerings, and diverse dining and nightlife. Due to its incredible boom as the center of Silicon Valley, San Jose has both a rich past and an innovative and creative spirit that draws many travelers to its shores each year. When visiting San Jose, taking in the local history of this city is very memorable, and even spooky, with a visit to the Winchester Mystery House. A visit to the Tech Museum of Innovation is a great way to delve into the vast technology culture in San Jose, and for local flavor and cultural flare, a visit to San Jose’s vibrant Japantown, an authentic neighborhood just north of downtown, is a delight to the palette. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, comfortable accommodations are the final addition to a picture-perfect vacation or business trip. You can find these accommodations by using THOR’s Hotel Program, which includes Hotel Valencia Santana Row, Hotel De Anza, and Dolce Hayes Mansion, where you can rest easy knowing you’re experiencing the best that San Jose has to offer.

Your hotel stay while on the road should be comforting and restful, even if the spirits of the city’s local haunts are not. One of San Jose’s most popular, and truly unique sights to see is the Winchester Mystery House. This house was once the home of Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune, who spent her inheritance on getting additions continuously added on to her home until she died in 1922. In fear of being haunted by the “Gun that won the West,” Sarah visited a medium who told her to ward off these angry spirits by having carpenters continuously work on her home. This led to a beautiful yet bizarre house that has become a tourist hot spot in San Jose. The tour takes you through all the hidden crevices of this strange home, from the stairs that lead to nowhere to the dead ends. And if you’re interested in architecture, this house features gorgeous woodwork and artful painted glass. And if you decide to spring for the “behind the scenes” tour, you’ll see some parts of the home that were previously unopened, all while admiring golden chandeliers, and many of the 160 rooms.

If you’re looking for a hotel to stay at in San Jose that’s just as vibrant and unique, but without the spooky factor, Hotel Valencia Santana Row is nestled right in San Jose’s urban oasis. This hotel is the perfect mix of California charm and European design, and with all the natural light that enters the rooms, you’re sure to feel comfortable and nestled in this home away from home. Located in the center of a bustling Euroinspired neighborhood, you’ll be within walking distance to Tesla, Kate Spade, and Gucci boutiques, along with hip restaurants such as Left Bank, which offers stylish French cuisine, and Straits, which features delicious Singapore cuisine. Filled top to bottom with authentic Europeanstyle décor, Hotel Valencia Santana Row brings comfort to a whole new level for its guests, from glamorous suites to Egyptian cotton sheets, plush terry bath linens and bath amenities from a local apothecary.

Comfort is key when it comes to vacationing in style, but doing some fun and educational activities during the day is a great way to experience all that San Jose has to offer, especially when traveling as a family. The Tech Museum of Innovation is extremely unique to the Silicon Valley boom in San Jose, and is a must-see museum for anyone interested in new technology. This interactive science and technology center is a landmark in Silicon Valley, coined as “the most inventive place on earth.” The museum’s mission is to inspire the innovator in everyone. One visit to this landmark, which is hard to miss with its bright orange exterior, will bring out creativity and curiosity in people of all ages. During a visit to ‘The Tech’ you’ll have the opportunity to try a virtual simulator that was used by the U.S. bobsled team during their training season, take the wheel of a remote-control Martian, see 3D printers at work, and experience the ultimate theater in their eight-story tall IMAX theater. A visit to The Tech Museum of Innovation is sure to bring out the kid in everyone, and will immerse you in the innovative landscape of San Jose.

In keeping with modern trends, which are abundant in San Jose, Hotel De Anza is a luxury boutique hotel located downtown, in walking distances to the San Jose Convention Center, along with numerous attractions and restaurants. This fourdiamond hotel is a certified historical landmark, and has the décor of a classic California hotel, surrounded by tall palm trees. Hotel De Anza features deluxe rooms meant to accommodate the needs of any savvy traveler, and boasts an assortment of rooms, including junior suites, parlor suites, and a penthouse suite. When staying at the Hotel De Anza you can be certain you’ll dine in style with a variety of options for all meals of the day. You can choose from the hotel’s own restaurants such as the award-winning La Pastaia restaurant and the Hedley Club Lounge, where you can kick back with casual cocktails and an array of live entertainment.

Dining well when traveling is one of the most important and memorable experiences for most business and leisure travelers, and to excite your taste buds look no further than San Jose’s own Japantown. This historic and authentic Japanese neighborhood has an array of entertainment, including performing arts and martial arts. The genuine Japanese cuisine is enough of a reason to make a visit, especially when you can dine on homemade tofu, and visit some of the restaurant hot spots such as Gombei or Minato Japanese Restaurant. Gombei’s menu has a variety of options, from teriyaki to sashimi, udon to tempura, and is arguably one of the best restaurants in Japantown. Minato Japanese Restaurant, recently visited by Anthony Bourdain for the TV show “Parts Unknown”, is most famous for donburi, nabe and steamer baskets. While Japantowns are becoming fewer in the U.S., this lively area of San Jose is truly worth the visit to soak up the culture and tasty delicacies.

If decadent and memorable experiences are on your checklist for your next visit to San Jose, then a stay at the Dolce Hayes Mansion is necessary for the opulent feel of this Spanish Colonial Revival-style manor. This luxurious mansion is a quiet haven away from the busy downtown area, and features sweeping mountain views, rooms that are detailed with imported marble and hand carved wood throughout the vast, elegant estate. Located only fifteen minutes from the Mineta San Jose International Airport, this resort hotel is the perfect getaway for a relaxing vacation, with a spa, pool, and golf course on site, plus wineries and clear, sandy beaches nearby. The Dolce Hayes Mansion is an award-winning hotel listed on the National Register for Historic Places, and is known for their unparalleled guest service. This hotel is conveniently located for easy access to day trips in Monterey and San Francisco. Known for their lavish Sunday brunch, Silver Creek Restaurant features fresh seafood, carving stations, and countless selections of wholesome options to get your day started off right. Whether it’s for the spectacular views, outdoor pools, or extravagant room service, the Dolce Hayes Mansion is fully equipped to make everyone’s stay unforgettable.

San Jose is a city that captures the perfect mix of history, technology, mystery, and engaging cultural experiences. For travelers visiting this California city, staying at a hotel that’s the right fit for them is the key to having a great overall travel experience. Hotel Valencia Santana Row, Hotel De Anza, and Dolce Hayes Mansion all bring their own unique style to your trip, but don’t forget to sprinkle in some fun with what the city of San Jose has to offer.