The Sainte Claire Hotel in the heart of downtown San Jose, California features Old World Grandeur, with high arched ceilings, Italianate furnishings and a soaring lobby. The hotel was the focal point of the San Jose downtown renaissance when it opened in 1926. There are some people who believe that the hotel is haunted.
The Sainte Claire has a resident ghost by the name of Julia. Julia was a prominent young woman who was to be married in the Palm Room in the hotel in the early 1930’s. Julia suffered a major disappointment when her fiance abandoned her at the altar. Julia took her own life in the basement of the hotel
Hotel workers claim that they feel Julia’s eerie presence in the offices of the hotel. Workers find files and papers mysteriously rearranged. Guest have reported hearing footsteps of a high heeled woman as she walked across a hardwood floor. The hotel’s floors are all carpeted, so that is strange.
A guest who was taking pictures near the fireplace in the Palm Room reported that his pictures contained a bride’e feet and that a wedding gown train was in the background of the pictures.
There have been other stories of sightings and strange occurrences at the hotel. Much of the activity is reported to be on the second and sixth floor.
History of The Sainte Claire, a Larkspur Hotel
The extravagant Sainte Claire Hotel was built to be a luxurious and homelike hotel. No expense was spared in the building of the “crown jewel” of real estate mogul T.S. Montgomery’s plan. The Sainte Claire was opened in 1926. The hotel became a focal point in the city’s downtown renaissance.
T.S. Montgomery was a powerful man in San Jose, CA.. Montgomery was the area’s leading real estate developer. He also was the the director for two competing railroads: Southern Pacific and Western Pacific. Montgomery was also the Chairman of the Board of the California Prune and Apricot Growers, Inc.
The standard of luxury that the hotel was built with still exists today. The hotel fell into disrepair for several years, but has been meticulously restored. Each of the 170 guest rooms had a recent restoration. The hotel features ceiling murals, handmade hardwood furniture, rich wall coverings, elaborate gilt scroll work in the lobby and hand painted ceiling panels.
The historic hotel features up-to-date amenities for upscale Silicon Valley business people. Amenities include wireless Internet access, complimentary business center, flat screen televisions with cable movie channels, Boston Acoustics “Microsystem CD” and more. The Il Fornaio San Jose is an Italian Restaurant that offers a fine Italian dining experience.
During the 1920’s the Saint Claire was the focal point of San Jose’s downtown renaissance. Since then some of the biggest draws in the city have been constructed around the hotel. Attractions around the Sainte Claire include the San Jose McEnery Convention center, HP Pavilion, Plaza de Casar Chavez, the Tech Museum of Innovations, Center for Performing Arts and the Civic Auditorium. There are several fine restaurants near the luxurious hotel.
