By Debbie Stock

Google me at the Sofitel San Francisco Bay. Thatt's where the Google team members sometimes stay. Conferences, business meetings, brainstorming sessions and important client cocktail receptions are a few of the functions that savvy search engine experts host, thanks to the help of marketing professionals and catering staff on top of their game at the boutique hotel in upscale Redwood Shores. In touch with the pulse of Internet search today, the world's leading web jockeys can easily surf the net to choose any hotel in the Google environs they wish. In San Mateo County, we found Google staff holding events in several places. Half Moon Bay and Redwood City were a few. We dropped into the Sofitel San Francisco Bay and discovered why locals in the know keep this place a secret.

Elegant decor, impeccable service and spectacular food are a few reasons Sofitel San Francisco Bay is the obvious choice for great dining and hotel accommodations in the bay area. Offering a little bit of France with its gourmet menu, fine appointments and international staff, business travelers and corporate yahoos nearby are loyal customers that love the hotel and use it on daily basis, occasionally filling every hotel room and suite.

You don't have to click "I'm Feeling Lucky" on the Google search engine button to know you're getting preferred accommodations, catering & events services at Sofitel.  Just ask a friendly Google or Oracle person sipping a soda and brainstorming or and typing away on a computer in the hotel lounge. The companies' corporate headquarters both host events there regularly. Contrary to popular belief, they don't all look like nerds, though the do seem to wear an air of confidence, acting so comfortable in their surroundings. Perhaps it's because the local hotels in Redwood Shores near Silicon Valley got on board early in the game, wiring their facilities with everything needed to do business on the road.

While the Sofitel seems to do really well week days, if you're looking for a weekend escape, you might event get a break on the price of a cool room or suite (they've been remodeled recently). While most search engine experts won't spill the beans or spread the word about this gem, the information isn't proprietary. You just have to do a search on a site like ours, beachcalifornia.com, to discover what we found out.  Travelers landing at San Francisco Airport typically think about staying in San Francisco, as we once did. Redwood City and the luxurious Redwood Shores where Sofitel San Francisco Bay sits bayside, is one of our "feeling lucky" hits for a great trip and great hotels.

Located in San Mateo County, it is one of many treasures that are being discovered by the vacation crowd always looking for that really nice place to stay while on the road.