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el PRADO

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Photo gallery for el PRADO

An outdoor courtyard with a round table, potted plants, and a hanging lantern. - el PRADO (Palo Alto)
A narrow alleyway with buildings on either side, a balcony with a green trellis, and a couple dressed in wedding attire. - el PRADO (Palo Alto)
A room with large windows, a red sofa, and potted plants. - el PRADO (Palo Alto)
A building entrance with a glass canopy, a staircase, and a sign indicating the address. - el PRADO (Palo Alto)
A spacious indoor area with a high ceiling, large windows, and a mix of seating arrangements including chairs and sofas. - el PRADO (Palo Alto)
Luxury
4.0 star property
9.4

Exceptional

Elegant retreat in downtown Palo Alto

Marble-tiled bathrooms and plush bedding create a boutique feel in this charming downtown Palo Alto property. The courtyard offers a quiet retreat after exploring nearby shops. Attentive staff provide exceptional service, making guests feel at home while enjoying the coffee bar.

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Gym
  • Breakfast available
  • Parking available

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 9 of 9 rooms

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Fireplace

A hotel room with a large bed, a desk, a chair, a TV, a fireplace, and a view of the outdoors.

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Fireplace

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • City view
  • 46 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed

A hotel room with a large bed, a bench, a desk, and a chair. There is a window with curtains, a lamp, and a picture on the wall.

Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • City view
  • 28 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed

A hotel room with a bed, a sofa, a desk, and a view of the outside.

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(12 reviews)
  • City view
  • 37 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds

A hotel room with a large bed, two bedside tables, a desk with a chair, a sofa, and a patterned floor.

Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(7 reviews)
  • 37 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Courtyard King Suite, Balcony

A hotel room with a large bed, a dark blue sofa, and a patterned floor.

Courtyard King Suite, Balcony

  • City view
  • 46 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Deluxe Suite, 1 King Bed

A hotel room with a large bed, a television mounted on the wall, two bedside tables with lamps, and a patterned floor.

Deluxe Suite, 1 King Bed

  • 46 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • Free WiFi

Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • Free WiFi

Room

  • Sleeps 4
  • Free WiFi

About the neighborhood

Located in University South, a neighborhood in Palo Alto, el PRADO is in the entertainment district and near the airport. Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo and Twin Creeks Sports Complex are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Silicon Valley and Baylands Nature Preserve. Traveling with kids? Make time for California's Great America, or check out an event or a game at Stanford Stadium. Practice your golf swing with lessons and a golf course nearby, or enjoy other activities in the great outdoors, such as hiking/biking trails. Visit our Palo Alto travel guide
Map
520 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94301

What's nearby

  • A grassy hill with a wooden fence, a distant town with red-roofed buildings, and a tower.
    Stanford University
    11 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • A woman walking on a sidewalk with potted plants and buildings in the background.
    Stanford Shopping Center
    13 min walk - 0.7 miles
  • Downtown Palo Alto Farmers' Market
    5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Stanford Theatre
    7 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Stanford Stadium
    4 min drive - 1.4 miles

Getting around

  • Palo Alto Station
    10 min walk
  • San Carlos, CA (SQL)
    13 min drive

Restaurants

  • Shake Shack
    16 min walk
  • Verve Coffee
    9 min walk
  • Gregorys Coffee
    3 min drive
  • Blue Bottle Coffee
    3 min drive
  • Telefèric Barcelona
    19 min walk

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Limo/town car service
  • Valet parking on site (USD 35 per night; includes in/out privileges)
  • Extended parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily cooked-to-order breakfast available 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee: USD 10 to 100 per person
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Things to do

  • Gym
  • Library
  • Piano
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • In-room crib

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Hair salon
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Proposal/romance packages
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Turndown service
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • 24-hour business center
  • 7,000 square feet of conference space
  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Terrace

Spa

  • In-room massages

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Braille/raised signage
  • Elevator
  • Hand-held showerhead
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Height-adjustable showerhead
  • Visual alarms in hallways
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible business center
  • Wheelchair-accessible concierge desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchairs on site

More

  • 1 building
  • 4 floors
  • Ballroom
  • Banquet hall
  • Built in 1986
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Down comforter
  • Egyptian cotton sheets
  • Free crib
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding
  • Pillow menu
  • Pillowtop mattress

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Designer toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Slippers
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 49-inch flat-screen TV with premium digital channels

Food and drink

  • 24-hour room service
  • Champagne service
  • Electric kettle
  • Minibar

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Free daily newspapers
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop-compatible safe
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in is available for a fee
Contactless check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 75 per pet, per stay
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total (up to 70 lbs per pet)
Pets cannot be left unattended
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Food and water bowls are available

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Children up to the age of 17 years can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 25.0 per night
Free cribs are available on request at the property

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: approximately USD 10 to 100 per person
  • Valet parking fee: USD 35 per night (in/out privileges)
  • Pet fee: USD 75 per pet, per stay
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 25.0 per night

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a smoke detector
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

A car is not required for transportation to and from this property

Frequently asked questions

Is el PRADO pet-friendly?

Yes, this hotel allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 70 lbs per pet. There's a fee of USD 75 per pet, per stay. Service animals are exempt from fees. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking?

Valet parking is available for USD 35 per night.

What time is check-in at el PRADO?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime. A fee applies for early check-in (subject to availability).

What time is check-out at el PRADO?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM. Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability).

Where is el PRADO located?

This family-friendly Palo Alto hotel is located near the airport, within a 15-minute walk of Silicon Valley and Stanford University. Stanford University Medical Center is 1.8 mi (2.9 km) away. Palo Alto Station is 10 minutes by foot.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

el PRADO Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

9.8

Cleanliness

9.6

Location

9.4

Staff & service

9.4

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 531 out of 671 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 92 out of 671 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 27 out of 671 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 9 out of 671 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 12 out of 671 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Marissa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff was very friendly and the room was perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Uppili

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice hotel with super clean rooms. Service from staff is very good! Balcony is great! High recommend!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Great stay - big, well appointed rooms in an excellent location
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Julie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel is lovely in every way - quiet, super clean, roomy, elegant. We felt like honored guests and enjoyed padding down the hall in our slippers every morning for coffee. Even the balcony overlooking Cowper was wonderful for morning coffee or afternoon wine. Highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Nicole

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Overall great stay. The hotel is in a great location to downtown with plenty of shops and restaurants nearby.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

deborah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very pretty room, a short walk to food and shops which was great. We went to a concert at Stanford and we could have walked if we wanted. Room was very nice, no room in the mini fridge for our stuff( had to pull out some of the alcohol til we checked out) we don’t drink so a full fridge of alcohol was not a perk for us.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Katherine

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was super friendly and helpful. And the hotel was beautiful, and way prettier than expected. Definitely would recommend!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Really lovely hotel - comfortable bed, immaculate bath, and quiet.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Peter

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice clean and large room with a balcony facing the courtyard
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Olga

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great Place to stay

Outstanding service, amazing place!
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sung Won

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A charming classic interior design with a lovely balcony. The staff are friendly and welcoming.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Richard

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Nice hotel. Good location. Quite clean. Fitness room seemed a bit lacking. Staff were very nice!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great Location
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Everything was excellent ... room, staff, cleanliness and location.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Cora

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic location. Helpful staff. Comfortable rooms.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Honghao

Awesome room!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great clean hotel at a great location near shops and restaurants in Palo Alto
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The staff are incredibly helpful and pleasant .. among the best of any hotel I've ever been in.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liz

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Super friendly staff. Pet friendly. Walking distance to shops and restaurants.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Marie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice room, great location
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Nicole

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Overall great stay at el Prado! Staff is very friendly and the rooms are clean and comfortable.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Dongping

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This hotel is a gem on prime location! Modern luxury setting. Room size is good. So many great restaurants and coffee shops just steps away. 2nd floor library and bar area is perfect place to chat with friends.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

gloria

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Perfect room location and ambiance

One of the nicest rooms we’ve ever stayed in. Great staff so helpful
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Belinda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean, quiet, beautiful. Why stay anywhere else?
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Guadalupe

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I always stayed there every time I go to Palo Alto. The hotel is really cozy, very well located and the people it’s very friendly. The rooms are spacious and I love the decoration
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024