Quiet and Luxurious

Quietness: ★★★★★

Nobu Hotel Palo Alto is a luxury, Japanese-inspired boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Palo Alto. It is as close as you can get to the experience of a Japanese hotel without flying across the Pacific to Tokyo.

Quietness
I have stayed at numerous hotels in Palo Alto and Menlo Park, including the Westin Palo Alto, and they all tend to share the same issue: road noise from Caltrain and El Camino Real. Nobu Hotel is a rare exception. Despite being located near the Caltrain tracks, I could not hear the train at all. I enjoyed two quiet nights, completely unaware of what was happening outside my door.

Rooms
The rooms feature thoughtful Japanese details throughout: from the heated toilet with washlet to the shower with a raised wooden floor that feels gentle underfoot. Other touches include the rope door hanger, a Japanese teacup set, automatic cotton window shades, and a traditional Japanese bathrobe. The design is minimalist yet high-quality, reminiscent of my stays in Tokyo.

Dining
One of the standout perks of staying at Nobu Hotel is access to the famed Nobu Restaurant via in-room dining, without needing to secure a reservation weeks in advance. You can enjoy the iconic menu of signature dishes and local specialties created by world-renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, all from the comfort of your room.

Location
Nobu Hotel is ideally situated in downtown Palo Alto, just steps away from the upscale restaurants, bars, and boutiques along University Avenue. The area is lively and vibrant, energized by the nearby tech community and Stanford University.