The Nest Hotel Palo Alto

This is a no-frills place, so don't expect a five-star hotel just because you're in Palo Alto. But I found it really cute, with a boutique feel, and tucked away in a quiet neighborhood. The staff were super friendly, the room was clean, and the bed was comfortable. Free EV charging was a nice perk, especially with other hotels charging a daily use fee. Breakfast was good enough to start the day: eggs, sausage, bacon, orange juice, fruit, yogurt, and a coffee station.

For $133 in the off season, this was great value. It's clean, close to Stanford, and has a solid gym for a quick workout. Breakfast is included, though nothing special. Fernandia at the front desk was a gem, attentive and great with customer service. It's not the Four Seasons, and weekday wine tasting can push prices up when they're inflated.

The kind staff and nice firepit seating were the bright spots, and I hope they can make the rooms more comfortable and feel safer for solo travelers. For what it cost, the stay was really disappointing, and I didn't feel safe on my own. I could hear everything outside my room, with a surprising amount of activity for a weeknight. Light came through the window and under the door all night, so I couldn't sleep. The room also lacked basics like bathroom wall hooks and outlets in useful places.

The room was much bigger and nicer than I expected, and the shower was spacious with plenty of hot water. Breakfast had a good little range of options and was excellent. The front office staff were kind and welcoming. Amazing stay, 10/10, I'd recommend it.