Wine Weekend Getaway at Hotel Valencia Santana Row

OK wine lovers! Looking for a fun alternative to Napa Valley that’s within driving distance of Sacramento and the Bay area?

Andy and I just checked out the Hotel Valencia at Santana Row in San Jose. They’re doing a Wine Weekend Getaway promotion (available Fridays and Saturdays only) that includes luxurious accommodations for two, a bottle of local wine with artisan cheeses and a prepared picnic lunch for a day of wine tasting.

I surprised Andy for his birthday weekend by planning the trip and coordinating some activities we would do during our stay at Hotel Valencia.

Andy did not know much about the birthday weekend in store for him. Just that we’d be driving to somewhere about two hours away, and that wine would somehow be involved (duh!). Speaking of wine, upon arrival, we were greeted with a lovely fruit and cheese plate and a bottle of local wine. Surprise, Andy, and welcome to Hotel Valencia at Santana Row!

For Andy’s birthday dinner that evening, we walked to nearby Fogo de Chao, also located in Santana Row. I’ll be writing a separate blog post about our meal there. It was fabulous! Another benefit of staying at Hotel Valencia is the proximity from your room to delicious places to eat. Just walk there and walk back and no hassles with parking. 🙂

The next morning, I hit the gym in the hotel for a little damage control. The gym is small, but very nice with three treadmills, two elliptical machines, a stationary bike, and a weight station. There are also towels on ice and a large container of water to take care of your thirst. 🙂

Following the workout, Andy and I headed down for the complimentary breakfast buffet at Citrus restaurant (located inside Hotel Valencia) that runs from 6-10am daily.

The hotel’s breakfast buffet is the best I have ever seen for being complimentary. There was an assortment of fruits (melons and berries), an oatmeal station, sausages, and an egg dish (the first day was an omelette of sorts, and the second day was scrambled (as pictured above). There is also coffee and juice bar, as well as a station to toast bread and bagels (if that is your thing) 😉 It was nice to eat a great meal that we did not have to go out and find or pay extra. A very big bonus for Hotel Valencia guests! 🙂

The hotel’s interior is very unique, (as you’ll see in several of the photos below). I would describe it as modern with a Spanish flair that is present in the color and even in the hotel’s logo. It has 212 rooms.

Most rooms are approximately 350 square feet and feature views of the Santana Row neighborhood or the beautifully landscaped courtyard. They are furnished with either two double beds or one king bed with custom bedding, 42″ flat panel color TV, an oversized armchair, desk, and private bar. The full bathroom offers a traditional bathtub and shower combination. Rooms feature complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access and daily newspaper, upon request.

 
After breakfast, we relaxed by the pool (pictured below) for a few hours. Don’t worry, I didn’t swim for at least 30 minutes. 😉

Following swimming and sunbathing Then it was time for the rest of the birthday activities to be revealed. I told Andy that first, we would be going wine tasting and then I had planned a larger event that evening that would be outdoors and we would be picnicking in the parking lot. So after the hints, Andy assumed we were headed to a Giants game! Ha… silly him. 😛

Equipped with the picnic basket, we set out to explore one of the four wineries to which the hotel has given us tasting passes. After deciding not to purchase wine at our first stop, we decided to head up the mountain to visit and do a tasting at Ridge Vineyards. (We were not given passes to Ridge, but were set on dropping in anyway). Why? Well, Andy and I met over a tasting of Ridge’s Cabernet at the Curtis Park Wine Tasting, Silent Auction & Beer Garden Event nearly three years ago.

The staff at Ridge couldn’t be more friendly and loved hearing about how we met. We tried several of their wines and decided on a full case to take home. Gotta love that industry discount! 😉 A big thank you to Ridge Vineyards. We’ll be back to sit outside with some wine and take in the magnificent view at your winery when we have time to stay a little longer!

By the time we were done at Ridge, it was almost time to head down to the main birthday event! A picnic and concert at Mountain Winery: Creedence Clearwater Revisited.


The view through the trees taken at Mountain Winery.

The picnic basket and blanket (above, provided by the hotel–amazing job on the fruit and meats, by the way), and the tailgate party (below) we had at Mountain Winery before the start of the show. I highly recommend tailgating before a concert at the winery to avoid exorbitant dinner costs.

So happy Andy and I finally saw a show together at Mountain Winery. Stu Cooke and Doug Clifford still rock!

PS: Don’t worry Paleo friends, no crackers were harmed/eaten during our picnic (and were returned with the blanket and picnic basket). 😉
 
We had such a great time over the weekend and at the show! A huge thank you to my friends at Hotel Valencia for helping me arrange a wonderful birthday getaway for my best friend!

Hotel Valencia Santana Row is located at 355 Santana Row, San Jose, Calif. Information about upcoming events and packages are available online at www.hotelvalencia-santanarow.com, or call 866.842.0100 for reservations and additional information about lodging at Hotel Valencia Santana Row.

You can find Hotel Valencia on Facebook here and follow them on twitter here.

More about Hotel Valencia:

Hotel Features:

• 212 elegantly appointed accommodations
• The only hotel located on Santana Row, away from the hustle and bustle of San Jose and Silicon Valley
• Complimentary deluxe continental breakfast served daily in Citrus Restaurant
• Vbar, an ultra modern lounge with expansive balcony views
• Fitness Center
• 4,000 square feet of meeting and event space
• Outdoor year-round swimming pool
• Complimentary wireless Internet in guest rooms and all public areas of the hotel
• Business center with 24/7 access
• Same day laundry and valet
• 24-hour room service
• Handicap accessible facilities

Nearby Attractions:

• Santana Row – dynamic mix of upscale shopping and entertainment!
• A myriad of dining options from Strait’s with Singaporean cuisine to
  Left Bank, a French bistro. There is something for every palate!
• Santana Row has ongoing programs of street entertainment from music
  to movies.
• Across Stevens Creek Boulevard, Valley Fair mall offers more than 250
  stores for your shopping pleasure including a new Luxury Wing as well as
  Nordstrom and Macy’s.
• Winchester Mystery House—the world’s oddest mansion. 160-room
  Victorian mansion designed by Winchester Rifle heiress.
• Levi’s Stadium – Hotel Valencia is only 11 miles away from the New Levi’s
  stadium which is home to the 49ers as well as a multipurpose facility for
  other sporting events and concerts.
• Home to NHL’s San Jose Sharks!