Nobu Palo Alto

Nobu Hotel Palo Alto, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a sophisticated and tranquil luxury experience in the heart of Silicon Valley. It is frequently lauded as a premier choice among Palo Alto hotels, recognized for its unique blend of Japanese aesthetics and Californian chic.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Nobu Palo Alto is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as a luxury destination providing impeccable style and service. It holds a "Very Good" rating based on numerous reviews, with high scores for location, cleanliness, comfort, and staff.

Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise Nobu Palo Alto for several standout features:

• Service Excellence: The hotel is known for its attentive and impeccable service, often described as being infused with "Omotenashi," the Japanese spirit of hospitality.
• Location: Its prime spot in downtown Palo Alto offers convenient access to Stanford University, shopping, dining, and cultural attractions.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's "urban ryokan" concept, featuring Japanese-inspired interiors, neutral hues, natural materials, and a tranquil inner garden courtyard, creates a remarkably successful and relaxing atmosphere.
• World-Class Dining: The on-site Nobu restaurant is a major draw, offering an exceptional Japanese-Peruvian fusion culinary experience.
• Advanced Amenities: Rooms feature subtle yet advanced in-room technology, and the hotel provides a clean, well-equipped gym.

Room Quality

The rooms and suites at Nobu Palo Alto are designed as a Japanese-Californian hybrid, characterized by a minimalist yet elegant style with neutral colors and natural materials like teak and stone. All rooms include balconies or terraces, promoting an indoor-outdoor feel. In-room technology is advanced but subtle, featuring voice-activated control panels for lighting and shades, Samsung Smart TVs, Alexa, gourmet minibars, and Illy Espresso Machines. Guests enjoy plush bathrobes, Italian bed linens by Anichini, traditional tea sets with Ikaati teas, T3 hairdryers and straighteners, garment steamers, and Natura Bissé bath products.

The exclusive Ryokan Suites, located on the 7th and 8th floors with secure elevator key access, offer an even more expansive and luxurious experience. These suites come with premium private bar snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, complimentary valet parking, seamless personalized service, and priority seating in the Nobu restaurant. Some Ryokan rooms even feature traditional Onsen soaking tubs.

Dining Experience

Dining is a central highlight of the Nobu Hotel Palo Alto experience. The renowned Nobu restaurant, led by world-renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, offers innovative Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine. Signature dishes like Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail Jalapeño are frequently praised. Guests can choose from an a la carte menu, a chef's choice tasting (omakase) menu, or a staff-designed tasting menu based on preferences and price point.

The dining atmosphere is sophisticated, with options for indoor dining, a sleek sushi bar, and a beautiful Japanese-inspired outdoor patio garden with calming water features and exotic plants. Brunch is available, featuring chef-crafted specials like Cured Scottish Salmon Shokupan Benedict, and afternoon tea is served in the Japanese-inspired garden. The Lobby Bar offers a selection of rice wines, Nobu cocktails, and the full dinner menu, with a special Tanoshi Hour menu available daily. While older reviews from 2017 mentioned some inconsistencies in food quality, more recent guest feedback consistently highlights delicious food and beautiful presentation.

Service & Staff

The hotel's service and staff are often described as attentive, professional, and reflecting the "Omotenashi" spirit of Japanese hospitality. The valet service, in particular, is noted for its professionalism and speed, allowing guests to order their car via text for quick retrieval.

However, some guests have reported inconsistencies, including staff being less than professional or rude, delays in room cleaning (e.g., cleaning at 4 PM after guests left at 9 AM), and a lack of turn-down service. There have also been criticisms regarding policies on complimentary drinking water, with some guests being told it's only provided on the first day.

Location & Accessibility

Nobu Hotel Palo Alto boasts an excellent location in the heart of Downtown Palo Alto, offering small-town charm with walkable streets, open-air cafés, and numerous shopping and dining options. It's conveniently situated within walking distance of Palo Alto Caltrain Station and Stanford University. Other nearby attractions include Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto Art Center, and various nature preserves like Baylands Nature Preserve, ideal for outdoor activities.

For transport, valet parking is available at a rate of $50 per night, with additional public parking options also located downtown.

Value & Pricing

Nobu Hotel Palo Alto is considered a high-end luxury property, and its pricing reflects this. A one-night stay for two adults can range from approximately $470 to over $1100, excluding taxes and fees. While many guests appreciate the luxury experience, some have expressed that for the high cost, they expected a more expansive or universally luxurious hotel experience beyond the excellent restaurant, noting that the lobby and gym were "fine but small" compared to expectations for a hotel in this price bracket. Furthermore, issues with "breakfast inclusive" packages often only covering a portion of the actual breakfast bill have been a point of contention for some guests.

Common Complaints

Despite its many positive attributes, a few recurring complaints have been noted:

• High Cost & Perceived Value: Some guests feel the hotel, while comfortable and well-designed, doesn't always deliver the full "5-star luxury" experience expected for its premium price point, particularly regarding the size of the lobby and gym.
• Breakfast Policy: Guests paying for "breakfast inclusive" options have reported that the included amount ($40 per person) often does not cover the full cost of breakfast, leading to additional charges.
• Inconsistent Service Details: Issues like infrequent room cleaning, lack of turn-down service, and restrictive policies on complimentary drinking water have been mentioned.
• Room Quirks: Some minor design criticisms include full-length mirrors being somewhat obscured inside bathroom doors and automatic sensor Toto toilets making noise throughout the night.
• Older Restaurant Feedback: While recent dining reviews are stellar, a few older (2017) restaurant reviews cited inconsistent fish quality and presentation in some dishes.

Sources

1. bynicalina.com
2. foodgressing.com
3. michelin.com
4. priceline.com
5. booking.com
6. nobuhotels.com
7. nobuhotels.com
8. wanderboat.ai
9. mrandmrssmith.com
10. nobuhotels.com
11. noburestaurants.com
12. essentialpaloaltorestaurants.com
13. nobuhotels.com
14. sfchronicle.com
15. novacircle.com
16. booking.com
17. expedia.com
18. kayak.com