More than a dozen cities make up the famous region known as the Silicon Valley, a moniker recognized worldwide as the mecca for innovative, technologically advanced businesses. This household name came into use after journalist Don Hoefler wrote a series of 1971 articles referring to the high concentration of semiconductor and computer-related industries situated in the Santa Clara Valley south of San Francisco Bay. Throughout the 1980s, other reporters picked up on the catch phrase but called the same zone the "Silicone" Valley by mistake. Unfamiliar with the term "silicon"—meaning a nonmetallic element occurring extensively in the earth's crust—they thought Hoefler had simply misspelled

"silicone"—that magical material used in many products, breast implants the best known among them.

Times have changed.

Today, the mention of the Silicon Valley immediately conjures up an image of the collection of those small enclaves (like Palo Alto and Gilroy and Sunnyvale) that make up the principal place for attracting the world's most enterprising brainiacs. From all corners of the globe, geniuses and regular geeks of every ilk are constantly flying into this famous valley not far from Northern California's craggy coast.

Like the term Silicon Valley, hotels in the area have come into their own in the new millennium. Indeed, in the early days without much of a choice for good places to stay in the region, plenty of business travelers commuted more or less an hour from San Francisco for a chance to sleep in luxury. This is no longer the case as today's Silicon Valley is home to a number of excellent hotels in the midst of all the action.

Following are a few of my top choices:

Hotel Montgomery

(211 South First St., San Jose, CA 95113; 408/282-8800; http://www.hotelmontgomerysj.com). Tucked into a discreet corner yet smack in the middle of downtown San Jose, this little gem, operated by the cutting edge Joie de Vivre Hospitality Group, is big on minimalist design without having the usual huge price tag typical of such places. At rooms starting as low as $99 a night, business travelers are privy to many of the amenities of a much larger property while enjoying the intimacy of a boutique hotel. I especially was impressed by the multi-room lobby, with plenty of diverse reading material (including the current issue of Wallpaper) and an extra-long lounge for resting or conversing as well as an awesome amount of personal service. Case in point regarding the latter: In an attempt to stay on budget, I was seeking out deli food to eat in my room. I asked at the front desk for help and the friendly staffer handed me a map where he had traced a route about three blocks away to a European-style

food emporium. There I picked up some fresh cheeses, a selection of cold cuts, a baguette and a nice bottle of wine for less than $20. The feast was enough to enjoy for two days. Other aspects of note at Hotel Montgomery: A bocce ball court outside the front door; a short walk

to the excellent Tech Museum of Innovation and to the fun-filled Downtown Ice, a rink ringed by palm trees, and adjacent San Jose Museum of Art; an executive-luggage storage program; and a striking 1911 facade done in Renaissance Revival architecture, putting the distinctive building on the National Register of Historic Places.

Hotel Los Gatos

(210 East Main St., Los Gatos, CA 95030; 408/335-1777; http://www.hotellosgatos.com). Another Joie de Vivre property, this 72-room retreat is much different from its sister, the Hotel Montgomery. Stationed in the tiny enclave called Los Gatos at the base

of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the chalet-like getaway boasts plenty of luxury, from its in-room fireplaces and vintage Oriental carpets to its flowing and very colorful window coverings to its sumptuous, velvet-upholstered furniture. Of particular note is the in-house spa, Preston Wynne, where you can order anything from a scalp tension tamer to a blueberry smoothie exfoliation. Guest Paul Jackson recently chose to partake of the Preston Wynne signature Swedish massage, the perfect trick for this weary traveler's trick back, providing soothing pain relief just in time for a round of grueling meetings. Other Los Gatos amenities include an extraordinary restaurant serving Hellenic fare; 4,500 square feet of meeting space both inside and out; and a bevy of outdoor delights—flowing fountains, a huge hot tub and meticulously manicured courtyards.

The Cypress Hotel

(10050 S. DeAnza Blvd.,Cupertino, CA 95014; 408)/253-8900;
http://www.thecypresshotel.com)
Bold colors and animal prints are on order at this cozy Cupertino property where even the guest robes look like zebras. Somewhat resembling an exuberant Mediterranean villa, the Cypress is convenient to many high-profile, high-tech companies like Apple, Hewlett Packard and Symantec. The 224-room manse is not only executive-friendly but animal-friendly too so bring along your pooch for company if you so desire. On tap are delightful rooms equipped with ergonomically designed Keilhauer desk chairs; executive wine hour in the hearth-heated library after work; a small but very private business center equipped with Apple computers; Wi-Fi access both inside and out; snazzy multimedia-ready conference and meeting rooms; and flexible outdoor meeting space for up to 400 guests. Also on offer at the Cypress: top-of-the-line design (from hand-painted murals of fantastical scenes and leopard-print leather chairs to faux fur throws and lavish beaded draperies) and low rates (starting at a mere $89 a night). Hot tip: If you're taller than the average business traveler, when booking ask for one of the Cypress's tall rooms featuring 96-inch long, special-order Sealy beds, super-high ceilings and door frames, extra-long bathrobes and raised shower heads, vanities and toilets.

High Tech Upgrade

Although a couple of years had passed since my last visit, by default I figured California's Silicon Valley would be up to snuff with everything high tech. What I didn't imagine was how service-oriented the region has become.

I found out simply by checking into my hotel.

While I was handing over my credit card, I mentioned to the front desk staff that I really didn't know the lay of the land. In an effort to be on time, I asked how long it would take me to drive to my appointment the next morning. About a minute after my question was answered, an accommodating staffer surreptitiously slipped me a business-sized envelope. Inside were the directions to my meeting, courtesy MapQuest.com and a very efficient hotel employee.

Delighted by this showing of great initiative, I asked a few more questions before accepting my key. In particular, I wanted to know where I could go to get a good meal later on when I went out to explore the area. We talked cuisine for a bit and before I knew it, Paula at the front desk handed me a handwritten slip of paper with some varied suggestions for dining just down the road in downtown Palo Alto: Tamarine for upscale Vietnamese and Asian fusion; Osteria for Italian; and Nola for Cajun.

One big reason I was so impressed by this and at least a dozen other helpful pieces of information I gleaned during my short visit last March was because the hotel—the Four Seasons Silicon Valley—had been open less than two months when I showed up. My usual experience with new hotels is that although they tend to look pretty, they generally are not quite set in the service department until far into their first year of operation.

Not so for this luxury property.

By the time I hit the scene, the new retreat was already running like a well-oiled machine. Eachand every person employed on the premises of whom I encountered commanded an upbeat attitude and a subtle approach. Each possessed a manner so alluring that I wished they could come home and work for me. To be sure, these professionals are great ambassadors for the highly touted, Toronto-based Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

This hotel, one of the newest Four Seasons members, represents a major accomplishment in its high-tech arena situated in East Palo Alto, 20 minutes from San Jose Airport and eight minutes from Stanford University. The hotel is one of the most impressive properties I have sampled in the Silicon Valley: Full service but classy, high-end but not over the top.

In fact, once ensconced I didn't really feel I was booked into a 200-room hotel. Instead, it was as if I was staying in a refined home with a restful, contemporary calling. Wood and stone abound, cementing the promise of a northern California lifestyle.

Another memorable aspect of the Four Seasons Silicon Valley is its vast array of modern art in every nook and cranny of the property. Contemporary installations by celebrated local artists share the same walls and halls as works by long-established luminaries such as Dali, Picasso and Miro.

Sleek, modern guestrooms feature high-definition TVs with 42-inch  plasma screens, instant wireless Internet access, satellite radio and oversized desks coupled with extremely comfortable chairs designed for long bouts of serious work sessions. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out over San Francisco Bay and the surrounding Santa Cruz Mountains.

Other pluses at the Four Seasons Silicon Valley: A full service spa with a menu for everyone, including expectant mothers who can opt for the special maternity massage; the onsite Quattro restaurant for high-end Italian cuisine, carefully chosen boutique wines and the chance to dine outdoors next to a graceful waterfall and authentic fire pit; and a rooftop lap pool with convenient Internet-ready cabanas.

For further information about the Four Seasons Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto (2050 University Ave, East Palo Alto, CA 94303), call 650/566-1200 or go to http://www.fourseasons.com/.