el PRADO

Hotels
9.2 (410 reviews)
520 Cowper Street , Palo Alto , us

Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Fitness facilities (surcharge)
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
Pets allowed
Lift / Elevator
Luggage storage
Safety deposit box
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great location
Friendly staff
Comfortable rooms
Cons:
Noise issues
Room service problems
Maintenance concerns

Categories

Cleanliness
8.96
Some reviews indicated issues with the room quality and maintenance that impacted cleanliness.
Service
9.93
Front desk staff and housekeeping were reported as extremely friendly and helpful.
Location
10
The hotel is centrally located in Palo Alto, noted as perfect for accessing the area.
Room Quality
8.97
Mixed sentiments with some rooms described as quaint but others noted noise and mattress issues.
Amenities
9.42
Offerings like coffee service were appreciated, although some amenities were lacking.
Value for Money
8.45
Several reviews reflected dissatisfaction with the cost relative to the condition of the hotel.
Food and Beverage
7.91
Room service issues were experienced, affecting the overall sentiment about food and beverage.
Overall Experience
9.96
Despite some complaints, the overall feedback remains largely positive with great location.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-09 21:45

Property Description

Contemporary Guest Rooms with Tech Amenities - el PRADO offers modern guest rooms equipped with GLink iPhone and Android docking stations, ensuring you stay connected and entertained during your stay.

Dining Experiences to Remember - Indulge in a variety of culinary delights at el PRADO, from fresh-brewed coffee and breakfast specialties at the Breakfast Coffee Bar to tapas-style sharing plates, Spanish wine flights, and signature cocktails at the Spanish Tapas Bar. For a taste of authentic Italian cuisine, head to Il Fornaio for indoor and outdoor dining options.

Concierge Services for a Seamless Stay - Take advantage of the concierge service at el PRADO to arrange in-room massages, restaurant reservations, and private car services, ensuring a hassle-free and enjoyable stay.

Experience the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and luxury at el PRADO. Book now for an unforgettable stay in Central Palo Alto.

Important information:

When booking 5 rooms or more, different policies and additional supplements may apply.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.
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: SJC

Property Policies

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 17 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    People no matter the age stay for free when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.

  • Parking

    Public parking is possible at a location nearby (reservation is not possible) and charges may be applicable.

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed. Charges may be applicable.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge.

Location

Guest Reviews

9.2
Based on 410 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.96
Service: 9.93
Location: 10
Room Quality: 8.97
Amenities: 9.42
Value for Money: 8.45
Food and Beverage: 7.91
Overall Experience: 9.96
M
morten solo_traveller ca
6
2026-03-21 via Nuitee
S
Susie couple us
10
My husband was at Stanford for a medical procedure so a nice relaxing, quiet place to stay.
Pros:

We had breakfast one morning at Blue Bottle which is super close to walk to. Another morning we had breakfast in Menlo Park at Mademoiselle Collette which was delicious.
The coffee service on the floor is nice in the mornings to just go out and grab a coffee.

Cons:

Nothing.

2026-03-09 via Nuitee
L
Lucija solo_traveller gb
10
Absolutely loved it, will be back!
Pros:

Absolutely wonderful hotel, the room is beautiful, I loved the fireplace. I also think the staff was exceptional, clean rooms, room service came in early in the day and has done an incredible job.

Cons:

One thing they could improve is coffee machines in each room. Currently don't have that option.

2026-01-30 via Nuitee
A
Andrew couple us
10
2026-01-20 via Nuitee
A
Adi family_with_children ca
10
2026-01-20 via Nuitee
M
Manimaren couple sg
8
2026-01-12 via Nuitee
G
George couple au
10
2026-01-09 via Nuitee
A
Aleksei extended_group ru
9
2026-01-06 via Nuitee
M
Malgosia family_with_children ca
9
2026-01-02 via Nuitee
S
Stacey couple us
8
Pros:

Love the location and the hotel itself was very quaint, reminding us of a European boutique Hotel.

Cons:

I don’t know if our door leading out to the balcony had gap, but there was a howling all night long, every night that we were there. We were on the top floor in room 411. I actually thought it was an ambulance until I realized when I opened the door, the sound went away when I closed the door it continued. Not sure if there’s a wind tunnel in that back parking lot and it does it in all the rooms, but it was really annoying. For that reason I would not stay there again. We spent $1100 for 3 nights …quite a lot not to sleep well. Our mattress tilted down towards the bathroom. That mattress needs to be replaced.

2025-12-30 via Nuitee
S
Sanae couple us
10
2025-12-27 via Nuitee
J
jmLondon845 Couples London, England
8
Very nice and comfortable hotel downtown
Pros:

Very nice hotel well located dowmtown and next to Il Fornaio restaurant. When we arrived we were luckily upgraded to the presidential penthouse which was sublime, with two teraces and an outside living room and dining room, superb.
Good service

2025-12-25 via Tripadvisor
3
304wynnc Family
10
Celebrating Mom’s Milestone Birthday
Pros:

We celebrated my mom’s milestone birthday at El Prado Hotel, and it was truly a memorable experience from start to finish. Sherry was amazing—helpful, accommodating, and supportive from day one. She made thoughtful suggestions based on her experience with prior events and always responded to our questions promptly with great follow-up.

One of our top criteria in choosing a banquet hall was excellent food, and the chef did not disappoint. The food was plentiful and absolutely delicious, and our guests couldn’t stop complimenting it.

The staff during the event were incredible—professional, attentive, and genuinely kind—which helped everything run smoothly and allowed us to fully enjoy the celebration. El Prado Hotel helped make my mom’s special day unforgettable, and we are so grateful to the entire team

2025-12-24 via Tripadvisor
P
paulakD8380KE NONE
8
Great Location and Rooms
Pros:

Great location, rooms are clean and bright (just don't get a corner room), bedding is great, staff is friendly. Not a five star experience, but a solid four stars. No in-hotel restaurant or bar, but room service is available from the restaurant (Il Fornaio) that's right downstairs.

2025-12-18 via Tripadvisor
G
Greencan NONE
10
Nice hotel to stay in Palo Alto
Pros:

Nice and clean hotel. Not cheap but with good facilities and excellent location in the center of Palo Alto. Palo Alto self is worth visiting.

2025-12-16 via Tripadvisor
W
Wubbo couple nl
10
Leuke laatste stop voor thuiskomst
Pros:

Het is een prachtig hotel in het centrum van het chique plaatsje Palo Alto. Er zijn veel leuke en soorten plekken om te eten. Een wandeling in de achterliggende wijken is prachtig. Je kunt zien dat het een welvarend stadje is. Ook geschikt als laatste stop voordat je vanuit San Francisco weer naar huis toe gaat. Het internationale vliegveld is slechts op 35 minuten afstand.

2025-12-14 via Nuitee
J
Jose couple fr
10
A perfect stay in Palo Alto
2025-12-10 via Nuitee
T
Thereza solo_traveller br
10
Foi super agradável, equipe front desk otima, e hotel bem
Pros:

Fiquei em dois quartos
Tamanhos grandes
Camas e lencois otimos

Cons:

O banheiro com bancada pequena
Pq fiquei também num de cadeirante que tinha uma bancada bem grande

2025-12-05 via Nuitee
S
S0CalF00die NONE Los Angeles, California
10
Stay here if you're in Palo Alto
Pros:

I wish this charming boutique hotel were a chain with operations all over the U.S., because they get just about everything right. The valets charge your Tesla. Everyone pampers your pooch. The front desk handles everything. There's coffee, tea, and newspapers on your floor in the morning. The obviously recent renovation is tasteful; we especially enjoyed the nature photography in the room and the beautiful marble bath. We are Southern Californians so we like to leave open a window or door at night, and the French doors to our room allowed us to do that comfortably.

2025-12-01 via Tripadvisor
2
269pattieb Business Brooklyn, New York
10
Fabulous Hotel - the best in Palo Alto for sure !!!
Pros:

The location of the hotel is perfect as there are many things close by. The hotel itself is very clean and opulent. More importantly, the staff is what makes this hotel so special. From front desk to sales manager to banquet manager this was fabulous from start to finish. They helped me put together rooms, catering, and a board room on a Saturday for a Monday night meeting. The boardroom for the meeting was just as pristine and the banquet food was delicious. Thank you el Prado my group will definitely be back !!!!

2025-11-26 via Tripadvisor