Cardinal Hotel

The Cardinal Hotel has stood at the corner of Hamilton Avenue and Ramona Street since 1924. It is the oldest of downtown Palo Alto's hotels and still looks the part, with a Spanish-style facade, a tiled lobby and period furniture. It is also one of the more affordable ways to sleep within a couple of blocks of University Avenue, thanks to a range of rooms that includes shared-bath options. For travelers who like a building with a past and do not need a pool or a spa, it is a characterful choice.

This profile is based on the hotel's website, National Register records for the Ramona Street district and local reporting. We do not publish prices, star ratings or reviews. For live rates, check the Cardinal Hotel on Booking.com or book with the hotel directly.

Location

The hotel's address is 235 Hamilton Avenue. It fills the corner at Ramona Street, one block south of University Avenue. Its building also wraps onto Ramona. That puts it in the middle of downtown's restaurant and shopping grid.

The hotel says it is about a mile from Stanford University and the Stanford Shopping Center. Closer to hand:

• University Avenue, one block north.
• The Stanford Theatre, a short walk away on University Avenue.
• Nobu Hotel Palo Alto and its restaurant, a block west on Hamilton Avenue.
• The Palo Alto Caltrain station, roughly a 10-minute walk west.
• The downtown farmers market, held on Saturdays year-round nearby.
• Professorville and the HP Garage, a pleasant walk south.

Walking times are estimates. From the transit center by the station, the free Marguerite shuttle runs onto the Stanford campus.

History and architecture

The Cardinal was built in 1924. The National Register inventory for the Ramona Street Architectural District lists it as the work of the architect William H. Weeks, a prolific designer of schools and public buildings in California. Wikipedia's entry on the district calls it Palo Alto's first non-frame hotel. A 2025 local magazine feature added that it was built under the Palo Alto Improvement Company to encourage downtown development.

You may see the hotel credited to Birge Clark, Palo Alto's best-known architect of the era. The same magazine feature named Clark as a collaborator, but the National Register records credit Weeks. Clark did design several neighbors, including the Medico-Dental Building across Ramona Street. Our guide to Palo Alto architecture covers Clark's work in more depth.

The building is three stories tall and built around an interior light court, a common layout for hotels of its time. Its Spanish Colonial Revival style matches the rest of the Ramona Street district, which runs along the block of Ramona between University and Hamilton avenues and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the 1980s.

The hotel has been in the hands of one family for decades. A 2025 feature in a local magazine reported that the Dahl family bought it in 1945. Inside, the lobby keeps period pieces such as an old switchboard desk and wooden phone booths.

Room types

An old building means rooms of different shapes and sizes. The hotel's website lists these types:

Rooms include satellite television, bedside USB ports, Wi-Fi and a work desk. The hotel describes them as recently renovated but does not give a date.

Expect the quirks of a century-old building. Room sizes vary more than in a new hotel. Some layouts are unusual. The extra-long double beds in the twin rooms suit taller travelers. If you need a specific bed size, a bathtub or a quiet room away from Hamilton Avenue, ask the front desk before you book rather than at check-in. Rates also vary widely by room type, so compare the full list of options for your dates rather than only the cheapest one shown.

Shared-bath rooms explained

The shared-bath rooms are the main reason budget travelers look at the Cardinal. They let you sleep a block from University Avenue for less than a private-bath room downtown usually costs. They are a holdover from the way hotels of the 1920s were built.

Before you book one, ask the hotel:

1. How many rooms share the bathroom.
2. Where the bathroom is relative to the room.
3. Whether the bathroom has a lock and a shower or tub.
4. Whether towels and toiletries are provided.

A shared bath is not for everyone, but for a solo traveler or a couple on a short trip it can be a good trade. Our budget stays guide lists other ways to save in an expensive city.

Practical details

• Parking. Limited. The hotel's site has a guest section on parking. Downtown also has public garages, but nearby residential streets restrict how long cars can stay.
• Breakfast. The hotel's booking pages have promoted breakfast with stays. Confirm what your rate includes.
• Pool and gym. None advertised.
• Elevator and accessibility. In a 1924 building, ask about stairs and accessible rooms before you book.
• Restaurant. None in the hotel. Downtown's restaurants are steps away.

Check the hotel's official site for current room types and policies.

Exploring from the Cardinal

Ramona Street itself is worth a slow look. The block between Hamilton and University avenues is lined with 1920s and 1930s buildings in the same Spanish-influenced style as the hotel. From there, downtown spreads out in every direction. Head to the downtown neighborhood guide for a block-by-block overview and to coffee in Palo Alto for a morning start.

For a longer walk, follow Bryant or Waverley Street south into Professorville to see the shingled houses of Stanford's early faculty. The HP Garage at 367 Addison Avenue is on the way and can be viewed from the sidewalk only.

Who should stay here

The Cardinal suits:

• Travelers who enjoy historic buildings and vintage character.
• Solo travelers and couples on a budget who are comfortable with a shared bath.
• Car-free visitors who want downtown and Caltrain within a short walk.
• Anyone attending events downtown who wants to walk back at night.

It is a weaker fit for families who need space, for travelers who want modern amenities like a pool and for drivers who want easy parking. For a modern small hotel nearby, compare Hotel Keen on High Street.

Booking tips

1. Choose the room type carefully. The difference between a shared-bath room and a deluxe king is large.
2. Book early for Stanford weekends. Commencement 2027 runs June 10 to 13.
3. Ask about parking before you drive. Downtown spaces are limited.
4. Compare downtown options. You can compare downtown Palo Alto hotels on Hotels.com for your dates.

Frequently asked questions