Pity the poor father of our nation. During his presidential tours of 1789 to 1791, George Washington chose to stay at public houses, the precursor to hotels, instead of more comfortable, private homes. According to author A. K. Sandoval-Strausz, the tours were primarily political events. "Washington's hope was that by making personal visits to communities throughout the nation, he could use his astounding popularity to solidify the authority of the federal government," writes Sandoval-Strausz in "A Public House for a New Republic." "The tours also marked the starting point for the emergence of the American hotel."

The clean, convenient, and modern hotels at Hacienda would have astonished Washington and others of his era. "The nation's inns and taverns had for many years elicited regular torrents of invective from diarists and travel writers for their filth, fleas, poor food, indifferent service, and frequent overcharging," notes Sandoval-Strausz. Colonial taverns were tiny by today's standards. Moreover, strangers shared overnight rooms and, if not as important as President Washington, were sometimes forced to share beds. 

Strategically Located

Luckily, times have changed dramatically since then. Travelers have a choice of stylish, comfortable, and strategically located hotels at Hacienda to brighten their stays. Hacienda businesses have always benefited from immediate access to two major Interstate freeways, I-580 and I-680, and many other transportation options as well as all of the Bay Area's commercial centers, customers, suppliers, housing options, universities, three national labs, and more.

Because of Hacienda's location in Alameda County, at the center of the Bay Area, companies have access to one of the most strategic trade locations in the world. Moreover, the Tri-Valley is a beautiful region with many draws for visitors, including the Livermore Valley wine district, a wealth of nature preserves, sports arenas, and much more.

Whether traveling for business or pleasure, lodging at Hacienda is conveniently located and easy to access. Travelers can fly into either the San Francisco or Oakland airports, take BART to the park's East Dublin/Pleasanton station, and walk just a few blocks to their hotel. The San Jose airport is also nearby, only 30 miles from the development. There is ample parking for drivers although; some hotels charge a parking fee.

The development's four hotels provide a wide array of accommodations, with more than 600 rooms total. Room types include luxurious suites, deluxe rooms with king-size beds, and long-stay studios with built-in kitchens. The hotels collectively offer thousands of square feet of meeting and event space, beautiful gardens, swimming pools, restaurants, and more. Several also offer lodging to people traveling with pets.

Abundant Choices and Amenities

Hacienda hotels offer a rich variety of services and amenities to suit a wide array of travel needs. Each Hacienda hotel offers a unique combination of characteristics to address both business and personal travel accommodations.

• Courtyard by Marriott Pleasanton

5059 Hopyard Road, (925) 463-1414, www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/oakpl-courtyard-pleasanton/overview

The Courtyard's updated lobby is a space that provides flexible areas suitable for either work or relaxation, with free Wi-Fi available throughout the entire facility. News and weather are available via a huge touch-screen GoBoard, a virtual concierge that also provides information on nearby restaurant and entertainment options. The highlight of the lobby may well be "The Bistro – Eat. Drink. Connect," which the hotel says provides guests with "healthy food and beverage offerings for breakfast and dinner with Starbucks drinks and evening cocktails available."

The hotel's 131 rooms and 14 suites have been designed with business travelers in mind. Comfortable bedding is paired with a large work desk and ergonomic chair to enhance both a guest's productivity and her relaxation. The outdoor pool and fitness room complete the picture, along with amenities like an iron and ironing board, desk-level electrical outlets, and a hair dryer. 

Two meeting rooms can be booked via QuickGroup and a total 1,250 square feet of meeting space is also available. Frequent visitors may want to participate in the Marriott Rewards program, which allows guests to earn points that can be used for free stays, air and hotel packages, and to a host of other exclusive offers.

• Extended Stay America

4555 Chabot Drive, (925) 730-0000, www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/ca/oakland/chabot-dr

Extended Stay America is full of features that will appeal to guests, whether they are visiting for a day, a week, or a month. Business and leisure travelers alike will find everything for a comfortable stay. The 112 efficiency studios offer comfort bedding and pillow-top mattresses; kitchens with stovetops, microwaves, and full-size refrigerators as well as cooking utensils; an ample work area; free wireless Internet access; and 32-inch flat-screen TVs with news, sports, and movie channels. Visitors also enjoy unlimited local phone use and personalized voicemail, an iron and full-size ironing board, and weekly housekeeping with optional "Daily Refresh" service.

The goal is to create a "home away from home" feeling for guests, officials say. A free "Grab ‘n' Go" breakfast is available daily, offering a convenient start to each morning. There's an outdoor patio for grilling, onsite laundry facilities, as well as a pool and fitness center. As a pet-friendly hotel, even Fido will feel welcome. Extended Stay America also offers the Extended Perks Reward Program, which allows guests to enjoy a variety of benefits, as well as an online weekly deals program that offers similar savings.

• Four Points by Sheraton

5115 Hopyard Road, (925) 460-8800, www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/oakfp-four-points-pleasanton/overview

Perhaps the most notable feature of the remodeled Pleasanton Four Points is the hotel's beautiful gardens, spread out over the 10 acres of the site. Lagoons, waterfalls, and fountains add a relaxing, refreshing quality that guests can enjoy from the patios and balconies of the facility's 214 rooms.

The Four Points meets every need of discerning business travelers, offering free high-speed Internet access, dual-line telephones with direct dialing and voicemail, a coffee maker, and an iron with ironing board in every room, in addition to cable channels on 40-inch flat screen televisions. Dry cleaning and laundry services are available for business attire that has suffered while in transit. Recreation opportunities include an outdoor pool, whirlpool, and renovated fitness facility.

Business travelers should also take note of some of the most extensive meeting room facilities in the Tri-Valley. The Pleasanton Four Points offers over 7,000 square feet of renovated, configurable meeting space, including a 2,300-square-foot ballroom. The hotel participates in the Starwood Preferred Guest frequent stay program, which allows members to earn and redeem points at hotels and resorts throughout its worldwide network.

• Hyatt House Pleasanton

4545 Chabot Drive, (925) 730-0070, www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/california/hyatt-house-pleasanton/oakxp

Hyatt House Pleasanton is a residentially inspired, all-suite hotel with the option of one- and two-bedroom suites. The hotel is tailored for extended stays, but also ideal for corporate travelers or weekend getaway. Each guest suite features a private bedroom with a modern bath and vanity space, comfortable living room with a sofa-sleeper, spacious work station, and a full kitchen with all the comforts of home. That includes a full-size refrigerator, 4-burner stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave, and a coffee maker. There is also a flat screen TV with high-definition channels in every room.

A full buffet breakfast is included for overnight guests, including a cooked-to-order omelet bar. Wi-Fi and self-parking are free. Other amenities include a business center with remote printing, 24/7 workout room, a courtyard with outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub, covered grilling area, sports court, and an outdoor fire pit. In the evening, unwind with craft cocktails, beer, wine, and bar bites at H BAR. 

Planning a meeting or event? Hyatt House Pleasanton has three gathering rooms, with the largest room offering 1,104 square feet of space. The hotel also has a boardroom with modern and comfortable seating to help facilitate productive meetings and creative collaboration. 

Whether you are traveling for business in the Tri-Valley area, visiting the region to sample local wines and culinary delights, or a local resident hosting family members nearby, Hacienda hotels ensure their guests feel at home even while on the road.