The Clement Palo Alto

The Clement Palo Alto does something no other hotel in town does. Instead of charging separately for breakfast, the minibar, parking and room service, it folds nearly all of it into one nightly rate. The hotel is small, with just 23 suites. It sits on El Camino Real across from the edge of the Stanford campus. It opened in March 2016 and has stayed one of the more unusual places to sleep on the Peninsula.

This profile is based on the hotel's own website and news coverage. We do not publish rates, ratings or reviews. To check prices for your dates, see The Clement on Booking.com or contact the hotel. Two-bedroom suites are booked by email with the hotel.

Location

The Clement is at 711 El Camino Real in Palo Alto, next to The Westin Palo Alto and a short walk from the Sheraton Palo Alto. All three sit on the stretch of El Camino Real between University Avenue and Stanford Shopping Center. From here:

• The Palo Alto Caltrain station is a few minutes away on foot.
• Downtown restaurants around University Avenue are about half a mile away.
• The Main Quad is about a mile up Palm Drive, or a short ride on the free Marguerite shuttle.
• Stanford Shopping Center is a short walk away.

The location works well for campus visits, appointments at the medical center and football games. Our guide to staying near Stanford compares the neighboring hotels.

How the all-inclusive model works

At most city hotels the room rate covers the room and little else. The Clement takes the resort approach and applies it to a small urban hotel. According to the hotel's website, every stay includes:

• All meals and snacks. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, served in the dining room, on the outdoor patio or in your suite.
• Drinks. Beer, wine and cocktails, plus soft drinks.
• The Kitchen. An open kitchen with a pantry stocked around the clock with snacks, cheese and charcuterie, fruit and ice cream.
• Valet parking. Cars are kept in an underground garage.
• Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.
• Twice-daily housekeeping and overnight shoe shine.
• Gratuities. No tipping is expected.
• A personal concierge and a business center.

The idea, as owner Clement Chen told Bisnow when the hotel opened, is to make guests feel more at home. In practice it means you can order a late snack, have a glass of wine by the fire and park your car without signing anything. Inclusions can change and some extras, such as special packages, may cost more. Confirm what your rate covers when you book.

The suites

Every room at The Clement is a suite. The hotel lists three types:

The suites are large by Palo Alto standards. That makes the hotel a good fit for families, small groups and anyone staying several nights. Two-bedroom suites suit parents and a graduating student or two couples traveling together.

Pool, dining room and shared spaces

The rooftop pool is the hotel's showpiece. It is heated and lined with cabanas, with views over El Camino Real. Downstairs, The Living Room has a stone fireplace and serves drinks and light meals. The dining room and The Kitchen sit alongside it. Guests can eat in the quiet dining room or chat with the chef at the open kitchen. An outdoor patio has a fire pit.

For meetings, the hotel offers The Jury Room, a boardroom with audiovisual equipment and a large screen for presentations and video calls. It also works for private dinners. There is a 24-hour fitness center with cardio and strength equipment.

Accessibility and practical details

The hotel says it offers accessible suites, accessible parking, an accessible dining room and accessible meeting space. The accessible one-bedroom suites include accessible showers, grab bars, lowered controls and visual alerts for the door and phone. If you need a specific feature, call or email the hotel before you book, since there are only a few of these suites.

Because valet parking is included, driving here is simpler than at most downtown hotels. Hand over the keys at the front door and ask for the car when you need it. If you arrive by train, the Palo Alto Caltrain station is close enough to walk with a roller bag. Our getting around guide explains Caltrain and the free Marguerite shuttle.

What is nearby

The hotel makes a comfortable base for exploring campus. Walk up Palm Drive to the Main Quad, then on to the free Cantor Arts Center, which is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Early risers can drive a few minutes to the Dish trail in the foothills. Shoppers can stroll to Stanford Shopping Center. Even with meals included, many guests head out for at least one dinner downtown. Our food and drink guide is a good place to start.

Check our events calendar before you book. Football Saturdays and big campus weekends bring crowds and traffic to this part of El Camino Real.

Background

The Clement is named for its owner, Clement Chen, whose company Pacific Hotel Management is also behind the Sheraton Palo Alto and The Westin Palo Alto next door. Palo Alto Online reported in 2015 that the hotel was preparing to open that fall. It opened its doors in late March 2016, according to Bisnow. Since then it has kept its small all-suite, all-inclusive format.

Who should stay here

• Families visiting Stanford who want space and do not want to plan every meal.
• Graduation and campus weekends, when downtown restaurants are packed.
• Business travelers on long meeting days who want food and drinks on hand at any hour.
• Couples looking for a relaxed stay with a rooftop pool.

It is less ideal if you want to try a different restaurant every night. You would be paying for meals you skip. In that case, consider staying downtown near University Avenue. For a full comparison of the top hotels, see luxury hotels in Palo Alto.

Booking tips

1. Book early. With 23 suites, the hotel fills fast around commencement and other big weekends. Commencement 2027 runs June 10 to 13.
2. Email for two-bedroom suites. The hotel takes these bookings directly.
3. Ask about packages. The hotel's site lists seasonal offers.
4. Compare total cost. Add up what meals, drinks, parking and tips would cost at a regular hotel before deciding. You can compare hotels near Stanford on Expedia for a quick benchmark.

Frequently asked questions