Hotel Valencia Santana Row

, San Jose, United States
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Hotel Valencia Santana Row

, San Jose
4 star

Rooms: 213

355 Santana Row - San Jose - California - 95128 - United States Hotel Website | | 408.551.0010
252 Traveller

Reviews - Hotel Valencia Santana Row

9/10
Very nice!
Submitted by: Michael Reagan in 05/05/05
  • Age Group: 60 +
  • From: United States
  • Traveller type: Retired
Great hotel, great location for eating & shopping.
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Historical Traveller Reviews of Hotel Valencia Santana Row

Great tech hotel

from A TripAdvisor Member
I travel frequently and work in the tech industry. You will rarely find a hotel with as much guest technology as this hotel has. The best part is that the wireless and in room wired high speed (And I mean hi speed) internet access is free. . I could even print to the business center from my room. Another great thing about this hotels technology is that I could get knowledgeable support when I needed it in a timely fashion!
The staff all had smiles on their faces and I would consider the service world class. Not to mention how great the food was. This hotel is a definite for all of you tech types like me who really appreciate good /great technology while traveling!

Beauty is only skin deep

from twocoasts
I just returned from a three-night stay at the Valencia. I assure you, it will be my last. My company has a corporate rate there and I was told that it was "the" cool place to stay in San Jose. I beg to differ.

As another reviewer posted, this place has a long way to go in the service department. But that's not the biggest problem--if you care about security and personal safety think twice before booking.

Let's start with service: The valet parking attendant asked if I needed help with my bags. I said yes and he walked away (without my bags) never to be seen again. I proceed to enter the dungeon-like vestabule.
It is dark---very dark. Not a welcoming or secure feeling. Get in the elevator--it's dark too. Get off the elevator and the freakin' reception area is dark "for effect." Spare me the "hip" design. When I get to a hotel I want to actually see where I'm going. It was so dark that when the desk clerk asked me to initial my rate, I couldn't see it. He told me to move to a different spot on the counter where the light was better. Alrighty then. I had to laugh at the reception desk.
It's "utterly cool" design isn't "utterly functional." All of the front desk clerks have the key boards of their computers propped up on memo pads. Ahhhhh......form over function!

The rooms are interestingly designed. And the beds are really comfortable. But, in my room, the phone by the bed and one of the lamps didn't work. I called for engineering and it was eventually fixed. But, it took a while and the poor engineer called downstairs several times for assistance but got put on hold three times before he gave up and physically went downstairs to get the part he needed.

As for security, two things happened during my stay that were totally unacceptable.

1. A housekeeper entered my colleague's room at 10:15 p.m. for turn-down service--while said colleague was in bed. Now, I agree she should have had the dead bolt on her door, but whoever heard of turndown at 10:15 p.m.????? No hotel I've ever stayed at.

2. The rooms have French doors that lead to a balcony. When I arrived at my room on day two after being out of the room all day, the doors were wide open. WIDE OPEN! Now, you have to understand that the balcony is not a private space: it runs along the entire floor. That means that if you're bedroom doors are open anyone in any other room on your side of the floor has access to your room. I called downstairs to report my concern. What did the "manager" say??? "That happens when the wind blows if the doors aren't latched correctly." Ummmmm......I've been gone since 7:30 a.m.....I wasn't the one playing with the latches!!! Do you think he sent someone up to check the room? Nope. Do you think he sent someone up to check the latches? Nope. He lectured me on how to lock them. Nice. Guess the arogant security guy with the ear piece who was chatting up the front desk clerk when I walked by was too busy pretending to be hip to actually deal with a security issue!!!

They did try to recover though--by sending chocolates to my room. Yeah, that made me feel safer.

On my next trip to San Jose, I'm heading back to the Moorpark. That's a boutique hotel with outstanding service and a huge value for the $$.

Stay away from the Valencia--HORRIBLE customer service

from dallastxreviewer
I travel to San Jose for business twice per month. I have stayed at the Valencia three times and each time was a disaster. The largest complaint that I have in the unprofessional, untrained, and incompetent staff. The property is clean, nice looking, and modern. However, I could write paragraphs about my many horrible experiences with the staff that occured each time I stayed at the hotel. I wrote the general manager a detailed synoposis of my problematic stay on my survey and he failed to contact me to see how my visit could have been improved. Do they have a high school kid running this place? The staff has a great deal to learn before a business traveler should(or anyone) should waster their time at this hotel. Do yourself a favor, give this place at least a year to get its act together before you try it.

A striking hotel in the middle of Santana Row

from parrybike
A very striking hotel in a great location - right in the middle of Santana Row a new mixed use development of boutiques and restaurants.
The rooms were very comfortable and quiet. The entrance to the hotel is a little drab but once you reach the third floor lobby you are in the lap of luxury. The in hotel restaurant is not open on Sunday or Mondays but they serve a complimentary breakfast. There are plenty of great places to eat within walking distance of the hotel so we left the car in the valet parking. The staff still seems a little weak on service and there was construction on the rear of the hotel that was annoying in the morning (although we were warned of this construction on checking). Great government rates.

great stay

from A TripAdvisor Member
I had a great stay at the hotel. Loved the ambiance and the details.
Praise to the lighting and interior designer. Very comfortable rooms with nice details. I will be back to stay again. Loved the venetian plaster walls in Citrus - nice job.

t go if service is important to you!

from A TripAdvisor Member
This hotel has wonderful decor, excellent location....but, the service SUCKS! I attended a party of a friend celebrating her 30th birthday. As we toured the hotel during the party we stopped into the V-bar for a drink..We sat at the bar for 10 minutes as bartenders passed us as if we wern't there to greet their friends whom appoached the bar well after us. Their orders were taken and another young lady came from around the bar to hug all her friends and then proceed to ask them what can she get them. I was very displeased with lax attitude of the employees and we walked out. I returned to let the manager know how displeased we were and the matter was addressed. It's unfortunate that this hotel does not value service as their number one priority.

t be fooled

from A TripAdvisor Member
I made the mistake of suggesting to my girlfriend and her fiancé that we meet at the V-Bar for drinks on a Saturday night. My friends arrived early to check out the hotel since they were planning a wedding rehearsal dinner in a few months. When the arrived there were all but a handful of people at the bar. She and her fiancé walked up to the bar to order a drink. They stood at the bar for well over 15mins. There were 3 bartenders and not one every looked their way made eye contact....NOTHING. They stood their talking and serving other people (friends it seemed) but never my friends who were there well before other people. I should mention that my friends are African American (shouldn't matter but keep reading). Anyhow, when I arrived my friends were ready to go. They told me about what happened and felt discriminated because the bartenders would not serve them. I couldn't imagine that a hotel of this standard would practice such immoral behavior. I went up to the bar to test there theory. I wasn't at the bar more than 2mins standing exactly where they had been when I had 2 bartenders (male/female) asking me what kind of drink I would like. I was disgusted. We immediately asked of the hotel manager and complained. The management was very apologetic and even offered us to come back to a party later that week. Well they can offer all the VIP invitations they want but it doesn't make up for the fact that my friends were treated poorly. 1st impressions are critical and this one left a bad taste that will never go away.

If there is anyone looking for a luxurious hotel to stay at complete with all the amenities - got to HOTEL LOS GATOS. It's in just walking distance from down town Los Gatos. The decor is Mediterranean and it has a Spa and a 4 star restaurant; Kuleto's. The folks at HLG are the sweetest. My boyfriend surprised me with a romantic night out. It was really amazing!!!! Oh, there is also THE MOORPARK hotel which is also very nice and has wonderful service. Two great local hotels to stay at.
As a matter of fact THE MOORPARK is within 5mins (freeway) of Santana Row. If you really want to party at Santana Row but don't want to drive or stay at Hotel Valencia I would seriously consider THE MOORPARK. Hope this info. helps you decide where to stay and where NOT to stay. Maybe the folks that own and operate Hotel Valencia/V-Bar get a clue.

Don't waist your time with the Metrosexual wannabe men/high maintenance women that go to the V-Bar/Hotel Valencia. You can get a lot more for your money else where.

Peace *sb*

Terrible Staff

from A TripAdvisor Member
I visited the Hotel Valencia following a friend's advice that they had a great V-bar, but was very disappointed to find out how rude and unprofessional their staffs are. I went down to the V-bar to get a drink and just wandered around the bar and an empty corridor between the courtyard and the bar. A security staff came up to me and ask that I either stay inside the bar or go outside to the courtyard. I was at first taken aback by his comment because there was no sign saying that the corridor was restricted area, it was just another part of the hotel. And since I was a bit drunk after my drink, I wasn't as quick to respond to his request and simply ask him why I couldn't stay in the corridor since it was cold outside that day. After 30secs, not only did the staff not politely ask me to leave, he grabbed me by the shoulder and dragged me all the way out to the elevator and suggest that I leave immediately. I don't know if the security guy was having a bad day or just wants to flex his muscles, but I would never recommend this place to anyone looking for a place where they are free to roam about without being asked to leave.

The Worst

from A TripAdvisor Member
I travel to San Jose every 2 weeks and stay at the Hotel Valencia. The staff is very unprofessional and not friendly or accommodating at all!
I find that the women are particular moody and rude, they have the personality of wallpaper. My employer has an existing account with them, credit card on file, it's the same drill everytime I go there and they always make me wait because they can't find the credit card info.
The front desk people are just RUDE! They had the nerve to try and make me PAY the last time I was there. I had to call the GM and once he came down, he immediately found my prepaid information. Everytime there is a problem with my room--phone doesn't work...bathroom sliding door broken, my roomservice order is always wrong, etc. I think the hotel opened up way too soon and they are just not hiring experienced people.

Not quite up to expectations

from A TripAdvisor Member
After hearing that the Hotel Valencia was a first class hotel, my husband and I thought we'd forego our favorite Mendocino retreat and give it a try. We hadn't been on a date away from our two kids since our second was born (8mos!) and were looking forward to a luxurious anniversary weekend. Unfortunately, that's not exactly what we got. I guess we were expecting a Fairmont like experience. No such luck...to their credit, the doorman/concierge was THE BEST and a great first impression, but the rest of the place left a lot to be desired. Front desk staff were neither friendly or outgoing and weren't able to readily answer even the simplest of questions. The restaurant was nice, but the waiter didn't even know the menu....and trust me, it's not that big!! It's kind of annoying to be spending over $100 on dinner and have to explain the menu to the waiter. Food was pretty good, but the restaurant was FREEZING cold. After the hostess stood there watching me shiver for 20 minutes, I finally walked to the door that was four feet in front of her to close it. Overall, the staff of the hotel and restaurant appeared to be young and inexperienced and definitely not yearning to establish themselves in the hospitality business. Not the worst experience (the hotel is new and therefore clean and aesthetically appealing) but nowhere close to what we expected.

Top Local Tips for San Jose

Santana Row: Like being in Europe! If you enjoy fine dining, excellent shopping, and fun people, then Santana Row is for you. We were able to enjoy Asian for lunch, then have high quality French cuisine for dinner. The next day we enjoyed Mexican fare for lunch and Greek for dinner. Valley Fair, which is nearby, is good as far as malls go, but Santana Row is like Rodeo Drive. FANTASTIC!!!

Not a lot for the younger crowd to do. Mostly dining, and shopping. I observed a few families with young children and it appeared that they stayed outside on the lawn area on the Piazzia di Valencia. There is a small playarea, and usually live music. Other than that I really couldn't see that there is too much for children and teens to do. The stores are high end and don't generally cater to small children and same for the restaurants. LOTS of bars! In the evenings it's pretty crazy on the Row. Great fun for the over 21 crowd! I sure wouldn't take a young child or a teen there at night...

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Other names for Hotel Valencia Santana Row

  • valencia santana row hotel
  • hotel valencia santana row
  • Address: 355 Santana Row - San Jose - California - 95128 - United States
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"Very nice!" - Michael Reagan

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