Hotel Nia, Menlo Park

Hotel Nia is the big, modern business hotel of Menlo Park's bay side. It rises 11 stories over Independence Drive, close to Highway 101 and a short drive from Meta's headquarters. It is part of Marriott's Autograph Collection and has 250 rooms, a Mediterranean-leaning restaurant, an outdoor pool and a garden courtyard. It is not in Palo Alto and it is not downtown anywhere. It is, however, one of the most convenient hotels on the Peninsula for meetings at the tech campuses along the bayfront.

This profile is based on Marriott's official listing, the Michelin Guide entry and local news coverage of the opening. We do not publish prices, star ratings or reviews. For live rates, check Hotel Nia on Booking.com or book through Marriott.

Location: Menlo Park's bay side

The hotel's address is 200 Independence Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025. That is east of Highway 101, in the business district between the freeway and the bay. Menlo Park's walkable downtown on Santa Cruz Avenue and its Caltrain station are on the other side of the freeway, about two miles away. Downtown Palo Alto is several miles south by road.

Some booking sites and articles list Hotel Nia among Palo Alto hotels. If your plans center on University Avenue, Stanford or Caltrain, that matters. You will drive or take a rideshare for most trips from here.

Marriott lists the airports at about 14.7 miles to San Francisco International, 16 miles to San Jose and 26.6 miles to Oakland. The hotel does not run an airport shuttle. SFO is the closer of the two main airports, which helps on early flights. See getting to Palo Alto for routes into the area.

Near Meta and the bayfront campuses

Hotel Nia is part of Menlo Gateway, a mixed hotel and office development. When The Almanac covered the hotel's opening in April 2018, it reported that the first phase paired the hotel with an office building leased by Facebook. Facebook is now Meta. Marriott's listing describes the hotel as minutes from Meta's headquarters.

That proximity drives much of the hotel's business. On weekdays it fills with people visiting Meta and other companies along the bayfront and Highway 101. Weekends can be quieter, which sometimes shows up in rates.

For visitors with business in Palo Alto itself, such as downtown startups or the venture firms of Sand Hill Road, the El Camino Real hotels or downtown hotels are usually more convenient. Our venture capital guide explains where the firms cluster.

Opening and design

The hotel was nearly a decade in planning. Developers Ensemble Real Estate Investments and AECOM Capital built it. Menlo Park's mayor cut the ribbon in the spring of 2018. The Almanac reported 11 stories and 250 rooms at the opening. The building is LEED certified for new construction, according to Marriott.

Inside, the look is modern and airy, with floor-to-ceiling windows, natural light and plenty of greenery. The Michelin Guide, which lists Hotel Nia in its selection, describes rooms with smart controls, ergonomic workspaces and rain showers.

Rooms

All 250 rooms follow the same modern, high-tech approach. Upper floors offer wide views across the bay side of the Peninsula. A few practical points:

• Check-in and checkout. Marriott lists check-in at 3 p.m. and checkout at noon.
• Views. If a bay view matters, ask for a higher floor when you book.
• Accessibility. Marriott lists accessible rooms, elevators and an accessible pool entrance.
• Wi-Fi. Free for Marriott Bonvoy members.
• Smoke-free. The whole property is nonsmoking.

Porta Blu, Verve and the pool bar

The main restaurant is Porta Blu. Marriott describes seasonal dining with California and southern coastal European influences. The Michelin Guide calls it coastal European and Mediterranean cooking in a dining room full of greenery. The Porta Blu Lounge handles drinks.

Off the lobby, a café serves Verve coffee from the Santa Cruz roaster, plus juice, breakfast items and lunch. In warm weather the Nia Pool Bar serves guests by the pool. Private dining and in-room dining are also offered.

Because the hotel sits in a business district, most outside dining means a drive. Downtown Menlo Park and downtown Palo Alto both have strong restaurant scenes. Our food and drink guide covers Palo Alto.

Pool, courtyard and services

• Pool. An outdoor pool and whirlpool with cabanas.
• Courtyard. A central garden courtyard with bocce and other lawn games, good for unwinding after meetings.
• Fitness. A fitness center, free for guests.
• Bikes. Marriott mentions cruiser bikes for exploring the area.
• Meetings. Meeting space and a ballroom, plus a business center. Menlo Gateway's offices make this a common choice for company events.
• Pets. Up to two pets per room, each up to 75 pounds, for a nonrefundable fee per stay.
• Parking. Valet only, for a daily fee. Electric car charging is available, subject to availability.

Policies and fees change. Check Marriott's page for Hotel Nia before you book.

Getting out and about

The bayfront is close. Bedwell Bayfront Park, a short drive away in Menlo Park, has trails along the water. Farther south, the Palo Alto Baylands and the San Francisco Bay Trail offer longer walks and rides with views across the bay.

For a taste of Palo Alto, drive to downtown and University Avenue for dinner or a film. Stanford's campus and the shopping center are a bit farther, across El Camino Real. A car makes the most of a stay here; you can compare rental cars with Discover Cars if you are flying in.

Who should stay here

Hotel Nia is a strong choice for:

• Business travelers visiting Meta or other companies along the bayfront.
• Company offsites and events that need meeting space near Highway 101.
• Travelers who want a newer Marriott hotel with a pool and earn Bonvoy points.
• Guests with dogs up to 75 pounds.

It is a weaker fit for first-time visitors who want to walk to restaurants, for Stanford campus visits and for anyone planning to rely on Caltrain. For those, compare the Westin Palo Alto near campus or the downtown Palo Alto hotels.

Booking tips

1. Expect busy weekdays. Corporate demand peaks Monday to Thursday.
2. Look at weekends. Friday and Saturday nights can be better value at business hotels like this one.
3. Budget for valet. Valet is the only parking option and it adds to the nightly total.
4. Allow time for traffic. Highway 101 and the bayfront roads back up at rush hour.
5. Compare nearby options. You can compare Menlo Park hotels on Expedia for your dates.

Frequently asked questions