If you land at San Jose airport, there is a shuttle called the Southbay flyer that will take you to the hotel for $6.00 (as opposed to $17 if you land in San Francisco). The room had a king size bed with heavenly down pillows, mattress and comforter. I think they are giving the Westin a run for the money here. The furnishings are a warm and dark cherrywood color, with airy, voile drapery for the windows. This is not your cookie cutter Hyatt room since it is an older building which has been restored. It does add quite a bit of character, especially in the sitting rooms and the lobby areas which are kept separate by wonderful French doors.

The bathroom is small by comparison, but you have all the necessities (no magnifiying mirror here). Since you are minutes away to Silicon Valley, it stands to reason that every room has internet facilities. The rates here are normally upward of $200, but with the current slump in travel, we got this room for a fraction of the cost. They are also offering a 50% reduction of their rates to citizens which are 62 and over.

They have a restaurant on the premises called Il Fornaio (the oven, in Italian). Aside from the main dining area, they offer al fresco seating for cocktails and appetizers. They have a wonderful bakery on the premises, Pannetteria where you can expand your waistline with breads, baked goods and gourmet coffees. To counter any binge on these wonderful sweets, you can head over to the hotel’s Health Club and cycle your way into oblivion.

The rooms, while smaller than those you will find at the Fairmont, are certainly just as comfortable. Imagine sleeping on a soft goosedown mattress (and if you are allergic, just let them know and it will be changed). The bathrooms are tiled, feature teak counters, and mine had a lovely mural painted on the ceiling. Furniture is cane and rattan, and reminds me of movies which show old fashioned British plantations in India or some such place.

Amenities include daily dry cleaning and laundry service (except Sundays), minibar, TV, phone, modem connection, radio/alarm clock, and ironing boards.

When you return from a day or work or sightseeing, you will find your bed turned down and a tempting pastry from the lobby shop on your bedside table.

NOTE: While weekday rates seem to be as high or perhaps higher than the Fairmont''s, Fridays and Saturdays are available for $99/night (at least they were when I stayed there last week).