Red Cottage Inn & Suites

1. If planning to do something (anything) important after spending a night in this place, please BE AWARE: THIS PLACE IS A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE LOCAL RAILROAD TRACKS !!! The night we stayed, the trains’ blares and whistles could be heard starting a few miles away and getting progressively louder and louder every 45 — 60 minutes or so between 12 midnight and 4 a.m. The fun with trains got more and more frequent after 4:40 IN THE MORNING when they would pass this god forsaken place every 12 to 30 minutes. It is almost 10 a.m. now. There hasn’t been a train in about an hour. As it turns out, the local trains do not run as frequently during the daytime so as not to interfere with street traffic!
We complained to the front desk person that not notifying their guests about frequent night trains when the guests book their rooms is really unfair to the guests… that if we knew about this we would NEVER BOOK HERE (!). We got a smug lecture that we should have known that Menlo Park is an industrial area. Well… now we know. Thank you.
2. Almost forgot… There must be an airfield or an airport somewhere nearby. But thankfully the overhead planes do not start till about 4 a.m.
3. Denise S. (Reviewer from 1÷22÷3016) is absolutely correct: there are NO places to eat within walking distance. So a «continental breakfast» must be a good thing, right? Well… I am sure that brown spotted bananas, bruised apples, watered down orange juice, and cold bread products can be assigned their place on some continent. So technically it is true — there is some sort of breakfast… I just have one question. Where is Lilliput? I mean on what continent? I mean, given the size of the cold and rather firm croissants, they must be of lilliputian origin, but… darn it, I forgot what continent that would be!
4. When driving up to 1704 El Camino Real (that’s the address of this place) after sunset, you will see a huge well lit sign that says: «Red Cottage Inn & Suites» right next to a parking structure. We made a mistake of parking there and then spent 15 minutes wondering around in the rain after dark looking for the office. As it turns out the MAIN OFFICE IS ABOUT ½ BLOCK OFF THE STREET and IS NOT MARKED (or marked in such a way that, well… it took us a while to find it after dark and in the rain)
Interestingly, on their business card the management has the audacity to ask the guests to describe their experience on
. Hm-​mmmm… OK. Here it is (and I am going to try to put as upbeat and as positive a spin on it as I only can):
IF YOU DON’T DRIVE, IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO SLEEP, IF YOU HAVE NO TASTE BUDS AND NO IMPORTANT LOCAL APPOINTMENTS THE FOLLOWING MORNING, YOU ARE IN LUCK!
LOOK NO FURTHER!
THIS PLACE IS DEFINITELY FOR YOU !

We have stayed here a couple of times, as we are in the area often for medical needs at Stanford, It is conveniently located close enough to Stamford to avoid traffic, although not walking distance. No restaurants next door or walking distance, but plenty driveable.
Both times stayed in the suite, rooms are clean spacious and nicely decorated. Suite has a nice sitting area, great bathroom. Only major complaint is mattress is worn and uncomfortable for two. This is unfortunate, as sleeping is most important when choosing accommodations. This is sad, because everything else about this establishment is great!
Hope they change the mattress in the one bedroom suite, and we will be back, until then will be staying elsewhere.

This small motel/​cottage is great if you are looking for a comfortable stay for a few nights. Located right off of El Camino, across from the college, it offers the amenities you need to get a good night’s rest. The rooms are clean (I thoroughly inspect all from a quality control view) and you have free WiFi and cable TV. The only drawback I experienced is if you have the Do Not Disturb sign on for a few hours in the morning, your room will most likely not get touched that day by housekeeping once you remove it. This is more than likely due to the small size and the ineffectiveness, from a business standpoint, to keep someone at the ready ²⁴⁄₇. The staff was friendly and professional and the rate was good for the area. I would stay here again.

beautiful, warm, clean, friendly and inviting grounds. The staff was friendly. The room was very clean & had great amenities (phone charging areas, Keurig coffee maker, microwave, refrigerator, laptop bed table, flat screen tv, cable and even a pool!!! Our room had a great little private patio. We had a king size bed and it was very comfortable. We originally were concerned because other reviews said it was near the train tracks. We actually heard the trains (caltrains) but not that loud and heard nothing at night. It was actually really quiet. I was able to hear others talking in their room and using the restroom, but nothing that would be annoying. Would definitely stay here again if ever in the area again.

I stayed here for work related travel! It has a very beautiful, warm, clean, friendly and inviting entrance and grounds. The staff are very helpful, friendly and accommodating! The room was very clean & had great amenities (phone charging areas, Keurig coffee maker, microwave, refrigerator, laptop bed table, flat screen tv, cable and even a pool!!! They provided a decent continental breakfast every morning! Overall it was a great place to stay!!!

We stayed here when we were dropping our daughter off at Stanford this past Fall. I was VERY nervous about staying at an «inn» but we were trying to save on costs! What a delightful surprise! The room was comfy, clean, modern. The cookies in the afternoon were my daughter’s favorite part! It was quiet, nice, wonderful! I believe we stayed in Room 218 on the side with only one story and it was great! We would stay there again in a heartbeat. Close to everything, safe, very kind staff! I highly recommend it!

I’m giving the Red Cottage Inn one star b/​c Unilocal won’t let me give zero. This place is a dump! The staff was rude and the rooms are disgusting. What’s even more frustrating is that there are alternatives in the same price range that are 10x nicer. I know this b/​c we ultimately left the Red Cottage Inn and went down the street for almost the same price and stayed at a really nice hotel. Did I mention how rude the staff was… Please do yourself a favor and chose another hotel in the area.

Room is spacious and has a small private outdoor space with a small table and chairs to enjoy the great weather. Breakfast is served. The bed is comfortable. The is Krueg coffee maker, microwave, and a refrigerator. There is a cd player.

Highly recommend this hotel. It is a hidden gem and an excellent value. We stayed in a recently renovated suite and were very impressed with how beautifully everything was done.

I can’t speak for other rooms in this establishment but we stayed in ROOM 126 and were very disappointed.
I will speak to the single, biggest concern –the shower.

When we turned on the spigot the pipes in the wall rattled so hard and loud it was like a locomotive coming through the wall. Not only was it difficult to take a shower at this level of noise– right next to your ear– but the low water pressure was about half of normal and so it took longer to complete the task.
This was not only an issue for us, but I can’t imagine how the room next to us would fair if someone in 126 were to take a late night or very early morning shower.
I phoned the girl at the front desk. She was familiar with the issue and gave me the pat response: I am so sorry for your inconvenience. I will have them look at it again, but it is a problem with «high» water pressure. And that was it.
Since this was probably a low-​level employee I decided to deal with it at check out.
Next morning the man at the desk asked me if we enjoyed our stay.
I replied in as polite a tone I could manage– Do you really want to know?
He didn’t say a word and kept on completing the check out.
Why ask if you all you want to hear is, yes?
Following his silence I told him Room 126 never should have been made available.
Nor was this fair to people who would stay in the next room.
His coworker’s response was my complaint last eve was the first they had heard of this and they put it on their list and would take care of it.
No reduction in the room charge, nor an apology.
The shower was a problem, yet the way this was handled was worse.
Next visit, for $ 169, we will drive a little farther and stay at the Sofitel.

I spent two nights at the Red Cottage while my husband was recovering from a surgery at Stanford Hospital. The rooms are set back from the busy main street keeping the room quiet. The grounds were well kept and the communal patio and pool looked inviting. The room was clean and comfy. There was a mini fridge, kuerig coffee maker and micro wave. Because I was on the first floor, my room had a small, lovely private patio to enjoy. There was not much room for my toiletries to lay out because of a lack of a vanity or bathroom shelving but maybe it was because this was a handicapped room (the last room available I was told when booking a few weeks ago). The staff was helpful and professional. The room rate was reasonable for this area.

This place is really cute and the people running it are very helpful and friendly. Very clean, great free breakfast. Rooms with their own patio or balcony surrounding the pool and plenty of parking.

Clean, friendly, no problems here! Outward appearance isn’t too encouraging but our room was lovely and our bed was comfortable. The night manager was kind enough to hold our room for a ½ hour while we drove there– it was the last room. :)

Loved this place! My husband., me, my granddaughter and my mom stayed on the 1^st floor with our own private terrace. the rooms I found to be super clean and not dated at all. it has a quaint, cozy feel. i cannot emphasize enough the cleanliness of thr rooms nd the front desk people. Having a microwave and kreuig coffee handy was ideal. Also in the evening cookies and coffee available in the office. The breakfast of muffins, eggs, cereal, fruit, waffles, breads, bagels and Danish, more than enough. This area was far from a shady area. it was in a nice area near restaurants and Stanford. loved it and will definitely go back! My granddaughter loved the heated pool!
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I stayed here recently on my trip into the bay area. After reading reviews, I decided to stay here as oppose to the Westin in Palo Alto. I wanted the more intimate feeling of an inn. I have to say, I did miss the luxury component of the Westin but I do like the charm of this small inn. The only complaint I have about this place is that the pictures and website can be a little misleading since the actual place needs a lot of updating. In addition, the inn is located next to an empty lot making it appear quite sketchy when you think about it.
All the rooms are not the same. On my first night there, the room I stayed in was ok. Unfortunately, my ac broke down on a very hot day and they couldn’t fix it. They tried their best to fix it to no avail. Since it is an inn, it takes time for the repair/​maintenance person to come check it out. This can be a bit stressful. Fortunately, they didn’t take long to upgrade me to a better room with more updates since they had no other room available.
Despite all of this, customer service was excellent. The girl helping me was super patient and friendly. They were so nice to comp my first night of stay along with a bottle of wine. The comp was great but the bottle of wine was a nice gesture. So I appreciate them going above and beyond in terms of service.
As others have said, I enjoyed having a fridge/​microwave in my room for leftovers and snacks. I also enjoyed the decent breakfast available each morning consisting of bagels, croissants, toast, hard boiled eggs, danishes, cereal, yogurt, and fruits. I also enjoyed the occasional cookies I was able to grab one of the afternoons. All in all, this place has a charm to it and if you prefer an inn, this place would be the place to stay.

My husband and I loved this hotel! We really enjoyed our time spent here.
My husband had his mountain bike shipped to the hotel for a workshop and the staff there had the bike safely stored when we arrived. They also stored the bike for us until Monday for Fed Ex to pick up. We felt really good that they were so caring and helpful w/​our package.
On the subject of the staff there, I can’t say enough. The front desk ladies are wonderful! They are so nice and helpful. There was one day we came back to our room around 3 pm and the maid had not attended our room yet. We were a little perturbed by this but just decided to wait in the lobby until she was done. I think within 20 – 30 minutes the front desk said our room was ready. I thought that was very thoughtful of them! They wanted to make sure we got into our room without delay.
Our room was very nice and I enjoyed having the fridge/​microwave handy for leftovers. The fitness center was perfect for me to work off all the carbs I ate the night before! I really enjoyed the breakfast in the morning and the delicious cookies in the evening.
If we return to the Palo Alto area we will definitely be booking here again!

An oasis in a busy area and where hotels are expensive. The décor was soft and tasteful — the little patio and pool view — nice warm pool was so peaceful after a busy day at work. The cottage has all the amenities — love the free wi-​fi, the frig, and the TV tray was helpful. I could on, but no need it was great.

Family member at Stanford having big-​deal surgery, so we need a place where my huge family can stay. This was the only place nearby that had a KITCHEN, not just a funky little kitchenette. We got the California Oak Family suite, and indeed, it could sleep 7 very cozily. The little living room is littler than little: Just bigger than a freight elevator. But who cares? The beds were COMFY, and besides the (2-​burner, fridge, microwave, coffeemaker) kitchen, we had 3 flat screen TVs, wi-​fi, DVD player, plus a mini fridge and microwave in the double-​double bedroom. Super clean. Good bathrooms. Plenty-​to-​eat complimentary breakfast. Best of all: STAFF! Big shout out to the most gracious, nicest people, especially Jasmine. Definitely recommend it.

Comfort, value, homey ambience, convenient location…
In an area with lots of overpriced hotels, this one’s a great value and their welcoming staff make you feel like you are staying in a family’s guest house.
Great location right off of El Camino Real in Menlo Park with ample parking. Shady garden-​like atmosphere, which we loved as lots of flowers and trees were in bloom. We had a private garden patio in addition to the shared outdoor areas to enjoy. Fresh cookies and tea were available in the afternooon and the continental breakfast the next morning was varied and satisfying.
Rooms appear to have been remodeled within the last few years and were quite spacious. We had a room with 2 beds, coffeemaker and a spacious fridge/​freezer.
We were surprised how quiet the place was, we didn’t intend to sleep in but we did because it was so peaceful there. the train didn’t bother us at all.
Seems like a lot of business travelers choose this hotel as it was fairly busy when we arrived on a weekday, but fairly quiet over the weekend. Super speedy wireless was much appreciated as i had to get some work done while i was there…
Menlo Park is easily driveable and if you don’t mind a 10 – 15 minute walk you can hoof it over there. Stanford/​Palo Alto just beyond that. Our other fun discovery was a lovely Holbrook Palmer Park, a little north of the hotel on El Camino Real (walkling distance on same side as hotel) which we discovered is a 22 acre city of Atherton public park. Would be the perfect place for a walk, tennis or running with some historic buildings to enjoy along the way.
Thanks for a great visit, we’ll definitely return next time we are in the area!

The rooms were immaculate, and the place was excellent overall. Very friendly staff, nice patio to sit on next to the room, and a nice but small pool.
I didn’t spend much time there, but I will definitely stay there again if I’m in the area.