San Jose
- The San Jose Convention Center (408.295.9600; www.sanjose.org) is undergoing a $120 million expansion and renovation slated for completion in fall 2013. The project will integrate an additional 125,000 square feet of flexible ballroom and meeting space, increasing the convention center’s usable space to 550,000 square feet.
- The Westin San Jose (408.295.2000; www.starwoodhotels.com) is scheduled to open across the street from the San Jose Convention Center in March 2013. Formerly the Sainte Claire Hotel, the National Historic Landmark dates to 1926. It will undergo a major renovation that will give it 10,000 square feet of meeting space.
- La Quinta Inn San Jose Airport (408.435.8800; www.laquintasanjose.com) completed a $2 million upgrade in June, including a complete remodel of public areas and guest rooms, new DirecTV service, landscaping and redesign of hotel exteriors. The hotel also features a new full bar named Naki’s.
- San Jose Civic (408.792.4111; www.sanjosecivic.com) recently underwent a $15 million renovation that included enhanced sound and lighting, new seating, renovated meeting rooms, expanded concessions and a new elevator.
- Fairmont San Jose (408.998.1900; www.fairmont.com/sanjose) recently completed more than $5 million in renovations to its lobby lounge, sushi bar Takai, guest rooms and meeting space.
- Hyatt Place San Jose/Downtown (408.998.0400; www.sanjose.place.hyatt.com) recently completed a $7 million renovation and rebranding of the former Crowne Plaza hotel. Located directly across the street from the San Jose Convention Center and four miles from the Mineta San Jose International Airport, it features 6,500 square feet of meeting space and complimentary Wi-Fi in all public spaces and guest rooms.
Santa Clara
- The 68,500-seat Santa Clara Stadium (408.579.4400; www.newsantaclarastadium.com), the new home of the San Francisco 49ers, is on track to open in August 2014 in time for the NFL season. The seating capacity is expandable to approximately 75,000 to host major events like the Super Bowl and the FIFA World Cup. The seating design of the stadium puts approximately two‐thirds of the fans in the lower bowl, making it one of the largest lower bowls in the NFL.
Palo Alto
- Dinah’s Garden Hotel (650.493.2844; www.dinahshotel.com) recently added a small boardroom with a flat-screen TV.
- Garden Court Hotel (650.322.9000; www.gardencourt.com) recently renovated its guest rooms and lobby.