Best Luxury Hotels in Silicon Valley

The romantic 261-room Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay serves the Ritz-Carlton name well, offering stunning rooms, a large spa, and beautiful bay views. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific, the hotel has excellent outdoor facilities including fire pits facing the ocean and a manicured 18-hole golf course. Rooms are spacious, elegant, yet simple, with beautiful marble bathrooms and quaint shutters covering windows. Fire pit rooms come with -- you guessed it -- cozy outdoor fire pits looking out onto the rocky coast.

The stylish and modern Rosewood Sand Hill leaves very little to be desired for either business travelers or families. The 121 rooms are bright and airy, complete with HD TVs with surround sound, spacious showers (the rain showerheads have fantastic pressure), and large, sunny patios and balconies with views of the beautiful natural surroundings. Michelin-starred dining at Madera, a luxury spa, stunning landscaping, and a family-friendly outdoor pool round out the experience. It's one of the top luxury properties in Silicon Valley, and proves why the Rosewood brand's reputation is well-deserved.

The Four Seasons in Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto reflects the legendary service and commitment to quality of this luxury brand. Upscale touches are everywhere, from the beautifully manicured grounds to the sleek wood-paneled lobby to the spacious rooftop pool with free sunscreen. Rooms are bright and modern with floor-to-ceiling windows, and offer marble bathrooms, deep soaking tubs, and flat-screen TVs. Top-notch highlights include a luxurious spa, a wonderful restaurant with outdor seating, and great family-friendly services.

The Garden Court Hotel is a standout boutique property in Downtown Palo Alto. The hotel's beautiful rooms are the highlight; they have elegant white-and-blue decor, upscale amenities, marble bathrooms, and in many, balconies overlooking the quaint courtyard. Property features include an upscale Italian restaurant, 7,000 square feet of meeting space, and a small fitness center. Though there is no spa, the hotel can arrange in-room massages, and owners can bring pets for a one-time fee (which covers pet-friendly amenities such as beds and treats). Those looking for more features -- such as a spa and a pool -- may consider the nearby, 200-room Four Seasons or the Rosewood Sand Hill in Menlo Park, but guests return to the Garden Court for its elegant rooms and intimate vibe.

This 174-room hotel offers the sleek and stylish rooms that are characteristic of the W brand, along with a secluded outdoor pool and popular bar. All rooms here are suites -- with wet bars, mini-fridges, and lounge areas -- but the living area isn't separate from the bedroom. The (somewhat minimal) action of Silicon Valley is located a 20-minute drive away in Palo Alto, but the W does offer nice perks such as a 24-hour fitness center, outdoor fire pit, and a pet-friendly attitude.

Located on a serene lagoon, the 421-room Sofitel San Francisco Bay is a convenient choice for business travelers that want to be near the airport and freeway. Rooms are spacious and offer nice touches like flat-screen TVs, L'Occitane toiletries, and Keurig coffeemakers. Perks include a nice outdoor pool with peaceful views of the lagoon, along with a restaurant serving California-inspired French cuisine, called Bay 223. The hotel also offers free shuttle to San Francisco International Airport, and a large, well-equipped fitness center.