Hotel with a coffee shop, a quick walk to Stanford Shopping Center This smoke-free hotel features a coffee shop/cafe, a 24-hour front desk, and express check-in. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, express check-out and a lobby fireplace are onsite. The Cardinal Hotel offers 63 accommodations with laptop-compatible safes and complimentary bottled water. Pillowtop beds feature Egyptian cotton sheets, down comforters, and premium bedding. 42-inch LED televisions come with premium satellite channels.
Bathrooms include bathtubs or showers, bathrobes, slippers, and designer toiletries. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones; free local calls are provided (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include hair dryers and irons/ironing boards. Housekeeping is offered daily and hypo-allergenic bedding can be requested.
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Amenities
TV
Wheelchair Accessible
Accessibility
Security/Safety
Bedding/Linens
Wellness Facilities
Fireplace/Heating
Toiletries
Guest Services
Breakfast
Child Friendly
Internet
Laundry
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 2:00 pm; check-in end time: anytime contactless check-in available express check-in available
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 am contactless check-out available express check-out available
Child Policy
Children are welcome. rollaway/extra beds are available for usd 20.0 per day. free cribs (infant beds)!
Payment Policy
Fee for full breakfast: approximately usd 22 for adults and 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.
Pet Policy
Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)
Cashless transactions are available 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 safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector and a smoke detector 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-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Reviews
Sep 5, 2025 02:27:12 AM
Review Score:
4
Summary: 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.
See All Reviews
Reviews
Sep 5, 2025 02:27:12 AM
Review Score:
4
Summary: 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.
Kimberley
Sep 2, 2025 07:14:41 AM
Review Score:
6
Summary: 3rd floor in a heat wave was rather hot - the AC was not sufficient.
Aug 24, 2025 02:42:51 AM
Review Score:
4
Summary: 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.
Sylvia
Aug 5, 2025 08:20:22 PM
Review Score:
10
Summary: This 100 year old hotel is beautiful! Perfect location! Very clean! Super helpful and friendly staff!
Noelle
Jul 31, 2025 02:56:22 AM
Review Score:
8
Summary: 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.
Laura
Jun 30, 2025 10:43:39 AM
Review Score:
10
Summary: 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!
Y
Jun 17, 2025 06:00:48 AM
Review Score:
10
Summary: 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!
Andrew
Jun 12, 2025 09:42:14 PM
Review Score:
10
Summary: The hotel is 100 years old and very charming, with original tiles and features throughout. Much nicer than the usual bland hotel chains.
Teresita
Jun 8, 2025 06:16:00 AM
Review Score:
10
Summary: Nice and clean bedroom, although the shared bathroom was clean all the time
Timo
Jun 4, 2025 03:23:27 AM
Review Score:
4
Summary: The noises around this hotel are unbearable. Because the windows are old and thin every little noise from the street come into your room. I had a 05.30AM wake up call from someone operating saw machine outside the hotel. The slamming litter bins are outside one side of the hotel and there is a ton of noise around the hotel in general.
I only booked this because Sheraton PA was full. Never going back.