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June 17, 2008 |
Volume
16, Number 6
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Hacienda Hotels Offer Convenience and
Comfort for Business and Recreational Travelers
Hacienda’s strategic location at the junction of major highways makes
it an ideal business destination. As a gateway to tourist sites from
San Francisco to Livermore’s wine country, the area sees its share of
tourist traffic as well. No matter what the purpose of their journey,
visitors to the Tri-Valley have no need to look outside the park for an
overnight stay. With four different hotels offering a total of over 600
rooms, there’s a place for anyone who needs to feel at home on the road.
Courtyard by Marriott
5059 Hopyard Road
(925) 463-1414
www.pleasantoncourtyard.com
The three floors of the Courtyard Pleasanton encompass a total of 131
rooms and 14 suites, all outfitted with the vaunted Marriott luxury
bedding package of crisp linens, thick mattresses, custom comforters,
and fluffy pillows. Other features geared to the business traveler
include plug-in high-speed Internet access, a large desk with a
comfortable ergonomic chair, and a two-line phone. An electric coffee
maker and a free copy of USA Today help get the day started on a
pleasant note. A pull-out sofa quickly provides extra sleeping
space.
The
hotel’s Courtyard Cafe is open for breakfast, offering both a
full-service buffet and separate menu items. When it’s time to unwind,
take a dip in the pool, soak in the whirlpool, or exercise at the
fitness center. A wireless Internet connection is available in public
areas and the property’s two meeting rooms, each with a capacity of 40
when set up classroom style. Complimentary on-site parking makes it
easy to depart for an early flight.
In addition to its ENERGY STAR® label from the US Environmental
Protection Agency, the Pleasanton hotel has implemented Marriott’s
smoke-free policy, “one of the industry’s largest moves to a
non-smoking environment,” throughout guest rooms, public spaces, and
associate work areas, according to the corporate web site. Designated
smoking areas are provided outside the building for guests who
smoke.
The hotel also participates in the Marriott Rewards program.

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Above, the
Courtyard by Marriott features a central courtyard with a swimming pool.
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Extended Stay Deluxe
4555 Chabot Drive
(925) 730-0000
www.extendedstayhotels.com
Designed especially to make long-term hotel living affordable in a
home-like setting, the oversized suites and studios at Extended Stay
Deluxe Pleasanton feature amenities typically not found in conventional
hotel accommodations, such as kitchens with a full-size
refrigerator/freezer, microwave and coffee maker, oven and stovetop,
and dining and cooking utensils.
The hotel’s 112 suites include sofa-sleeper and
queen-sized beds. Each
suite offers generous work space and complete office amenities,
including two phone lines, personal voice mail, speaker phone, copy/fax
service, and high-speed Internet access, with deluxe printing to the
equipment station in the lobby.
Creature comforts include pillow-top mattresses, cable TV, DVD players,
and MP3-ready alarm clocks. During the week the hotel offers a deluxe
coffee, fruit, and bagel breakfast.
In your downtime, work out in the on-site fitness facility, claim a
lounge chair at the outdoor pool, or take advantage of the 24-hour
guest laundry facilities. The hotel’s pet-friendly policy makes it the
perfect place “to call your own while away from home or between places
to live during a corporate relocation, business assignment or
vacation,” the web site promises.

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Extended Stay
Deluxe offers a barbecue area for guests.
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Four Points by Sheraton
5115 Hopyard Road
(925) 460-8800
www.sheratonpleasanton.com
The Four Points by Sheraton Pleasanton sits on 10.5 lushly landscaped
acres, complete with lagoons, waterfalls, fountains, and a beautiful
garden court. Many of the soothing sights can be seen from the patios
or balconies of the property’s 214 guest rooms, which offer either one
king- or two queen-sized beds, high-speed Internet access, three phones
with two separate lines, voicemail, a plasma-screen television, work
desk, and coffee maker. The hotel is especially proud of its signature
“Four Comfort Bed,” consisting of a custom-designed pillowtop mattress
set, three high-thread-count sheets, a down blanket, comforter and
duvet, and five goose down and feather pillows.

Renovated less than two years ago, the 100-percent non-smoking property
features an Olympic-size heated outdoor pool, a whirlpool, and a
fitness facility. Also on site is Faz Restaurant, well-known to locals
for seafood and kabobs cooked over a wood-burning grill. In addition to
lunch and dinner, the restaurant opens at 6:30 a.m. during the week and
7 a.m. on weekends for breakfast. A bountiful Sunday brunch is served
from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Inside, a total of 17 meeting rooms of varying sizes
accommodates
groups up to 300, while the outdoor courtyard can serve up to 175
people. Full banquet catering services are available.
The Four Points offers a bonus points program, Starwood Preferred
Guest, which allows members to earn points towards free nights at
hundreds of hotels and resorts around the world

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Faz Restaurant at
the Four Points by Sheraton; the hotel’s bright, spacious lobby; and a
typical guest room.
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Hyatt Summerfield Suites Hotel
4545 Chabot Drive
(925) 730-0070
www.summerfieldsuites.com
Promising attention to all the details that make guests feel right at
home, Pleasanton’s Hyatt Summerfield Suites Hotel has much to offer
business travelers and vacationers alike. The transition to the Hyatt
nameplate is now complete, and all aspects of the facility, from the
triple-sheeted beds to upgraded food and beverage offerings, meet
exacting standards. Accommodations include a total of 128 spacious one-
or two-bedroom suites, each with its own living room and full kitchen,
all remodeled less than three years ago. The two-bedroom suites, joined
by a common living area and kitchen, also have two bathrooms. The
large, well-lit work areas are equipped with free high-speed Internet
connections, while the separate bedrooms all have their own telephone
with private voice mail and newly installed flat-panel TVs.
Hyatt’s
characteristic attentiveness to guest comfort also shows up in
the many complimentary services and amenities. From Monday through
Thursday hotel guests can unwind after a busy day at the Social Hour,
from 5:30 to 7 p.m., during which beer, wine, and appetizers are
served. Through August 27, Wednesday evenings are reserved for Summer
Grilling Socials, Hyatt’s response to market research revealing that
travelers really miss outdoor grilling while on the road. Each week
guests can enjoy a complete meal prepared from recipes created
exclusively for the chain by grilling master David Joachim. Entrees
range from Bird of Paradise Chicken to Tex Mex Longhorn Fajitas and
Kielbasa on a Stick. In addition, the on-site Guest Market offers a
variety of snacks, upscale frozen entrees, and grocery items that
guests can use for cooking in their suite kitchen. A grocery delivery
service offers another mealtime option.
To start the day right, the hotel serves a complimentary hot breakfast
buffet each morning, after which guests can catch a shuttle to and from
local offices. For relaxing, there’s a pool and whirlpool spa and a
fitness center. Flexible and high-quality meeting facilities can
accommodate groups as large as 75 people.
Hyatt Gold Passport members can receive points good toward free stays
and air miles with every booking. Check the web site for special
promotions and other details.

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The Hyatt
Summerfield Suites features expertly maintained landscaping as well as
a central courtyard with swimming pool and spa
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