Historic Hayes Mansion in San Jose carves out a hotel niche as it adapts to changing times

SAN JOSE As it celebrates its th anniversary the historic Hayes Mansion continues to address the tricky currents of the post-COVID economic activity and set itself apart from the other more urban-focused Bay Area lodging options Perched in a country-like setting that s a bit removed from the hubbub of the city s downtown and Silicon Valley tech hubs managers of the -room south San Jose hotel are emphasizing its open setting Related Articles Old San Jose store site s makeover into tech campus gets key city OK Developer puts San Jose tech campus project site up for sale Lender grabs control of South Bay office building over failed loan Tech complex is eyed in San Jose on site of failed housing project Google seeks to sell selected Mountain View sites that may become housing We provide a lot of outdoor space which isn t very common in this area mentioned Erin Beadle general manager of Hayes Mansion We give our guests an opportunity to go outside and rejuvenate themselves in this California weather without any hustle and bustle around People can decompress In specific options COVID changed what visitors are seeking With a renewed appreciation for open-air gatherings that stemmed from limitations imposed by the pandemic Hayes Mansion is positioning its outdoor areas as key venues for corporate and social events hotel officers stated in an email to this news organization Even with the outdoor shift Hayes Mansion still offers square feet of conference space These efforts are playing out with the backdrop of a year-long celebration of its th anniversary The hotel has offered cocktail and croquet events hosted on the outdoor lawn Hayes Mansion also offers monthly guided tours that explore its history and the Hayes family that built the original structure These historical tours have been selling out Beadle mentioned All the proceeds go to the Historical Preservation Council of San Jose That group really saved this property and gave it new life Alan Reay president of Irvine-based Atlas Hospitality Group which tracks the lodging region declared Hayes Mansion is a great-looking property in a unique setting Hayes Mansion is a beautiful hotel Reay reported It s really nice The main building constructed in is considered a historic structure During the s and s the property fell into disrepair according to a city staff record San Jose bought it in from its now-defunct redevelopment agency and undertook three expansions from through The city was forced to provide subsidies that ranged from million to million a year a financial squeeze unleashed by a recession and a slump in revenue according to a city document In JMA Ventures paid million for the property promising to launch wide-ranging upgrades of Hayes Mansion Those upgrades were completed in for about million The revamp included all guest rooms and suites as well as the conference center Around that time the hotel became part of the Hilton Curio Collection an upscale lodging brand Palm Ember a dining and drinking establishment was also added The bar and cocktail lounge flow through to the -person dining room a full-service terrace with a ceiling of people and a garden seating area The Palm and Ember restaurant is seen at Hayes Mansion in San Jose Calif on May Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group We are right in the middle of a residential neighborhood which is what brings about the feeling of calm Beadle commented Guests feel like they are at home People can enjoy outdoor weather They can have a refreshing meeting experience The outdoor spaces at Hayes Mansion are in sharp contrast to a typical downtown venue Beadle explained In downtown San Jose you have meetings with no windows Beadle declared You have horns honking you have traffic A lot of groups have requirements that are better met in a place like Hayes Mansion with our outdoor spaces We are trying to deliver unique experiences for our guests Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Visitors walk through the main entrance at the Hayes Mansion in San Jose Calif on May Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group An interior view of the Hayes Mansion in San Jose Calif on May Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Sunlight streams through stained glass windows in the lobby at the Hayes Mansion in San Jose Calif on May Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group An interior view of the Hayes Mansion in San Jose Calif on May Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group An interior view of the Hayes Mansion in San Jose Calif on May Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Artworks on display inside the Hayes Mansion in San Jose Calif on May Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Two chairs placed outside at the Hayes Mansion in San Jose Calif on May Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group A deluxe double queen room is seen at Hayes Mansion in San Jose Calif on May Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group The bathroom of the Palm Suit at Hayes Mansion in San Jose Calif on May Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group The bathroom of a deluxe double queen room is seen at Hayes Mansion in San Jose Calif on May Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group The bathroom of the Palm Suit at Hayes Mansion in San Jose Calif on May Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Interior decors inside a deluxe double queen room at Hayes Mansion in San Jose Calif on May Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Artworks on display inside the Hayes Mansion in San Jose Calif on May Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group The history of Hayes Mansion is displayed inside the Hayes Mansion in San Jose Calif on May Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Show Caption Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group of Visitors walk through the main entrance at the Hayes Mansion in San Jose Calif on May Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group Expand The hotel s unique advantages also present Hayes Mansion with particular challenges Reay revealed While it s a beautiful property it doesn t fit easily into a realm niche Reay reported It s on the outskirts of Silicon Valley As opposed to bigger Bay Area hotels those with fewer rooms and more extended stays seem to be doing a bit better This is a full-service hotel in what could be considered a secondary location in the Bay Area Reay announced Beadle explained Hayes Mansion enjoyed an excellent in terms of occupancy bookings and revenue So far hasn t brought the same lift as last year Beadle commented People don t realize who we are Beadle announced We haven t been a Hilton that long Our passion is to make ourselves known We are here and it s a gorgeous property