On this page
The Stanford Guest House is an unusual place to stay. It is the only hotel owned and operated by Stanford University, it sits inside the grounds of SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and it is not open to the general public. Guests need a real connection to Stanford, SLAC or Stanford Medicine and an educational reason for the visit. For those who qualify, it offers 112 quiet rooms in the foothills off Sand Hill Road, with breakfast and parking included and rates the university describes as below market.
This guide is based on the Guest House's official pages run by Stanford Residential and Dining Enterprises. We do not publish prices, star ratings or reviews. If you do not qualify, our guide to staying near Stanford lists hotels close to campus. You can also compare hotels near Stanford on Booking.com.
Who can stay
Eligibility is the first thing to check. The Guest House says guests need both an affiliation with one of three organizations and an educational purpose for the trip. Its reservations page groups guests like this:
| Affiliation | Who qualifies |
|---|---|
| Stanford University | Invited guests of a department; registered attendees of a university conference or event; visiting family of a current student; Stanford staff, faculty, students or alumni on university business |
| Stanford Medicine | Patients and patient families of Stanford Health Care or Stanford Children's Health; invited guests of Stanford Medicine; staff, faculty, students or physicians on hospital business |
| SLAC | Laboratory users with scheduled experiments or approved research; invited guests of a directorate; attendees of a laboratory conference or event; SLAC staff, faculty or students on lab business |
Visitors on personal trips or on business unrelated to these organizations do not qualify. Prospective students and their families fall outside the categories too. Children may stay with their families; anyone under 18 must be with an adult.
Location on SLAC grounds
The address is 2575 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park. The building stands inside SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, which Stanford runs for the U.S. Department of Energy. The Guest House counts itself as part of the Stanford campus and notes that it sits near the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve. The Guest House describes the setting as the Palo Alto foothills, well away from El Camino Real.
That location has one practical catch. SLAC is a federal site, so you pass a security gate on the way in. Security keeps a guest list and drivers may be asked for a valid license. The front desk can issue a pass during business hours. With a valid pass, you can use the right-hand bypass lane when it is open. Allow a few extra minutes on your first arrival.
Most of the central campus is not within walking distance. The Main Quad is close to 2 miles away in a straight line and farther by road. Sand Hill Road's venture capital offices are nearby; see our Sand Hill Road guide if you have meetings there.
Getting there from Caltrain and the airports
The Guest House says it is close to the Palo Alto Caltrain station, Stanford's campus and the Stanford medical centers. It recommends its complimentary transportation over walking. It runs a complimentary shuttle to select locations and promotes Stanford's free Marguerite shuttle. The main Marguerite lines run on weekdays only, so check the current lines and times in our Marguerite shuttle guide before you rely on them.
- From Caltrain: get off at the Palo Alto station. The Guest House is roughly 2.5 miles away in a straight line, so use the shuttle, a rideshare or a taxi.
- From SFO: a car or rideshare is simplest, usually 30 to 45 minutes via Interstate 280 or Highway 101. By transit, take BART to Millbrae and Caltrain to Palo Alto. See our SFO guide.
- From SJC: plan on 25 to 40 minutes by car. By transit, ride the free VTA Route 60 to Santa Clara and Caltrain north.
Rooms and amenities
The Guest House lists 112 rooms, each with a queen bed and a private bathroom. Rates include:
- Daily housekeeping.
- Parking.
- Stanford's wireless network.
- A continental breakfast every day from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the first-floor lounge.
Other facilities include a 24-hour front desk with concierge help, a business center, a guest laundry room, a TV lounge and a fitness center. Rates exclude local hotel occupancy taxes, according to the Guest House. Staff are university employees and cannot accept tips.
Dining
Breakfast is the only meal the Guest House serves itself. Its pages also picture SLACafé and a Verve Coffee Roasters counter among the food and drink options around the lab. Ask the front desk about their hours before you count on them. For dinner, most guests drive or ride to downtown Palo Alto, Menlo Park's Santa Cruz Avenue or the restaurants near Sharon Heights.
Booking rules and policies
- Booking window. Rooms can be reserved up to six months ahead. Start on the Guest House reservations page and pick the affiliation that matches your visit.
- Cancellation. Free up to 24 hours before arrival.
- Waitlist. When rooms are sold out, the waitlist gives priority to SLAC users, to guests staying over nearby dates and to requests that match the room type and length of stay.
- Parking. Complimentary for registered guests. Spaces in front are limited. The Guest House also allows parking in unmarked spaces around SLAC.
- Pets. Not allowed, even inside vehicles on SLAC grounds. Service animals are welcome.
- Smoking. Not permitted anywhere on the property, including e-cigarettes. Two designated smoking areas are nearby.
- Mail. Packages go through SLAC first and are not delivered on weekends or university holidays.
Rules can change, so read the Stanford Guest House FAQ before you book.
Who the Guest House suits
- Visiting researchers and SLAC users with experiments or collaborations at the lab.
- Conference attendees at Stanford or SLAC events.
- Patients and families with care at Stanford Health Care or Stanford Children's Health. Our hospital visitors guide covers parking and practical tips.
- Families of current students, including on commencement weekend through the lottery.
It does not suit leisure travelers, prospective students or anyone who wants to walk to restaurants. Those visitors should look at hotels on El Camino Real or downtown.
What is nearby
The foothills are the Guest House's backyard. The Stanford Dish trail is a short drive away for a hilly loop with views of the bay. Sharon Heights has shops and restaurants a few minutes away by car. Stanford Shopping Center and the medical center are a short drive east. If the Guest House is full, you can compare hotels near Sand Hill Road on Hotels.com.
Good to know
- Only for guests with a Stanford, SLAC or Stanford Medicine affiliation and an educational purpose.
- 112 queen rooms with breakfast, parking and Wi-Fi included.
- Expect a security gate at SLAC. Bring a valid license.
- Commencement 2027 lottery results arrive in mid-December 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone stay at the Stanford Guest House?
No. Guests need both an affiliation with Stanford University, SLAC or Stanford Medicine and an educational purpose for the visit. Examples include invited guests of a department, conference attendees, families of current students and patients or patient families. Personal trips and unrelated business do not qualify.
Can prospective students and their parents stay at the Stanford Guest House?
Prospective families do not fit the eligibility categories, which cover visiting family of current students rather than applicants. Book a hotel in Palo Alto or Menlo Park instead. Our guide to staying near Stanford lists options.
Is breakfast included at the Stanford Guest House?
Yes. A continental breakfast is served daily from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the first-floor lounge, according to the Guest House. Parking, Wi-Fi and housekeeping are also included in the rate.
Why do I have to pass a security gate?
The Guest House sits on the grounds of SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, which Stanford operates for the U.S. Department of Energy. Security at the main gate keeps a guest list and drivers may be asked for a valid license. The front desk can issue a pass during business hours.
How do I get a room for Stanford commencement?
The Guest House runs a lottery for commencement weekend. For 2027, it says lottery selections will be notified in mid-December 2026. Commencement weekend runs June 10 to 13, 2027.