Cardinal Hotel | Hotel in Palo Alto

| 8.3 (264 Reviews) | 7 Bathrooms 15 Guests Stay&Play

Hotel in University South, Palo Alto

Built in 1924, this historic Palo Alto hotel is just 1 mi from Stanford University. Guests can enjoy dining at Bistro Maxine, located next door. A flat-screen TV and dark wood furniture are found in each bright, decorative room of the nonsmoking Cardinal Hotel. A work desk and an iron are also included. Bistro Maxine serves both traditional and continental breakfasts each morning. Lunch, dinner and dessert crepes are also offered. Guests of the Cardinal can enjoy free weekday newspapers as well as coffee, tea and cocoa in the lobby. A business center is available as well. The Palo Alto Caltrain Station is an 8-minute walk from the hotel. The San Francisco International Airport is less than 21 miles away.

Cardinal Hotel is located in Palo Alto.

This 44 Bedrooms Hotel is suitable for tourists and travelers. It has several amenities that would guarantee your comfort. These amenities include: Accessibility, Security/Safety, EV Charge Station, and several others. This is a 3 star rated property and has over 264 reviews with the average score of 8.3 . Coming to Palo Alto and needing a place to stay? Be it for work or for leisure, consider staying at this Hotel for your next visit, you will surely love it.

You can check the reviews and description of this 44 Bedrooms Hotel if you want to learn more about this StayAndPlay.com place in Palo Alto. These details are authentic, as they are provided by our partner, booking.com.

This Cardinal Hotel in Palo Alto is well equipped and has all facilities that have been listed below. Please note that these details were shared to us by booking.com for the listed “Cardinal Hotel”. We solely rely on their shared details and are regarded as “accurate”. If you have any concerns about the information or accuracy describing this Hotel, please let us know.

Unique Amenities

Parking
Accessibility
Security/Safety
EV Charge Station
Sports/Activities
Fireplace/Heating
Restaurant
Guest Services
Child Friendly
Internet
Laundry

Policies

Check-in The minimum age for check-in is 18

Cancellation policy Free cancellation

Payment Policy Credit card required

Pet Policy Pets are not allowed

Other Policy 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.

235 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA

What Our Guests say 500 + Reviews

May 4, 2026 07:00:00 AM

Reviewer Type: Solo Traveller

Travel Purpose: leisure

Positive: Very nice and super clean room. The shared bathroom and shower were also very clean and large and right next to our room. Great location! Quiet at night.

Negative: The hotel reached out to us via text message to confirm whether we are ok with the shared bathroom in our booking or if we would like to upgrade our room to one with an ensuite bathroom. We responded that we would like to upgrade but never received a response. We also sent an email to ask about storage for our luggage before check-in and had to send a follow-up to receive a response.

Summary: Lovely and clean room and shared bathroom

Selina, Mexico

Apr 20, 2026 07:00:00 AM

Reviewer Type: Solo Traveller

Travel Purpose: leisure

Kyle, USA

Mar 23, 2026 07:00:00 AM

Reviewer Type: Solo Traveller

Travel Purpose: business

Positive: Perfect location, old school Palo Alto vibe.

Negative: Shared bathroom wasn't ideal but it was clean and for the price it worked out great.

Summary: Great stay for the price compared to rates at other properties. Appreciated the vintage vibe.

Robert, USA

Mar 8, 2026 08:00:00 AM

Reviewer Type: Couple

Travel Purpose: leisure

Positive: Location was convenient, and the retro elements were charming.

Negative: The room was small and the shared bath and shower were some distance (7 doors down). There was only one robe, and luckily we had one of our own and also our own slippers. But the comfort was lacking. Having only paper cups in the room felt a bit cheesy for the luxury level of the hotel. We have stayed here before, but we decided we won't be coming back.

Ann, Poland

Mar 8, 2026 08:00:00 AM

Reviewer Type: Solo Traveller

Travel Purpose: leisure

Catrine, USA

Mar 2, 2026 08:00:00 AM

Reviewer Type: Extended Group

Travel Purpose: leisure

Positive: The Cardinal Hotel is so charming and in a magnificent location in Palo Alto. We were in town for Stanford Family Weekend and had a wonderful stay. We were just steps away from great breakfasts spots, happy hours and dinner locations.

Negative: Guests should know that sometimes the liveliness of the streets below can be loud, but they could always ask for a room facing away from the main area. It was not a problem for us and we enjoyed looking out on the festivities.

Dena, USA

Feb 21, 2026 08:00:00 AM

Reviewer Type: Couple

Travel Purpose: business

Naser, Saudi Arabia

Feb 10, 2026 08:00:00 AM

Reviewer Type: Couple

Travel Purpose: leisure

Oluwatobiloba, USA

Nov 25, 2025 08:00:00 AM

Reviewer Type: Solo Traveller

Travel Purpose: business

Positive: Good location.

Negative: NA

Summary: Good location, comfortable place

Luiz Henrique, Brazil

Nov 21, 2025 08:00:00 AM

Reviewer Type: Solo Traveller

Travel Purpose: leisure

FAQ's

Is this Cardinal Hotel pet-friendly for guests?

No, pets are not allowed at this property. Check the guest reviews to learn what guests had to share.

What time is check-in & check-out at Cardinal Hotel?

Check-in time for Cardinal Hotel starts counting from 2:00 PM and check-out is until 11:00 AM. However, early check-in or late check-out can sometimes be negotiated between the guest and the owner or the manager of this property.

Does the Cardinal Hotel have a swimming pool?

No, this Cardinal Hotel does not have a swimming pool. Check the Facility Overview section for details about the pool and other available facilities.

How much does it cost per night to stay in Cardinal Hotel?

Best-rates for the Cardinal Hotel starts from $231 per night with includes Accessibility, Security/Safety, EV Charge Station, Restaurant, Child Friendly, Parking, Sports/Activities, Fireplace/Heating, Guest Services, Internet, Laundry StayAndPlay offers fully equipped golf villas, golf hotels, golf resorts, luxury golf cabins, and exclusive golf retreats, making it easier than ever to find your perfect golf escape — ideal for families, peaceful getaways, or pet-friendly retreats with the whole crew.

Is Cardinal Hotel a family-friendly place to stay?

Based on the information we have received from the owner or our partner, this is considered to be a family-friendly property. Families have rated this hotel 3 stars or guests have recommended them suitable for families. As reported by the owner or manager, the hotel has specified that children are welcome. Please see details about suitability for your family or inquire with the property to learn more.

Is the Cardinal Hotel wheelchair accessible or offer services for disabled guests?

Based on the information received from our partner, the Cardinal Hotel has not specified they are wheelchair accessible. Likewise, there is not an elevator specified as being available at the property. Specific accessibility details may be addressed in the property details section of this page.

What is the minimum night stay policy for the Cardinal Hotel?

Based on the information reported by the owner or manager, the Cardinal Hotel indicates 1 day stay policy at this hotel. Guests are cautioned that the minimum stay policy may differ based on seasonality or availability and may be at the discretion of the owner or manager.

What cancellation policy is in place for Cardinal Hotel?

Based on the information reported by the owner or manager, details for the cancellation policy for the Cardinal Hotel are as follows: Free cancellation Guests are cautioned that the cancellation policy may differ based on seasonality, availability, or current travel restrictions. Guests should also be aware that this policy may be subject to change and should be confirmed prior to booking. More details may be available on this page in the property description. However, early check-in or late check-out can sometimes be negotiated between the guest and the owner or the manager of this property.

Check Hotel Availability

Nightly rates from:

US $231