Downtown Palo Alto Palo Alto, California
Renovated
2021
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Luxe SocialOutside the door
Andalusian courtyard refuge
A grand, European-inflected sanctuary in downtown Palo Alto, drawing tech leaders and visiting university guests into its calm courtyard.
What it’s good at
Notable
Spanish-Mediterranean architecture featuring French doors, terracotta tiling, and black forest greens.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
The front doors sit a block off University Avenue, putting local dining and the Stanford campus within easy reach.
The rooms
French doors open onto private balconies overlooking the courtyard, and bathrooms are finished in solid marble.
The gym
- Gym
- Third-floor fitness center equipped with treadmills, stationary bikes, free weights, and workout mats.
Dogs stay too.
Spanish Tapas Bar & Lounge
The second-floor lounge serves Spanish wines and small plates around velvet seating and a lit stone fireplace.
At the table
Morning coffee is poured in the double-height glass solarium, which looks out onto the central courtyard.
How it began
Originally built in 1986 as the Garden Court Hotel, the property was completely reimagined in 2021 by designer NicoleHollis.
Good to know
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Palo Alto
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.