Come say ‘Hallo’ this weekend for Oktoberfest!

Having come quite a long ways from it’s German roots, Oktoberfest is taking over downtown Campbell this weekend, and Hotel Zico couldn’t be more excited to host you for your adventure!  Save yourself the airfare to Deutschland, and come celebrate all that is traditional German attire, food, and spirits next weekend, October 15^th and 16^th, in nearby Campbell- and let us take care of the rest!

The original “Oktoberfest” occurred in Munich in 1810 to commemorate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen….so don’t be bashful: let’s see your kilts!  This popular street festival is well known to attract colorful fashion of all eras, as well as an assortment of instruments and art that combine to create an amazingly “wind-pipey” conglomeration of energy that will surely convince you that you might have taken a few steps back in the book of time!  Best of all?  It’s totally free!

Campbell Oktoberfest is held in historic Downtown Campbell, which is very easily accessible to Mountain View.  The festival will showcase mouthwatering savory German foods, including Bratwurst, sauerkraut, pretzels, and German potato salad.  For the adults, there will (of course) also be a wide selection of beers and ales.  To top it all off, there will also be over 100 fine artisans from all over the country, and an impressive line-up of entertainment.

Head on over our website or give us a call today- Hotel Zico is excited to host travelers to Oktoberfest all weekend!  Our suites offer an array of amenities that provide the comfort of home with an added touch of shimmer, and you’re sure to always be greeted with a smile.  When you’re with us, we’ll make you feel at home- even in Oktoberfest attire!  Windpipes welcome!

This blog post was brought to you by Hotel Zico. Hotel Zico is a Mountain View based hotel that is Silicon Valley’s newest certified green hotel and boutique experience, it melds stylish modern Mediterranean decor, welcoming service and a wealth of wonderful amenities. To book your room today, visit us at http://www.hotelzico.com/.

Explore the Alaskan Tundra with Sukey Bryan!

Traveling to National Parks and through the Alaskan Tundra is something that most people only dream of- yet one of the few, and brave people that has ventured into the wilderness is the well-known artist Sukey Brian.   Sukey uses her oil paintings to explore the interaction and transformation of natural elements and cycles propelled by tidal, climatic, volcanic, and tectonic forces.  Her amazing experience in adventure and painting is being brought to the Community School of Music and Arts at Finn Center on October 15^th, and offers almost no better chance to live vicariously through the experiences of a wildly popular, adventure-driven naturalist and artist.

Having been to some of the world’s most exotic places, Sukey has visualized her experiences through paintings and drawings that investigate the geological formation of the Alaska Range, the impact of glacier movement, and water and wind erosion, and the functioning of the subarctic ecosystem.

Hotel Zico has a wide range of amenities and comforts that are just a few minutes away from the exhibit, and we would love to provide you with our exceptional service and comfortable space for you to relax in for this amazing exhibit.  The exhibit is accessible in a variety of different ways, including public transit- so don’t miss out!  Book your stay with us today while there are still rooms available for this amazing event!

This blog post was brought to you by Hotel Zico. Hotel Zico is a Mountain View based hotel that is Silicon Valley’s newest certified green hotel and boutique experience, it melds stylish modern Mediterranean decor, welcoming service and a wealth of wonderful amenities. To book your room today, visit us at http://www.hotelzico.com/.

Film Festival Fun in Palo Alto

Nearly everyone has heard of the Sundance Film Festival and the festival at Cannes. But did you know that there is an incredible international film festival just minutes away in Palo Alto?

The Palo Alto International Film Festival (PAIFF) is a four day festival that honors innovation in film.  Held from September 29^th through October 2^nd, the festival includes free screenings, music events, and parties. There will also be discussion panels and speakers on many different topics.

There will be a wide variety of movies screened at the PAIFF. These include films about technology, cutting edge films, experimental films, transformative and innovative films, and films created on a shoestring budget.

The PAIFF also features a movie making workshop for kids. The Digital Native Youth Program teaches kids tips and tricks in creating and editing films. This program is divided into sessions by age so that kids are better able to learn. Parents can send their children to a film workshop while they attend a guest speaker or film screening.

To attend the film festival, you can buy single tickets for films or for youth program events. This will work well if you plan on attending just one or two films or events. If, however, you would like to experience as much of the festival as you can, you may want to purchase a day pass, a film pass, or a speaker series pass. You might also opt to purchase a patron pass; this will give you access to exclusive VIP parties and events.

The Palo Alto International Film Festival is less than a 15-minute drive from Mountain View, California. This will make it easy for you to head out to the festival to catch a film screening or party and then head back to Hotel Zico for a relaxing evening.

This blog post was brought to you by Hotel Zico. Hotel Zico is a Mountain View based hotel that is Silicon Valley’s newest certified green hotel and boutique experience, it melds stylish modern Mediterranean decor, welcoming service and a wealth of wonderful amenities. To book your room today, visit us at http://www.hotelzico.com/.

Speed Dating Extravaganza Coming to Mountain View September 22

What is better than online dating these days? Speed dating is better, of course, and it is all because you get to meet, greet and have fun with so many people in a single night. Now, everyone in the Mountain View area will get to experience the distinct fun that Speed Dating brings you because HurryDate is hosting a speed dating party in at the Zen Lounge on Thursday September 22.

Everyone aged 30 to 43 is invited to register and attend, and everyone who does so will get to experience numerous dates in a single night, not to mention great $5 appetizers, $3 beers and $3.50 drinks. As is customary with speed dating, if you want to see someone a second time, then you simply mark the scorecard you are given. Then, you will be able to message them using their email system, meaning embarrassing emails area thing in the past because they are send immediately after the date, not from home when ti is so far after the date that one would forget details.

Speed dating is always much more fun if you go with a friend to share your experiences with, and this is why HurryDate is sponsoring a BOGO. If you buy two registration/attendance tickets online, you will get one free so that one friend can get in to the Zen Lounge and share with you in the fun times.

Whether it is your first time or your tenth, anyone who wishes to experience speed dating can purchase tickets to the Zen Lounge from HurryDate. Defending on when and where you purchase your ticket, it can cost from $17.50 to $35. Why not book a room at the nearby Hotel Zico so you can experience an exceptional finish to your romance filled night.

This blog post was brought to you by Hotel Zico. Hotel Zico is a Mountain View based hotel that is Silicon Valley’s newest certified green hotel and boutique experience, it melds stylish modern Mediterranean decor, welcoming service and a wealth of wonderful amenities. To book your room today, visit us at http://www.hotelzico.com/

Reggae in the Vineyards at Chouinard Winery

Located in Palomares Canyon, the family-owned Chouinard Winery is one of the hidden gems of the San Francisco Bay area. The rolling hills, streams, and wooded highland give the vineyards a serene and peaceful feel.

Chouinard has held a series of concerts throughout the summer. On August 28^th, the reggae group Red Di will be performing from 4:30pm to 8:30pm. Red Di is based in San Francisco’s East Bay, but is comprised of musicians from around the country. Performing reggae music that contains elements of rock, pop, jazz, and R&B, Red Di has been a fan favorite for nearly 15 years.

To attend the concert, contact Chouinard to make a reservation. The cost is just $40 per car—an incredible deal, especially if you go with a group of friends!

The winery encourages concert-goers to bring their own gourmet picnics for the event. There are picnic tables in the back, as well as plenty of lawn space on which people can spread out their dining fare. As for drinks to accompany the outdoor meal, Chouinard wines are available for purchase. Most wines are priced at around $15 – $20 per bottle.

Chouinard produces a variety of small lots of wines, many of which are quite unique. Concert attendees are invited to taste all of their wines. The Granny Smith Apple wine and the Orange Blossom Muscat are particular favorites of many tasters. Several Chouinard wines—including the Gewürztraminer 2010, the Malbec 2007, and the Petit Sirah Port 2006—have won regional, national, and international awards.

The Chouinard Winery is in Castro Valley, which is about a 45-minute drive from Hotel Zico. The drive is pleasant, filled with gorgeous views and beautiful scenery. Make your reservation to attend this fabulous concert today!

This blog post was brought to you by Hotel Zico. Hotel Zico is a Mountain View based hotel that is Silicon Valley’s newest certified green hotel and boutique experience, it melds stylish modern Mediterranean decor, welcoming service and a wealth of wonderful amenities. To book your room today, visit us at http://www.hotelzico.com/.

Explore Chinese-American Culture in the Park

Spend the afternoon exploring the Chinese-American culture at The Art of Culture event on Saturday, August 20, from 12pm to 4pm. This family-friendly outing is being held at the Parkstage at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.

Live music and dance performances will be held throughout the afternoon. Also, kids and adults can get free Hip Hop, Tai Chi, Martial Arts, and Drumming lessons from trained dancers, specialists, and musicians.

Kids—as well as kids at heart—will enjoy creating Chinese fans and decorating Chinese notebooks at the Arts and Crafts tables.

Each hour, ten-minute excerpts from the upcoming Philein/ZiRu Productions Zero Hour will be performed. This global performing arts production features a stylized fusion of several different dance styles, including Modern/Ballet and Hip Hop along with strength and training styles like Yoga, Tai Chi, Wushu, and Shaolin Style Tiger Claw.

During The Art of Culture event, Philein/ZiRu Productions will raffle off exciting prizes, such as gift certificates for local businesses and coupons for personalized music and dance lessons with production members. Proceeds from the raffle will support the 2011-2012 productions of Zero Hour, perhaps by adding live performances by Chinese-American musicians or local school children to the performances.

This free event is sure to provide some interesting entertainment for you and your family. And, because the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts is located just about a mile from Hotel Zico, you will have no difficulties getting to and from the event.

This blog post was brought to you by Hotel Zico. Hotel Zico is a Mountain View based hotel that is Silicon Valley’s newest certified green hotel and boutique experience, it melds stylish modern Mediterranean decor, welcoming service and a wealth of wonderful amenities. To book your room today, visit us at http://www.hotelzico.com/.

Step Right Up to the Fully Charged Circus!

Lions and tigers—and a painting elephant? The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is coming to town! Step right up and come see their brand new show, called Fully Charged. You’ll be treated to daredevil stunts and superhuman performances that will enthrall kids of all ages.

At the HP Pavilion from Wednesday, August 17 through Sunday August 21, the show features the type of excitement you can only get from The Greatest Show on Earth. You will get a chance to see The Human Fuse as he speeds through the air from his self-made human crossbow. You will feel the earth move as the Ukrainian strongmen lift and twirl poles that weigh up to half a ton. And don’t forget all of the fascinating animals!

But really, the most special part of this show is what you can do before the performance. If you arrive 90 minutes prior to the show, you can tour the Animal Open House. Not only that, you will get to meet the performers, try on costumes, and learn some circus skills. Best of all? You get a chance to watch an amazing elephant paint an incredible masterpiece at the All-Access Pre-Show Power Up Party!

The HP Pavilion is less than a 20-minute drive from Hotel Zico, making it a wonderful evening outing for the whole family. And after the show, head back to the hotel. Set the kids up with one of the DVDs from Hotel Zico’s DVD Library while you relax with a nice, warm bath featuring our complimentary aromatherapy bath products. What a great ending to a perfect evening!

This blog post was brought to you by Hotel Zico. Hotel Zico is a Mountain View based hotel that is Silicon Valley’s newest certified green hotel and boutique experience, it melds stylish modern Mediterranean decor, welcoming service and a wealth of wonderful amenities. To book your room today, visit us at http://www.hotelzico.com/.