Lizz H.
Yelp
I love hotels tucked away in business parkways when staying in Silicon Valley. Sonesta fits the bill! No people nor traffic because it was the weekend. And no other hotel within sight. All making for a very quiet and relaxing feel. Except for the beautiful pair of black crows splashing away in the outside Hotel water feature ...you could have heard a pin drop.
My sweet Sister surprised me with a gift of a night's stay here so I would not have to drive home late after a mutual friend's dinner party. As any smart Yelpster would do...I read the reviews before leaving home. Oh my! Quite a few poor ones. With plenty of time in the car (California traffic the absolute worst), I formulated a few of the questions/requests I wanted to make upon check-in!
Upon arriving, totally frazzled from the drive...I would have rather been walking into a Wine Bar than a hotel check in:). But Alex, behind the counter, quickly changed my whole attitude with a big smile and a "how are you doing"! He is a definite keeper (Hope the GM reads this review). After a brief conversation and me asking about the 'construction in progress' posting on the hotel website...he explained no construction on weekends (yay) and he would put me in a quiet room (yay again). So I left feeling pretty darn happy and thanking my lucky stars for Alex!
Not far at all....really just steps away, was a hallway down and around the Lobby where my beautiful room was waiting for me. And beautiful it was. Small but spacious feel, living-type room with a working desk, small refrig/microwave, coffee maker, couch, table and big, flat screen t.v. Thru the next door...the bath area. Large vanity, sink, mirror and across the hallway...small closet and then a door into the shower area. And yes, thru door #3 (lol) was the bedroom. Good sized! Big bed...probably a King. The always nice, big-screen t.v. An awesome window letting the natural light in but heavy duty black out coverings for morning sun! Everything beyond my expectations! I really need to thank Alex again because I am off to an outstanding start at Sonesta!
Upon arriving back at Sonesta after my dinner party...1 a.m. or later...if anyone cares (laughing), there was no parking...Yikes...the place was full. There was an empty space with a sign, "Employee of the Month". So it is late it is dark....hmmmm...I have always wanted to be an employee of the month...why not now? So park I did. When I walked in the hotel, one sweet employee was behind the desk. I did ask if it was ok to park there and he said yes...as he was the Employee of the Month! He said he found a closer parking space! I really thought the whole episode was hilarious.
Slept like a baby in that, oh, so comfortable bed! Three doors between me and the hallway. It was heaven. Upon waking, I managed to stumble to the very, close front desk in search of, already brewed, coffee. Two lovely ladies were working behind the desk... Maii and Cynthia! They could not have been more friendly and welcoming. Maii pointed me in the direction of the complimentary coffee and I was on my way. Very good coffee...strong! Real half and half. Score big time. I walked out into the spacious, lovely courtyard and sat on one of the comfortable couches. Not one person out here at 10 a.m. Quiet, and very zen like area! Loved it!
So after all that resting in the Courtyard, I have worked up a breakfast appetite! Brandon's Restaurant is a hop, skip and jump in the back of the Hotel. The go-to Restaurant, bar, etc for the hotel guests. Really nice place! Huge! A sun room was where the buffet breakfast items were placed. The sun room looked onto the Hotel pool. Just a beautiful view. Quality food: Scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes, pancakes, pastries and fruit! What's not to like. Gonzalo, my very sweet server, also asked if I wanted orange juice or coffee. But I was perfect with my plate of breakfast! Nice tables with real cloth napkins....really an elegant room. They serve lunch and breakfast! As I left the dining area...I peeked into the bar. It was also super nice and very open and large. Even a piano!
Did I mention I asked for a 12:30 p.m. check out (By the way, standard check out time Noon... how cool is that!)? I was moving slow. Maii was so sweet and asked if wanted a 1 p.m. check out. I certainly was not going to turn that down. Thank you, Maii!
Well, if you had the patience to read this review in full....I am pretty sure you have figured out I had an outstanding stay at Sonesta! And I want to thank everyone involved in making that stay possible.
THANK YOU ALEX, EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH PERSON, MAII, CYNTHIA AND GONZALO!!! I truly am humbled by your collective professionalism!