Hayes Mansion in San Jose, California

The 62-room Hayes Mansion was originally intended to be the triple residence for Mary Folsom Hayes Chynoweth, her two sons and their families. Mary died before the house was complete. Her family continued to live in the mansion until they sold it in the 1950s. Hayes Mansion was renovated in 1994 and converted into a hotel and conference center.

My family and I had a chance to eat at one of their all-you-can-eat breakfasts, which are held every Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The brunch is a veritable smorgasbord of fruits, pastries, meats, egg dishes and more.

I enjoyed watching the cook make me a custom Mexican shrimp omelet, which was the best omelet I have ever tasted. The kids went back for seconds and thirds. Our servers were polite and professional as they refilled our glasses every time they got low.

Brunch for adults costs $12. Kids ages 6-10 eat for $6.95. Children under 5 eat for free. Chances are that you will eat too much because there is so much to choose from.

After brunch, we walked along the grounds, where I took several pictures of the gardens. While I couldn't tell you what kinds of flowers they had (except for the calla lilies), I can say that they were a gorgeous array of shapes and colors.

If it hadn't been so hot that day, I would have agreed to let my kids go with their cousins to the nearby Edenvale Garden Park, which is within walking distance of the mansion.

For more information about the Hayes Mansion and to make reservations, please visit their website at www.Dolce-Hayes-Mansion-hotel.com.

Source:

http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/santaclara/Hay.htm