The Westin Palo Alto
675 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94301, Palo Alto, United States
4-star hotel
Guest rating: 4.2 / 5
Overview
The Westin Palo Alto is a 4-star hotel set adjacent to Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. It offers a straightforward but upscale stay with Mediterranean-style landscaped courtyards giving the property a resort-like feel despite its urban setting. The hotel is a 6-minute walk from Palo Alto Caltrain Station, making it convenient for both Silicon Valley business and Stanford-area visits.
Rooms & Suites
Rooms are traditionally furnished with flat-screen TVs, WiFi (available for a fee), iPod docks and coffeemakers stocked with Starbucks coffee, plus marble bathrooms; some rooms also include private balconies. Suites expand on this with separate living rooms, and select suites add fireplaces and whirlpool tubs for a more indulgent stay. Guests have noted the rooms are spacious, clean and quiet for the most part, though some light sound transfer between rooms has been mentioned.
Dining
The hotel houses an upscale on-site restaurant along with a poolside cocktail bar, giving guests options for a full meal or a casual drink by the pool. Guests have also mentioned a simple included breakfast option as a convenient, well-regarded touch.
Amenities & Recreation
Recreational amenities include a heated outdoor pool and a gym equipped with standard workout machines, dumbbells, benches, and a Peloton bike, plus a workout-gear lending program for travelers who packed light. The Mediterranean-style courtyards and poolside bar add a relaxed resort touch to the property.
Business Facilities
The hotel offers six conference rooms, making it a practical choice for meetings, small conferences, or corporate travel tied to the nearby Silicon Valley tech corridor. Its proximity to Stanford University and the Caltrain station also supports easy travel between business appointments.
Location
The hotel sits just over a kilometer from Stanford University landmarks including the Cantor Arts Center, Hoover Tower, and the HP Garage, and about 12 minutes on foot from Stanford Shopping Center. Further afield, guests can reach the Computer History Museum, Googleplex, Shoreline Amphitheatre, Baylands Nature Preserve, and Filoli Historic House & Garden, all within a roughly 5-13 kilometer radius.
Best for
This hotel suits business travelers attending meetings or visiting Silicon Valley tech companies, given its six conference rooms and easy access to Palo Alto Caltrain and nearby employers like the Googleplex. It also works well for visitors to Stanford University, as the Cantor Arts Center, Hoover Tower, and HP Garage are all within about a mile. Leisure travelers who want a relaxed poolside courtyard experience alongside upscale dining will also find it a comfortable fit.
Travel tips
Palo Alto Caltrain Station is about a 6-minute walk away, offering an easy rail link up and down the Peninsula, and one-day parking at the station costs around $5.50 if you only need it briefly. Stanford Shopping Center is roughly a 12-minute walk, and many Stanford University landmarks are within a mile, so comfortable walking shoes are worthwhile. Hotel parking carries a fee, though street parking near the building is another option worth checking.
What guests say
Guests consistently praise the friendly, welcoming front desk staff and the clean, comfortable, and spacious rooms, with several calling out specific team members by name for excellent service. The included breakfast and on-site restaurant pricing are noted as pleasant surprises, and the gym's equipment, including a Peloton, along with thoughtful touches like reusable bottles and bath amenities, stood out to some reviewers. Recurring complaints include the lack of complimentary WiFi and cleanliness or maintenance issues in the pool and hot tub area, along with at least one report of a bathtub that wouldn't fill properly. A few guests also mentioned occasional noise transfer between rooms.
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