Signia by Hilton San Jose — Hotel in San Jose

Alright I'm finally doing it, I'm leaving a review on a hotel. I never do this. That's how bad this was. Buckle up this is a wild one. TL;DR: Exploding toilets and tower of terror elevators. Yes I'm serious.

Let me start with some background and the very few positives. So me and a ton of my friends, peers and colleagues booked rooms at this hotel because we were all going to a conference in the area (there were about 50 of us staying). The lobby is a fantastic space for meeting up and chatting so that was what drew us to the location. Apparently the pool is also really great (I didn't use it due to time constraints). The area is amazing, there's great food everywhere and we were less than a five minute walk from the convention center. Staff were friendly and helpful. That is where the good stuff ends.

Lets start with the showers. There are two dials, one for temperature and one to control whether the water comes out the hose or the rain showerhead. For many of us, the dial to control temperature was so stiff we couldn't move it. It was also not very intuitive and some people had to ask the front desk how they worked. My first night was a very very hot shower. Some of the others were stuck with cold showers.

My room specifically had no duvet on the bed, just a thin little sheet and I was very cold. I thought this was just how the hotel was and didn't think to ask. Turns out everyone else had thick fluffy duvets. Also one of our beds was poorly made when we arrived, no idea if the blankets were changed or if they were just smoothed out and left that way after the last guest.

Now the crazy stuff. The toilet in one of my friends' room overflowed while she was away at the conference. Her whole room flooded and all her luggage was soaked. Hotel staff tried to convince her it was her fault. Eventually they realized it wasn't but all they did was give her free use of the laundry room. Same day, a leak appeared in the hallway outside MY room. Ceiling got ripped open and a garbage can was sat under the leak. It stayed there for the rest of my stay (about 3 days) and was still there when I left. Another friend described her toilet as "exploding" when she used it.

There was also a giant hole in the lobby ceiling left open with insulation and drywall and wires hanging out for days.

The elevators. Only three of them were working when we arrived, which was "fine" but it got worse later. The buttons are caked with dirt and look like they have never been cleaned. Some of them don't light up so you can't tell if your floor was selected. On one day of our stay (a Saturday, when there were other events going on and the lobby was packed) every elevator broke down except one. Actually I say they "broke down" they were all working fine, running up and down constantly. They just refused to stop on any floors for some reason. This was the night we all needed to get upstairs to change into evening gowns for an awards party. Huge line. Hotel staff very kindly opened up the service elevators for us... That's where our craziest story happens.

My elevator door didn't want to close. It got super close then popped open again. Then it would try to close and then open again. Eventually closed. Didn't give me a lot of confidence, but we got to our floor fine, it was midway up the building. Two of my friends, however, were on the 16th floor. When they got to the 15th to let other passengers out, there was a jolt and some shaking, but they stayed on to get to the 16th. When they got there, there was a bigger jolt, worse shaking and then the elevator fell back down to the 15th floor. My friend believes the emergency break system activated. They got off and immediately after, warning lights and alarms went off. Lovely.

Would I stay here again? If we didn't have any other options for a group this large and a lobby that great... probably. Do I recommend it to others? No. Also don't use the service elevators if the regular ones go down. I can't even say I trust the regular elevators considering how most of them were down. Maybe just use...

Signia by Hilton San Jose! Quick Take: This isn't just another downtown hotel – the Signia by Hilton San Jose is seriously upping the game for Silicon Valley stays. After a massive renovation, this spot has transformed into the perfect blend of tech-savvy luxury and laid-back California cool. Location: 10/10 Right in the heart of downtown San Jose, you literally can't get more central than this. You're:

A 5-minute walk to San Pedro Square Market (foodie heaven!) Connected to the San Jose Convention Center Quick walk to SAP Center for shows and Sharks games Surrounded by awesome restaurants and bars Short drive to San Jose Airport (SJC)

The Rooms: These aren't your standard hotel rooms – they're nice tech executive suites. Fresh off a renovation, everything feels super modern and intentional:

Floor-to-ceiling windows with killer city views Super comfy beds with premium linens that make you want to sleep in Smart TVs with streaming capabilities Fast, reliable WiFi that actually works (tech valley standards met!) Spacious bathrooms with walk-in showers Cool modern furnishings that don't sacrifice comfort

The Wow Factor:

The lobby is stunning – huge windows, modern art, and plenty of spaces to work or hang That rooftop pool? Straight-up amazing with views of the mountains The fitness center is better than most luxury gyms The Club Lounge (if you have access) is totally worth it for breakfast and evening appetizers

Dining & Drinks:

AJI Bar and Robata: Great for business dinners or date night Fountain Restaurant: Solid breakfast with made-to-order options The Market: Perfect for grab-and-go items and good coffee Bar in the lobby: Great spot for after-work drinks or meeting up with friends

Service: The staff here really knows what's up. From the front desk to housekeeping, everyone's professional but still warm and friendly. They're super responsive on the Hilton app too, if you're into that. Business Traveler's Dream:

Tons of meeting spaces with the latest tech Great workspaces in the lobby and rooms Easy access to Silicon Valley companies Club Lounge perfect for informal meetings

Little Extras That Matter:

Digital key option through the Hilton app Valet parking is smooth and efficient Concierge who actually knows the area Regular events in the lobby (sometimes with local wine tastings!)

Best For:

Business travelers Convention attendees Couples on a city getaway Sports/concert goers hitting up SAP Center Anyone who appreciates modern luxury with a tech twist

Tips:

Book a high floor for the best views Join Hilton Honors if you haven't already Consider Club Level access if you'll be around for breakfast/evening appetizers Valet parking is worth it given downtown location

Value: While it's definitely in the upscale category, you're getting what you pay for: prime location, fresh renovation, great amenities, and solid service. For Silicon Valley standards, it's actually pretty reasonable. Final Word: The Signia by Hilton San Jose is exactly what you want in a modern downtown hotel. It's sophisticated without being stuffy, tech-forward without being gimmicky, and comfortable while still being cool. Whether you're here for business or pleasure, this place hits all the right notes. Location: 170 S Market St, San...

If you are planning to have your wedding here, I strongly urge you to reconsider! Our experience was an absolute nightmare, riddled with unexpected charges even right after the wedding. Whenever we questioned a charge, we were met with the dismissive response, "Everything was in the contract."

Let me begin with our event manager, Sheila Newman. Initially, she came across as nice and friendly, but once the contract was signed, her true colors showed. Sheila's straightforwardness bordered on outright rudeness. I have audio recordings of our phone calls, and her tone and comments were nothing short of unacceptable. Despite having paid over 70% of the wedding costs, Sheila had the audacity to bluntly tell us, "No payment, no wedding." This was directed at customers who had already paid a substantial amount. While we had no issue paying, her complete lack of professionalism was shocking. She could have at least said something like, "I understand your frustration, but we can't proceed until we have the full amount." Instead, she treated us with blatant disrespect, speaking to me as if I were her subordinate.

Furthermore, even if I had forgotten some contract details, Sheila's response of, "You didn't read the contract, did you? Well, you should have!" is utterly unacceptable. You don't talk to a customer who has spent over $50,000—likely her annual salary—in such a demeaning manner. My father-in-law even tipped her an additional $500 in cash, yet her behavior remained atrocious.

Adding to this, we were promised that the floor we rented would be divided by curtains if there was another event on the same floor. However, during a brief trip to the bathroom, I saw people from other events wandering around our paid space, contrary to what we were assured.

After the wedding, some of our guests complained about the rude behavior of the kitchen staff. This was deeply embarrassing and completely unacceptable.

We stayed at the hotel the night after our wedding and were given a complimentary breakfast. When we arrived at the restaurant, there were human nails on the floor where we were seated. It was revolting and made me extremely uncomfortable. This occurred on May 12 between 10:30 and 11:06. I urge the Signia staff to review the restaurant's cameras if they have any doubts. As if that wasn't enough, the food was absolutely dreadful.

In conclusion, we were extremely dissatisfied with the service. We were charged around 25-27% as a service fee, which is nearly $10,000, for this absolutely disgusting service. Although everything was nearly horrible, the valet guys were amazing, and there was another manager, who I believe was from Egypt, who was also very nice. But other than these few positives, everything else was horrible. I hope the management takes this feedback seriously and makes drastic improvements to avoid ruining more...