Cowper Inn - Palo Alto, California

platonacademy T.

Exceptional stay at Cowper Inn! We (20 people) resided here for two weeks, and we were thoroughly impressed. The hosts are outstanding, providing warm and attentive service. The rooms are cozy and comfortable, perfect for both short and extended stays.

The location is ideal - close to downtown Palo Alto and the train station, offering easy access to Stanford (via shuttle) and San Francisco (by train). The charming town adds to the overall experience.

Highly recommend this place for its excellent amenities, prime location, and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're visiting for business or pleasure, Cowper Inn is an excellent choice in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Monica S.

You could stay elsewhere in downtown Palo Alto for $400, $500, $600 or more a night, or you can check in at the charming Cowper Inn with its stately redwoods out front, cute rooms, attentive innkeeper and charm galore. I housed three French delegates on official business to the City of Palo Alto at the Cowper Inn and everyone was delighted with their stay. I greatly appreciated the owner Hugo's patience and flexibility as dates changed and specific requests were made. The Inn is delightfully situated one an almost fully residential, quiet, leafy street one block from University Avenue, the main drag in town. You really cannot get a better location anywhere in Palo Alto.

I'm sure there might have been a few quirks here and there. The property is 100 + years old and there might be some cobwebs or creaky floors, but nothing major.

Note that the Inn looks like a B&B, but they do not serve breakfast, at least as of Sept. 2023. They used to, and some of the pix on the site suggests they still do, so just make note of that.

Our group of three visitors had a ground-floor portion of the house with three fully private rooms, each with its own bathroom, and a small common area. This would be a great space for a group or large family.

I highly recommend checking out the Cowper Inn!

Sheedeh R.

I’ve referred countless Stanford visitors and employees & they have all returned to this charming B&B in a safe, beautiful neighborhood.

Cindy Z.

This place really can’t call it self a B&B there is a bed, but you do not get breakfast anymore. There’s a coffee pot of sorts in the room. The gentleman that runs the place was very nice. The room was very comfortable, but it did smell very old, damp, moldy. For the price I paid for one night I would not choose to stay here again. Wayover priced, but it was convenient to walking around downtown University Avenue.

Terri P.

The Cowper Inn is an quiet gem, offering the perfect blend of historic allure, modern amenities, excellent location, and warm hospitality. I highly recommend this delightful inn for an exceptional stay in Palo Alto.||I look forward to my next visit to Palo Alto, and the Cowper Inn will be my top choice for accommodation. Even those accustomed to luxury corporate hotels would find comfort and tranquility here.|||

Michiko S.

My husband and I spent 4 nights recently. The inn is a historical lovely building with a nice outdoor patio and own parking space back of the building. Our room had a small kitchenette. Everything worked great. I liked their quality of linens and towels.||Located in the heart of Palo Alto and you can walk to cafes and restaurants. Also, the inn is quiet and private.||If you like contemporary hotels, Cowper Inn is not for you. But we enjoyed our stay and will definitely come back.

Michael M.

I loved my last trip to Palo Alto, for work in the mid-90s, thanks to this wonderful B&B. My room was small, as was the bathroom, but I didn't mind. I love the atmosphere of an older building that's well maintained. The breakfast in the dining room was like family, and I met some very nice fellow travelers. I hope to go back, but on my own, not for work. Highly recommended.

Keith T.

Cowper Inn is a quirky, slightly funky, melange of the old, the new, and the tacky here and there, but it's got character. It puts fiber in the hospitality business. As the owner, Hugo, was showing me to my room, the first item of business was how to unlock the pocket door (ya gotta jimmy the key and the door a little, push/pull a bit here and there, and if that doesn't work just keep trying). And a key and a locking mechanism? ANYBODY REMEMBER A HOTEL ROOM WITH A KEY? The pocket door was typical of houses built 100 years ago. Hugo was quick to point out the squeaks of the 107 year old wood floors. Mine was a cozy little nook, a corner room with three windows--a ground floor turret, as it were. The chair looked like it belonged, the sash windows operated easily, and a very clean and updated bathroom--which clearly wouldn't accommodate more than 1-1/2 persons at a time. A sink, no countertop for shavers, toothpaste, etc. Where do I put ... ah, the top of the toilet tank--and it was so close to the sink all you had to do was turn around, no steps required. Now where do I store my hairbrush? Of course, in the extra roll of toilet paper on the tank cover. Works very well. (Just be sure the lid is down in case you lose your grip on a grooming implement.) The shower stall was womb-like in its proportions and I still came out cleaner than when I went in. The bed was very comfortable and very good linens. And it was whisper quiet being located on a residential street in old Palo Alto.

When I made my reservation a bargain wasn't my first priority. (although who doesn't like to save a buck?). I like to stay in small properties. Big hotels can offer amenities that small places can't. Miss that treadmill and exercise room? Being two blocks off University Boulevard one can get in all the walking needed to keep in shape to get the first cup of morning joe.

Two days was too short of a stay. Before leaving I put in my reservation for first week in January. Palo Alto is a good half-way point when returning from Carmel. Hugo and his wife, Joji, are the charming couple that own Cowper Inn. I look forward to seeing them again and getting better acquainted. I'm reminded of Tom Bodette's line, "We'll leave the light on for you." Next time, Hugo, just leave my key under the mat. I know the drill.