Between San Francisco to the north and San Jose to the south, South Bay value hotels may offer free shuttle transfers to the nearest of these two airports serving Silicon Valley. When it comes to great value, that’s only the beginning. Check out the no-cost frills included in the room rate at these six South Bay properties.
Featured Photo: Hyatt Regency SFO
Mountain View
Hotel Strata
Just off State Route 82, this family-owned and -operated hotel provides a free shuttle to and from downtown Mountain View, less than one mile away. There are also three, timed complimentary morning shuttles to many Silicon Valley companies within five miles, including Google. Delivering more value: free high speed Wi-Fi and a complimentary hot buffet breakfast with cheese omelets and bacon/sausage waffles, pancakes, and fresh fruit.
TIP: Make use of 24-hour fitness center with state of the art cardio and weight training equipment, including stationary bikes and treadmills.
Hotel Zico
Get style, cleanliness and comfort combined with old world charm and value in this hotel that’s five miles from Googleplex, the Mountain View company headquarters, and eight miles to Mineta San Jose International Airport. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, newspaper, fitness center, business center, in-room facilities include fridge, microwave, safe and flat screen TV. Guests give high marks for the friendly front desk staff, generous hot breakfasts (with omelettes made to order), hot chocolate in the rooms, and plenty of free parking.
TIP: Family rooms available.
Palo Alto
Creekside Inn
Turn into the (first-come, first-served) parking lot just off El Camino Real and find a 136-room independent property. It’s an oasis with a heated outdoor pool, garden and a terrace for a picnic under the oak trees. Rooms have a microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, hairdryer, robes, free Wi-Fi. Two miles from Stanford Stadium, three miles from Stanford Clinic/Hospital, and a 10-minute drive to Shoreline Amphitheater, all your needs can be met here.
TIP: Kids stay free; group rates apply for nine or more rooms; ADA accessible rooms are available.
el Prado Hotel
From summer 2021, el Prado Hotel is a makeover of the former Garden Court Hotel in its enviable location just off University Avenue within easy walking distance from Caltrain. Mediterranean-inspired, set around a central courtyard, the property keeps the theme going with Spanish tapas and craft cocktails served in the upstairs lobby lounge. Spacious, well-appointed rooms with French doors let out onto views of tree-lined downtown streets or the interior courtyard.
TIP: If business is the objective, there’s the advantage of several meeting rooms and an in-house event manager.
Burlingame
Bay Landing Hotel
Find the unexpected in an airport property. Value-packed in Burlingame, this hotel is located on the bay with water views, two miles from San Francisco International Airport. Free airport transportation, free parking, free continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and a fitness center. All rooms include a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. There’s an old-world charm in the high ceiling lobby with dark wood touches and comfortable guest rooms traditionally furnished.
TIP: Enjoy an outdoor terrace with a fire pit and heat lamps, take waterside walks just outside the hotel.
Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport
Business trip? Five minutes from San Francisco International Airport and convenient to Silicon Valley as well, the value in this 789-room property adds up nicely. Pet-friendly, a heated pool and whirlpool, free Wi-Fi, fitness center, business center, concierge, and conference facilities. As a Hyatt benefit, members enjoy extra value in a continental breakfast, snacks, hors d’oeuvres and a private fitness facility at the 9th floor Regency Club with runway views.
TIP: Catch an airport shuttle every half hour.
Beach House Half Moon Bay
Tucked 25 miles south of San Francisco, population-12,000ish Half Moon Bay is named for the crescent shape of its coastline, and is world famous for its legendary — and lethal — big-wave surf spot, Mavericks. The bay’s visitors bureau likes to call the healing powers of its stunning coastline “vitamin sea.” That’s not lost on the leadership of the boutique operation that is the Beach House, which is laid out to seize views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Cruz Mountains from the separate living room and bedroom areas in each suite. Each space also has a balcony or patio, multiple flat panel TVs, fireplaces, refrigerator, microwave, oversized bathrooms, and custom-designed king beds with down pillows.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Attention to detail is a strength; Beach House seems to have considered every element in comfort. Continental breakfast is complimentary, as is access to parking, the fitness center and weekend wine receptions. Speaking of access, that’s another strength: A bevy of state parks and beaches — Half Moon Bay State Beach, Poplar Beach, San Gregorio State Beach, Pomponio State Beach and Fitzgerald Marine Reserve — all welcome nearby adventures.
Capitola Beach Suites
The suites sit within several surfboard lengths of one of the area’s most popular beaches. Little Capitola also enjoys an outsized number of restaurants, bars, shops and walkable wanders — don’t miss the canal-side trails that head inland from the village. This recently redone destination occupies a central spot within Capitola, featuring ocean views best soaked up from balconies or a rooftop terrace with 360-degree vistas and a cozy fireplace. All but one of the custom-designed suites offer full kitchens.
HIGHLIGHTS: The sheer amount of charm Capitola packs into its modest boundaries is a highlight, as is the quantity and quality of restaurants, from fresh fish tacos (Mijo’s) to unrivaled margaritas (Margaritaville) to habit-forming baked goods (Gayles Bakery) to some of the best ambiance in the Monterey Bay Area (Shadowbrook). Special “flash offers” relayed via CBS’s Facebook page relay additional deals. The front desk, meanwhile, is well-versed on a range of sailing charters, kayak rentals, whale watching adventures and more.
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