Hotel Valencia Santana Row

It's a great hotel in a good location, but the service was so trashy that we won't be back. When we asked staff for good food nearby, they suggested McDonald’s. This place could learn from how The Ritz Carlton handles things, from the front desk to the bellman. You can get better service elsewhere for the same price.

The rooftop pool, robes, and window shades were the best parts for me. The location was nice, too, with cute shops and a pleasant area to walk around. That's about it. I was glad to leave after two nights and wouldn't recommend the hotel or stay again. The room was spacious but definitely not clean enough. With carpet, there were dirty spots in the corners and under the furniture that made it clear the room needed a deep clean. The walls were thin enough that I could hear the hallway and even other guests breathing. The room service wasn't great. Breakfast was cool, but lunch had little flavor and few healthy choices, so I tried ordering food from outside. That was inconvenient because of the entrance and lack of fridge space. I recently stopped drinking alcohol and called to have the fully stocked bar removed from my room, but no one came. The entrance itself was also a problem. The elevators from outside to the lobby were slow, and when I asked to use the stairs, I was told that wasn't an option. At night the hotel turns into a club, with a loud entrance, a long line, and a bouncer asking for my room key. After waiting ages for the elevator, I watched what seemed like 100 loud, drunk people get off. It felt like a cartoon and disturbed me.

Santana Row is a lively place for shopping and dining, with lots of nice restaurants and shops. If you're here for shopping or a celebration, it works well. Beyond Santana Row and Valley Fair mall, though, you'll need to drive to see more of San Jose. The area gets noisy and crowded, but our spacious king room faced the courtyard and was quiet. It was fine for our one-night stay. The top-floor pool and bar are impressive, and breakfast at the hotel restaurant had a good selection. The staff at the front desk were friendly and the room was clean. This is a seven-story boutique-style hotel with valet parking, so it's pricey. We know the area from having lived nearby and remember when the hotel opened more than 20 years ago. It could use upgrades. The white bathroom floor had several marks, and the sink only had hot water. The walls and furniture show their age, as do the bathtub and bathroom walls, which looked old for a four-star hotel. The towel rack is under the sink, which is inconvenient. Most four-star hotels these days have a shower stall or both a shower and tub. The tiny fridge was full of alcohol, leaving no room for a water bottle. The bed was comfortable.

The mattresses were clean but could be more comfortable for a hotel at this level. Aside from that, I had an excellent stay and would return or recommend it to anyone visiting San Jose who wants comfort, style, and good service. Hotel Valencia at Santana Row is a beautiful place, right in the heart of Santana Row. The design is elegant, the rooms were spotless, and the atmosphere felt calm and upscale. Staff were friendly, professional, and welcoming. From the lobby to the rooftop terrace, everything looked stylish and well maintained.