|
Click Photo To Book Cupertino Inn
When I travel — especially on business — I want a place that's easy to get to, easy to check in to, a room that works for me, and a few nice things to make me remember it and want to return. I like a smooth, comfortable surrounding. Although lots of flash or ornate architectural statements are sometimes nice, I want to relax and be able to feel like I can behave like I do at home. The Cupertino Inn in Cupertino, California, gets a 9 out of 10 - definitely worth returning to.
When we arrived at checkin, I had an interesting experience that falls into the category of behaving like I do at home. Two of the younger staff were trying to properly tie a necktie and they were having trouble with it. So I gave them a hand, as I've done with my sons over the years. So if you see a well-tied necktie at the Cupertino Inn, it just might be my work.
The location is great. Cupertino Inn is right off Highway 280 at the De Anza exit, with an easy return to the freeway and everything else in Silicon Valley. The building is visible from the freeway and the exit. My only problem with the arrival w as that the hotel sign "Cupertino Inn" is a bit small, dimly lit and not on the side of the building facing the freeway. Parking was easy. Access to the front desk was a short walk, and check in was about as short as I've ever experienced. The room was also close at hand.
I'm 6'3" and weigh 220 pounds so I rarely find a bathroom that fits me, but I had a nice surprise at this hotel Inn. Even though the shower nozzle was only about the height to wash from my waist down, the bathtub more than made up for it. I could actually sit comfortably in the tub. It was deep and it had a few Jacuzzi-style jets.
Our room came with a fireplace, comfortable chairs and a four poster bed. This was shaping up as excellent. Some of the small touches I like included hangers that hang on a bar like they do at home. The Inn has done it right - and there were plenty of them. Plus they had real glasses and everything seemed to work.
On the down side, one of the sliding closet doors had come off the track. But maybe this was a plus as I resorted to my at-home behavior and set it back on the track. They were short a waste basket in the bedroom but all else was fine.
I checked for a data port on the phone and didn't see the obvious one, but when I asked about it they said they have wireless connections available with all the parts to hook up most computers. And there really was a hard-wired port if I wanted that.
The room has a VCR and the hotel has a very large selection of movies that you can borrow. And there's an excellent mini bar, coffee maker, bath robes, and everything else one might want in a hotel.
SERVICES
 The Cupertino Inn doesn't have a restaurant but it does have a kitchen and it provides 24 hour room service. This would be especially nice if I had arrived after most restaurants (and the kitchen) had closed. There are numerous restaurants in the area - many within a short walk from the Inn.
They provide evening hot and cold snacks - complete enough to make a small meal - and an open bar. All at no charge. I've not encountered this before and it was very nice. A few pot stickers, some cheese and crackers, some fruit and a few carrot sticks made a nice light dinner. They had a large number of other items so almost everyone would be satisfied. The bar even has some good single malt scotch. The lounge was open and airy with nice furniture. Breakfast is a free hot and cold buffet. Well done and much better than the typical continental breakfast most hotels provide.
 The Inn has a limousine service to and from the San Jose Airport (airport code SJC). We didn't try it but when we asked about it we were told the limo service could take us anywhere we wanted if it wasn't busy doing an airport run. I usually rent a car when I travel, and in new places I get to do some serious map reading. It looks like I could fly into San Jose, and never have to rent a car if I stayed at The Cupertino Inn.
We didn't try the pool or whirlpool spa because it was a bit too cold outside (December), where they are located. The Bay Area was recovering from a very wet and wild storm and we decided to stay warm and dry by the comfy fireplace.
The Inn also provides several meeting rooms for business or private affairs. The various rooms can comfortably hold from a dozen to 50 people and the Inn can supply all the normal presentation items - pens and pads through projectors as well as many different food selections including vegetarian and ice cream and cookies as well as more traditional hot and cold selections.
Finally, I have to complement the staff. They were very helpful and seemed to be very interested in our welfare. It was a step above the usual friendly service one would find in a top line chain hotel.
LOCATION
The Cupertino Inn is located in the heart of Silicon Valley - a short distance to many of the major computer chip companies and computer companies that are known around the world, such as Apple Computers. It's near the intersection of Highway 280 (The Most Beautiful Freeway in the World) and Highway 85. It's close to Highway 101 and about 15 minutes from the San Jose Airport.
—
By Bob Conn,& Cymber Quinn, Jetsetters Magazine Hawaii Correspondent.
|
|
