Since July 2018 the Santa Clara Marriott located at 2700 Mission College Boulevard has been undergoing extensive renovations. The hotel has been able to remain open amidst the work due to its having two towers and a series of wings to stagger the disruptions. By this November the multi-million renovation should be complete.
“It’s part of a grand strategy to upgrade our flagship hotels across the country, and in so doing empower our guests to shine in their work and play,” said Mark Evans, Director of Sales & Marketing, Marriott International. “It’s really been a total transformation of the property. The hotel was built in 1976 and every hotel renovates over time. But this was part of our strategy to include some key upgrades of the interior space.”
Designed by hospitality design firm HBA, the renovations were aimed at evoking “Santa Clara’s true pioneering spirit” by merging its agricultural roots to present day technological innovation, in the form of geometric patterns, clean lines and a color palette inspired by local geography. A new art display in the ballroom foyer is made from a recycled computer keyboard — clearly evoking the hotel’s tech surroundings. The changes are geared to appeal to a variety of guests including business travelers, vacationers and people visiting family in the area.
The Marriott’s upgraded meeting and event spaces offer over 29,0000 square feet of indoor and outdoor areas equipped with current technology, high-speed WiFi and the option to work with event planners and culinary team. The renovated lobby space, known as the Great Room, features guest seating, a Starbucks with house-made pastries and plentiful outlets for powering devices. A new “M Club” offers breakfast, snacks, beverages and evening bar service. The renovations also involve the addition of a larger fitness facility that overlooks the hotel pool. Work has already been completed on all guest rooms and has resulted in the addition of seven new rooms for a total of 766.
One of the most notable changes is a new restaurant, Bosc + Bartlett, that offers a blend of California cuisine with Asian flavors along with local craft beer and wine. The restaurant’s concept was created by Chef Jason Kina, and gets its name from the history of the hotel’s location where a pear orchard had been in the late 1800s.
Although the work has been extensive, Evans said that rates have not dramatically changed and are in line with the market. “The renovations have made our hotel more appealing to travelers,” he said. Current guest room rates for the Santa Clara Marriott are mid-$300s and above for weekdays and mid-$100s and above for weekends.