I hate to say this, but, given the choice, most people would rather stay in a substandard, new hotel than a historical hotel. That seems crazy, but it's true. This has more to do with marketing, I think. Given the building boom going on in the hospitality industry, it makes sense it's all about the new. That's a crying shame as the most exquisite hotels, with the best service, tend to be the older ones. For people looking to find regional hotel specials, the choice is clear.
It may seem like an odd choice, but a historic hotel in downtown was something special. Indeed, its one of the grandest older hotels in San Jose. It's a hotel with a little something more. Yes, there are other older hotels, but this specific one had a certain inherent beauty to it. If you're going to stay and enjoy, then it makes sense you should stay at a hotel with pluck and beauty.
Who built it? The San Francisco-based firm, Week & Day, who were noted for their stunning theater designs, designed it. These designs were based on the Renaissance Revival, which uses a tremendous amount of flourishes, detailing, and gold leaf work. It is time-consuming, money consuming, and absolutely stunning. When you step into the Sainte Claire, you'll know what I mean.
You see, the lobby is the pinnacle of what hotels used to be like. The ceilings are hand-painted and have been restored lovingly. It really takes you back to another time, when men wore suits and fedoras and women wore dresses. While that might sound dangerously nostalgic, I defy you to not daydream when standing there, looking up at the grandeur of the lobby.
When the hotel opened in 1926, it was deemed the grandest hotel in the Bay Area. It was a draw for celebrities and politicians for decades. Indeed, when JFK was stumping for the presidency, he stayed at the Sainte Claire. Though its fate was touch-and-go for many years, it was saved from the wrecking ball and given the protection of a Historic Landmark. Imagine staying in a Historic Landmark!
It may seem like an odd choice, but a historic hotel in downtown was something special. Indeed, its one of the grandest older hotels in San Jose. It's a hotel with a little something more. Yes, there are other older hotels, but this specific one had a certain inherent beauty to it. If you're going to stay and enjoy, then it makes sense you should stay at a hotel with pluck and beauty.
Who built it? The San Francisco-based firm, Week & Day, who were noted for their stunning theater designs, designed it. These designs were based on the Renaissance Revival, which uses a tremendous amount of flourishes, detailing, and gold leaf work. It is time-consuming, money consuming, and absolutely stunning. When you step into the Sainte Claire, you'll know what I mean.
You see, the lobby is the pinnacle of what hotels used to be like. The ceilings are hand-painted and have been restored lovingly. It really takes you back to another time, when men wore suits and fedoras and women wore dresses. While that might sound dangerously nostalgic, I defy you to not daydream when standing there, looking up at the grandeur of the lobby.
When the hotel opened in 1926, it was deemed the grandest hotel in the Bay Area. It was a draw for celebrities and politicians for decades. Indeed, when JFK was stumping for the presidency, he stayed at the Sainte Claire. Though its fate was touch-and-go for many years, it was saved from the wrecking ball and given the protection of a Historic Landmark. Imagine staying in a Historic Landmark!
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Some of the sweetest Sainte Claire hotel specials can be found online now. If you book in advance, you could save yourself a considerable chunk of change.
