An impressive and imposing two-tower city hotel, the Fairmont San Jose offers more than 800 rooms in its towers that overlook downtown San Jose, California. Adjacent to some of the city’s best attractions for kids — including the Children’s Discovery Park and the Tech Museum of Innovation — the hotel caters primarily to a business and convention crowd and finds itself quite empty on weekends, making it an ideal hotel for families looking for a quick getaway to the city. Connecting rooms are available, and the hotel offers a number of onsite dining options. Leave the car in the garage and walk to the attractions and parks.

The Fairmont is a large two tower, high-rise hotel with more than 800 rooms available. The property has been operated by Fairmont for 30 years and completed renovations in 2017. But with its expansive size, it is always undergoing renovations of some sort. All rooms are outfitted with flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers. Mini-refrigerators can be requested, with a per-stay fee charged. CD players may be requested in South Tower rooms.

Rollaway beds (at a fee) and cribs (free) are available. The hotel also provides complimentary baby lotion, shampoo, powder and a teddy bear with each crib.

Note: Main Building rooms have windows that open to the outside; South Tower windows do not open.

Fairmont Rooms
Traditional rooms with a king, queen or two double beds are found on the 3rd through 9th floor of the hotel's Main Building, and on the 9th through 14th floors in the South Tower. These rooms are 450 square feet in size, and can sleep up to four guests.

Deluxe Rooms
Also 450 square feet in size, with a king, queen or two double beds, these rooms are located on higher floors: 10th through 20th floors of the Main Building and 9th through 14th of the South Tower. These rooms also feature CD players.

Junior Suites
Located on the 3rd through 5th floors of the Main Building, these studio suites are 500 square feet and provide accommodations for up to four. A king, two doubles or two queens are available in these rooms, which also provide a small dining table and a sitting area.

One-Bedroom Suites
Located on the 6th through 9th floor of the Main Building and the 3rd through 8th floors of the South Tower, these two-room suites range from 900 square feet to 1,350 square feet in size. Select a king with a sofa bed in the Main Buildings, as South Tower suites do not have sofa beds and just feature a king bed. Deluxe versions, at 900 square feet, are located in the Main Building.

Presidential Suites
Fairmont Luxury Suite and International Luxury Suite are nearly 1,900 square feet and have a king bedroom with a sitting room equipped with a sofa bed and plenty of seating for a large group. The rooms have skyline views. The actual Presidential Luxury Suite is only 1,200 square feet in comparison, but includes a dining table and a double sofa bed.

Although the hotel is a massive property, it does not offer any activities or family programming. It is, however, located directly across the street from Tech Museum of Innovation and the San Jose Museum of Art. A playground and park are also located across the street, and the Children's Discovery Park is just blocks away from the hotel.

Pool
One thing kids will love, however, is the fourth floor, rooftop swimming pool!

A number of restaurants are located on the ground floor of the Fairmont's two buildings, as well as a rooftop pool gazebo delivering food and drink poolside. In-room dining offerings are throughout the day. Dining options include:

Bijan Bakery & Café
A European-style bakery, this is a popular place for sweets and treats. In the mornings, grab pastries and croissants, and in the afternoons, find homemade sandwiches or fresh-baked breads. The bakery is open from 6:30 a.m. on weekdays and 7:30 a.m. on weekends, closing at 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends.

Fountain Restaurant
This California restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch daily, with a weekend brunch offered on both Saturday and Sunday. A breakfast buffet is available from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. on weekdays and 7 to 11 a.m. on weekends, brunch is from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a la carte breakfast and lunch are featured between 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Grill on the Alley
The hotel's steakhouse, which is located on its alley between properties and popular for locals, is Grill on the Alley. Lunch is available on weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., but the restaurant is mostly a dinner spot, opening at 4 p.m. on weekdays and at 5 p.m. on weekends. It closes at 9 p.m. on Sundays, 10 p.m. on weekdays, and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays.

Lobby Lounge
For quick bar bites, the lobby lounge is available between 11 a.m. and midnight with big-screen TVs showcasing national sports. From 6 to 10 a.m., the lounge serves as a café with coffee and tea.

McCormick & Schmick's
This high-end seafood chain can be found on property inside the South Tower. A new menu is printed twice daily for lunch and dinner, so you can return again and again for new options. Lunch is available on weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., while dinner is offered every night from 4 to 10 p.m.

All About the Extras
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is available in guestrooms for a daily fee.

Babysitting
A list of area babysitting services can be provided through Concierge.

Pets
The hotel is pet-friendly and charges $75 per stay for dogs of any size.

The Art of Smart Timing
San Jose and the Fairmont are both primarily frequented by business travelers. The hotel is eager to fill its rooms when conferences are not occurring, typically on weekends, with good deals for families to stay and play.

Getting There
The closest airport is Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, just minutes from the hotel. A shuttle is not available, but the airport and hotel are connected via the Metro Station Light Rail Stop.

Getting Around
There is no self-parking available at the Fairmont San Jose. Guests who choose to drive will need to valet at a hefty fee.

For Mom and Dad
Takai Sushi & Sake Bar
This intimate row of bar stools in the hotel's main lobby is an intimate, evening sushi spot. If you can find an open seat, the bar is open from 5 to 10 p.m. every day but Sunday.