Best Hotels near Stanford University

A few blocks from Stanford University, the Stanford Park Hotel makes a lasting impression on business travelers due to its work-friendly services and facilities, which include high-speed internet access, a business center, dry-cleaning services and town car service. Although the decor comes across as a bit dated to some previous visitors, a fitness center and a heated swimming pool are still available, and the concierge has a stash of iPads and Nooks available to borrow. Guest rooms, which are often described as "comfortable" and "classic," house amenities like flat-screen TVs and ROAM bath products. Previous visitors agreed that once you get past the old-fashioned design, there's a lot to love about the Stanford Park Hotel: The staff is commended for always being friendly and helpful, and the in-house restaurant, Menlo Grill, earns a thumbs-up for its health-conscious comfort food.

Located in the heart of Palo Alto, California, Nobu Hotel Epiphany Palo Alto is an 83-room boutique hotel. The property's downtown Palo Alto location is highly walkable, and guests of the hotel are within easy reach of the nearby Stanford University campus and many restaurants and businesses. For those looking to stay on-site for meals, the hotel's ground-floor restaurant, Nobu Palo Alto, serves locally influenced dishes and Japanese-inspired fare concocted by acclaimed chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Considering the hotel has a dedicated technology concierge who can answer tech-related questions and connect guests with local tech companies, it's safe to say that this Leading Hotels of the World outpost – which participates in the brand's Leaders Club loyalty program – is geared toward the tech crowd. Guests compliment the property's friendly staff and stylish, modern design found inside its facilities and rooms. All accommodations are outfitted with private balconies or terraces, flat-screen TVs, minibars, Illy espresso machines and beds appointed with pillow-top mattresses. Rooftop suites offer views of the city and the surrounding Santa Cruz Mountains.

This Westin property sits across the street from Stanford University and is within walking distance to the Stanford Shopping Center and downtown Palo Alto. The hotel's location makes it a popular home base for college events. As such, parents or prospective students will need to book a room here several months in advance for graduation and other big celebrations. The Westin Palo Alto also makes a good choice for business travelers thanks to a number of work-friendly amenities, including a business center, high-speed Internet access and ample meeting space. Overall, guests are pleased with their stays here: Travelers say guest rooms are comfortable, eacn coming equipped with Westin's signature Heavenly Beds, flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations and whirlpool tubs. The property also houses a full-service gym and a heated outdoor pool, as well as an on-site restaurant. And because this hotel is part of the Marriott hotel family, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and use points here.

This Silicon Valley property in Palo Alto, California, exudes luxury. Previous guests claimed that The Clement Hotel's customer service is truly unmatched, adding that the all-inclusive perks, such as all meals at the restaurant, a fully stocked guest pantry and valet parking, more than justified the expensive rates to stay here. Inside the 23 guest rooms and suites, amenities like Matouk linens, flat-screen TVs, Nespresso coffee makers and minifridges are provided. Each space also features a stone-lined bathroom with dual sinks, a glass-enclosed shower, a soaking tub, upscale bath amenities and heated floors and seats. After settling into your digs, head to the rooftop, where a heated pool, cabanas, a whirlpool and panoramic city views are offered. Or, catch up on work in the business center or private boardroom. A fitness center is also available on-site. When you're ready to venture off-site, you'll find many Palo Alto businesses and the Stanford University campus nearby and San Francisco's sights about 30 miles away.

Downtown Palo Alto's Garden Court Hotel features Mediterranean-inspired accents with stucco walls and wrought-iron detailing. Each of its 62 guest rooms features a marble bathroom (complete with an overhead rain shower), Italian linens by Rivolta Carmignani, fireplaces and plenty of natural light pouring in from expansive French doors that lead out to private balconies or terraces. Recent guests note the Garden Court's attention to detail: After all, it's the little things – a well-equipped gym, a complimentary continental breakfast and his-and-hers bathrobes in the closet – that count. One thing to note about this hotel: There is no on-site restaurant. However, the property does provide coffee, tea and pastries in the morning and cookies and fresh fruit throughout the day. Recent guests also suggested grabbing a meal at the nearby Italian restaurant, Il Fornaio, when hunger sets in.