Name: Cardinal Hotel
Address: 235 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Telephone: +1 650-323-5101
Rating: 8.4

WiFi availableFree WiFiParkingAccessible parkingParking garageRestaurant

Check-in / Check-out

From 02:00 PM · Until 11:00 AM

Classification

3-Star Hotel

Amenities

WiFi available, Free WiFi, Parking, Non-smoking rooms, 24-hour front desk, Restaurant

Location

Palo Alto, us

Historic Charm

Built in 1924, the Cardinal Hotel in Palo Alto offers a historic charm just 1.6 km from Stanford University. Each room features bright decor, a flat-screen TV, and dark wood furniture for a cozy stay.

Delicious Dining

Adjacent to the hotel, Bistro Maxine offers a delectable dining experience with traditional and continental breakfasts, along with lunch, dinner, and dessert crepes.

Convenient Amenities

Guests can enjoy complimentary weekday newspapers, hot beverages in the lobby, and access to a business centre. The hotel's proximity to Palo Alto Caltrain Station and San Francisco International Airport adds to the convenience.

Experience the historic elegance, delicious dining, and convenient amenities at Cardinal Hotel. Book your stay now!

Accommodations

Rooms & Suites

Check-in

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Guests

Loading rooms and rates...

Guest Reviews

What Guests Say

8.4

Excellent

457 reviews

Highlights

+Great location
+Friendly staff

Could Improve

–Inconsistent cleanliness
–Poorly managed breakfast policy

Cleanliness7.9

Mixed reviews; some mentioned cleanliness positively while others indicated poor conditions.

Service9.3

Customers noted the staff were exceedingly nice and attentive.

Location9.4

Many reviews highlighted the central location close to restaurants and attractions.

Room Quality7.3

Some rooms lacked private bathrooms and had issues with noise.

Amenities8.3

Basic amenities available, but some areas need improvement like shared bathrooms.

Value for Money8.8

Perceived as a good value for the price in a prime location.

Food and Beverage7.9

Unclear breakfast policy affected ratings; generally needs improvement.

Overall Experience8.3

Overall positive despite some significant complaints.

Joshua

Solo Traveller · Aug 2026

Liked:Was clean, bright, tasteful inside. Location to Stanford is great.

Disliked:Lack of air conditioning was a problem in the heatwave. With windows necessarily open, nightlife on Ramona St didn’t help sleep.

via Nuitee

Maree

Couple · Aug 2026

Great location, but a tired property thst needs an upgrade

Liked:Great location in central Palo Alto

Disliked:Property is old and dated. Worn furnishings, lack of a proper ensuite (basin is in main room), bathroom door that was hard to shut, lack of double glazing which let street noise in at night, and a bed mattress which rolled to the outside make this property expensive for what it is

via Nuitee

Vicki

Solo Traveller · Aug 2026

Liked:The location was great. I like the option of staying in a room with a shared bathroom. This made the overall cost less expensive. The bathrooms were impeccably clean and welll cared for; I hardly knew anyone else was even on the floor.

Disliked:If you have a room facing the street it's a little bit busy but once the windows were closed we couldn't really hear anything

via Nuitee

Sarah

Couple · Aug 2026

Liked:This hotel was very clean and the staff was accommodating.

via Nuitee

Location

How to Find Us

235 Hamilton Ave

Palo Alto · us

+1 650-323-5101

Policies

Good to Know

Check-in & Check-out

Check-in from 02:00 PM. Check-out by 11:00 AM. Early check-in and late checkout may be available upon request.

Cancellation

Cancellation terms vary by rate. Flexible rates allow free cancellation up to 24–48 hours before arrival. Non-refundable rates cannot be canceled or modified.

Payment

All prices are all-inclusive with taxes and fees. A valid credit card is required at check-in. No additional resort or service fees will apply.

Important Information

Please take into account for non refundable rates the hotel will not consider waivers. Important Room Info: Shared Bathroom Queen Room This guest room does not have a private bathroom. It includes a sink and vanity inside the room, but the toilet and shower are located in the hallway. These are shared, individual-use, lockable bathrooms shared with other guests. Please ensure you are comfortable with this setup before your stay.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply. A deposit may be required at the property.

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Guest Reviews

What Guests Say

8.4

Excellent

457 reviews

Highlights

+Great location
+Friendly staff

Could Improve

–Inconsistent cleanliness
–Poorly managed breakfast policy

Cleanliness7.9

Mixed reviews; some mentioned cleanliness positively while others indicated poor conditions.

Service9.3

Customers noted the staff were exceedingly nice and attentive.

Location9.4

Many reviews highlighted the central location close to restaurants and attractions.

Room Quality7.3

Some rooms lacked private bathrooms and had issues with noise.

Amenities8.3

Basic amenities available, but some areas need improvement like shared bathrooms.

Value for Money8.8

Perceived as a good value for the price in a prime location.

Food and Beverage7.9

Unclear breakfast policy affected ratings; generally needs improvement.

Overall Experience8.3

Overall positive despite some significant complaints.

Joshua

Solo Traveller · Aug 2026

Liked:Was clean, bright, tasteful inside. Location to Stanford is great.

Disliked:Lack of air conditioning was a problem in the heatwave. With windows necessarily open, nightlife on Ramona St didn’t help sleep.

via Nuitee

Maree

Couple · Aug 2026

Great location, but a tired property thst needs an upgrade

Liked:Great location in central Palo Alto

via Nuitee

Vicki

Solo Traveller · Aug 2026

Disliked:If you have a room facing the street it's a little bit busy but once the windows were closed we couldn't really hear anything

via Nuitee

Sarah

Couple · Aug 2026

Liked:This hotel was very clean and the staff was accommodating.

via Nuitee

Cardinal Hotel, Palo Alto | Member Rates | Dyme