The Cardinal Hotel

Art lovers appreciate the on-site gallery at The Cardinal Hotel while history buffs can explore nearby Stanford University's collections

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Where to?

Dates

January 2026

15

February 2026

Interior - The Cardinal Hotel (Palo Alto)

Family dining - The Cardinal Hotel (Palo Alto)

Lobby sitting area - The Cardinal Hotel (Palo Alto)

Designer store - The Cardinal Hotel (Palo Alto)

Room amenity - The Cardinal Hotel (Palo Alto)

The Cardinal Hotel, steps from Stanford University, blends art and academia. Guests browse the hotel's art gallery, relax by the lobby fireplace, or enjoy coffee at the café. Helpful staff and free WiFi in public areas ensure a comfortable and connected stay.

Wonderful

Popular amenities

Free Wi-Fi
Breakfast available
Housekeeping
24/7 front desk

includes taxes & fees

30 Jan - 31 Jan

Room options

Check availability for these dates

Tonight

Jan 15 - Jan 16

Tomorrow

Jan 16 - Jan 17

All rooms

1 bed

2 beds

Showing 4 of 4 rooms

Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, down duvets, pillow-top beds

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed, Private Bathroom

Very good

Highlights

Heating

Free cots/infant beds

LED TV

Hypo-allergenic bedding

Down duvet

Egyptian cotton bed sheets

Premium bedding

Portable fan

23 sq m
Sleeps 3
1 Queen Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Private Bathroom

Good

Highlights

Heating

Free cots/infant beds

LED TV

Hypo-allergenic bedding

Down duvet

Egyptian cotton bed sheets

Premium bedding

Portable fan

23 sq m
Sleeps 3
1 King Bed

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds, Private Bathroom

Excellent

Highlights

Heating

Free cots/infant beds

LED TV

Hypo-allergenic bedding

Down duvet

Egyptian cotton bed sheets

Premium bedding

Portable fan

23 sq m
Sleeps 4
2 Double Beds

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Private Bathroom, Corner

Very good

Highlights

Heating

Free cots/infant beds

LED TV

Hypo-allergenic bedding

Down duvet

Egyptian cotton bed sheets

Premium bedding

Portable fan

24 sq m
City view
Sleeps 3
1 King Bed

About the area

Located in University South, a neighbourhood in Palo Alto, The Cardinal Hotel is near the airport and near a train station. The area's natural beauty can be seen at San Francisco Bay, while Shoreline Amphitheatre and Computer History Museum are cultural highlights. Stanford Shopping Center and Stanford University are two other places to visit that come recommended. Spend some time exploring the area's activities, including winery tours.

Visit our Palo Alto travel guide

235 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94301

What's nearby

Stanford Shopping Center - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
Stanford Stadium - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford - 4 min drive - 1.8 km
Stanford University - 4 min drive - 2.2 km
Stanford University Medical Center - 4 min drive - 2.2 km

Getting around

Palo Alto Station - 6 min walk
San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.) - 21 min drive

Restaurants

‪Ramen Nagi - ‬2 min walk
‪Pizza My Heart - ‬2 min walk
‪Nola - ‬1 min walk
‪Nobu Palo Alto - ‬1 min walk
‪Mendocino Farms - ‬2 min walk

About this property

The Cardinal Hotel

Hotel near Stanford Shopping Center

Located close to Stanford University Medical Center and Stanford University, The Cardinal Hotel provides an art gallery on-site, a coffee shop/cafe and a fireplace in reception. Stay connected with free WiFi in public areas.

Other perks at this hotel include:

Full breakfast (surcharge), express check-out and express check-in
A lift, luggage storage and smoke-free property
A water dispenser and a 24-hour front desk
Guest reviews speak highly of the helpful staff and location

Room features

All 63 rooms boast comforts, such as premium bedding and laptop-compatible safes, as well as thoughtful touches, such as laptop-friendly workspaces and bathrobes. Guests reviews give good marks for the clean rooms at the property.

Extra conveniences in all rooms include:

Heating and ceiling fans
Hypo-allergenic bedding, Egyptian cotton sheets and pillowtop mattresses
Designer toiletries, baths or showers and hairdryers
42-inch LED TVs with premium channels
Wardrobes/cupboards, free infant beds and daily housekeeping

Similar properties

Breakfast included
Pet-friendly
Free Wi-Fi
Air-conditioning

includes taxes & fees

16 Jan - 17 Jan

Property amenities

Internet

Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

Offsite parking available (USD 15 per day)
Onsite parking options include a garage

Food and drink

Weekday full breakfast available 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee: USD 22 for adults and USD 22 for children
A coffee shop/cafe

Things to do

Art gallery

Family friendly

In-room cot

Conveniences

24-hour front desk
Guidebooks
Luggage storage
Water dispenser

Guest services

Housekeeping (daily)

Accessibility

If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Assistive listening devices
Lift
Visual fire alarm

More

1 building
3 floors
Built in 1924
Fireplace in lobby
Smoke-free property
Traditional architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

Down comforter
Egyptian cotton sheets
Free cot
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Pillowtop mattress

Bathroom

Bathtub or shower
Designer toiletries
Dressing gowns
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Slippers
Soap
Toilet paper
Toothbrush and toothpaste (on request)
Towels provided

Entertainment

42-inch LED TV with premium satellite channels

Food and drink

Free bottled water
Restaurant dining guides

More

Ceiling fan
Desk
Electrical adapters
Free local calls
Heating
Iron/ironing board
Laptop workspace
Laptop-compatible safe
Phone
Portable fan

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime

Contactless check-in and check-out are available

Express check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Contactless check-out

Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

An adult aged 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 20.0 per day.

Free cots are available on request at the property

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

Fee for full breakfast: from approximately USD 22 for adults and from USD 22 for children
Nearby parking fee: USD 15 per day (39 ft away)
Rollaway bed fee: USD 20.0 per day

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted

This property reserves the right to pre-authorise the guest's credit card prior to arrival.

Cashless transactions are available

Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector and a smoke detector

We should mention

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms

This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly)

Property is also known as

The Cardinal Hotel Hotel

The Cardinal Hotel Palo Alto

The Cardinal Hotel Hotel Palo Alto

Frequently asked questions

Is The Cardinal Hotel pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much does it cost to stay at The Cardinal Hotel?

As of 15 Jan 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Cardinal Hotel on 30 Jan 2026 start from AU$220.95, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What time is check-in at The Cardinal Hotel?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime.

What time is check-out at The Cardinal Hotel?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Cardinal Hotel located?

Located in University South, this hotel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Stanford Shopping Center, Stanford University Medical Center and Stanford University. Facebook Campus and San Francisco Bay are also within 6 mi (10 km). Palo Alto Station is 6 minutes by foot.

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The Cardinal Hotel Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

9.6

Cleanliness

8.4

Amenities

9.4

Staff & service

8.8

Property conditions & facilities

8/10 Good

Aaron

13 Jan 2026

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Liked proximity to Stanford University.

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

denise

8 Oct 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Excellent location. Lots of shops and restaurants nearby. For being 100 years old the hotel is very clean

Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Min

10 Nov 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities

The room was super clean, operable window for fresh air. Provide slippers, post card, feel so welcome. Definitely will stay in this hotel next time visit Palo Alto.

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mike

20 Oct 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Great location. Clean and comfortable. The shared bathrooms were not a problem as we never had to wait or even encounter other guests.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michal Ravid

19 July 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

An impressive historic landmark, staff is friendly, rooms & facilities are clean, in the center of Stanford.

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Margaret

6 Oct 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

First night shower didn’t have hot water, could only get lukewarm. Hotel is marvelous piece of history. Location is ideal.

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Laurel

5 Oct 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Simple, older rooms. Clean. Had wooden shades but weren’t blackout which would have been better. Great location!

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Catherine

10 June 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Location was fantastic and hotel was beautiful.

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura

30 June 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Perfect Historic Hotel!

The only place we stay in Palo Alto! Perfect location, easy (free) parking curbside and walkable to restaurants, cocktails/wine bars, shopping, and historic Stanford Theater! Front desk staff is always friendly and helpful. Quiet and comfortable!

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Noelle

30 July 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Beautiful History

Beautifully maintained historic hotel. Staff is incredibly helpful and kind. Absolutely loved. The only drawback is no air conditioning and you have to leave the window open to get air which unfortunately due to the prime location, cars people, trains, etc are very loud.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Victoria

20 May 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

The staff members are amazing! Super cozy and clean

Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joy

3 June 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Charming vintage gem in Palo Alto. Our room was clean with a private bathroom. The staff was friendly and helpful. The location can’t be beat with restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops and a short walk to Stanford University. Cardinal Hotel has character, history and a central location. We enjoyed our stay.

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mariela

21 Jan 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Gorgeous historic hotel; with clean, comfortable, and pretty rooms. In a great location. And very nice staff.

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Yanhua

27 Apr 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Quiet, convenient for shopping and transportation.

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

5 Jan 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great place, loved it.

Lots of history, great location, very clean and great walking distance to many things including Stanford University.

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

John

28 Aug 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Charming, good location.

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Florinda

26 Feb 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Staff are amazing! My stay was wonderful! Highly recommend!

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

25 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

Great, historic Hotel!

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne

19 Jan 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Will stay here again

We absolutely loved our stay here! The hotel was right in Palo Alto among many restaurants, coffee shops, and an easy walk to the Stanford shuttle. The beds were super comfortable and the lobby was a great place to sit and read by the fireplace.

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025