Staying near Stanford University

Stanford sits on more than 8,000 acres, so "near Stanford" can mean several different places. For most visitors it means the hotels on El Camino Real across from the campus edge, where you can walk to the Caltrain station, Stanford Shopping Center and the start of Palm Drive. It can also mean Sand Hill Road on the campus's western side or downtown Palo Alto a mile from the Main Quad. Picking the right one depends on why you are here: a campus tour, a hospital appointment, a conference, a football game or graduation.

This guide covers the hotels we have confirmed near campus, the Stanford Guest House for university visitors and tips for the busiest weekends. We do not list prices or ratings. For live rates, compare hotels near Stanford and then confirm details on the hotel's own site.

Three ways to stay near campus

El Camino Real across from campus

The short stretch of El Camino Real between University Avenue and Sand Hill Road holds the closest public hotels to Stanford. Three of them stand next to each other and are tied to the same local hotel company, Pacific Hotel Management.

• Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel at 625 El Camino Real. A full-service hotel with an outdoor heated pool, a restaurant called Poolside Grill and meeting space. Trade press reported 346 rooms in 2021, after an $18 million renovation of its two ballrooms. See our Sheraton Palo Alto profile.
• The Westin Palo Alto at 675 El Camino Real. It reopened on September 1, 2021, after an 18-month renovation, with 184 rooms according to the reopening announcement. Marriott lists Café Soleil, an outdoor heated pool and a 24-hour fitness studio.
• The Clement Palo Alto at 711 El Camino Real. A small all-inclusive hotel with 23 one- and two-bedroom suites, where meals, drinks, valet parking and gratuities are part of the rate. See our Clement profile.

Just north, across San Francisquito Creek in Menlo Park, The Stanford Park Hotel sits at 100 El Camino Real. It is a short drive from the Stanford Shopping Center and the medical center.

From this cluster you can walk to the Palo Alto Caltrain station, ride the free Marguerite shuttle onto campus or walk up Palm Drive to the Oval and the Main Quad. Marriott describes the Sheraton as a 15-minute walk from Stanford Stadium. Stanford Shopping Center is a short walk away.

Sand Hill Road

Sand Hill Road runs west from El Camino Real past the shopping center, the edge of campus and the offices of many venture capital firms before reaching Interstate 280. Two very different places to stay sit along it.

Rosewood Sand Hill

Rosewood Sand Hill at 2825 Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park opened in April 2009 on 16 acres of Stanford land. It is a low-rise luxury resort with a spa, an outdoor pool and the Madera restaurant. The hotel says it is about a mile west of campus. It suits travelers with business on Sand Hill Road or anyone who wants a quiet, resort-style stay and plans to drive. Read our Rosewood Sand Hill profile.

Stanford Guest House

The Stanford Guest House at 2575 Sand Hill Road sits on the grounds of SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, which is part of Stanford. Its 112 rooms each have a queen bed and private bath. It is not a public hotel. According to Stanford, guests must be affiliated with Stanford, SLAC or Stanford Medicine and have an educational purpose for the visit. Personal visits, including family trips to see a student, do not qualify. Breakfast, parking and a shuttle to select campus and medical locations are included for registered guests. Rooms open six months ahead and can sell out during large campus events. See the Stanford Guest House FAQ for current rules.

Stays for Stanford Hospital and medical visits

Stanford Hospital and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital sit on the north side of campus near the shopping center. The El Camino Real hotels are the most convenient public options, since you can reach the medical campus by shuttle, rideshare or a short drive. For longer treatment stays, a hotel with a kitchen or a furnished rental often works better. Our long stays guide covers extended-stay hotels and furnished homes. Some hotels offer medical rates, so ask when you book.

Commencement and family weekends

Commencement is the hardest weekend of the year to find a room near Stanford. The 2027 commencement weekend runs June 10 to 13, with the main ceremony in Stanford Stadium on Sunday, June 13. Departments hold their own diploma ceremonies across the weekend, so families often need three or four nights. Every hotel on the Peninsula feels the pressure.

Fall brings its own crunch. New student move-in falls in mid-September. Home football Saturdays, alumni weekends and family visits fill rooms through October and November. Check the events calendar before you settle on dates.

Booking tips for big weekends

1. Book early and cancellable. Lock in a refundable rate as soon as dates are announced, then keep checking for better options.
2. Widen the map. Menlo Park, Mountain View, Redwood City and Sunnyvale all sit on Caltrain. A short train ride often saves a lot.
3. Consider a rental home. Large families can split a house and gain a kitchen. You can search homes for graduation weekend on Vrbo.
4. Plan transport for the day itself. Parking near the stadium is limited on big days. Allow plenty of time.
5. Check minimum stays. Many hotels require two or three nights on peak weekends.

Admissions visits and campus tours

Prospective students and their families usually spend a day or two on campus. Any of the El Camino Real hotels or downtown hotels works well. Visitor parking on campus is paid and can be limited, so staying within walking or shuttle distance saves hassle. Our guide to visiting Stanford covers tours, the Main Quad and how to get around.

If you have time, pair the visit with the Dish hike in the foothills or the free Cantor Arts Center, which is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Getting around without a car

Stanford's Marguerite shuttle is free and open to the public. Several routes link the Palo Alto Caltrain station, the medical center, the shopping center and the heart of campus. Schedules change by season and many routes run only on weekdays, so check the Stanford transportation site before you rely on it. Caltrain's Palo Alto station is the main rail stop for campus. The Stanford station near the stadium did not open for 2026 football games.

If you do drive, most of the El Camino Real hotels charge for on-site parking. The Clement is the exception, since valet parking is included in its rate. Our guide to hotels with free parking lists other options. For airport routes and driving tips, see getting to Palo Alto.

Frequently asked questions