The Cardinal Hotel

Name: The Cardinal Hotel
Address: 235 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94301, US
Telephone: +16503235101
Price range: $$$

Historic character, comfortable rooms, and warm, independent hospitality converge at a downtown Palo Alto landmark near Stanford University.

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Grand lobby at The Cardinal Hotel with fireplace, ornate columns, chandeliers and comfortable seating.

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Silicon Valley

Historic Charm at 1924 Palo Alto Landmark

Built in 1924 in the heart of downtown Palo Alto, The Cardinal Hotel is one of the city’s enduring architectural landmarks. The Spanish Colonial Revival hotel welcomes guests with a beautifully preserved lobby featuring original iron chandeliers, marble columns, hand-painted beams, and carved wood details. Elegant guest rooms blend historic character with contemporary furnishings, while a vintage Bell System switchboard and a manually operated elevator offer charming reminders of another era. Downtown restaurants, cafés, shops, and galleries are within walking distance, and Stanford University is just a mile away.

Hotel Amenities

Complimentary Breakfast
24-Hour Front Desk

In-Room Amenities

Desk
Free WiFi
Coffeemaker
Robes

Best for:: Business Travel, Group Retreats/Reunions, Solo Travel, Weekend Escapes
Atmosphere:: Charming, Intimate, Laid-Back
Architecture and Design:: Art Deco, Eclectic, Historic
Setting:: City
Nearby Activities:: Art Galleries, Birding, Entertainment Venues, Fine Dining, Golf, Hiking, Historic Sites, Museums, Shopping, Theater & Film

Number of Rooms:: 64
Check In:: 2:00 p.m.
Check Out:: 11:00 a.m.

Chess board on a table with empty chairs

Why This Hotel Stands Out

Admire beautifully preserved Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and 1920s period details
Walk to downtown dining, shops, Caltrain, and Stanford University, which is just a mile away
Start the day at Bistro Maxine, the hotel’s welcoming French-inspired café
Enjoy the warm, personal hospitality from the family running the hotel for more than 80 years