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Quality catering
Guests comfort
Amenities

About this vendor

Jesse Bresnahan
Jesse Bresnahan
Manager

No business details yet

No team details yet

el PRADO Palo Alto - formerly known as Garden Court Hotel - is a wedding venue located in Palo Alto, California.

Facilities and Capacity

Our intimate size means that your event will have the undivided attention of our wedding and event planners, who will see to every detail to realize your vision. To complement our sophisticated, light-filled indoor wedding venues, we offer enchanting outdoor space that takes full advantage of Palo Alto’s beautiful weather. Our open-air interior courtyard and central fountain create a lovely ambiance and a private world in the center of everything. At dusk, the gardens sparkle to life with thousands of twinkling lights. Each indoor space has an adjacent outside balcony or patio offering the perfect blend of indoor-outdoor flow for your gathering.

Services Offered

Framed by elegant Spanish Colonial architecture and bright, European-chic interiors, el PRADO bridges the romance of the past with contemporary style and sophistication. One of downtown Palo Alto’s only luxury boutique hotel offers a unique and inspiring backdrop for your wedding or special event.

Pricing & Deals

Starting at $15,150 Starting at $15,150
Couples usually spend $18,250
Ceremony
$1,000 starting price
Bar service
$50 per person
These prices are available for the months of July through December.

Availability

No availability details yet

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FAQ

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

No

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$1,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$1,000

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
China
Clean Up
Event Planning
Flatware
Glassware
Linens
Set Up
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Cake Cutting
Dessert
Server(s)

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$50

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Open Bar

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

5

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Hotel

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Accommodations
Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Event Planner
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Outside Vendors
Pet Friendly
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Family Style
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside Cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Cash Bar
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Limited Bar
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

What event items are available?

Audio Equipment
Centerpieces
Chairs
Chair Covers
Dance Floor
Drapery
Lighting
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Valet
Wheelchair Access

What months are included in your peak season?

July
August
September
October
November
December

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
April
May
June

Still have questions?

Reach out about anything you didn't see answered here—no question is too small!

Wedding couple

Reviews of el PRADO (formerly known as Garden Court Hotel)

Weddingwire
4.8/5 35 reviews
Google
4.5/5 383 reviews
Jeff
Jeff Sent on 11/18/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Awesome Hidden Gem

We were looking for a perfect indoor venue near Palo Alto for our wedding of ~125. We decided to have both the ceremony and reception on-site and we could not have been happier.

We were so lucky to find el Prado and be able to work with Jesse. Our experience was incredible -- from the best reception food ever (for real), to the quaint vibes of the hotel, to Jesse's guidance and help in the planning process, we could not be happier.

If you're looking for a hidden gem in Palo Alto, check this place out!
Andrew
Andrew Sent on 11/14/2023
5 out of 5 rating

FIVE STARS in Every Aspect of a Wedding Venue!

9/15/2024:
Our wedding reception at this venue was truly exceptional – better than we could have ever imagined. Highly recommend!

The Team:
It all started with Jesse’s impeccable planning and coordination. His expertise and attention to detail were a huge relief, making the entire process seamless and stress-free.

The Venue:
El Prado’s courtyard and patio are simply stunning. With its large fireplace lit at night, beautiful Spanish-style balconies and string lights, the ambiance created a beautiful, global, and inclusive atmosphere that made the evening unforgettable.

The Food:
As many others have mentioned, the food was incredible – some of the best you can get at a wedding! The steak and salmon were fantastic, and the hors d'oeuvres, especially the lamb and twice-baked potatoes, were a big hit. We also used the second-floor lounge for an after-party, which was absolutely perfect.

Accommodations:
Having the venue as a hotel was the icing on the cake. Our family was able to stay together in the rooms, adding so much convenience and comfort to the celebration.

Overall:
Our experience was nothing short of amazing, and we couldn't have asked for more. Highly recommend for anyone looking to host an event here!


---

11/14/2023:
Jesse, the events director at el PRADO, is exceptionally diligent, responsive, organized, and kind! We are only at the early stages of wedding planning (we'll update this review later), but we wanted to write a review just to emphasize how meaningful it is to us to have someone like Jesse on our team. We've learned that the role of the events lead at one's wedding venue is critical from the very beginning – Jesse never made us feel rushed during our walk-through, sent a simple sample quote in a clean and easy to adjust Excel sheet so we could estimate costs quickly, compartmentalized the steps of venue planning so we could focus on what matters at the initial contract stage, and was flexible with us to ensure we had everything we needed.
Angela
Angela Sent on 07/24/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Simply the Best

El Prado Hotel is absolutely beautiful. We were set on an outdoor wedding from the beginning of our engagement- thinking that was the only way to include our dogs in the ceremony.. but I was wrong. El Prado is hugely dog-friendly! To be honest, my then-fiance didn't even want to look at el prado it wasn't what we originally envisioned for our day but once we stepped on the property and saw how beautiful the hotel was- the small, intimate vibe, the aesthetics, the colors, the choices in furniture and everything- we just fell in love with the venue. Our original plan was to get married in March (off-season.. cheaper) but we learned that el prado doesn't have different prices for different months or days of the week! WHAT?! We were soo excited to hear that! They only have a minimum food & beverage cost. SOLD. We get a beautiful venue, in July, on a Saturday evening for nothing extra.

The team at el Prado, especially Jesse, were our heroes! Jesse answers all emails quickly, promptly, and with humor. He went above and beyond ensuring our wedding day went smoothly- coordinating with all the vendors, and making sure the things I prepared are placed and prepped in the correct areas. Our guests were so impressed by the service of everyone. And these family members go to A LOT of weddings and they help out at pretty much all of them so it's with HIGH praise when they were impressed with the level of service and competencies of everyone at el prado.

It's not the cheapest out there but I'd pay for quality and the peace of mind that everyone is working to ensure we have the best day possible. And it was absolutely perfect. I mean don't all brides and grooms think their day is perfect? But ours was perfect, not just to us but to so many of our guests who came gushing about our day. Some even said it was better than their own wedding. *beams* it's everyone working together to make our vision come to life.
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

35
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2012 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2011 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2010 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2009 Winner
illustration message review

Are you interested?

Real Weddings

Vivek & Jasmine
45 photos · 11/23/2021
Maria & Mark
94 photos · 10/12/2019

Team

Jesse Bresnahan
Jesse Bresnahan
Manager

Professional Network & Endorsements

Jim Vetter Photography Jim Vetter Photography Wedding Photographers

I love shooting at the Garden Court Hotel in Palo Alto! The staff is highly professional and their clients are treated with the kind of care you'd expect from the best of hotels. Downtown Palo Alto is charming and has great little spots all over for making unique wedding photos. The courtyard at the hotel is stunning and looks amazing at night. You really have to check it out!

Andria Lo Photography Andria Lo Photography Wedding Photographers

Garden Court Hotel is a charming gem in Palo Alto. The rooms are updated and tastefully modern, yet the courtyard has an Old World feel. At night the courtyard looks extra lovely with lamp posts and stringed lights. Wonderfully romantic spot for a wedding and the staff here takes excellent care of you!

In Full Bloom In Full Bloom Wedding Florists

GCH is my favorite venue to do business with; not only is the entire staff a dream to work with because of the team spirit & kindness, I just love the atmosphere. I feel like I'm in another world in Europe, especially w/ the amazing dishes they serve. I've been here as part of networking groups/ guest at weddings & parties & also as the floral designer working for clients weddings & parties. The whole gamut & I always leave with a very satisfied heart. Oh- I've also delivered flowers to the room of the brides & just love the room decor! What an awesome hotel in the heart of Palo Alto!!!

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