Hilton Garden Inn San Jose Airport

I was in town for a downtown San Jose event and picked this place because it was a quarter of the cost, highly rated, and just 11 minutes from where I needed to be. It lived up to the rating. Chubby, the sweet soft-coated wheaten terrier, greeted me, and the lobby and hallway were clean and pleasant-smelling. The staff were kind and helpful, my room was clean and a good size, and the bed was extremely comfortable. My favorite part was using my phone as both the room key and the TV remote and guide. I was very pleased with the stay.

Pichy was a bright spot. She answered my questions by phone and in person at check-in, and was warm, polite, and helpful, just like the desk teams at the other Hilton Garden Inn locations we visit. The rooms and building itself were fine, and we’ve generally been impressed by this brand. The breakfast at the San Jose Airport branch is what let us down. We paid for the breakfast option with our room, as we did on recent stays at the San Mateo and Calabasas locations, but here the hostess said made-to-order omelettes cost another $17. At San Mateo, omelettes are included along with hot and continental choices, and the selection reflects the many different cultures of its guests, including airline staff from Japan and Korea. Service there was quick too. Calabasas also includes made-to-order omelettes and hot and continental items. Its continental spread was less varied than San Mateo’s and more standard American fare, but still pretty good, with fast, hospitable service. The San Jose breakfast cost the same, around $16-$25 depending on the booking deal, yet the continental and hot choices were less substantial even than Calabasas. I couldn’t believe we’d be paying about $15-$20 for that breakfast and then another $17 for an omelette. The hostess said the manager had made that decision, and she understood that other Hilton Garden Inn breakfasts include omelettes. It wasn’t her fault. For a much lower room rate, we could stay at a Hampton Inn or another hotel with similar breakfast choices and good rooms, without an extra breakfast charge. The San Jose option wasn’t worth what it cost. Management should reconsider the pricing and food offering so this branch can at least match San Mateo and Calabasas.

Breakfast was really good, and the service stayed friendly even while things were busy. The rooms were clean, and the location is handy. Just be aware the parking spaces are tiny, so a large truck or SUV could be awkward. I’d stay again, and this place deserves a star or two more than the nearby hotels.

The location is ideal for the airport and freeways, and I had a nice stay overall. The staff, food, and room were all great. I did notice an odd musty smell on the main floor and the fifth floor where I stayed. It seemed like there might have been recent water damage, though I can’t say for sure.