el PRADO

4.0 star property

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Lobby sitting area
Property preview
Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed | Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, down comforters, pillowtop beds
Front of property
Lounge

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Room service
  • Housekeeping
  • Bar
  • Breakfast available
  • Parking available
$369
includes taxes & fees
Dec 18 - Dec 19

Explore the area

View in a map
520 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94301
  • Place, Stanford Shopping Center
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Place, Stanford Stadium
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Stanford University
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, San Francisco, CA (SFO-San Francisco Intl.)
    ‪22 min drive‬

Room options

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Fireplace

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 500 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • 300 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(9 reviews)
  • 400 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(7 reviews)
  • 400 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Courtyard King Suite, Balcony

  • 500 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Deluxe Suite, 1 King Bed

  • 500 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe King Room

  • Sleeps 2

Deluxe Queen Room

  • Sleeps 2

Deluxe Queen Queen

  • Sleeps 4

Courtyard Deluxe Fireplace King With Balcony

  • Sleeps 2

Deluxe King Suite With Balcony

  • Sleeps 2

Deluxe King Room With Fireplace

  • Sleeps 3

Courtyard King Suite, Balcony

  • Sleeps 2

Similar properties

About this property

el PRADO

Hotel in University South
A restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar/lounge are available at this smoke-free hotel. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include a 24-hour business center, valet parking, and coffee/tea in a common area.
El PRADO offers 62 accommodations with minibars and laptop-compatible safes. Rooms open to balconies. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Pillowtop beds feature Egyptian cotton sheets, down comforters, and premium bedding. A pillow menu is available. 49-inch flat-screen televisions come with premium digital channels. Bathrooms include showers, bathrobes, slippers, and designer toiletries.

This Palo Alto hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access, with a speed of 25+ Mbps. Business-friendly amenities include complimentary newspapers and phones. Additionally, rooms include hair dryers and irons/ironing boards. In-room massages and hypo-allergenic bedding can be requested. A nightly turndown service is provided and housekeeping is offered daily.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include a fitness center.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

The hotel offers a restaurant. A bar/lounge is on site where guests can unwind with a drink. This hotel offers access to a 24-hour business center, meeting rooms, and limo/town car service.

Public areas are equipped with complimentary wireless Internet access. Event facilities measuring 7000 square feet (650 square meters) include conference space. This family-friendly hotel also offers a fitness center, a library, and a terrace. Parking is available onsite for a surcharge. The property offers extended parking privileges to guests.

El PRADO is a smoke-free property.

Full breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
Il Fornaio - This restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine and serves lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar.
Il Fornaio - This bar specializes in Spanish cuisine and serves dinner only. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. Open select days.
24-hour room service is available.

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

  • 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 full breakfast available 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee: USD 10 to 100 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Restaurants on site

  • Il Fornaio
  • Il Fornaio

Things to do

  • Gym
  • Library
  • Piano
  • TV in common areas

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
  • 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
Minimum check-in age: 18

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

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
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for full 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

Property is also known as

Court Garden Hotel
Garden Court
Garden Court Hotel
Garden Court Hotel Palo Alto
Garden Court Palo Alto
el PRADO Hotel
el PRADO Palo Alto
Garden Court Hotel
el PRADO Hotel Palo Alto

el PRADO Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 476 out of 608 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 88 out of 608 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 25 out of 608 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 9 out of 608 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 10 out of 608 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

9.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

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

10/10 Excellent

Amy

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

ROBERT

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jianhuo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mingzhou

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Robert W

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

John

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ashley

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

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

Paris in Palo Alto

Felt like being in Paris. Love this hotel!!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rachid

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

Loved it!

In the heart of Palo Alto next to all the restaurants. We took 2 suites. Both on the 4th floor. Excellent layout, sunlight, furniture, bedding and bathroom cleanliness. Boutique hotel lived up to our expectations from the valet to housekeeping. If you have a room facing the courtyard, expect a bit of echo from the il fornaio terrace downstairs but it is not significant. Definitely coming back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jaclyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

George

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

El Prado Palo Alto

Fantastic property with well trained customer friendly folks ready to help you with anything you need. Highlight however was the quality and comfort of the bed and linens. Top notch. We will be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Terry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Location amazing - rooms large, clean and well furnished. Front desk helpful and pleasant. Maintenance slow and low standard ( took 24 hours to get a simple sink “ stopper” fixed — and
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Charul

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Zhanna

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

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

10/10 Excellent

Carlos

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place to stay in downtown Palo Alto. Rooms are neat.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Olivia

Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

James

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice rooms.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicole

Traveled with family
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

10/10 Excellent

Andras, Rio Rancho

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lourdes

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We stayed here as guests for a wedding reception in the hotel. It is in a very good location in downtown Palo Alto. Beautiful classic interior decor, super quiet rooms, friendly service, easy city parking across the street and next door, with high speed EV chargers, in addition to valet parking in the hotel. The Italian restaurant, Il Fornaio, is next door to the hotel and convenient, where the rehearsal dinner took place. The reception in the hotel was amazing, the food was delicious, especially the abundant hours d'oeuvres, and charcuterie boards. The service was outstanding, and the facilities were beautiful and well maintained. We truly enjoyed our stay, and would highly recommend for a wedding reception.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leo

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marcia E.

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautifully restored hotel, very charming. Staff were gracious and attentive. Lovely room decor.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025