SAN JOSE — As it celebrates its 120th anniversary, the historic Hayes Mansion continues to navigate the tricky currents of the post-COVID economy and set itself apart from the other more urban-focused Bay Area lodging options.

Perched in a country-like setting that’s a bit removed from the hubbub of the city’s downtown and Silicon Valley tech hubs, managers of the 214-room south San Jose hotel are emphasizing its open setting.

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“We provide a lot of outdoor space, which isn’t very common in this area,” said Erin Beadle, general manager of Hayes Mansion. “We give our guests an opportunity to go outside and rejuvenate themselves in this California weather without any hustle and bustle around. People can decompress.”

In some ways, COVID changed what visitors are seeking.

“With a renewed appreciation for open-air gatherings that stemmed from limitations imposed by the pandemic, Hayes Mansion is positioning its outdoor areas as key venues for corporate and social events,” hotel officials stated in an email to this news organization.

Even with the outdoor shift, Hayes Mansion still offers 33,000 square feet of conference space.

These efforts are playing out with the backdrop of a year-long celebration of its 120th anniversary.

The hotel has offered cocktail and croquet events, hosted on the outdoor lawn. Hayes Mansion also offers monthly guided tours that explore its history and the Hayes family that built the original structure.

“These historical tours have been selling out,” Beadle said. “All the proceeds go to the Historical Preservation Council of San Jose. That group really saved this property and gave it new life.”

Alan Reay, president of Irvine-based Atlas Hospitality Group, which tracks the lodging market, said Hayes Mansion is a great-looking property in a unique setting.

“Hayes Mansion is a beautiful hotel,” Reay said. “It’s really nice.”

The main building, constructed in 1905, is considered a historic structure.

During the 1970s and 1980s, the property fell into disrepair, according to a city staff report. San Jose bought it in 1984 from its now-defunct redevelopment agency and undertook three expansions from 1991 through 2002.

The city was forced to provide subsidies that ranged from $2 million to $6 million a year, a financial squeeze unleashed by a recession and a slump in revenue, according to a city report.

In 2019, JMA Ventures paid $27.8 million for the property, promising to launch wide-ranging upgrades of Hayes Mansion.

Those upgrades were completed in 2022 for about $20 million. The revamp included all 214 guest rooms and suites, as well as the conference center. Around that time, the hotel became part of the Hilton Curio Collection, an upscale lodging brand.

Palm & Ember, a dining and drinking establishment, was also added. The bar and cocktail lounge flow through to the 150-person dining room, a full-service terrace with a capacity of 40 people and a garden seating area.

The Palm and Ember restaurant is seen at Hayes Mansion in San Jose, Calif., on May 9, 2025. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group) (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

“We are right in the middle of a residential neighborhood, which is what brings about the feeling of calm,” Beadle said. “Guests feel like they are at home. People can enjoy outdoor weather. They can have a refreshing meeting experience.”

The outdoor spaces at Hayes Mansion are in sharp contrast to a typical downtown venue, Beadle said.

“In downtown San Jose, you have meetings with no windows,” Beadle said. “You have horns honking, you have traffic. A lot of groups have needs that are better met in a place like Hayes Mansion with our outdoor spaces. We are trying to deliver unique experiences for our guests.”

The hotel’s unique advantages also present Hayes Mansion with some challenges, Reay said.

“While it’s a beautiful property, it doesn’t fit easily into a market niche,” Reay said. “It’s on the outskirts of Silicon Valley.”

As opposed to bigger Bay Area hotels, those with fewer rooms and more extended stays seem to be doing a bit better.

“This is a full-service hotel in what could be considered a secondary location in the Bay Area,” Reay said.

Beadle said Hayes Mansion enjoyed an excellent 2024 in terms of occupancy, bookings and revenue. So far, 2025 hasn’t brought the same “lift” as last year, Beadle said.

“People don’t realize who we are,” Beadle said. “We haven’t been a Hilton that long. Our passion is to make ourselves known. We are here, and it’s a gorgeous property.”