Residence Inn San Jose Cupertino caters to Autism Families
Located at 19429 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, CA, this brand new 180-room hotel does not disappoint. With spacious suites and proximity to local restaurants and stores, this property is perfect for those visiting the Silicon Valley. We stayed there last month and found it family friendly and comfortable for autism families.
What Works for Families
- The brand new (opened Nov 2017) Residence Inn San Jose Cupertino had a spacious kitchenette, living room, and separate bedroom. I loved that they offer two queen sized beds, as well as a sofa bed.
- Super close to shopping, and restaurants. I liked the mini-Target that I could pick up small odds and ends that we needed.
- Rooms have wired and wireless internet.
What Doesn’t Work for Families
- The Residence Inn San Jose Cupertino is a no-frills hotel. There was no bellman to help with our luggage.
- Granted, I would have loved to see the knives from the kitchen in a more secure location. As a mom who travels with a child who has autism, we must be acutely aware of sharp objects such as knives. So call ahead and ask the staff to remove knives from the room.
What is free
I was happy to see that parking is free as well as free Wi-Fi throughout the common areas in the hotel. Each room comes with internet access, but if you need high-speed for massive file transfer, or video chatting the charge is only $5.99 a day for non-Marriott rewards members.
Moreover, the staff is happy to help guests with any forgotten essential items. The front desk has travel sized toothbrushes, paste, combs and shaving kits for those who request it.
Our special requests
As always, before I booked our room, I called the front desk to make sure our special requests could be made. Our requests included a quiet as well as a feather-free room. The staff assured me that these accommodations were no problem, and our room would be ready for us.
Our welcome
Our check-in went incredibly fast. It may have been one of the smoothest registration that we have had in a while. Each staff member we encountered was super friendly and answered every question we had.
Décor
With a combination of dark woods and orange hues, the overall décor of the lobby is hip, with a millennial vibe to it. We enjoyed how it was non-traditional and fun.The property had a lot of seating areas in the front and back of the lobby area.
The surprise wow factor for us was the outdoor patio where families can enjoy the bonfire pit and even roast marshmallows as dessert.
Fellow travelers
Since Apple and LinkedIn headquarters are close, expect many younger business folks here. Also, with the mini-apartment rooms, this is an excellent hotel for families that tag along.
The living room and kitchenette
My first impression of the room was it was functional and contemporary. It felt like we were walking into a modern apartment.The first area you see upon entry is the well-stocked kitchenette.
We thought the dark wood cabinets looked snazzy with the stainless steel appliances. Guests will be delighted to discover that everything is supplied, from silverware to soap for washing dishes.
Separating the kitchenette and living room was a central dining area with a large rectangular table and four padded chairs.
The living room area boasted a comfortable sofa that pulls out to an extra bed, a 40-inch TV atop a chest of drawers, an armchair and desk.
The bedroom
The bedroom was extremely comfortable. Because of my allergy, we had the foam pillows and hypoallergenic blankets. There was a nice sized nightstand between our queen size beds, which housed an alarm clock, and a phone. The headboards completed the visual niceness of this room with the metallic colors against the orange color walls. The room had a built-in flat screen TV across from the beds.
The closet placed in the front of the vanity area had plenty of room for both of our clothes, as well as an iron and ironing board and a small safe.Both rooms had central air conditioning, plenty of outlets to plug in electronics and thick curtains that blocked the light when we slept.
Our bathroom
The décor of the bathroom continued with the general modern theme of a combination of metallic hues, tans, and whites. The vanity/sink layout was convenient since two people could use the facilities simultaneously.
We found the glass enclosure with no door and control knobs opposite to the shower head more comfortable to use.Both areas were well lit and had Paul Mitchell toiletries.
The free breakfast
The Residence Inn San Jose Cupertino has a very elaborate complimentary breakfast.
Guests can enjoy yogurts, dry cereals, pancakes, and various pastries. There was also a separate DIY waffle station.
Guests can also have hot items like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, sausage patties, hash browns, and bacon. Also, there were cut up fruit boiled eggs (Yea!), juices and even iced coffee.
Hotel amenities
The hotel has a gym with several cardio machine and weights. For those who wish to spend time outdoors, they have firepits in the backyard free to use. In addition, the property has several washer/ dryer machines for patrons to use free of charge.
Restaurants on property
There are no restaurants on the property, but don’t worry. There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance. The property does have a Happy Hour event three days a week with wine, beer, and appetizers.
Cost
While the Residence Inn San Jose Cupertino might be a little pricier than comparable hotels, do not let that discourage you from staying here. The atmosphere and service make this hotel well worth it.
Service
Even though this is a budget hotel with no bellboy or extra amenities, the service we received at this hotel was excellent. Both housekeeping and the front desk responded fast and responded to my requests.
Autism Travel Tips
- The breakfast offers gluten-free items so be sure to ask the staff for details
- Ask the staff to remove any sharp knives if you think your kid may be tempted to touch or play with them.
- Pack an anti-slip bath mat for the bathroom shower as wet floors can become slippery
Share this:
