Escape to Silicon Valley: Your Home Away From Home at Edenvale Suites
Escape to Silicon Valley: Edenvale Suites - My Unvarnished Truth (and a whole lot of Wi-Fi)
Alright, buckle up, because I'm about to spill my guts (and maybe a little bit of that complimentary coffee) about Edenvale Suites. They bill themselves as "Your Home Away From Home" in the belly of the beast that is Silicon Valley. Let's see if they delivered, shall we? Forget the polished brochure; this is the raw, unfiltered, "did-I-remember-to-tip-the-housekeeper" version.
Accessibility: (Mostly) Smooth Sailing (but with a small, grumpy chuckle)
I'm not in a wheelchair, thank the heavens (and my dodgy knees!), but I always pay attention to the accessibility options. Edenvale gets a thumbs up for Elevators, Elevators, and more Elevators! (Thank goodness, because those hills around here are no joke). The general layout seemed pretty navigable, and the descriptions led me to believe they were trying to be considerate. Now, the real test… actually using the wheelchaired bathroom? Can't say firsthand, but if that's a requirement, definitely double-check specific room details directly.
(Quick side note: remember to call ahead for specific accessibility details. The marketing can be…over-optimistic.)
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: Jury's Still Out (and Hangry)
Honestly, I didn't use any of the on-site restaurants. That's a ME problem. I'm a professional snacker, and my strategy is to forage for the perfect avocado toast. (More on that later) So, I can't give a detailed breakdown. The listings suggest accessibility, but you know what I'd absolutely do? Check the reviews to ensure they’re a reliable experience.
Internet: The Silicon Valley Savior (and My Lifeline)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? YES. A thousand times, YES! This, my friends, is THE selling point. I need the Internet like I need oxygen. And Edenvale delivered! Perfect. Seriously, the Wi-Fi was consistently strong, fast enough for streaming (mandatory for unwinding after a day of… well, whatever Silicon Valley people do all day), and even held up for those excruciating video calls with my mother. The Internet access – LAN option was also a pleasant surprise, though I have to admit, I didn't use it. I'm a Wi-Fi wanderer, through and through. Wi-Fi in public areas? Yep, that too! So, you can be a workaholic in the lobby; you can also be a workaholic by the pool.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa? Yes. Paradise? Maybe not.
Okay, let's talk Spa. Sauna, Steamroom, Massage… the whole shebang. You know what? I NEEDED this. Silicon Valley is stressful. I booked a massage. It was… good. Not life-altering. More of a "my-shoulders-don't-feel-like-concrete-anymore" good. The Pool with a view was lovely but Swimming pool [outdoor] was nice. Fitness center also wasn't overly crowded, considering. I think the Gym/fitness was well-equipped and had the proper equipment. The Body scrub and Body wrap were available, but also I think I would rather take a nap. These amenities definitely bumped things up a notch in my books.
*(Pro-tip: Book your spa appointments *way* in advance. I learned this the hard way, after missing out on a facial because I procrastinated. D'oh!)*
Cleanliness and Safety: Germaphobe-Approved (Almost)
Let's be real: in these times, cleanliness matters. Edenvale really brought their A-game! Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Absolutely. They really seemed to care. Breakfast takeaway service was a lifesaver, and I felt comfortable grabbing a bite to eat. Hand sanitizer stations abounded. The rooms were sanitized between stays. All of this gave me confidence that they're serious about hygiene. And they were! Staff trained in safety protocol. The Safer dining setup.
The only thing missing was a unicorn that also cleaned. Maybe next time? Ha!
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: The Avocado Toast Odyssey (and the Quest for Dessert)
Oh, the food! I’m a simple person. I judge a place on its avocado toast. (Fight me).
Restaurants were on offer, Bars, it seems I was too busy doing other things to enjoy them. Coffee/tea in restaurant was actually a convenient one. Poolside bar was a delight! Desserts in restaurant were on offer, but again! I was on a quest.
*(Side Note: If anyone knows where to find the *perfect* avocado toast in Silicon Valley, please send me a GPS location and a motivational speech.)*
Services & Conveniences: A Mixed Bag of Wins and "Meh"
Concierge was helpful and, I can’t lie, really good at getting me a last-minute ride to the airport. Convenience store came in handy for late-night snack runs. Laundry service was quick, which was a huge plus considering my limited packing skills. Daily housekeeping kept my room looking presentable. (Mostly. I'm messy). Facilities for disabled guests seemed to be available too!
One thing rubbed me the wrong way. The Invoice provided, I had to ask for one!
For the Kids: My Inner Child is Jealous (and a bit overwhelmed)
I don't have kids, so I'm purely speculating here. Babysitting service is very available, Family/child friendly, yep! They definitely cater to families. The Kids meal options, and the general vibe, suggested they've got the kiddos covered.
(Important Note: I only gave the kids stuff a casual glance. Ask a parent for the real scoop.)
Available in all Rooms: The Little Things That Matter (and the Occasional Annoyance)
The basics were there: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Coffee/tea maker, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Mini bar, Refrigerator, Shower.
On the minus side… the Bathtub. I like to soak in tubs. This one… well, it was fine. Nothing to write home about. They also had On-demand movies. The Scale in my room was a little too "honest" for my liking, and the Mirror was a little too strategically placed.
Check-in/Out: Quick and (mostly) Painless
Front desk [24-hour] was a relief, as was check in/out express.
Getting Around: Smooth Sailing (Most of the Time!)
Car park [free of charge] was a huge win, especially in Silicon Valley, where parking is a mythical beast. Car park [on-site] was also available . Taxi service was readily available, and the Airport transfer made my departure a breeze.
The Bottom Line:
Edenvale Suites is a solid choice for a stay in Silicon Valley. It’s clean, mostly accessible, packed with useful amenities, and the Wi-Fi is truly a blessing. The service is generally good. It’s not perfect, and I wouldn't call it luxury, but it's a comfortable and convenient home base.
Final Verdict: Four out of Five Avocado Toasts (for potential, not delivery)
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I'll leave you with a thought: If you are very picky, and you do not have the avocado toast, maybe you should look somewhere else.
Shreveport Airport's BEST Kept Secret: Country Inn & Suites!
Alright, buckle up buttercups! This ain't your meticulously planned, Instagram-filtered travelogue. This is MY trip to the Extended Stay America in San Jose, near Edenvale, and North San Jose. Get ready for some… gesticulates wildly …reality.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Fridge Debacle
- 1:00 PM: Landed at SJC. Smooth flight, thank GOD. I swear, I’m the most anxious flier this side of the Mississippi. Spent the whole time clutching my chapstick and whispering prayers to the air gods.
- 1:45 PM: Uber to Extended Stay. The driver, bless his heart, was convinced I was going to a different hotel. Finally, we got it sorted, and I’m staring at the glorious, long-stay-chic exterior. It… exists. In a beige, slightly sad way.
- 2:30 PM: Check-in. The front desk guy, seemed to be playing on an outdated computer game, was very friendly but made the entire booking process feel like negotiating a hostage situation. "Yes, the key works, you have a room" was his version of a grand gesture.
- 3:00 PM: Room reveal. Okay, let's be honest, it's a box with a bed. But it's my box with a bed! The mini-kitchen? Adorable. But the mini-fridge? OH, THE MINI-FRIDGE! It was off. Stone cold OFF. I immediately envisioned the impending food spoilage horror. I was travelling for work and had brought my meals to avoid eating junk. My first thought was to ask the front desk, but I knew they'd send me to the IT guy who would say "it's the way its built".
- 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM: Fridge rescue mission. Called the front desk. Explained the disaster. Waited. Waited some more. Finally, a maintenance guy arrives. He fiddles with the fridge. “Should be okay now,” he says. Doesn't even check. He disappears. I plug it in. NOTHING. I consider a full-blown meltdown. Seriously. I was THIS close to pulling the fire alarm.
- 4:00 PM: Eventually, I found the hidden power switch (seriously, where do they hide these things?) and the fridge, thankfully, came back to life. Victory! I celebrated with a can of lukewarm soda I found in my bag of snacks. Glamorous, right?
- 6:00 PM: Walked to the closest restaurant, which, let's just say, the choices around here aren't exactly Michelin-star material. Settled on a chain restaurant after spotting a billboard. I had a mediocre burger and watched a couple argue. Romantic, isn't it? I think everyone was looking for a little bit of normalcy.
- 8:00 PM: Back in the room, now feeling the jet lag. Did some work, then collapsed onto the bed, vowing to remember how to navigate a mini-fridge for the rest of my days.
Day 2: The Silicon Valley Shuffle and a Questionable Pizza
- 7:00 AM: Woke up because the sun decided to blast directly through that thin curtain. Wonderful. Coffee from the machine in the lobby. Tasted like regret, but I needed the caffeine.
- 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM: The work grind. Meetings, spreadsheets, the usual corporate song and dance. Let's just say my brain cells are doing the Electric Slide.
- 5:30 PM: Attempted to escape the corporate world. Got into my rental car, almost drove in the wrong direction. My sense of direction is, shall we say, fluid.
- 6:00 PM: Decided to try out a local pizza place. Reviews were mixed, but I was craving carbs. Big mistake. The pizza arrived. It looked like something that would have been rejected by every pizza critic on the planet. The crust was… unique. Let’s just say I ate about two slices and then started debating whether or not to call it a night, or just go to the nearest supermarket. The pizza? A metaphor for life, maybe. Sometimes you get a slice of heaven, and sometimes you get… this.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Back at the hotel, trying to forget that pizza ever existed. Watched a terrible movie on TV. It was so bad, it was almost good. I think.
- 9:00 PM: Did some more work, and then started my second binge of Netflix.
Day 3: The Great Escape (And Realizing I’m Not a "Hiker")
- 8:00 AM: Decided I was going to be a productive person. I made some eggs, which I cooked in the microwave (because, hello, Extended Stay). I'm pretty sure I'm going to be kicked out if I turn the entire room into a kitchen.
- 9:00 AM: I tried to do some work in the morning. The work was fine, but the internet was… intermittent. I tried calling the front desk, but the phone died after 5 minutes – which I thought was a metaphor for my life, given my recent struggles.
- 12:00 PM: Okay, I decided to be adventurous. There, in the beautiful, sun-drenched, outdoor area, I was going to go for a walk. I chose a walking trail that ended up having the worst incline I've ever seen. It was a "hike" they said! Easy walk, they said! Lies. All lies.
- 1:00 PM: I was breathing like a cartoon dinosaur. The “views” were nice, but mostly consisted of more hills. My legs felt like jelly. I was sweating more than I thought possible. I turned around. I’m a city girl at heart, okay?
- 2:00 PM: Back at the hotel. I took a long, much-needed shower.
- 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM: More (hopefully) productive work. The internet behaved. I swear, I think it just hates me personally.
- 6:00 PM: I decided to get out of my room. No more. No more. More eating out. I ate a taco, which was delicious.
- 7:00 PM: Back at the hotel, I think I'll get some more work done, and then I will go straight to sleep. I am already looking forward to the sleep.
Day 4: Heading home… Almost
- 8:00 AM: I woke up from the best deep sleep I've had this week.
- 9:00 AM: I quickly got my bags ready, checked out, and headed for the airport.
- 11:00 AM: I am at the airport. I sat around waiting for my flight.
- 12:00 PM: My flight was delayed. Wonderful.
- 1:00 PM: More delays.
- 2:00 PM: I am still here.
- 3:00 PM: Flight canceled. "Unforeseen circumstances." Sigh.
- 4:00 PM: I went back to the hotel, and now I will wait until tomorrow to fly.
Conclusion:
The Extended Stay? It was… an experience. A beige, sometimes-fridge-challenged, definitely-pizza-questionable experience. But hey, I survived. I got some work done. I experienced the "great outdoors." And, most importantly, I learned that sometimes, the biggest adventures aren't about the fancy hotels or the perfect itineraries, but about the little dramas, the unexpected hiccups, and the sheer, messy human-ness of it all. And I did, finally, learn to conquer the mini-fridge. So, consider this trip a success, in its own wonky, slightly-off-kilter way. And now, sleep, glorious sleep.
Luxury Chicago Escape: Courtyard Lincolnshire's Chic Retreat
Okay, so… What *is* Edenvale Suites, REALLY? Like, beyond the slick website?
Alright, picture this: you're a tech bro/sis, fresh off the plane, probably smelling of jet fuel and desperation. You need a place to crash, a launching pad for your inevitable (hopefully) startup success. Edenvale Suites *tries* to be that. It's basically extended-stay living, a mix of hotel and apartment. You get a kitchenette, a desk, and the vague promise of internet that actually works (sometimes). Honestly, it's not the Taj Mahal, but it gets the job done. And, look, sometimes “getting the job done” is a victory in this Valley of broken dreams and avocado toast.
What's the biggest perk of staying there? Spill the beans, sis.
Okay, the biggest perk? Depends on your definition of "perk." For me, it was the *proximity* to everything. I mean, *everything*, including a very decent burger joint, a dry cleaner, *and* a 24-hour gym. I needed that gym, let me tell you. Stress eating is a real thing when you're pitching investors. My waistband was tighter than my budget. The location is basically your lifeline, especially if you don't have a car. The light rail is right there, which… well, it's the light rail. Let's just say it's *better* than walking in 100-degree heat.
Let’s talk about the rooms. Are they…livable? Because the pictures online seem…optimistic.
Okay, *the rooms*. Right. The photos you see online are, let's just say, *heavily filtered*. They're like dating app profiles: they showcase the best angle, the flattering lighting, the strategically placed houseplant. Real life? Well, expect a slightly tired décor, the faint smell of industrial cleaner, and perhaps a rogue hair clinging to the bathroom tile. But, honestly? It's fine. It's a place to *sleep*. You're not there to admire the art, unless you count the framed motivational posters, which I swear, I think they cycle out every month, or maybe I just went insane. I mean, how inspiring is the "Dream Big" poster when you can't afford to buy a decent coffee? This is Silicon Valley, after all, where the dreams are big, and the coffee is overpriced. Just saying.
The Kitchenettes. Tell me about the kitchenette. I like to cook.
Ah, the kitchenette. That’s where the dream dies, folks. Okay, *some* of them are alright. You’ll have a mini-fridge, a microwave, probably a hot plate, and maybe a tiny toaster oven that's seen better days. Cooking? Okay, fine, you *can* cook. If your definition of cooking is "reheating leftovers and occasionally making oatmeal." Space is *tight*. I mean, seriously tight. You'll be doing the dishes in the tiny sink, desperately trying not to splash yourself and wondering why you even *bothered* with that fancy pasta dish, when you just needed a damn sandwich. I tried making a legit meal there once – a salmon with roasted veggies deal – and it was a disaster. Smoke, burnt veggies, and nearly setting off the fire alarm. Learned my lesson. Now it's microwave popcorn and Trader Joe's frozen meals, baby! Embrace the mediocrity of the kitchenette, and you might actually survive. It's a Valley survival skill, really.
What about the Wi-Fi? Because… well, startups need internet.
The Wi-Fi! The bane of my existence! The Wi-Fi is… patchy. Sometimes it’s blazing fast; other times, you're watching the loading bar on your browser crawl at the speed of a… well, of glacial melt. Don't rely on it for video calls. Seriously. I once had to run down to the lobby, which had slightly better Wi-Fi, in my pajamas to host a zoom meeting with a potential investor. Not my finest moment. Bring a hotspot. Or maybe a satellite dish. Okay, maybe not a satellite dish, but you get the picture. Prepare for the digital Dark Ages. Learn to love the buffering circle. It's a symbol of your struggle, and probably a metaphor for your entire Valley experience.
The cleaning service. Is it…actually a service?
The cleaning service… Okay, here's the deal. They offer to clean your room once a week. *Once*. A *week*. If you're a slob like me (and let's be honest, most startup founders are – who has time to clean when you're busy trying to build the next unicorn?), you'll be living in a biohazard zone by day six. My advice: Embrace the mess. Learn to love the crumbs. Or… you know… hire your own cleaner. I found a lovely woman on TaskRabbit. Best money I ever spent. The complimentary cleaning? Consider it a suggestion. A very light suggestion, indeed.
The Gym! I got to stay fit during the Valley grind, right?
The gym. Okay, here's a real moment of truth: the gym is fine. It has treadmills, some weights, and maybe a broken elliptical. It's basic, but it exists, and that's more than a lot places offer. But...and this is a big but...it's often ridiculously crowded. Peak hours? Forget about it. You'll be waiting for a treadmill, watching some other sweaty, ambitious soul pound their feet and you'll be on the verge of a breakdown. I ended up going at 6 am just to avoid the crowds. You'll be more tired. But hey, it's the Valley. We make sacrifices. You gotta keep moving, literally. Gotta get those endorphines flowing. At least the showers worked, mostly. And even a bad shower is a win, frankly.
Customer Service. What is the deal?
Customer service? Ah, yes. The land of broken promises and…well, you get what you pay for. The front desk staff are generally nice, in a weary, seen-it-all kind of way. They’ve dealt with everything from Wi-Fi meltdowns to stolen avocados to late-night pizza emergencies. They’re probably underpaid and overworked. Sometimes they can help. Sometimes they'll just shrug and say "That's Silicon Valley, baby!" You'll learn to live with a certain level of passive-aggressive helpfulness. It's part of the experience.
Is it even worth the money? ShouldFindelicious Hotels
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