Park James

“Weekend at Menlo Park”

We stayed at Park James last week and had such a wonderful experience. The hotel is in an excellent location in Menlo Park, within walking distance of downtown, making it easy to explore the area. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted immediately by the front desk team and felt genuinely w… more

We stayed at Park James last week and had such a wonderful experience. The hotel is in an excellent location in Menlo Park, within walking distance of downtown, making it easy to explore the area. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted immediately by the front desk team and felt genuinely welcomed. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the décor feels luxurious without being overdone. Our room was beautifully maintained and exceptionally clean. We had a room with a Juliet balcony, which was a lovely touch—you can open it up and let in the fresh air if you're not a fan of air conditioning. I was also happy to see the return of the in-room minibar. The bottles felt a little large for individual consumption, but they would make a great last-minute gift. Another standout feature was the water carafes in the rooms—yes to less plastic! The beds and pillows were immaculate and honestly among the most comfortable I've ever slept on. The hotel uses Frette linens, towels, and robes, and you can absolutely feel the difference. Everything was incredibly soft and plush. My only small suggestion would be to include slippers in the room, although they may be available upon request. I also appreciated the thoughtful amenities in the bathroom. They provide a bag of essentials with a dental kit, shaving kit, and vanity kit. To me, that's what luxury is all about—anticipating guests' needs before they even ask. We had dinner at Oak + Violet, which is helmed by a Michelin-star-awarded chef. The flavors throughout the meal were excellent. The fried oyster and oyster crema that accompanied the beef tartare were incredible—I would order that component by itself every single time. The Sizzling Monterey Bay Squid Salad was another highlight of the evening. My partner and I shared the Pt. Reyes Grass Fed Beef Strip Sirloin. It came with a "beef crackling," which I wish had been cut a little smaller and fried slightly longer for more crunch. However, the potato purée served alongside it was outstanding—easily one of the best I've had in the Bay Area. For dessert, we ordered the House Made Cinnamon Roll Sundae, and it absolutely stole the show. The house-made cinnamon roll is hands down one of the best dessert items I've had and, without question, one of the best cinnamon rolls in the Bay Area. It's a must-order. Service at Oak + Violet was equally impressive. The servers and bartender were incredibly knowledgeable. Since I wasn't drinking alcohol, the bartender noticed and created a non-alcoholic strawberry drink just for me so my partner wouldn't be drinking alone. That level of attentiveness and craftsmanship is rare and truly memorable. Shout out to Mostefa—he is a fantastic addition to the Park James team. Breakfast the next morning was also very enjoyable. We had the avocado toast and breakfast sandwich, both of which were filling and delicious, and I appreciated the California juice selection. Overall, our stay at Park James was exceptional. We felt welcomed, cared for, and genuinely appreciated as guests. The atmosphere and vibe of the property are spot on for the price point. While the hotel may be smaller than some of the larger luxury brands, it delivers something that many big-box hotels often struggle to provide: authentic, genuine hospitality. We will definitely be back.

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