A Weekend Getaway to the Four Seasons Silicon Valley
Last weekend, I packed up my weekender bag with a bikini, a cover up, and a couple dresses and headed out of the San Francisco fog down to Silicon Valley. 40 minutes later and 20 degrees warmer, I checked into the Four Seasons Silicon Valley, was handed a glass of champagne, and immediately felt like I was a million miles away.
While San Francisco may be a lot of wonderful things, it is not much of a summer escape. After all, Mark Twain once said “The coldest winter I ever spent was Summer in San Francisco.” So, with the siren call of rooftop pool cabanas, a luxurious spa, and 80 degree weather in Palo Alto(compared to SF’s chilly 50’s), I already knew that my weekend at the Four Seasons Silicon Valley was going to be heaven.
What I wasn’t prepared for was just how much this hotel would exceed my expectations. Located in East Palo Alto conveniently right off of the freeway and in the heart of the tech hub of Silicon Valley, The Four Seasons is renowned as the place to stay for those in town on business. But that’s not all it is. The Four Seasons is, in one word, an escape. An escape from the hustle and bustle of the City and a respite in the Valley. The hotel is tailor-made for a staycation, whether you’re just in town for work and need a comfortable home base while you’re there, or you live in the area and are simply looking for a weekend oasis.
The vibe of the whole hotel is business modern, and it clearly caters to a fashionable, tech-savvy, Silicon Valley clientele. On Friday nights, the appropriately named [ESC] lounge transforms into a hip cocktail party called SHUCK, complete with champagne, oysters, and trendy beats by BELLOSOUND DJ. Did I mention iPad menus? I felt like such a techie. It’s the perfect spot for networking with business partners, socializing with friends, or sipping drinks on a first date with someone you met on the latest dating app.
A few steps from the [ESC] lounge is arguably the best restaurant in the Valley directly on the hotel property, Quattro. Quattro features a California-influenced contemporary Italian menu, and an impressive 300+ bottle wine menu, which is available in 2, 4, or 6 ounce pours, and makes an awesome way to wine your way around the world with your meal. I was immediately impressed that my favorite wine (duMol) was one of the very first on the by-the-glass list, so my dinner was already off to the best start. We munched on melt-in-your-mouth truffled short rib ravioli, a beautiful hamachi crudo, as well as lamb chops that were absolutely to-die-for. Every bite of Quattro is heavenly, and the atmosphere is just as great. After dinner, we headed to the fire pits on Quattro’s patio for some red wine by the fire. An ideal end to a perfect day.
The next day, I got out of comfiest king bed, slid into my robe, and headed down to the Four Seasons Silicon Valley spa, which features seven luxurious treatment rooms, nail care stations and adjoins a sunlit rooftop pool terrace with whirlpool and bright orange private cabanas. There’s also a eucalyptus-infused steam room and a 24-hour fitness center available to Hotel guests and spa members only.
My spa treatment, the Hydrafacial, was incredible, and one of the very best spa treatments I’ve had. The HydraFacial™ is a state-of-the-art facial resurfacing treatment that stimulates collagen, treats sun damage, wrinkles, rosacea, blemishes and oily skin, and the Four Seasons is the only spa in the area to have the machine for it. After 60 minutes with Marisa, I was glowing and feeling like I had reversed years of travel blogging sun damage.
After my facial, I headed straight from the spa the pool in my robe, where I had some of the most delicious chips and guacamole ever (I’m picky about my Mexican food, and these were amazing), a great glass of rosé, and hung out poolside all day.
I also got some work done in [ESC], the cocktail lounge that, during the daytime, transforms into a cafe and an ideal space for sipping coffee, catching up on the latest tech news, and working from your laptop.
All in all, my “Staycation” at the Four Seasons was everything I could have wanted and so much more. And the best part? I didn’t even have to leave the hotel. The service, rooms, and facilities were as top notch as could be. I highly recommend the Four Seasons to anyone in San Francisco or the Bay Area looking for a weekend getaway or anyone coming to Silicon Valley on business… It doesn’t get much better than this.
xo,
Christina
