California has a reputation for being a little different . Los Angeles has Hollywood . San Francisco has the the Haight and the Golden Gate . Then there ’ s Silicon Valley . Though computers and just about everything that works with them may have catapulted the high-tech home into fame and fortune , inspiration here doesn ’ t always revolve around business and battery life .
A little more than a half hour south o� �an �ran�i��o� an� ���t ��� or �� minutes from Stanford University , th� ���n�ry mi�ht ��r�ri�� a �r�t time visitor . There are the expected highways and buildings that scream tech and innovation , but this stretch of scenery also includes a fair share of green . Getting away from it all is easier when you have acres in which to do it , and that ’ s where Rosewood Sand Hill comes in .
While working hard to deliver luxury service , Rosewood Sand Hill also works hard at not being like a hotel . �t �r�t that �tat�m�nt may ���m strange , but after check-in , it starts to actually make sense . Instead of long hallways connecting rooms , guests walk through open green spaces and walkways . For rooms a bit farther from the lobby , golf carts are standing by to shuttle and show the way . I was visiting with a friend , a girlfriend getaway of sorts , and if you had seen her jump aboard , you would have thought she was ta�in� off in a ��ort� �ar�
Th� �r�t thin� �� noti��� �h�n �� walked into our Premier Room was the size . Ranging from 527 to 553 square feet there was room to spare , a rare feeling in most hotel rooms . The walk-in closet is something you ’ ll wish you had at home , along with the marble bathtub and separate rain shower . The soap , �m�o���� �ith a �ora� �att�rn� might even cause a double take ; the suds have a way of making you feel spoiled .
Along with two beds , there was a chair that helped create a cozy sitting area near the sliding glass door to the balcony , which is large enough so that you need to take a few steps to sit down at the table and two chairs . The artwork in the guest rooms ( and throughout the hotel ) are all the works of Northern California artists . Other small details , like the plant in the bathroom and the real analog clock help give guestrooms an elegant , but comfortable this-is-more-likehome-than-a-hotel-room feel .
The question of who would get the single piece of artisan chocolate on the bedside table was quickly resolved when the doorbell rang . Our professional golf cart driver had reappeared with enough chocolate to keep us happy for days .
Our late in the day arrival , combined
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with a much needed heavy rainstorm limited exploring the property , so dinner at on-site Michelin-starred Madera became the priority . Sophisticated but not snobby , the open kitchen gives you a front seat to watch all the action . The salad of young beets was tasty , but it was a seafood kind of night . Poached Wild Mexican Prawns , Day Boat Scallops and Local Petrale Sole made for a perfect combination of dishes , while leaving room for dessert . With Coconut Rice Pudding , Angel Food Cake , Fruit Mousse and Rice Milk Sherbet , the ‘ Exotic Blizzard ’ lives up to its intriguing name .
The wind was howling and the rain seemed to be falling sideways as we made a quick dash back to our room . Once inside though , you could barely hear a thing , which probably means you ’ ll rarely hear any of your neighbors .
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� �a� th� �r�t on� �� an� �in�� th� sun was shining I decided to do some wandering . The outdoor space sports just about every shade of green . Along with beautifully manicured spots like the Courtyard Garden , long lines of trees shade walkways , an� �tr�t�h�� o� �ra�� off�r traveling families just the right ��ttin� �or �itt�� on�� to r�n off some steam . Be sure to pack a
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