El Prado Hotel Palo Alto, Palo Alto ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2025

Book on our site

Up to 10% cheaper

than Booking.com

Key details

About the Hotel

520 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, California, United States of America, 94301

El Prado, a 4-star Palo Alto hotel, seamlessly blends elegant Spanish-style architecture with modern comforts. Highlighting its central location, the hotel features 62 guest rooms and suites, a fitness center, and a dining option, Il Fornaio, for guests' convenience.

Rooms & Amenities

The 62 rooms and suites at El Prado offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen televisions with satellite channels, coffeemakers, and work desks. Many rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, French doors, and private balconies with views of Palo Alto's downtown district or the central courtyard, providing a welcoming and spacious environment.

Dining & Local Scene

Il Fornaio, the on-site Italian restaurant, serves meals that guests can enjoy in their rooms through in-room dining. The downtown Palo Alto dining scene features a variety of upscale restaurants catering to diverse culinary preferences, ensuring guests have multiple options nearby.

Leisure & Business Services

El Prado features a well-equipped fitness room, offering ellipticals, treadmills, and free weights for a comprehensive workout. For business needs, the hotel has event spaces and a seasoned planning team to assist with functions, enhancing its suitability for corporate events.

Location & Transportation

Located close to Stanford University and major tech campuses, El Prado makes travel easy for guests. Nearby bus stops provide public transit options, and guests can explore local attractions, including the Rodin Sculpture Garden and Stanford Shopping Center.

View all

Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Deluxe Queen Room

Max:

2 persons

28 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

City view

Shower

Heating

room details

Check Prices

Deluxe Queen Room

Max:

4 persons

33 m²

Bed options:

2 King Size Beds

Shower

Heating

room details

Check Prices

Deluxe King Suite

Max:

2 persons

60 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

City view

Shower

Heating

room details

Check Prices

Show all roomsLess

Price and Room Availability Calendar

Check availability and prices for your dates now!

Getting around

A list of all available modes of transport

City Center

Palo Alto 1.0 mi

Airports

Mineta San Jose International (SJC) 16.2 mi

San Francisco International (SFO) 19.8 mi

Train

California Ave Caltrain 1.6 mi

Train400 ft

Bus

Bus stop1000 ft

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Spacious Luxury

“The room was impressively spacious and filled with natural light, creating a truly relaxing atmosphere.” view full review

Gourmet Convenience

“Having II Fornaio right in the lobby was a good surprise, offering exquisite dining just steps away from our room.” view full review

Elegant Design

“The elegant finishes and luxurious decor in the room added a wonderful touch to our overall stay.” view full review

Cozy Retreat

“The lovely small patio with French doors provided the perfect setting for enjoying morning coffee and breakfast.” view full review

General

Non-smoking rooms
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Baggage storage
Elevator
Coffee shop

Sports & Fitness

Fitness center
Golf course

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Room service
Laundry
Dry cleaning

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area

Business

Business center
Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cribs

Spa & Leisure

Garden area

Room features

Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Air conditioning
Heating
Mini-bar
Sitting area
Dressing area
Terrace
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

520 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, California, United States of America, 94301

Map view

street view

520 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, California, United States of America, 94301

City landmarks

Shopping Area

Stanford Shopping Center

1.0 mi

University

Stanford University

1.5 mi

Museums

Hewlett Packard Garage

2900 ft

Museums

Cantor Arts Center

1.5 mi

80 Willow Rd

Sunset Magazine Headquarters and Gardens

3200 ft

Bryant Street

Professorville

3000 ft

Zoo

Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo

1.0 mi

Museum Way

Rodin Sculpture Garden

1.3 mi

1451 Middlefield Rd

Junior Museum & Zoo

4500 ft

1431 Waverley St

Elizabeth Gamble Garden Center

4900 ft

300 El Camino Real

Pace Art and Technology

4500 ft

Store

Whole Foods Market

2100 ft

Mall

Town & Country Village

3500 ft

Gallery

Palo Alto Art Center

1.3 mi

Gallery

Allied Arts Guild

1.2 mi

Tower

Hoover Tower

1.5 mi

Parks

Burgess Park

1.4 mi

117 Palo Alto Ave

El Palo Alto Park

3200 ft

Museums

Anderson Collection at Stanford University

1.2 mi

Parks

Rinconada Park

5200 ft

Church

Memorial Church

1.6 mi

800 Middle Ave

Nealon Park

1.6 mi

Gallery

Thomas Welton Stanford Art Gallery

1.5 mi

Santa Cruz Ave & University Dr

Fremont Park

1.3 mi

351 Lausen Street

Frost Amphitheater

1.2 mi

Garden

Stanford Arizona Garden

1.4 mi

Memorial Court Stanford University

Burghers of Calais Sculpture

1.3 mi

Nearby

351 Homer Ave

Museum of American Heritage

1800 ft

601-699 Gilman St

Farmers' markets

1600 ft

south side of the mausoleum off of Quarry Road between Campus Drive and Arboretum Road

Arizona Garden

1700 ft

Restaurants

Il Fornaio

100 ft

520 Cowper Street

Blue Bottle Coffee

500 ft

456 University Avenue

Umami Burger

400 ft

452 University Ave

Chantal Guillon

500 ft

444 University Ave

Thyme

400 ft

496 Hamilton Ave

Vino Locale

800 ft

431 Kipling St

Yayoi

800 ft

403 University Ave

Paris Baguette

800 ft

383 University Ave

Starbucks

800 ft

376 University Ave

Joya

1100 ft

339 University Ave

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

86%

liked the hotel and would stay again

8.6/10

Great

Rooms

8.8

Location

9.5

Service

9.0

Dining

7.3

Frederic

United States of America, April 2024

8.8/10

My stay at the hotel was outstanding, with beautifully designed rooms offering both elegance and comfort. The service was top-notch, with friendly and attentive staff always ready to assist. The location was superb, situated in the heart of Palo Alto, ideal for exploring the vibrant surroundings. The dining experience was pleasant, although I wished for more variety in the morning options. Overall, a fantastic choice for a relaxing retreat with great value for money.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were so lovely, a design marvel of accents, symmetry, and comfort. Impeccably appointed and featuring a comfortable bed.

Service

9.0

The service was friendly, helpful, and always accompanied by a smile. The staff was attentive and courteous, ensuring a delightful stay.

Location

10.0

The hotel's location on University Avenue in Palo Alto was fantastic, offering easy access to restaurants, shopping, and the vibrant pulse of the city.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience provided delicious tapas, although I wished for more breakfast options available before 8 am.

Facilities

9.0

The hotel offers excellent facilities, designed for a relaxing and enjoyable stay.

George

United Kingdom, December 2023

8.6/10

The hotel provided us with beautiful, clean, and elegant rooms that were spacious and decorated to a high standard. The staff was wonderful, polite, and always ready to assist us with anything we needed. However, the rooms were a bit noisy with the windows shut. Overall, it was a delightful stay.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were beautiful, clean, simple, and elegant with all the necessary amenities, making our stay very comfortable.

Service

9.0

The service was impeccable, and the staff was kind and attentive to all our needs throughout our stay.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location was amazing for attending a wedding, being intimate and just the right size. Additionally, it was ideal for exploring the area, close to restaurants, shopping, and notable Silicon Valley residences.

Dining

8.0

The dining options were only available after 8 am, but the Korean food served was delightful and worth the wait.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel had a range of facilities like room service, dry cleaning, laundry, and valet parking, providing added convenience to our stay.

Rachel

United States of America, October 2023

8.6/10

Staying at this hotel was a wonderful experience. The rooms overlooked the center courtyard with an Il Fornaio chain restaurant below offering outdoor seating, providing a vibrant atmosphere. Additionally, guests enjoyed ample room to move around in the hotel courtyard and were delighted by the complimentary breakfast at the neighboring restaurant, which was truly exceptional.

Rooms

9.0

My room had a lovely view of the hotel courtyard and the Il Fornaio restaurant below, adding to the overall charm of the stay. The complimentary breakfast was a real treat, and the room provided ample space to relax.

Service

9.0

The service was exceptional, from the attentive staff who promptly brought up coffee upon request to the friendly valet service. Room service was efficient, and the staff made sure every need was met with a smile.

Location

10.0

The location of the hotel is unbeatable, being centrally located in downtown Palo Alto, within walking distance to everything you need. It offers a perfect blend of convenience and a home-away-from-home vibe, ideal for exploring the vibrant area.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience was a bit disappointing with limited options, but the roasted meats were a standout. However, the bustling atmosphere down the hallway and the cozy ambiance added to the overall experience.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel facilities were top-notch, offering everything one could need for a comfortable stay. The courtyard and restaurant below added a nice touch to the overall ambiance.

Murray

United States of America, July 2023

8.6/10

My stay at this hotel was truly wonderful. The rooms are so lovely, calming, and relaxing, with a delightful colonial style that made me feel right at home. The complimentary breakfast at the nearby restaurant was amazing, adding to the exceptional experience. However, the pricing felt a bit high compared to the offerings.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms are decked out in a colonial style and equipped with everything you could ever need. The only downside is that they are a little tight.

Service

9.0

The service here is top-notch. The staff asked if I was enjoying my stay and were incredibly accommodating, making me feel valued as a guest.

Location

9.0

The location is ideal for exploring the area, close to restaurants and shopping. It's also within walking distance to the central parts of Palo Alto, perfect for getting around easily.

Dining

7.0

The morning dining experience was in accord with excellent service. The only drawback was that the options seemed tailored more towards young college girls, offering limited variety.

Facilities

10.0

The facilities here are impeccable, offering everything from room service to valet parking. I didn't find any faults with the amenities provided.