Signia by Hilton San Jose

Being in downtown San Jose made it easy to get to restaurants, events, and other parts of the area. The on-site places to eat and drink were solid too, so I could grab something without heading out. Service was friendly and professional. The hotel feels modern and upscale, with a roomy lobby and a clean, well-kept feel throughout. My room had plenty of space, a good bed, and the comforts I'd expect from a higher-end Hilton brand. I left with a great impression and would gladly return.

The people made this stay especially good. Ariana and Luis at Aji, and Lucas and Pasquale Federico at The Fountain, were kind, courteous, and helpful throughout. The man and woman who seemed to cover the front desk all weekend were great too, and the valet team couldn't have been better. I had a fourth-floor room by the pool with a patio and firepit. It's a nice property, but the staff made it even better.

We checked out the same day, and at least they didn't push back when I asked for a full refund. I could ask for compensation, but I can't stand spending more time there. The pool was a big disappointment. It wasn't heated during our visit, though that may have been a one-time issue. We waited around 45 minutes for towels, and other guests said they'd been waiting longer. No staff came to restock them. Worse, we spotted two rusty nails on the ground near the pool, which felt unsafe. My kids had been excited to swim, so they jumped into the cold water and then had no towels to dry off or warm up. Service felt like three-star at best. If the pool is important to your stay, I'd consider somewhere else.

The renovated hotel still had a bathtub that wouldn't drain, empty soap dispensers, and no towels in the gym. Nobody serviced my room, even though I was out for 16 hours. The service was basically nonexistent. When I raised the problems, management offered a poor solution. At checkout there was confusion, and they didn't honor what they'd promised. I'm a Diamond member and spend 230+ nights a year in hotels. I won't be back. Avoid this one.