Hilton Santa Clara 4949 Great America Parkway • Santa Clara • CA 95054

The Silicon Valley isn't the first place most people think of when planning a wedding or social gathering, and that's a shame. It means they're missing out on one of the nicest hotels in the area—the Hilton Santa Clara. Given its location, it's been a popular place for high-tech industry meetings, but it also has a number of features that make it an excellent choice for a special occasion.

The Hilton Santa Clara's exterior has the sleek, modern good looks you'd expect a large upscale hotel to have, but when you enter the lobby, you'd swear you were in an exclusive boutique hotel. Utilizing Classical, Art Nouveau and modern design elements, the lobby has an enticing air of relaxed, understated luxury. The neutral color scheme is anything but bland, while marble floors, wall panels and blond wood molding add natural luster to the room. Wall sconces, standard lamps and light fixtures, all made of sinuously curving wrought iron and frosted glass, make a stunning visual statement. Wherever you look, there is something to captivate your eye: two life-sized sculptures that could have been done by Rodin or Degas, richly colored and textured upholstery, framed prints and paintings.

All of the function areas in the Hilton Santa Clara reflect the imaginative style and attention to detail displayed in the lobby. There are two large ballrooms available for weddings and events: the 2,800-square-foot Sierra and the 1,500-square-foot Coastal. Each ballroom can be divided into three smaller rooms if desired. Another option for smaller, more casual get-togethers is La Fontana Lounge, just off the lobby. Softly lit by fixtures hanging from the coffered ceiling and enlivened by modern paintings, it's made-to-order for cocktail parties, receptions and "welcome" parties.

In our opinion, the Hilton Santa Clara needs no more to recommend it than what we've already described, but we can't help mentioning just a few more benefits. They have a superb staff that can assist you in everything from menu selections to room rentals for your guests. The bridal package includes a complimentary suite for the bride and groom. And the Hilton Santa Clara's location can't be beat—California Great America theme park and the San Francisco 49ers' new Levi's Stadium are literally steps away, and the VTA lightrail stops right outside the hotel, giving you access to all the attractions of downtown San Jose. Should you wish to venture further afield, major freeways leading to the Monterey Peninsula or San Francisco are within easy reach. With all it has to offer, this Hilton qualifies as one of the South Bay's undiscovered treasures.