Aloft Silicon Valley

Once upon a time, this hotel in Newark, California was a pretty humble place, back when what’s now Silicon Valley was mostly considered cow country. Of course that’s all ancient history, especially in tech years, and today Aloft Silicon Valley is a high-tech, loft-style hotel within easy driving range of just about any South Bay tech company you care to name. Set on the east side of the bay, it’s ten minutes from Palo Alto, Mountainview and Silicon Valley proper. It’s not a place for rambling around on foot, but it is equidistant to the three Bay Area airports, and a convenient choice for travelers with business in the South Bay.

While the exterior lacks the drama of some of the flashier hotels in San Francisco, the interiors feel fresh and perfectly contemporary. Naturally there’s an abundance of well-equipped meeting space, as well as a spa, heated outdoor pool and 24-hour gym. And despite the South Bay location, the airy, open-plan rooms look surprisingly urbane — though with comfortable work stations and plenty of room to spread out, they’re appropriately functional, too.