As Super Bowl week kicks into gear, the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks have officially touched down in the Bay Area, each settling into their respective headquarters ahead of the biggest game of the NFL season. Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara-the home of the San Francisco 49ers-will host the showdown, and while the stadium is neutral ground, both teams are getting comfortable in their temporary homes just a short drive away.
For the Patriots, this Super Bowl marks a major milestone. It’s their first shot at a Lombardi Trophy since the post-Tom Brady era began in 2020.
And under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, they’ve found a new identity, one built on grit, discipline, and a quarterback who’s come into his own. Drake Maye, the rookie signal-caller, will be making his first appearance at Levi’s Stadium, but the moment doesn’t feel too big for him.
After stepping in for Jacoby Brissett earlier in the season, Maye has helped spark a turnaround that’s taken New England from rebuilding to reloading-fast.
The Patriots are staying at the Santa Clara Marriott, just a five-minute walk from the stadium. That proximity is no small advantage. While the coaching staff and players will be spending most of their week commuting to Stanford University’s campus in Palo Alto for practice-a 20-minute drive-the ability to walk to Levi’s on game day adds a layer of comfort and routine that could pay off in a high-pressure environment.
The hotel itself, while not flashy, checks the boxes for a team preparing for the biggest game of the year. It’s a three-star property with spacious rooms, a gym, a ballroom for team meetings, and an outdoor pool (though with temperatures hovering between 60 and 70 degrees, don’t expect anyone to be lounging poolside). The decor leans into Silicon Valley vibes-tech-inspired and modern-which feels fitting given the location.
Of course, no hotel is perfect. A few recent guests have raised concerns about room conditions, including one report of a smoky smell and another citing weak water pressure.
One guest even claimed to have found a cockroach in their room. But those seem to be outliers.
The majority of reviews praise the Marriott’s location and convenience-especially for anyone in town to catch a game at Levi’s Stadium.
Across the South Bay, the Seahawks are setting up camp at the San Jose Marriott, about 15 minutes from the stadium. They'll be practicing at San Jose State’s facilities, and while they’re a bit farther from Levi’s than the Patriots, the setup is solid.
Head coach Mike MacDonald, in his first season at the helm, has this team humming. Seattle hasn’t lifted the Lombardi since 2014, but they come into this one as slight favorites, led by quarterback Sam Darnold and rising star wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Darnold has found new life in Seattle’s system, and Smith-Njigba has emerged as a dynamic playmaker capable of changing a game in a single snap.
Their hotel setup reflects the team’s focus on comfort and preparation. The San Jose Marriott is a four-star property with amenities that go beyond the basics.
There’s a rooftop pool, a gym, and conference rooms that can be converted into film rooms or team meeting spaces. There’s even a pool table for players to unwind-a small detail, but one that can help maintain team chemistry during a long, pressure-packed week.
Like the Patriots’ hotel, the San Jose Marriott has had its share of guest complaints. One traveler noted excessive noise from a nearby crosswalk and plumbing that sounded like it was ready to burst.
Another guest claimed they were bitten by bugs and felt the hotel didn’t take the issue seriously. The hotel responded, saying a third-party inspection found no problems and that they would’ve moved the guest if requested.
Still, the overall consensus among guests is largely positive, and the NFL wouldn’t assign a Super Bowl team to a subpar venue.
As the week progresses, both teams will be fine-tuning their game plans, leaning into routine, and trying to block out the noise-both literal and metaphorical. The Patriots are chasing a return to the mountaintop with a new face under center and a familiar one on the sideline. The Seahawks are looking to cap a season of resurgence with a title of their own.
Two teams. Two hotels.
One game. And come Sunday, only one will leave Santa Clara with the Lombardi Trophy in hand.