Insider: This Silicon Valley Hotel Is the Perfect Stress Hack
From the gorgeous grounds to the amenities, the Rosewood Sand Hill has a lot going on. (Courtesy: Rosewood Sand Hill)
This past holiday season, in between jam-packed errands, I had the chance to visit the Rosewood Sand Hill in Silicon Valley, Calif. Let me tell you this: a single night in this Menlo Park hotel was the key to relieving my ample stress. In fact, I’m ready to go back and let all my subsequent New Year’s stress melt away, too.
Why is the Rosewood Sand Hill so relaxing? Here are my top five reasons:
Crackling fires
A Luxury Suite at the hotel, with its own fireplace. (Courtesy: Rosewood Sand Hill)
Sure, they’re gas-lit, but what’s more enchanting and hypnotizing than a fireplace right in your room? I stayed in a Rosewood Junior suite, and I swear I spent more time on the living-room couch than out exploring the gorgeous grounds. I put on my slippers (yup, the Rosewood supplies those, too), grabbed my novel, and sank down in the cushions in front of the flickering flames. Heaven.
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Luxury spa
The Sense Spa. (Courtesy: Rosewood Sand Hill)
When I wasn’t in front of the fireplace, I was in the Sense Spa, a sanctuary for stressed-out moms like me. The dim lighting, California styling (think polished wood and natural, neutral décor) set the mood, and the aesthetician put me into a trance. OK, not really. But I came out glowing, and not just because my face was clean and moisturized, but also because I’d lost all sense of time and email.
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High-end gym
The pristine hotel gym. (Courtesy: Rosewood Sand Hill)
The only way I could justify all my sofa time was by getting in a run. As a travel writer, I’ve seen the inside of a lot of hotel gyms, but this one was a stand-out. Sure, it’s not huge, but it’s well equipped, and it shows an attention to detail. The machines are pristine and clean, the water has orange floating in it, and a basket on the table when you walk in is full of sets of headphones. It’s true, I snagged a few extra pairs. No one seemed to mind.
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Fine dining that isn’t stuffy
What’s on the table at Madera. (Courtesy: Rosewood Sand Hill)
Sure, Madera – the main restaurant at Sand Hill – has a Michelin star. But don’t be scared. The food isn’t foofy. It’s just really mindblowing. From the fresh pea soup offered as an amuse-bouche to the hand-rolled pasta to the warm beignets, every bite was pretty sensational. Another bonus? Madera’s sommelier won’t make you feel like a nincompoop when you admit that you know nothing about wine. He’ll just bring you a reasonably priced bottle that pairs with your meal – and make you feel like it was your idea.
Doggy heaven
While I didn’t bring my French bulldog, Louis, I also didn’t tell him about the Rosewood Sand Hill when I got back. He would have bitten me. That’s because Sand Hill is doggy nirvana. Not only does the property welcome pets, they’ll even let them eat with you outside (no, they can’t go swimming in the pool, but Louis sinks, anyway). And because Sand Hill boasts 16 acres of green space, you’ll want to have a four-legged friend along with you to explore.
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