When the blueprints for the iconic Hotel de Anza in the heart of Downtown San Jose were drawn up in 1929, the Roaring Twenties and the Jazz Age was in full swing, but little did anyone know at the time, that when the classic Art Deco hotel opened its doors for business in February 1931, the Great Depression was at its worst. But the de Anza held its own and thrived for decades as a premier destination for movers and shakers, and in its hay day, luminaries such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Cab Calloway and Jack Dempsey checked in at the de Anza.
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The Classic hotel with its timeless “ZigZag Moderne” Art Deco Motifs, melded with classic Spanish Colonial Revival accents, fell on rough times by the 1980s and there was talk of its demolition. But this elegant First Lady of downtown San Jose survived, and today, following a massive multi-million dollar renovation in 2015, the De Anza has resumed her place as an understated, classy place to stay where its timeless Art-Deco motifs live on, combined with cutting-edge in room amenities and accents. And just one of the many added benefits of a stay at the de Anza is their gratis, Midnight Snack Attack offering. Got the munchies? Just ask the front desk and they’ll send you off to the elevator with a ready made snack-box preloaded with a sandwich, chips and candy.
The de Anza is more than just a place to stay, as the hotel’s enchanting Hedley Club with architectural hints of Julie Morgan’s Hearst Castle is where live jazz happens every week. It’s a popular draw for locals and guests alike, along with the on-site award-winning Italian restaurant, La Pastaia. I’m correspondent, Tom Wilmer, come along and join me at the Hotel De Anza for a visit with General Manager, Isabelle Matter, and Director of Marketing, Max Shultz as they share an insiders glimpse in to the legendary Hotel de Anza’s history and highlights of its recently completed renovation.
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