Hilton Garden Inn Sunnyvale Certified as Silicon Valley’s First Neuro-Ready Hotel

August 29, 2025 | Operations

A new partnership between Hilton Garden Inn Sunnyvale and Friendly Accessibility is making travel more inclusive for neurodivergent hotel guests.

Hilton Garden Inn Sunnyvale, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, is the first Neuro-Ready Certified Hotel with a commitment to sensory-friendly hospitality. The certification comes via Friendly Accessibility, a company that provides evidence-based solutions, training, and support to transform both digital and physical spaces into welcoming experiences for everyone.

The Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting in August to celebrate the designation.

“This partnership pioneers a new standard for inclusive hospitality,” says Julie Steele, founder of Friendly Accessibility. “Travel can be an overwhelming experience for people with ADHD, dyslexia, and autism. By offering sensory-friendly service, environments, and amenities, Neuro-Ready Hotels provide more than a place to sleep — they become an oasis of comfort and calm.”

Hilton Garden Inn Sunnyvale earned Friendly Accessibility’s formal “Neuro-Ready Sensory Champion” designation after completing the Neuro-Ready Spaces system. As such, Hilton Garden Inn Sunnyvale commits to:

• Team Training: Hotel employees learn sensory-awareness skills to better recognize and accommodate the needs of neurodivergent guests.
• Calm Kits: Calming amenities, available to all guests, include Quiet Mind weighted pillows, sound machines, and sensory comfort tools.
• Curated Spaces: Sensory considerations such as lighting, sound, and comfort features are incorporated into thoughtfully designed guest spaces.

Hilton Garden Inn Sunnyvale is owned and operated by OTO Development, part of The Johnson Group, which is headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina. With a portfolio of upscale select service, extended stay, and lifestyle hotels, OTO is committed to meeting travelers where they are.

“Our goal is to provide an exceptional guest experience for every guest, every stay,” says Taissa Christino, Director of Sales at Hilton Garden Inn Sunnyvale. “Sensory comfort benefits everyone, and partnering with Friendly Accessibility enhances our ability to accommodate a diversity of needs.”

A LEED Gold hotel, Hilton Garden Inn Sunnyvale is located at 767 N. Mathilda Ave. in Sunnyvale, California. The property comprises 238 cozy guest rooms and bright, airy social spaces. Amenities include an outdoor pool, a 24/7 fitness center, EV charging stations, and Kitchen on Peery Park, an on-site restaurant featuring craft cocktails and locally sourced cuisine.

“When hotels invest in thoughtful sensory accommodations, they’re unlocking an underserved market,” says Steele, noting that an estimated 1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. “Inclusive hospitality is good business, because every traveler benefits from a more comfortable, welcoming environment.”