Staycation at the Stanford Park Hotel
If you are looking for a fun and easy staycation for your family (or a fun couples getaway) you need to check out Stanford Park Hotel in Menlo Park. For 40 years, Stanford Park Hotel has been a great escape for guests right in the hub of Silicon Valley. Stanford Park Hotel has wonderful amenities on site and is centrally located for easy outings around Menlo Park and Palo Alto.
Walking into the lobby you are greeted with a warm fireplace and beautiful details throughout the building and halls. I enjoyed looking at the notable Stanford grads displayed in each hallway. Right from the start my family felt at home in our large room. The ceilings were high, the room was bright and clean and we were able to relax. Cookies and milk brought to our room was a highlight for my kids too! The staff was so kind and gracious they even made sure to bring by kid-sized robes for us.
The hotel has a beautiful and peaceful outdoor space that leads to the pool and hot tub. Our stay was during February and we were still able to enjoy the heated pool. (I am a wimp when it comes to cold water and even I got in to swim!) The hot tub was spacious and very serene. There is a clubhouse near the pool with lounge chairs, couches and TVs to use too. My family enjoyed many hours over the three days we stayed.
Menlo Tavern is a delicious onsite restaurant. They offer breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. My husband and I were able to enjoy high-end dining options but they still had a kid menu for our kids. So it was a win-win! The staff was incredibly nice and I highly recommend the salmon. It was mouthwatering! The sourdough bread and salted butter was also a highlight of the meal.
The first morning in Menlo Park we were able to explore the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo. This fun spot for kids is less than 10 minutes away from the Stanford Park Hotel. We spent 2.5 hours there but could have stayed longer. My kids loved exploring the science exhibits and small zoo outside. You do need to buy tickets in advance on their site. It is $10/person for anyone over 12 months.
The Stanford Shopping Center is across the street too! Which made for fun and easy shopping during our stay. They have casual dining options that are kid friendly like McDonald’s, Chipotle and Shake Shack. We loved trying Rabbit Rabbit at the Stanford Shopping Center. It is a woman owned business with delicious and unique soft serve made from a milk-tea base. It was so easy to hop over to the shopping center we went more than once.
Another big nearby highlight is Stanford University itself. We loved exploring the campus together and seeing all the historic and beautiful sights. If you visit in the summer, you are allowed to swim in the water fountains! It is such a fun activity for toddlers and kids.
Other recommended spots we want to visit next time:
Magical Bridge Playground
Jeffries for milkshakes
Nealon Park
Cantor Art Museum on Stanford Campus
Susie Cakes for treats
