Hotel Nia, Menlo Park Staycation Review via. The Pacific Standard | www.thepacificstandard.com

A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of taking an extended couples-staycation to Menlo Parks Hotel Nia, and it did not disappoint! Even living just a 30-minute drive from Silicon Valley, we haven’t done a lot of exploring in the area. I’d consider this hotel a hidden gem, and an excellent spot for out of town business travelers (the proximity to Facebook HQ is less than a mile!) The location is an unassuming one, but don’t let that fool you, this is one beautiful hotel! From a secluded outdoor oasis to beautifully designed guest rooms, this is one place you’ll want to visit again and again!

Since our trip was less about business and more about relaxation, we’ll be diving into the incredible amenities that Hotel Nia offers, from top-notch dining to leisure and everything in-between!

Porta Blu | Hotel Nia Restaurant Review

Kevin and I have had our fair share of hotel restaurants from the extremely good to the incredibly bad, and somehow we always find ourselves in the middle of the spectrum. Porta Blu, the restaurant located inside Hotel Nia, was not only among the top hotels we’ve dined at, but it also left a lasting impression. We made our way through the menu eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Porta Blu for two days, so it’s safe to say we have a good idea of their offerings and the level of quality of their ingredients. So let’s kick things off at Happy Hour, shall we?

HAPPY HOUR

Happy Hour at Porta Blu was the perfect way to kick off our weekend staycation at Hotel Nia. The bar is located just off the entrance at the far end of the hotel lobby. Medditerran inspired decor flanks not only the walls but also adorns the ceiling, and sort-of transports you into a relaxed modern bar. The bar menu offers signature cocktails, light bites, and staff of bartenders waiting to mix up the perfect afternoon beverage. Kevin requested a draft beer after chatting with the bartender about his preferences and settled on local IPA. I’m a gin lover and had a hard time choosing between craft cocktails on the menu, ultimately ordering the secret garden, which I highly suggest. More than our deliciously tasty cocktails was how kind the bartenders were! We spoke with them for nearly 45-minutes, and they ended up giving us recommendations for local spots to grab a drink with friends (outside the area.)

For a Saturday afternoon, the hotel was relaxed and the perfect place to grab a drink before the dinner rush. We ended up walking around the grounds for a bit while we finished our drinks and couldn’t help but think about what a hidden gem Hotel Nia is!

DINNER

After a killer round of cocktails during happy hour, we were more than ready to dive into the dinner menu at Porta Blu. We arrived downstairs a little ahead of our reservations and were promptly seated (excellent service!) The dinner menu has a great variety of eats to choose from, and I had a hard time deciding what I felt like eating. We decided to start with the burrata because, hello? Warm, delicious cheese, no brainer! I went for vegetarian lasagna, and Kevin ordered the half chicken, both were beautifully prepared, and we nearly licked both plates clean! I should mention that the portion sizes on both dishes were more than generous, and we left feeling like our appetites had been satisfied.

The atmosphere of Porta Blu is different than the mid-day scene. The lights are dimmed to a twilight-like view, and small lights illuminate tables. It made the overall mood very intimate and personal, even with so many patrons sitting nearby. The service was a continuation of our HH service and was top-notch from start to finish. Our waitress was prompt and was able to offer favorites or recommendations based on what we were craving.

BREAKFAST / BRUNCH

Who doesn’t want to spend their morning sipping bloody Marys and deciding between a classic American breakfast or the pancakes (we opted for both!) For some reason breakfast seems like a hard thing for specific venues to get right, this isn’t the case at Hotel Nia. Everything we ordered felt like it was perfectly prepared and promptly delivered to our outdoor table. From an order of the classic egg and bacon to a perfectly stacked pile of pillowy pancakes, it was the brunch of our dreams.

Hotel Nia ACCOMMODATIONS

VALET PARKING is one of the small luxuries I appreciate when staying with a hotel, especially if I know I’ll be staying on the property for the majority of my stay. Hotel Nia has its valet set up all through your phone. The valet arranges all requests to be done at the touch of a finger, which makes it a very seamless process.

VERVE COFFEE BAR Living in the Bay Area I’ve grown accustomed to drinking delicious coffee. I was delighted to hear that Hotel Nia’s on-site coffee bar happened to be Verve, one of my favorite roasters! This bar area was set out from the lobby and was the perfect place to do a bit of work mid-afternoon or stop in for a much-needed caffeine break.

OUTDOOR LOUNGE AND LAWN GAMES One of my favorite things about the Hotel Nia is their outdoor property! As I mentioned above, it is a hidden gem and lends itself perfectly to an afternoon or evening of lounging. There are many family-friendly activities as well as outdoor games on an ample turf space. The design is well thought out and offers many smaller niche areas perfect for having a glass of wine or lounging by the pool.

BIKES I love it when Hotels and resorts make bikes available to their guests. It’s such excellent accommodation and allows guests to set their sites on an afternoon of exploring. Hotel Nia is very close to the Bedwell Bayfront Park, with expansive open spaces for walking or biking and access to several hiking trails. Plus, you’ll be able to take in the stunning views of the San Francisco Bay!

PET-FRIENDLY Finding a pet-sitter can often be just as hard as finding a babysitter. Luckily, Hotel Nia welcomes pets as guests. For a small daily fee, both dogs and cats are allowed in all rooms when guests are in attendance. Their unique pet amenities include a dog bed, bandana, and a room service menu featuring dog beer, now that’s service!

HOTEL NIA ROOM REVIEW - The Nia suite

When I first walked into the Nia suite at Hotel Nia, we were in shock, awe, and incredibly excited. The Nia suite is more than your traditional hotel suite, so much more! At nearly 1300 sqft. it is larger than most small single-family homes in the Bay Area. Not only is it expansive, but it’s also exquisitely designed and furnished. The massive living and entertaining space lend itself perfectly to lounging while taking in views of the surroundings. The towering ceilings and separate master suite are lined with floor-to-ceiling windows. The open floor plan creates a flow from space-to-space to make your stay feel luxurious while also having all the comforts of home!

Are you looking to take a weekend staycation this spring or summer season? Book your stay with Menlo Park’s hidden gem; you won’t be disappointed!