Dolce Hayes Mansion in San Jose

Finally was able to carve out some time to visit the Dolce Hayes Mansion and do a self-guided walking tour at their premises. Because, yes, there is a walking tour and if you did not know there was one, go to the lobby and get a brochure with the history of the mansion (now resort), the map showing the different rooms and areas and 18 points of interest, from the Entrance Hall, to the Library, the Light Well as well as where you can locate various pictures of the Hayes clan. Writer Nancy L. Newlin wrote this info on the brochure for us to enjoy. Lovely and free!

I did not stayed overnight at the hotel, so my review is solely about the architecture and my impressions of the resort plus the nice service at the bar. Being a relatively recent implant in San Jose, it is always gratifying to know the history of here, and that this is just not the conglomerate we know today as the capital of Silicon Valley. There was life before the chip, and the Hayes family knew how to enjoy it.

The Hayes made their fortune with iron mining in Wisconsin and Michigan in the late 1800s and Mary, the matriarch, came to San Jose with her two sons and their families and built a Queen Ann Victorian mansion that burned to the grown 2 years after construction, in 1899. As money was not an issue, they rebuild following the Spanish revival style that we can see today (impeccable whites against the blue skies and tall palm trees with manicured gardens full of birds of paradise, pretty indeed!).

41,000 sf and 64 rooms converted 'The Gem of Evenvale' to the resort we can enjoy today (the City of San Jose bought the mansion in 1985 and converted into conference center for a while). Some of the things you will see are still original parts, others had to be totally renewed, like the original doors, doorknobs and light fixtures because they were looted. But you can still enjoy the mosaic design on the fireplace in the inglenook, under the stairway, made of marble pieces. If you are into getting to know other people's lives through their pictures, you will enjoy analyzing every single black and white picture on the hallways, from the circumspect Mary to the cool and contemporary smiles of the girls (I assume cousins) showing the joie-de-vivre of those who had it all.

Parking is free but you can also do valet. I found parking easily, considering the there is also a park across the street that also attracts lots of people. It is a very pleasant location and you can also enjoy the music offered during the weekend, popular for the brunch time. As hotel guest, I would rather go to a very hip, modern and smaller one, but as history lover, this is a place to stay overnight if you are not afraid of ghosts!