As Super Bowl week kicks into gear, the spotlight isn’t just on the X’s and O’s. Off the field, there’s growing buzz around where the two contenders-the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks-are calling home as they prep for the biggest game of the year.
Both teams have settled into league-assigned hotels near Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the site of this year’s Super Bowl on February 8. The proximity to the stadium and ease of travel are key, but fans and media alike are taking a closer look at the accommodations themselves-and not all the reviews are glowing.
Let’s start with the Patriots, who are staying just a stone’s throw from the stadium at the Santa Clara Marriott. It’s a three-star hotel, but its location is tough to beat-just a five-minute walk to Levi’s Stadium.
That puts head coach Mike Vrabel and rookie quarterback Drake Maye right in the heart of the action as New England looks to capture its first Super Bowl title since the Tom Brady era ended in 2020. The team will hold practices at Stanford University in Palo Alto, a roughly 20-minute drive from the hotel.
The Santa Clara Marriott offers the basics you’d expect: meeting rooms for film sessions and game planning, a gym to keep players loose, and an outdoor pool-which, let’s be honest, probably won’t see much use with the cooler February temps. But while the location is a win, the guest experience has been a bit more hit-or-miss.
Reviews range from positive to eyebrow-raising. One guest reported struggling to find a room that didn’t smell like smoke, while another flagged low water pressure.
Perhaps most concerning, a recent review claimed a cockroach was found in the room. The hotel addressed the smoke issue in a response but remained silent on the bug complaint.
Still, many guests continue to praise the hotel’s proximity to the stadium-especially during 49ers games-making it a convenient, if imperfect, home base for the Patriots this week.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks are set up about 15 minutes away at the San Jose Marriott, a four-star hotel that offers a slightly more upscale experience. Head coach Mike Macdonald and his squad will practice at San Jose State University, keeping them close to both the hotel and the stadium. The San Jose Marriott features a rooftop pool, fitness center, meeting spaces, and a solid lineup of nearby restaurants-ideal for players and staff looking to stay fueled and focused.
But like their AFC counterparts, the Seahawks’ hotel hasn’t been immune to mixed reviews. One guest described a frustrating experience with a crosswalk buzzer that reportedly sounded off all night, comparing it to a never-ending alarm clock.
Another review mentioned bug bites during their stay. The hotel responded to the latter by noting that a third-party inspection found no issues, and staff said they would’ve been happy to move the guest bothered by the noise-if asked.
Despite a few bumps in the road, both hotels are largely receiving positive feedback overall. The NFL is responsible for placing teams in what it deems safe, quality accommodations, and both Marriotts check the boxes when it comes to location, amenities, and access to practice facilities. While neither property is perfect-no hotel is during Super Bowl week, when demand skyrockets and room rates can more than triple-they’re functional, well-situated, and give both teams a stable base as they lock in for the biggest game of the season.
So while fans and analysts break down every detail of the Patriots’ offense or the Seahawks’ defensive schemes, it’s worth remembering that these players are also navigating the off-field realities of Super Bowl week. From meeting room logistics to hotel quirks, every detail matters. And in a game where preparation is everything, even the smallest comforts-or distractions-can play a role.