Whether driving the coastline along Half Moon Bay or enjoying a hike in the Santa Cruz Mountains, visitors can forget that this area was the birthplace of the modern tech age. Natural beauty and scientific advancement sit side-by-side, offering visitors a chance to enjoy a broad range of experiences. Stylistically recalling a California ranch house, the Rosewood Sand Hill maintains traditional architectural elements. It embodies a sleek, modernistic aesthetic throughout, in keeping with its central Silicon Valley location. Therefore, it’s perfect for families and couples.
Accommodation type: 5-star
No. of Rooms & Suites: 121
Pricing: starts at $462 for single rooms, at $761 for double rooms, at $1,312 for suites, at $4,000 for the Presidential Villa
High season: May through September
Nearest airport: San Jose International Airport (SJC)
Suitable for: couples, honeymooners, families, pet owners
Awards:
- U.S. News and World Report Best Hotels in California, 2017
- #37 on Travel + Leisure’s Best Hotels in the World List, 2016
- Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Hotel in Northern California, 2015
Accommodation
Built in 2009, the Rosewood Sand Hill has quickly gained a local reputation for elegance and modern refinement for those visiting its spa and restaurant. It stands surrounded by 16 acres of parkland and landscaped gardens and framed by the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains. The hotel offers a relaxing retreat from the powerhouse of industry and technology that makes Silicon Valley so famous.
Guests at the Rosewood Sand Hill enjoy spacious rooms fitted with modern luxuries. That includes DVD players, HDTVs, iPod docking stations and free Wi-fi. Marble baths, Italian bed linens, and rain showers offer a touch of luxury. Even more, lounging by the pool, exploring the gardens or enjoying a glass of wine in the bar are just some of the ways to spend a relaxing afternoon.
Facilities
- Madera Restaurant – boasting a Michelin Star, this cozy Rosewood Sand Hill restaurant features warm woody hues and innovative American cuisine. It takes advantage of abundant seafood and access to organically raised produce, cheese, and meats. Each dish is delicious and beautifully presented.
- Pool Bar and Grill – casual poolside dining with excellent views of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Enjoy fresh cocktails and healthy salads, wood-fired chicken and Mexican favorites while lounging in a cabana.
- Sense Spa – taking inspiration from the beautiful nature surrounding the hotel, the Rosewood Sand Hill spa offers relaxing treatments that utilize ingredients found in the region. Massage, water therapy, facials and a full service salon are just some of the highlights. The hotel’s fitness center adjoins the spa and offers a comprehensive range of equipment. Group classes are available throughout the week or guests can schedule a private trainer for one-on-one sessions.
Complimentary Activities
Guests can use the private car service for any travel within a five-mile radius of the hotel. Even more, you can leave your shoes out overnight for complimentary shoeshine service.
In addition, children staying at the hotel will have bathrobes in their size provided in the room, as well as accouterments to make their stay go smoothly. That includes bottle warmers, cribs, baby-proofing equipment and baby monitors.
Travel Options
San Jose International Airport is just 26 minutes from the Rosewood Sand Hill. For those renting a car, take the I-880 South from the airport to the I-280 North. Stay on this freeway for 20 miles, taking Exit 24 to Sand Hill Road. After half a mile, the hotel will be on your right.
Additionally, guests can also contact the hotel’s concierge for recommendations on scheduling a private car to drive them both to and from the airport. The commuter rail Caltrain runs between San Francisco and Menlo Park. The hotel is just four miles from Menlo Park Station.
Main Attractions Around Rosewood Sand Hill
Baylands Nature Preserve
With nearly 2,000 acres of preserved marshland, this park makes an excellent spot for nature lovers if they want to explore the West Coast species of birds and animals. Gray foxes, rare bird species like the Ridgeway Rail and an endangered mouse species thrive here. Sometimes, you can spot them in their natural habitat. There are over 15 miles of trails to explore. In addition, the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center provides educational exhibits about creatures on the preserve and the methods used to protect them. Kayaking in the waters of the preserve is allowed and makes an amazing way to explore the area.
Stanford University
Close enough to visit on foot, the university’s campus is a veritable amusement park of exciting sites. From the sculptures by Rodin just outside the Museum of Art to the spectacular Linear Accelerator Center that smashes atoms together, it’s quite a trip. The university also offers tours of the facility to the public. The nearby Stanford University Radio Telescope is on a four-mile-long walking trail that cuts across gently rolling meadowland. Additionally, visitors can attend lectures on a variety of subjects. Or they can catch a retro film at the beautiful and historical Stanford Theater. Sometimes, it features a live organ player entertaining the audience with tunes before the show.
Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo
Geared for families, this interactive wildlife and science museum is perfect for an afternoon’s entertainment. You can find everything from bobcats to ducks and hedgehogs at the zoo, comprising almost 50 different species of animals found in the Northern California region. Also, there are opportunities for children to explore the sciences abound. That includes hands-on gadgets and experiments proving scientific principles. An extensive insect collection will pique the interest of budding entomologists. In addition, zoo rangers are on hand to offer information. There are also occasional lectures on different topics. Even more, there’s a playground equipment for youngsters to climb on and explore just outside the exhibit area.
Final Words
Northern California offers visitors a spectacular range of activities no matter what time of year they arrive. Even more, you can indulge in fresh seafood, hiking through the mountains, exploring the wonders of science and savoring local wines. Have you visited the Rosewood Sand Hill? Maybe you’ve spent some time in the Bay area and have some fond memories of your trip. Please share your favorite experiences in the comments below. However, if Northern Calfornia is not for you, head south to the Ritz Carlton Ranch Mirage.