Stay at One of San Jose's Historic Boutique Hotels

If you want to recapture some of the splendor that was experienced by travelers of the early 1900s, then you must visit and stay in one of the three historic "boutique" hotels built in San Jose California between 1911 and 1931

When you visit these hotels, you will be able to experience some of the splendor enjoyed by visitors of long ago. The hotels were built during a time of opulent furnishings and eye catching design. Each is a feast to the eyes, as you gaze in wonder at the different designs, woodwork, and artwork that each hotel has to offer.

The first "boutique" hotel to be built in San Jose was the Hotel Montgomery, with construction completed in 1911. This hotel embodies the beautiful Spanish and Beaux Arts architecture styles, and was named after its builder T. S. Montgomery, a prominent San Jose businessman. The building was quite significant in its time as it was one of the first structures to use reinforced concrete construction.

Several years ago, the Hotel Montgomery was in danger of being demolished due to expansion of the Fairmont Hotel, but was saved and, in an amazing feat of engineering, put on rubber rollers and moved 186 feet south of its previous location to its new location, 211 S. First Street. Travelers will find the hotel beautiful and elegant, renovated to combine both modern architecture and its original classical revival style.

The Hotel Montgomery boasts 86 guest rooms, many of which have original fixtures and woodwork. The hotel offers several room packages, providing something for everyone to enjoy. The Love Suites Package is for that romantic getaway, the Arts Package is for those people who want to enjoy something from the arts community in San Jose, and the Sharks Package is for the sports minded who want to enjoy the action of hockey on the ice.

If you are planning or attending a meeting or event, the hotel has two meeting rooms and three event spaces, frequently used for wedding receptions. You will also find bocce ball courts, plaza outdoor seating, and a delightful American Brasserie cuisine restaurant, the Paragon Restaurant & Bar.

Definitely a classy act and a hotel that will fulfill all your personal getaway or business needs. Take a look at their website for more detailed information.

The second boutique hotel to be built in San Jose was the Hotel Sainte Claire, now The Sainte Claire, A Larkspur Hotel, located at 302 S. Market Street. This hotel was also built by T.S. Montgomery, 15 years after the Montgomery Hotel, opening in 1926 and a wonderful example of fine Spanish-Italian Renaissance architecture.

For your stay at The Sainte Claire, there are 171 guest rooms and suites, many of which still have the original wood details and bathroom fixtures in the rooms. You will also find original hand-carved wood doors leading to many of the retail areas. There are quite a variety of guest rooms for you to choose from.

There is the Standard Room, which is not your typical "standard" hotel room. Each Standard Room is a bit different in shape and size, due to the original construction of the building. In the Superior Fireplace Rooms, you will be able to bask in the glow of a warm fire, providing a cozy place on a cold night, or a romantic atmosphere for any night.

The Superior Business Rooms are large and include a boardroom table and chairs, perfect for those small business meetings. The Parlor Suite has two spacious rooms, as well as a sitting room and wet bar.

The Grand Suite has a King bedroom, a boardroom table and chairs, and a fireplace. The Deluxe Grand Suite includes everything the Grand Suite has, as well as an extra bedroom. The Mezzanine Suite has a large bedroom and large bathroom with whirlpool, as well as a sitting room. If you are looking for a weekend package, The Sainte Claire can provide that for you.

You can take your pick from the Suite Romance Package, the Simply Romance Package, the Theatre Package, or the Lion King Package (this last package may have a limited offer, ending or changing when the Lion King is no longer playing in San Jose). Check their website to see what is included in these great package offers.

If you are planning a business function, a personal reception, or a party, you will also find ten thousand square feet of facility space in this lovely hotel to accommodate you.. This space includes eight meeting rooms, an executive boardroom, a ballroom, and an enclosed meeting room with a beautiful skylight. For those of you who never leave home without it, meaning your computer of course, wireless internet access is available throughout the hotel.

When you have worked up an appetite touring all of the wonderful sights and activities in San Jose and the surrounding areas, take advantage of the Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana restaurant in The Sainte Claire. The restaurant offers casual dining in an elegant atmosphere. You will also find bread with that homemade flavor at the Panneterria Bakery. What a treat!

The third boutique hotel built in San Jose was the Hotel De Anza, with construction completed in 1931. This hotel was named after the 1st non-native explorer to discover the Santa Clara valley, Juan Baptista de Anza, and was built in the Art Deco style popular during that time. Once the tallest building in San Jose, this ten story, one hundred room hotel was restored in the 1980s, blending modern convenience with historical architecture.

The outside color of the hotel today, a rich terra cotta and peach, is very close to the original color of the hotel. Two other wonderful originals are the "Hotel De Anza" neon sign on the roof and the 25-foot "diving lady", which was painted in 1951 on the west side of the hotel to encourage use of the heated pool. Many of the common area ceilings are exact duplicates of the originals, and the De Anza Room looks resplendent with hand painted walls and murals. The guest rooms are elegant and comfortable, and depending on your reason for visiting, they can be romantic, or suitable for business.

To make your stay even more enjoyable, whether for business or personal, take advantage of one of their room packages. You may choose from the Weekend Hockey Package, Lacrosse Weekend, Luxurious Spa, Remember the Romance, Downtown Event, Weekend Getaway, Wedding, Winchester Mystery House, Tech, and Anniversary Packages. Check their website to find out what each package includes. You will be pleasantly surprised!

If you are planning a meeting or reception, the hotel has small group meeting places that can seat up to 70 people, as well a room for receptions that can hold up to 150 people. These rooms and occupancies are the Library Suite (6), Executive Suite (8), Board Room (12), Hedley Club (40), San Jose Room (50), De Anza Room (64), and the Palm Court (150).

If you haven't burned enough calories walking around town, at a meeting, reception, or at a hockey game cheering the Sharks on, then you can get a great cardio workout and really burn some calories in the hotel fitness center. You'll then be ready to relax in the lounge or replace those carbs you've burned at one of their fine restaurants.

When hunger strikes in the morning, walk into the De Anza Breakfast Room for a tasty morning meal, and in the afternoon and evening, enjoy lunch or dinner at La Pastaia, their in-house Italian restaurant. Also offering a light and quick lunch menu is the Caffe La Pastaia, when you are on the go and in a hurry. For that late night snack attack, you are welcome to enjoy a complimentary deli sandwich or a cookie at their "Raid the Pantry" accommodations (open from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.).

After dinner or an evening at the arts, and if Jazz is your thing, then you must step into the Hedley Club Lounge on a Friday or Saturday night to enjoy live jazz. You will also find cocktails and appetizers in the lounge every day.

All three of these hotels are very conveniently located close to the San Jose Convention Center, San Jose Museum of Art, The Tech Museum of Innovation, Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose, HP Pavilion, San Jose Repertory Theatre, and Opera San Jose, just to name a few.

You will also find, within 20 to 45 minutes drive from the hotels, Paramount's Great America, Raging Waters, Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk, and the Winchester Mystery House. There are also shopping malls, wineries, and restaurants to enjoy within a 15 to 45 minute drive from the hotels. Regardless of what your interests are, I believe that one of these hotels, San Jose's variety of activities, or the surrounding communities and activities, will fit the bill for you!

The only problem you will encounter is deciding which hotel to book a room at, and having enough vacation time to enjoy all of the activities! I have an idea, stay at each one, and flip a coin to decide which is first! Enjoy your stay!

Websites:

The Montgomery Hotel http://www.jdvhospitality.com/montgomery.php?ost

The Sainte Claire http://www.thesainteclaire.com

Hotel De Anza http://www.hoteldeanza.com/