By Emma Krasov. Photography by Yuri Krasov
After traveling to Mexico for the Days of the Dead festivities a few years back, and experiencing the overwhelming elation of the colors, sounds, aromas and tastes of this bitter-sweet, ancient holiday in all its glory, I couldn’t imagine being equally impressed with any kind of its celebration on our American soil, but Signia by Hilton San Jose, one the newest hotels of Signia by Hilton brand, managed to prove me wrong.
Spirits of Mexico: A Día de los Muertos Winemaker Dinner unfolded at the hotel’s Fountain Restaurant lavishly decorated with myriads of bright-orange marigolds, playful white sugar skulls crowned with pink roses, and hand-painted in floral patterns wine and spirit bottles, created by the Local Color, a San Jose-based nonprofit, and raffled off to benefit the local artists in its care.
An opening reception with live music and cocktails held face painting with Día de los Muertos-themed designs, available to the present guests, and comprehensive tastings of the famous Mexican spirits—Dobel Tequila and 400 Conejos Mezcal, presented by Nicholas Hansen.
Daniel Lonnberg, a prominent winemaker and a premier winemaking consultant in Mexico, and Tom Bracamontes of La Competencia Imports presented an exciting array of Mexican wines from the vineyards of Baja to match a five-course dinner created by the Signia by Hilton San Jose talented culinary team.
The elaborate menu consisted of highly imaginative dishes, each more intriguing than the next—aguachile-cured prawns and scallops with avocado, red onion, and charred salsa broth paired with Vinsur Tresparauno Blanc de Blanc Brut Nature; roasted pork belly in mole verde with crispy broccolini and garlic butter potatoes, paired with Vinsur Reflejo Red Blend; steamed halibut with green chorizo, pinto beans and Cotija cheese, paired with Vinsur Literal Rosé (Grenache); braised beef short rib in chichilo negro and lobster Al Pastor with confit parsnip and pineapple butter, paired with Vinsur Literal Cabernet Syrah, and chocolate torta with flan De Cajeta and fried avocado ice cream paired with Vinsur Cañada de los Encinos Zinfandel Petit Verdot.
For me, a first-time visitor to a Signia by Hilton hotel, the holiday cheer started at the lobby, decorated for the occasion, and continued with a spacious, elegantly furnished, and sparkling-clean guest room, wonderful amenities, and even a themed souvenir—all the markers of true hospitality, extended by the excellent brand.
After lunching on Ceviche Huachinango (Spanish sea bass, leche de tigre, orange, sweet potato, coriander, red onion) and Dynamite California Roll (Dungeness crab, avocado, spicy mayo, wasabi caviar) with classic cocktails at the AJI Bar & Robata in the hotel lobby, I undertook a little tour of the many smartly appointed hotel facilities—restaurants, meeting facilities, conference rooms, and hallways, adorned with modern art and made to exude casual friendliness and understated luxury.
Right outside the building I found a large swimming pool, an ice rink in the making for the winter holiday season, and discovered the most favorable location of the hotel—steps away from San Jose Museum of Art, Tech Museum of Innovation, and Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, and across the street from Plaza de César Chávez Park—the center of San Jose’s always popular holiday experiences.
I’d say with certainty and genuine conviction that staying at Signia by Hilton San Jose, a 541-room property in the capital of Silicon Valley, California, is a vacation on its own, not to mention their extensive holiday program currently offered as part of specialty packages and VIP guest experiences.
If you’re traveling to Northern California, or live and work here, choose from the exciting menu of holiday entertainment for the entire holiday season:
Thanksgiving Buffet Brunch on November 23
Enjoy a feast for the whole family, curated by Signia San Jose’s culinary team. Featuring a range of seasonal dishes and classic favorites, a variety of items to choose from includs roasted turkey and prime rib, antipasti and charcuterie, a carving station, omelet station with breakfast sides, and a raw bar with sushi and sashimi options. For the younger family members, there’s a specialty kids’ corner with additional treats and dining spreads. Seating is open for a two-hour block beginning at 11 a.m.
Christmas Day Brunch on December 25
Christmas Day Brunch is an annual festive culinary celebration featuring a spectacular array of holiday classics, including a special roast goose. All are invited to take a memorable family photo in front of the exclusive Enchant Christmas display and to have a Veuve Clicquot Champagne experience.
Enchant Christmas November 24 – December 31
Signia San Jose is this year’s exclusive host hotel for Enchant Christmas San Jose, bringing the spirit of the season to PayPal Park and a variety of fun activities for all ages. Guests can book the hotel’s Enchant Christmas VIP package and receive two VIP tickets, roundtrip transportation via Lyft to and from PayPal Park, exclusive themed swag, and two signature cocktails in AJI Bar & Robata. Signia San Jose will also feature an exclusive Enchant lighted display for complimentary photo opportunities for guests and visitors adjacent to the main entrance of the hotel.
Broadway San Jose x The Grinch! November 24
The holiday season isn’t complete without a little Grinchmas! In honor of Broadway San Jose’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (playing Nov. 28-Dec. 3), guests and visitors can expect surprising and delightful moments with “The Grinch” himself, visiting the property on Black Friday. Snap a photo with Mr. Grinch from 5:20 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. at the hotel’s Enchant display just outside the lobby entrance, or catch him in AJI Bar & Robata from 6:40 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. following the Christmas in the Park tree lighting ceremony.
Shopping & Champagne Package
Book Signia San Jose’s specialty shopping package for a seamless gift-giving experience this holiday season. Beginning with roundtrip transportation from the hotel to the South Bay’s premier lifestyle shopping destination, Westfield Valley Fair, guests who book this package will shop in style, enjoy two tickets to the Downtown Ice skating rink located mere steps from the property, and receive a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne upon arrival.
New Year’s Eve at Signia December 31
Ring in the New Year with a two-part celebration taking place in Fountain Restaurant and AJI Bar & Robata. Start the evening with a lavish reception in Fountain, featuring savory and sweet holiday favorites from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. before continuing the celebration into AJI Bar & Robata to welcome in 2024. A midnight Veuve Clicquot toast will round out the evening with live music to keep the party going.
Signia by Hilton San Jose is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 22 world-class brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, and free standard WiFi. Members also have access to contactless technologies exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check-in, choose their room and access their room using Digital Key.
Signia by Hilton San Jose is located at 170 South Market Street in San Jose, California, 95113. To make reservations for holiday festivities, call +1- 408-998-1900 or go to https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/sjcsmsa-signia-san-jose/things-to-do/.
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