The Cardinal Hotel

Helpful friendly staff. Nice coffee/tea options. Good ceiling fan as there is no air conditioning. Great place to stay!

Staff was great and the property is quite unique and charming.

Good

Exceptional

Exceptional

Great location.

Very good

Very good

Staff were incredible, super friendly and helpful. Everything was super.

Superb

Great location. Lots of restaurants close by. Everything was walkable. Hotel was charming. Room was very clean. No parking at the hotel so had to walk a few blocks, but no big deal given everything was walkable.

Great location. Lots of restaurants close by. Everything was walkable. Hotel was charming. Room was very clean. No parking at the hotel so had to walk a few blocks, but no big deal given everything was walkable.

This would be my favorite Palo Alto hotel if it had AC. The room was sweltering and even with fans this made the stay unbearable. Otherwise it is a lovely hotel and great staff.

The experience was great. The temperature was still cool, I’m just wondering how it will be when summer is here and there is no air conditioning in the room.

Great place to stay if you're attending an event or concert at Stanford. It's situated less than 10 minute walk away from Palo Alto Caltrain station.

Rooms are clean, staff was wonderful, public parking in walking distance, shops and restaurants around the hotel.

Close to downtown. Clean and reasonable price

Location to Stanford University I was kept waiting 45 minutes until I got into my room. Waited 35 minutes in lobby then key didn’t work so waited to get another key. There was a stain on the bedsheet. Street cleaning at 11:40 pm woke me up, very noisy.

Location to Stanford University I was kept waiting 45 minutes until I got into my room. Waited 35 minutes in lobby then key didn’t work so waited to get another key. There was a stain on the bedsheet. Street cleaning at 11:40 pm woke me up, very noisy.

Room was clean, staff are helpful and friendly. Its in the heart of downtown Palo Alto so there are restaurants and shops nearby. Even though the hotel has no parking, there were ample street and structure parking every where

A historic hotel over 100 years old with a lot of character. No A/C but it was fine during our stay in May. I would imagine it might be uncomfortable during the hot summer months. The ceiling fan worked well and was very quiet. There was also another portable fan in the closet but we didn't need it. Staff was fantastic.

The hotel is beautifully maintained, and the room was very clean. Even though it’s over 100 years old, the hotel has been thoughtfully updated with plenty of charging ports and modern conveniences to accommodate guests. Truly an amazing hotel, not to mention it’s surrounded by plenty of great restaurants within walking distance.

Great place. Location 10/10. Staff was amazinig!

Great location for good restaurants and shops.

Very nice and super clean room. The shared bathroom and shower were also very clean and large and right next to our room. Great location! Quiet at night. The hotel reached out to us via text message to confirm whether we are ok with the shared bathroom in our booking or if we would like to upgrade our room to one with an ensuite bathroom. We responded that we would like to upgrade but never received a response. We also sent an email to ask about storage for our luggage before check-in and had to send a follow-up to receive a response.

One-hundred-year-old hotel in the heart of Palo Alto, with walking to all the shops, Whole Foods, restaurants and the theater. The rooms are comfortable, the beds very nice, and the staff is terrific. If you don't have a car, it's a perfect location.

Excellent location and close by parking and car charging.

it was awesome

Exceptional

Super convenient location.

Parking fine across the street. Not clear by city that overnight was free but it turned out to be so.

You need to list that there is NO AC available. It is a beautiful hotel but no mention whatsoever that you would walk into a room without AC. I had to visit due to work and walking in at night without AC really made my stay very hard. Beautifull clean hotel but they should at least offer a portable AC option. You need to list that there is NO AC available. It is a beautiful hotel but no mention whatsoever that you would walk into a room without AC. I had to visit due to work and walking in at night without AC really made my stay very hard. Beautifull clean hotel but they should at least offer a portable AC option.

Perfect location, old school Palo Alto vibe. Shared bathroom wasn't ideal but it was clean and for the price it worked out great.

Perfect location, old school Palo Alto vibe. Shared bathroom wasn't ideal but it was clean and for the price it worked out great.

Great!

There was no air conditioning during a heat wave. Insanely hot in the rooms. Hotel is smelly and dated.

Exceptional

There was no air conditioning during a heat wave. Insanely hot in the rooms. Hotel is smelly and dated.

Very good

We stayed in a King Deluxe room with private bath and corner room views with lots of daylight (and shutters for sleeping-in in the morning). City location is great with lots of restaurants and shopping within a short walk. We would definately stay here again!

A hotel with a great personality in the heart of downtown Palo Alto. Great location and quaint atmosphere. Had a wonderful stay and would definitely come back.

Very conveniently located

Great location and clean room!

Location

Beautiful traditional hotel with spotless bathrooms and comfortable rooms. Staff were not enthusiastic. I hope they have a fair salary.

The staff was outstanding!

Knowledgeable and helpful staff, beautiful property, and excellent location. We will be back!

Room was clean and in good condition but no water and minimal staffing available.

Liked proximity to Stanford University.

Everything was great! Definitely recommend if you will be in the area

Parking was somewhat easy. Staff were very accommodating. Ships were available and suitable. I loved the experience

all of the above

All thinks was very very nice

Parking was easy and the neighborhood was fantastic. Very comfortable room, would have been nice to have a small fridge but it was a great stay.

Very nice

Smooth check-in/check-out process, comfortable + clean room!

Beautiful Ambiance and very comfy beds

Great location but the room was too warm, even turning off the radiator in the room.

Didnt park. Great shops. But no thermostat, had to use portable heater and windows. Thus very uncomfortable.

Ideal for public transportation and walking to restaurants and theaters. Sweet older hotel with charm.

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.

Great.

Clean room and bath. Helpful staff. Excellent location for a Stanford campus visit.

Some of the rooms utilize a shared toilet and shower in the hall. While the whole hotel is a deal compared to surrounding options, the rooms utilizing the shared facilities are very affordable. I peeked my head in the toilet/shower and they were immaculate! They provide a robe and slippers in the room, so if you choose a room with a shared bath, you're covered, quite literally. I booked a room that had its own bathroom, and my room was cozy and clean with a comfortable bed. The walk-in shower in my room looked brand new and had great heat and pressure. The provided shampoo, conditioner, and body wash smelled and felt luxurious. There is no AC at this hotel, but the window opened, which was such a treat on a delightfully cool fall night. I adore a fresh breeze, so I was happy. The sounds of the city floated in, and I even enjoyed a multimedia art installation projected on a nearby building one evening—built-in entertainment for the win. By 1030, it was quiet, however, and I slept soundly until the morning. If you're a noise-sensitive person, you might want a more modern option, but I had a blast.

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

I like the easy access to shopping and dining. A short walk to Caltrains station is great.

Excellent

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

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

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

Beautiful historic building in central Palo Alto and great antiques in the foyer and nice staff. However, the rooms have no A/C. Also, no mini-fridge, no coffee in the room, and no dedicated parking. So, if you’re looking for an authentic 1925 experience of no amenities and trying to sleep in a puddle of sweat with the window open and ceiling fan whirring, this is for you. It was not for us. We left after the first night.

it is very loud during midnight, making it hard for me to sleep well. The loud sound is from the street and maybe there are trucks loading things or collecting garbage.

Overall it’s a great location and place to stay. Very comfortable. Not a fan of the truck noises early in the morning though. I still like this hotel for every business trip I’ve had in Palo Alto.

Exellent

A fantastic hotel, and a great location.

I can't believe I paid a premium for this stay. Old building that hasn't been renovated with care. A thousand layers of paint prevented the bathroom door from latching. We just had to keep the bathroom door ajar. Front door dead bolt didn't work. No A/C (which isn't uncommon for these older buildings), but mediocre ceiling fan and poor ventilation. In an attempt to cool down the room, we kept the window open. That meant no privacy. It also didn't help much and was very noisy. Closed the window and we slept in a sauna; it wasn't even a hot day. Just zero ventilation. Squeaky floors above us, loud pipes, super loud ice machine in the hallway, and hallway ceiling lights would buzz at a high pitch pretty regularly. TV is basic cable without even a decent channel guide. Pros: comfortable mattress and bedding, convenient location on Hamiton and Ramona. Overall, I do not recommend this hotel.

3rd floor in a heat wave was rather hot - the AC was not sufficient.

No AC. Too noisy at midnight

BEWARE: NO AIR CONDITIONING IN THE ROOMS! For a hotel in Palo Alto, this is not acceptable. If you choose to run the business this way you need to write that important fact clearly and visibly on the first page of the website. Sleeping with the windows open in a city neighborhood is noisy and full of light seepage. Granted the Bay Area is cooler most months, the summer evenings and nights get very warm. Second issue: rooms are basic. No in room coffee or tea. I love old historic hotels but this one was a shocker. Flew in for a 1 night stay for work and woke up restless and exhausted. Never again.

This property is in the heart of downtown Palo Alto. Walking distance to shops and dining. Will definitely stay at this property again.

.

The Cardinal Hotel was everything we wanted!

Hotel itself is dated compared to current big brand hotels but it’s charming and in a great spot. Walking distance to shopping and restaurants. Parking can be tricky. Super clean, kind and helpful staff and the rooms are nice.

This 100 year old hotel is beautiful! Perfect location! Very clean! Super helpful and friendly staff!

this property is great example of historic preservation done right!

t bother to ask about my stay, so I didn't share it with them.

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.

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

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!

Would stay again.

Front desk ladies are super helpful and nice. Hotel rooms are clean, neat, and quiet. Historical evaluator is fun. Super close to restaurants and markets. Good stay!

The hotel is 100 years old and very charming, with original tiles and features throughout. Much nicer than the usual bland hotel chains.

Incredibly upset and disappointed with the Cardinal Hotel. I was late to check in and was told I would have to share a washroom. Personally, the fact they are allowed to do that on Expedia is wrong. There shouldn't be 'college dorms' listed as hotels on Expedia.

Nice and clean bedroom, although the shared bathroom was clean all the time

I only booked this because Sheraton PA was full. Never going back.

Good price. No A/C. Older property but clean.

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.

The staff members are amazing! Super cozy and clean

Thanks for the great stay!

공용욕실로 된 방을 예약해서 걱정했는데, 공용욕실이나 공용샤워실을 사용할 때 다른 사람 때문에 기다려본적이 없어 편리했고 관리도 굉장히 깨끗하게 잘되어 있었다. 1층에서 따뜻한 물을 컵에 담아올 수 있는 점도 좋았다. 다만 공용샤워실의 수압이 내 기준으론 너무 낮아서 샤워하는데 오래걸린 점이 가장 불편했고, 이미 알고 예약하긴 했으나, 개인 방에 냉장고가 없는 점이 아쉽긴 했다.

Great place to stay, but lots of noise in the morning from streets

Quiet, convenient for shopping and transportation.

However, it was very noisy. I could literally hear every step the person in the room above us took as well as his conversation verbatim. Lastly, there is no air conditioning which could have been miserable if it was warmer.

Beautiful old building.

The front desk and housekeeping staff were very friendly and helpful. Hotel is in a great location near lots of shops and restaurants. Bed and bedding were comfy. Elevator door opening was a little small for moving all my belongings, but I made do. There was no air conditioning, but open window and fan worked.

The old building is certainly historical looking and pleasant. The neighborhood is nice with several restaurants you can walk to. However, no modern amenities are to be had. The elevator felt like it could break down, the outer second door on it could injure someone as it snaps closed and there is no coffee machine or microwave in the room. A small carafe of coffee was available in the lobby, but promptly taken away at 9 AM. The walls are thin and we heard noise from the room above us till 1 AM. The sunlight streamed in at 7 AM through the old wooden shutters. No blackout shades. The old style radiator made the room so stuffy. We had to leave the fan on all night. Bed was uncomfortable and the pillows were either too flat and soft or too hard and high. Only street parking available and you have to move your car every two hours 8 to 5. We cannot recommend this hotel, although the staff are helpful and friendly,

Extreme street noise made untenable for business trip

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

Gorgeous hotel

The Cardinal Hotel is within walking distance of Palo Alto and Stanford University. It is very clean and comfortable. I stayed in a room where you share a toilet and also a shower. Both were spotless. I never had to wait to use either facility. I really enjoyed staying in the heart of Palo Alto.

This hotel has a hundred year of history, its interior is renovated but still maintained its style. The service is great. I love how my room looks and it is warm and clean. The area is walkable, plenty of restaurants near by. I currently really enjoy my stay. One thing to note is that the wall can be a bit thin, so you might still hear the people outside on the streets, and in the hallway.

Parking is a huge hassle. Also there is no proper heat in the rooms. Must wait for radiator to come on. This isn’t rural Maine … come on folks each room needs a thermostat and the ability to set temp.

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

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.

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

pretty nice traditional hotel.

Also the Christmas decoration in the hotel lobby was fabulous. A nice place to drink complimentary tee or coffee and enjoy the ambience.

Peace and quiet but missing champagne

The hotel staff is very friendly and helpful. Room is clean. However the room is way too hot. I turned off the heating completely, with the ceiling fan on, still way too hot. Had to open the window facing the streets, and left it open throughout my whole 2-day stay just to not be too hot. The bed in my room is very uncomfortable. It gave me a severe lower back pain after the first night.

Overall good but bring earplugs in case it’s trash day.

Love the location, very walkable. Parking is nearby and mostly free. Older building, but comfortable rooms. We don't need amenities, just a place to sleep.

I slept very well there. The staff is nice. Thanks!

Location is excellent and old world charm is lovely. Service was average and it didn't appear that there was much effort to improve the customer experience. One thermos of coffee offered in the lobby . Always empty by 8 am and cold. Tv channels very limited. Seems like the attitude is "we have a great location, so don't have to provide service"

This historic hotel is lovely. It has a great location. I had a room directly over the restaurant, so the smell of breakfast and preparing food was very noticeable.

Like

Good location but facility really needs an up grade!! Elevators are 16th century — the one existing is shared with house keeping and I ended climbing 3 flights of stairs EVERY time I went to my room!!! Bags and all! The windows are old and need to be refurbished — was on 3rd floor and street noise very audible. Breakfast at Bistro “ quaint” but not up to Palo Alto standards and basic at best.

Atenção …. Alguns quartos não tem banheiro privativo e alguns não tem ar condicionado.

No A/C when it was 100 degrees in Palo Alto. Only ceiling fans. It’s an old school hotel, which I like, but they should upgrade to A/C. Also, if they put you on the side of the alley, you’ll be greeted with the constant sounds of bottles and trash being emptied. You’ll need earplugs. Location is great.

Great old historic hotel. No air conditioning, but it was comfortable. Loved the location.

This was a great place to stay.

This is a great location to our office as well as all of the restaurants nearby. The rooms are clean and comfortable. Because we are in downtown area though, noise will come through but it's worth it for the location and they provided us with earplugs if you need it but I was able to sleep fine.

Nice hotel in a great area.

Truly my only complaint is that there is no air conditioning so will probably not stay again until it’s a bit cooler weather. The street can be loud and I had to keep windows open to stay cool.

Such an amazing 100 year old property.

Charming, good location.

great location

This is only a winter time hotel

Old building, clean & renovated rooms. In Palo alto, near to many coffee shops and restaurants.

The hotel was in an excellent downtown location, surrounded by restaurants and shops and cafes. Even a Whole Foods just about 5 minute walk away. The room is neat and reasonably sized, and no frills service was just right for me (business trip staying multiple nights). The lack of AC might irritate some travelers (I was fine); and the noise from downstairs restaurants from evening to late night also can be off-putting (I survived it fine but first nights were challenging). Nonetheless I really enjoyed my stay and would recommend it to people who are interested in a super convenient location and appreciate a historic building. Getting to Stanford campus was a beeeze.

Beautiful old hotel with charm.

It is amazing boutique hotel with a beautiful sense of its long history. It is near many restaurants and at a heart of Palo Alto. Strongly recommend.

We enjoyed our stay. It is an older hotel that has been updated with a lot of thought and quality work. It has a lot of character for those that appreciate workmanship and features of a more sophisticated, cultured time than 2024.

Wonderful stay, thank you. Charming hotel, staff are very kind and helpful. No AC in the rooms but ceiling fan and desk fan. It’s an old hotel but clean and very well maintained. Will definitely recommend and stay again. Would be nice to have a mini fridge in the room

Quaint, updated older hotel

Wonderful! Perfect location. Staff are very kind and helpful. Will be back. The rooms have no AC however window opens with a lovely breeze, a ceiling fan and an extra Dyson fan if you need it. Very charming hotel. Thank you

Nice hotel, in a good location but has no air condition. A property should advertise it does not have air condition on its website and list on your app. Especially in the summer. Very uncomfortable!

The location can't be beat. This is our third time staying at the Cardinal. Self parking in the lot across the street is better than paying $$ at other hotels in the area. Had a corner room this time, which is nice for ventilation, but don't expect views, and the bathroom was tiny. We are early risers, so the early morning garbage collection didn't bother us on any of our stays, but if you want to sleep-in, this could be a problem as there are several restaurants with daily garbage collection in the area.

Clean and beautiful

Great place right in the middle of everything.

Location was fantastic and hotel was beautiful.

The location was the best for the price! Loved being around downtown Palo Alto, so for that I would stay again. However there was no AC so that may be a deal breaker for property. The lobby was also very dark

Renovated old hotel with tons of charm and a perfect location. I will be back!

Wonderful place and location. Lucky the weather cooperated, as there is no A/C in the building

The hotel was nice. It was an extremely old hotel that kept the old charm. The biggest complaint was the room did not have AC this made for uncomfortable sleeping.

We found that parking was frequently difficult. Also, it would be wonderful to have a breakfast service in the hotel!

Loved the place and thanks for notifying me of deliveries. Excellent service!

Charming boutique hotel in Palo Alto, near Stanford hospital.

The staff were friendly, and the room was very clean. The building looked well-maintained and was in a very convenient location. Great experience all around!

Beautiful historic building, well maintained.

Great location, very walkable and 1.6 miles to center of Stanford campus. Very clean rooms! And comfortable beds. No air-conditioning, however, electric fans worked well.

👍

I had a wonderful stay at the Cardinal. The room is neat and comfortable, and the location is so convenient. Also the staffs are extremely friendly and helpful.

Location is great with easy to walk options and plenty of choice around the hotel. Dining is closed Mondays that is a problem

Great location and easy access to all downtown amenities.

Great location. Spacious, clean rooms with everything you could need. Staff was kind and accommodating. This is a great hotel if you’re looking for one in the area.

Stayed here for 2 nights & was a great experience, shopping & diner literally downstairs from hotel.