San Jose International Airport

We are so lucky to have Mineta San Jose Airport so close to our DoubleTree by Hilton San Jose Airport Hotel! Since the airport is so close to our property,we are able to have one of the most useful amenities for our travelers! Our complimentary shuttle to and from the airport is one of our most loved services at our hotel!

Not only do we have a free shuttle for our guests, but we have great special offers that will turn your great trip into an unforgettable trip!

Check out our special offers and other great amenities we offer at our Website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport Namesake

As I read the article “Top 10 Airport Namesakes” By Bill Chapin on SmartMeetings.com it got me thinking about our fabulous Mineta San Jose International Airport, less than a half-mile away from the DoubleTree by Hilton San Jose. Curious about how the name came to be, I did some research and found out from Wikipedia….

Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport is a city-owned public-use airport serving the city of San Jose in Santa Clara County, California, United States. It is named for San Jose native Norman Yoshio Mineta, who was Transportation Secretary in the Cabinet of George W. Bush, and Commerce Secretary in the Cabinet of Bill Clinton, although the airport is also named to recognize Mineta’s service as a Councilman for, and Mayor of, San Jose.

The San Jose City Council has considered changing the name of the airport to San Jose/Silicon Valley Mineta International Airport. The city believes that the new name would help the airlines’ marketing strategy.”

The nice thing about the location of Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport is that DoubleTree by Hilton San Jose is able to provide COMPLIMENTARY Airport Shuttle to all guests! Not only do we have great amenities that go hand-in-hand with the airport, but we also have great specials! One of which is “Park and Take Off” (check out the details on our website). Such a great airport in a great location, why on earth didn’t it make the Top 10 Airport Namesakes? :)

Park and Take Off

Have you checked out our “Park and Take Off” special? DoubleTree by Hilton San Jose has great deals for those of your traveling through the San Jose Airport. Check it out!


Travel Tip

Whenever you arrive in any country, whether it be by boat, plane or whatever you are vulnerable. You have all your cash, cards, documents and anything else valuable on you right at that moment. It is even worse if you have never been there before and look like you haven’t, there are always people who are willing to “help”. Every precaution you take will help to avoid any potential problems. After all you do not want someone to “help” themselves to your belongings, when you have just arrived. Here are a few tips that should help.

Before leaving for your trip, try to get some prior information as to the rough layout of the airport where you will be arriving. This will help, to have a vague sense of where you should be going and where the taxis are located etc.

Whenever possible, especially in certain countries we recommend taking either the airport limousine, or a hotel pick up.

Never take a taxi that seems just to be hanging around, offering its services when there is a taxi queue available.

Try to keep your wallet and valuables safely secured in a handbag or in one of your hand luggage.

Change some money into the local currency before you depart. This gives you one less thing to worry about, and will stop you from pulling a large amount of money out at the airport arrivals.

Keep a small amount of this local currency, easily accessible in a pocket or something, and away from the majority of your well earned money. You will need sufficient for the ride into town, a tip (perhaps) and a little for unforeseen needs like toll ways or a bottle of water.

If you have not been able to find anything out about the airport that you are visiting then ask one of the airline staff, or the government tourism booth (if they have one at the airport) for some assistance, or tips on the best way of travelling.

Most countries really are very safe, but in others it is really very advisable to take to take as many precautions as possible. No matter what, the most important is that you have a great holiday.

New Terminal Partially Opened at San Jose International Airport

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The first six gates of the new Terminal B Concourse at Mineta San José
International Airport (SJC) opened on an interim basis Wednesday, July 15, marking a
major milestone for the creation of a modern, efficient, and attractive international gateway for
Silicon Valley.

Southwest Airlines will use six of the twelve new gates in Terminal B until the new
facility is entirely completed next summer when other SJC carriers will be added. The interim
activation of the concourse is another step in the complex construction phasing for the airport’s
comprehensive $1.3 billion modernization program. Southwest passengers will continue to check in at Terminal A and claim their baggage at the carousels in the Terminal A garage for the next twelve months until all Southwest operations shift to Terminal B, currently scheduled for June 2010. At that time, ticketing, security checkin, and baggage systems for the new gates will shift permanently to Terminal B.

With the new gates, the airport will also open the first of its restaurants and shops in the
new building with the launch of “The Sharks Cage” by HMS Host, one of the airport’s three
master concessionaires. Sunnyvale’s C.J. Olson’s Cherries, Sunglass Icon, and Sunset News
round out the HMS Host-operated concessions in the new concourse.

Both buildings have been designed and built to achieve environmental goals, and the
airport expects to receive LEED sustainability certification from the U.S. Green Building
Council after completion.

Information taken from a press release by Mineta San Jose International Airport

Memorial Weekend Flight Tips!

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The Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport has offered up some tips for the on how to save some time and frustration with the whole airport experience during the busy weekend, and in the midst of their construction (Scheduled for completion in 2010):

With many recent changes to roads, parking and terminals at SJC because of construction, travelers during this holiday weekend should get to the airport at least 90 minutes before their flight is scheduled to depart to allow time get to parking lots, navigate airport roadways, and pass through security.

Park at the Airport and save $3 a day on Long-term Parking. Plenty of parking is available throughout the holiday weekend. Visit www.flysanjose.com to download a $3 off per day coupon for parking in the long-term lot on Martin Avenue. The regular fee for long-term parking is $15 per day. Short-term parking is also available at $30 per day in the Terminal A garage.
Check your flight status before coming to the Airport. You can confirm the status of your flight by contacting the airline’s toll-free number or by visiting the airline’s web site. Links to airline web sites and schedules can be found at www.flysanjose.com.

Check in early. Use online check-in to obtain your boarding pass before arriving at the airport. Airlines will allow you to check in as early as 24 hours in advance. If you can print out your boarding pass from home, you will be able to bypass the ticket counter if you are not checking luggage. Also use airlines’ electronic check-in kiosks at the ticket counters to get your boarding pass.

Pack smart. Remember the TSA’s 3-1-1 security program: only liquids and gels that are no more than three ounces are permitted in carry-on luggage. They must be kept in a clear sealed plastic bag, no larger than one quart, and only one bag per traveler is allowed at the security checkpoint. For a complete list of prohibited items and permitted items, visit www.TSATravelTips.US.

Fuel up for the flight. In-flight meals have gone the way of printed airline tickets – they hardly exist anymore. Dine at the airport, or grab some take-out for the trip. All airlines allow you to carry food onto the plane. The food courts in both terminals are now available post-security for boarding-pass holders only.

Shawn Parker
Catering Manager

Graduation Time Is Here!

Congratulations to the class of 2009!

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Are you traveling to the area to attend a graduation ceremony at San Jose State University, Santa Clara University, or one of the many local high schools? Let Doubletree Hotel San Jose be your home away from home during your visit. We are currently offering weekend rates starting at $89. Flying in? We are just 1/4 mile from the airport and offer a complimentary shuttle. We are also conveniently located less than 5 miles from both universities. Click here to reserve today.

Take your grad out to dinner with our Room For Steak package and receive a credit for our award winning restaurant Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops.

San Jose Airport Construction Update

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Doubletree Hotel San Jose is just 1/4 mile from the Mineta San Jose Airport. Here are some updates so you’ll know what to expect next time you fly in.

The modernization of SJC’s terminal facilities remains on schedule and on budget, and we’re moving quickly to the finish line next year. We’ll reach major milestones for the project in 2009, especially the upgrades at Terminal A that will be completed by the end of the year. Here’s a summary of what you can expect see this year at SJC, and you can check construction progress photos here.

Terminal A

New Ticket Lobbies to Open in May. The expansion and relocation of the Terminal A ticket lobbies to street level will be completed this spring, and we expect to open them for service in mid-May. The new ticket lobbies will have 60% more ticketing stations than we have now, and they will help our airlines serve passengers more comfortably and efficiently. In addition, when we’re done, Terminal A will have a longer curb for departing passengers to unload and conveniently check in at street level.

Expanded Security Checkpoint to Open This Fall. Once the ticket counters are gone from the second level this spring, we’ll start the renovations and expansion of the TSA security checkpoint in Terminal A. We’ll have space for eight new check-in lanes that will replace the six we currently have, and they will be wider with modern equipment. When the project is completed in November, check-in will be more comfortable and efficient with lots of room for passengers to line up in the security area itself.

Terminal B/North Concourse

Interim Opening of North Concourse of Terminal B This Summer. We will open five gates in the new North Concourse in July to serve Southwest Airlines while we work on Terminal A renovations. Passengers will be able get their first glimpse of the new terminal building, which will have a total of 12 gates when done next year. Until Terminal B is ready to completely open, Southwest passengers will continue to check in at Terminal A, and the airline also will continue to board passengers from its other gates in Terminal A.

Navigating Airport Roads
Our roadways have changed in recent months, and there continues to be heavy construction equipment using Airport roads. To help you navigate the Airport’s during our construction, here’s a map of the current Airport roadway configuration.

San Jose Airport Parking for the Holidays at Doubletree

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Now that you have your holiday reservations, make one for you car! Forget the hustle and bustle of trying to park at the airport, park your car with Doubletree Hotel San Jose. You can check your flight status when you arrive at our in Lobby flight status screens, grab breakfast or a coffee at Sprigs, then our complimentary shuttle will give you a lift to the airport just 5 minutes away.

Go to our San Jose Airport Parking page for more info and to make a reservation.

Poolside at Doubletree San Jose

Come visit us!