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 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.” 

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About OTO Development

OTO Development, part of The Johnson Group, is an award-winning hotel development and hospitality management company. Founded in 2004 and partnering with the Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott brands, OTO's industry leadership position is anchored by a portfolio of excellent hotels staffed by exceptional people. The company owns and/or operates 54 hotels comprising 8,663 room keys. OTO's growth is focused on developing new hotels in high-barrier-to-entry markets, purchasing and repurposing existing hotel properties, and expanding third-party management relationships. For more information, visit OTODevelopment.com. 

About Hilton Garden Inn Sunnyvale

Hilton Garden Inn Sunnyvale, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, is part of Hilton's award-winning, global upscale brand of hotels. The 6-story property comprises 238 cozy guest rooms and bright, airy social spaces. Amenities include an outdoor pool, 24/7 fitness center, 3K square feet of flexible meeting and event space, and an on-site restaurant, Kitchen at Peery Park, featuring craft cocktails and locally sourced cuisine. Hilton Garden Inn Sunnyvale is part of the Hilton Honors guest-loyalty program. The LEED Gold hotel is located at 767 N. Mathilda Ave. in Sunnyvale, California. Visit the hotel website for more information or call 408.735.7345.

About Friendly Accessibility

Friendly Accessibility works with organizations to create welcoming spaces where everyone can thrive. As a digital accessibility and sensory accessibility specialist, we help organizations transform both digital and physical spaces into welcoming experiences for everyone. Founded by a mom on a mission, whose two neurodivergent young adult children have sensory conditions, Friendly Accessibility was born from the real-world challenges families face in everyday environments — from education and employment to healthcare, travel, hospitality, retail, civic services, and social settings. Our advocacy is fueled by the principle “nothing about us without us,” ensuring that training, awareness, and education come from lived experience and authentic understanding. Through our “Welcoming Spaces Made EASY” approach, we provide practical solutions that make accessibility achievable for any organization committed to inclusive excellence. For more information, visit FriendlyAccessibility.com.