Known as the birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto is a centre of cutting-edge development. This eclectic city houses the world-famous Stanford University, the corporate headquarters for many global companies, and a culturally sophisticated citizenry that is actively engaged in making a difference both locally and globally.
Named after a majestic 1000-year-old coastal redwood tree along San Francisquito creek, Palo Alto beautifully anchors its business and residential areas with a vibrant, heritage-infused downtown area.
A compelling mixture of old and new is reflected in Palo Alto’s character-filled hotels, which welcome visitors from all walks of life. From charming boutiques to tremendous examples of colonial architecture, here are the best cool and unusual hotels in Palo Alto (in no particular order)…
1. Graduate Palo Alto – a fun, hip and Instagrammable hotel with a cool rooftop bar perfect for partying Millenials and Gen Zs
Built in 1929 and restored to honour the building’s Spanish-colonial roots, the interiors of the Graduate are super-curated to reveal some of the local legends and neighbourhood traditions.
The lobby and guestrooms celebrate the unique terrain of the region, and an authentic NorCal atmosphere permeates the custom art and furniture which embellishes this fine property.
A graceful Stanford pride is reflected in the hand-painted Redwood wallpaper which extends up towards the rooftop bar, where sensational views can be enjoyed with friends and family.
The Graduate’s warm, whip-smart staff will happily guide you around Palo Alto, giving you insights into the wonderful traditions which have shaped this eclectic and innovative city.
- To book, check prices or availability for Graduate Palo Alto
2. Nobu Hotel Palo Alto – a contemporary and upmarket place to stay in Palo Alto
The West Coast luxury lifestyle meets a modern Japanese design at the Nobu Hotel, located in the heart of downtown Palo Alto.
Having recently unveiled an eclectic range of new guest rooms, an exclusive experience is offered, steeped in lavish amenities and a personalized service.
The intimate onsite restaurant invites you to indulge in world-renowned signature dishes and exquisite crafted cocktails.
Courtesy of its partnership with SkinSpirit, Nobu Hotel offers guests award-winning, medical-grade spa services, where you can get pampered after a serene day cycling through the foothills of the Bay Area and sampling delicious wines at the local vineyards.
- To book, check prices or availability for Nobu Hotel Palo Alto
Hotel Citrine, Palo Alto, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel – one of the best looking and Instagrammable hotels in Palo Alto!
Inviting guests to travel lightly and live brightly, Hotel Citrine’s captivating design and vibrant social scenes are scaffolded by mindful and sustainable touches which include bamboo and terrazzo flooring and rainfall showers.
The 150 Beleco designed guestrooms and suites are finely topped with modern touches, as well as a colour palette inspired by nature. Many of the suites boast balconies with sweeping panoramas of the verdant hill that embraces Silicon Valley.
The on-site restaurant, Wild Onion Bistro & Bar, is a tribute to the vegetation of Silicon Valley, and serves exceptional cuisine, as well as a curated selection of local wines and handcrafted cocktails.
- To book, check prices or availability for Hotel Citrine, Palo Alto, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
3. The Palo Alto Inn – a laid-back boutique inn where guests will have the best relaxing experience
Adding a fresh, newly invigorated experience to your Silicon Valley stay, this charming boutique hotel boasts redesigned accommodations that offer a warm, contemporary retreat to the business and vacation traveller.
Each of the commodious guestrooms invite guests to indulge in plush bedding, topped with modern décor and soothing colour pallets. Guests at the Palo Alto Inn are provided with a complimentary newspaper Monday through Friday, as well as daily Grab & Go breakfasts.
To unwind, you can choose a chill-out spot on a stunning outdoor patio area or within the beautifully landscaped gardens, which are manicured beautifully to create a charming ambiance.
- To book, check prices or availability for The Palo Alto Inn
4. Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto – an upscale boutique hotel where pets are welcome
This contemporary, sun-filled hotel offers a first-hand connection to the region’s tech legacy, and blends an optimum location with artful sophistication.
Seasonal pop-up experiences, culinary craftmanship, and an inventive approach to creative events fuel a unique atmosphere in this urban getaway.
The genteel and amiable staff presence is always on hand to craft an unforgettable Silicon Valley itinerary just for you, meaning you can head out onto the tree-lined streets of Palo Alto full of local knowledge.
The lit pool area is girdled by bright orange cabana-style lounging areas, where you can kick back and soak up the evening ambiance with an exclusively crafted cocktail in hand.
- To book, check prices or availability for Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto
5. The Clement Hotel – All Inclusive – a cool and unusual hotel that features a heated outdoor pool and private cabanas
This refreshing urban retreat combines a luxurious residential feel with a vibrant energy, close to the electric dynamism of the Stanford University campus.
An all-inclusive luxury hotel greets you to a whole world of entertainment, as well as a chic and sophisticated dining experience which offers seasonal West Coast cuisine with global influences. Y
ou are invited to feel at complete ease in the 23 California-inspired one- and two-bedroom suites, which are designed for travellers who crave seamless lifestyle experiences.
The opulent luxuries and state-of-the-art technologies range from Matouk Linens to 65inch Samsung IPTVs. The surrounding landscape and extensive art collection enhances the relaxed, stylish feel of the property.
- To book, check prices or availability for The Clement Hotel – All Inclusive
6. Dinah’s Garden Hotel – an unassuming family-owned hotel embraced by tropical gardens, exotic plants, koi ponds and lagoons
Contrasting the appearance of a typical chain hotel, Dinah’s Garden Hotel has been family-owned and operated since 1957 and boasts 129 rooms and suites dotted around lush tropical gardens.
Koi ponds, lagoons, cascading fountains, Japanese bridges, and stone structures ornate the breathtaking grounds, forming one of Silicon Valley’s most pristine vacation havens.
The original artwork infused with African, Asian, and Indian elements complements the colonial-era furniture in the cosy lobby, and two locally loved on-site restaurants provide guests with an eclectic range of dining experiences.
A boutique ambiance permeates the guestrooms through globally inspired décor, adding a new dimension to an area otherwise comprised of rich, historical architecture.
- To book, check prices or availability for Dinah’s Garden Hotel
7. Cardinal Hotel – a vintage boutique hotel that features period architectural and dark wood furnishings
This vintage boutique charms visitors with an air of elegance, emphasized beautifully in the enchanting lobby through a delightful glimpse into the history of Palo Alto.
Built in 1924, Cardinal Hotel maintains the highest quality of housekeeping and room service, brought about by decades of dedicated attention to detail.
Echoing a vision of creative style and optimum function, the guestrooms have been fully renovated and feature trendsetting amenities to offer prime home comforts in an opulent atmosphere.
Guests at the Cardinal can enjoy a supreme location, offering pleasant strolls to a wide array of restaurants and wine bars sprinkled among a wealth of local boutiques and artisan cafes.
- To book, check prices or availability for Cardinal Hotel
8. Hotel Keen – a sleek and stylish boutique hotel close to local attractions
Guests are welcomed to a ‘Keen’ sense of style at this sleek, contemporary boutique hotel, which sits at the nexus of Silicon Valley and Stanford University.
A form-meets-function aesthetic is evoked at this central Palo Alto landmark, which provides a safe haven for entrepreneurs to come alive and thrive.
A smooth European-style game plan characterizes the 41 guestrooms, which feature intricate details, clean lines, and sophisticated furnishings.
The hotel has been created through a sharp eye for exactly what the modern business traveller needs, and is unencumbered by pricey extras. Thoughtful touches, wine receptions, and complimentary continental breakfast add a lavish flair to the hospitality experience at Hotel Keen.
- To book, check prices or availability for Hotel Keen
9. Berbeda Place – a cute and quirky hotel that is popular amongst solo travelers
Catering to solo travellers visiting the thriving hub of Palo Alto for both business and leisure, Berbeda Place offers a unique, boutique twist on its mid-century architectural aesthetic.
This highly distinguished 1955 property has completely reconditioned its operating outlook over the decades, purely based on guests’ wants and needs.
The Superior and Signature guestrooms are individually designed for active, self-reliant visitors seeking a feeling of enrichment and inspiration to carry into their busy lives.
The hotel maintains an ecological stance throughout its practices, an example of which is the Organic, 100% vegan bath products which add a sustainably rooted flair to the elegant guestrooms.
- To book, check prices or availability for Berbeda Place
10. The Nest Hotel Palo Alto – a cool hotels to stay in Palo Alto perfect for Millennials and Gen Zs
Eminently comfortable and gracefully stylish, The Nest Hotel is organically in touch with nature, whilst providing an innovative, laid-back ambiance to suit the modern business traveller.
Each of the 54 rooms radiate a sleek and chic allure, infused with warmth and opulence, where an uncomplicated design meets uncompromising detail to provide the perfect recipe for relaxation.
The quirky décor is framed by crisp, immaculate white walls, in an accommodation setting which puts the hallmarks of contemporary architecture on full display.
The tranquil, Wine Country-inspired ambiance is emanated blissfully around the cosy lobby fireplace and open-air patio, where local innovators and business visionaries can seek a safe have to settle their minds and connect with the simple pleasures of life.
- To book, check prices or availability for The Nest Hotel Palo Alto
11. El PRADO – a stylish and modern hotel that offers Mediterranean-style exterior
Emerging from a recent refresh, which has seen the old ‘Garden Court’ become one of downtown Palo Alto’s most unique hotels, El Prado is a distinctive European property framed by elegant Spanish architecture.
Its airy interiors take inspiration from the surrounding landscape to soothe arriving visitors, and the guestrooms radiate this vision through warm tones and cosy furnishings designed for comfort and intimacy.
You can get your day off to a wonderful start with a fresh-brewed coffee and breakfast specialties, and end the day in the Spanish Tapas Bar accompanied by delicious sharing plates, fine wines, and signature cocktails.
- To book, check prices or availability for El PRADO
AC Hotel by Marriott Palo Alto – an elegant hotel that provides great modern amenities
Every detail at this upscale Palo Alto property has been designed, refined, and crafted to form an elegant and unobtrusive experience in the heart of Silicon Valley.
144 guestrooms and suites across 5 floors boast soft tones and plush, trendsetting amenities to cater to business-driven visionaries in pursuit of a charming spot of requiescence.
Guests at the AC Hotel wake up to a stunning atmosphere of openness and minimalism, before heading down to the AC kitchen where a Spanish-inspired breakfast is served daily.
Tapas, local craft beers, and a thoughtfully curated drinks list are offered at the AC lounge, where you can soak up the ambient charm with like-minded travellers.
- To book, check prices or availability for AC Hotel by Marriott Palo Alto
The Zen Hotel Palo Alto – an eco-friendly retreat hotel that features Asian decor and a zen vibe
Sleek Asian design is a prominent feature of The Zen Hotel, a serene boutique retreat in the heart of Palo Alto. You can kick back and relax in a graceful outdoor patio area, book in hand, surrounded by lush shrubbery and articulately tiled flooring.
The Zen hotel complements its guestrooms with a quirky colour palette, and plush seating areas designed to offer optimum relaxation, while not compromising on high-end amenities.
A charming 24/7 staff presence is always on hand to curate the perfect itineraries for guests, and a communal area stocked with BBQ facilities contribute to an outdoorsy feel at this peaceful property.
- To book, check prices or availability for The Zen Hotel Palo Alto
Enchante Boutique Hotel – near Palo Alto – a quirky-chic hotel perfect for a romantic stay
Soak up a little bit of Paris in this award-winning chateau-inspired hotel, where all of the unique rooms reflect an authentic French ambiance through antiques and art.
At Enchanté, every door opens to old-world sophistication, yet thoughtful touches and furnishings infuse the property with refinement and streamlined glamour.
The 19 rooms boast Carrera marble bathrooms, as well as plush mattresses hand-assembled by Amish craftsmen using only certified organic materials, making for a blissful and lavish night’s sleep.
While radiating a French-inspired character through eloquently appointed furnishings, this boutique hotel thrives on its deep ties with and loving commitment to the local community.
Champagne One Main, the hotel’s charming bistro, is a popular spot with locals, and fuses delectable California cuisine with a decidedly French flare.
- To book, check prices or availability for Enchante Boutique Hotel – near Palo Alto
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Scott started his travelling life back in 1999, when he headed off on a solo jaunt to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia with just a backpack, a camera and a spirit for adventure. After that, the travel bug bit hard and now he is always seeking to head off somewhere new. Over the years he has lived in Italy, Qatar, Ireland, UK and the US but his spiritual home will always be Rome as this is the city which most satisfies his unrelenting craving for culture, good food and great football. Scott loves nothing better than to be behind the camera and also runs his own blog and Instagram page. He also counts Melbourne, Cape Town and Tel Aviv among his favourite places. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @scottbalaam