San Jose’s Hotel De Anza Is a South Bay Must-Stay
Author:Michelle KonstantinovskyFinding a boutique hotel that’s chic, comfortable, and conveniently located isn’t always simple. But with a prime downtown location and classic Art Deco design, San Jose’s Hotel De Anza manages to tick all the boxes. Situated close to SAP Center and San Jose Convention Center (and just three miles from San Jose Airport), Hotel De Anza is the go-to spot for out-of-towners looking for local luxury, but it’s a destination in and of itself. The iconic building earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, and has continued to be a main downtown attraction.
Architect H.H. Weeks partnered with builder Carl Swenson to construct the 10-story, 144-room hotel at the tail end of the 1920s. On February 26, 1931, Hotel De Anza opened its doors to the public, and quickly began attracting visiting celebrities and political leaders, including everyone from jazz icon Cab Calloway to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
In the 1940s, the hotel’s Tap Room became a hot spot for couples who wanted to cut a rug to a live orchestra, and the entire top floor of the property was converted into one of San Jose’s most popular radio stations, United Broadcasting’s KEEN Radio. Since 1951, the hotel has also been known for a 25-foot mascot of sorts, known as The Diving Diva, who adorns the west-facing exterior. While the art was originally intended to promote the hotel’s heated outdoor pool (which is long gone), but management kept her around thanks to her close association to the brand.
When the hotel began approaching a half-century of service in the 1970s, rumors flew of demolision, but the San Jose Redevelopment Agency fought to save Hotel De Anza, and in 1989, awarded the renovation project to Barry Swenson, grandson of the original builder.
The hotel completed another major renovation in 2015, updating its guest rooms, meeting spaces and common areas. But the Jazz Age influence remains a major part of the property’s ongoing legacy.
Hotel De Anza is located at 233 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA. For more information or to book a reservation, visit https://www.destinationhotels.com/hotel-de-anza or call (800) 843-3700.