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Won the Couples' Choice Awards thanks to recommendations from couples on Weddingwire.com.
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el PRADO (formerly known as Garden Court Hotel)

$15k - $21k For 100 Guests
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Highly recommended

About

On WeddingWire since 2008

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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
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32 Reviews

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Rated
4.8
out of 5.0
Recommended by 95% of couples
  • Quality of service
    4.8 out of 5 rating
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8 User photos

  • Mayene
    Mayene Married on 03/11/2023
    5 out of 5 rating
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    el PRADO as a wedding venue is an absolute dream!

    We found el PRADO Hotel through WeddingWire in the summer of 2021 when we first got engaged; they were going through a remodeling and let us stop by for a quick tour even before they were reopened. We had already toured other wedding venues but we were pretty impressed by the layout of the boutique hotel and fell in love with the architecture and all the little cute nooks that we knew would be absolutely fantastic for photographs. When they had a soft reopening later that year in the fall, we visited again for another tour just to see how things had been updated and heard about all the plans.

    The Director of Events, Jesse Bresnahan, has been such a key player in our decision to book our wedding at el PRADO. el PRADO was probably the 6th or 7th venue we had toured and we hadn’t really been to one that we really walked in and felt comfortable saying yes to right away. el PRADO was exactly that. The combination of a super sweet staff and lovely setup and environment of the hotel even before setting up any wedding decor really vibed with us. We were pretty set on booking el PRADO after visiting a couple times and speaking with Jesse. Jesse has been extremely patient with our millions of questions (we have email threads of 40-50+ emails back and forth with him about wedding planning), is always professional about everything, was such a positive force during our planning, and guided us through a lot of decisions we had to make for our wedding.

    We were able to start drafting a contract for our wedding to book our date (well in advance) by December 2021 and just had to wait on a couple things before signing it, but Jesse made sure that all of our concerns and questions were addressed and worked with us over email and phone calls to get our contract just how we needed it; we booked el PRADO 12 months in advance of our wedding and felt so comfortable and excited about our decision!

    Sarah Rennert also started helping us with rooming blocks and wedding planning questions mid-2022 in the midst of all of our planning. Both her and Jesse were just phenomenal pillars of support for us. It was so great to meet her on our wedding weekend and she helped us get what we needed whenever we needed it.

    el PRADO as a wedding venue is an absolute dream! The entire staff was extremely hospitable, everyone we encountered was so warm and welcoming and always put a smile on our faces. They let us set up for our wedding ahead of time (we did a lot of DIY decor since our wedding was so specifically themed to a particular video game) and went above and beyond for us from setting up some decor day of for us, plating our dessert donuts (which we were totally just planning to have in the boxes they came in with labels from our vendor), cleaning up our room (the bridal party got ready and made an absolute mess in the Penthouse and by the night of the wedding they had cleaned up the bedroom area and sprinkled a bunch of rose petals on the bed and in the shape of a heart!), and helping us clean up and pack things away after the reception ended.

    Jesse kept checking in on me and my partner whatever floor we were on (1st floor lobby/reception, 2nd floor bar area or Biblioteca, 4th floor Penthouse, etc.), made sure we were fed and hydrated, and kept the event going and kept us aware of timing (when to come down for the processional, when to get ready for the reception grand entrance, when do start going around making toasts at all the tables, etc.). Seriously could not have appreciated him more!

    During and after our wedding, our guests were just gushing about the venue, staff, and food. We’ve heard from multiple guests that the food for dinner was some of the best, if not the best, food they’d had at a wedding, and they loved how the venue looked!

    We had our rehearsal dinner, wedding, and weekend stay at the hotel. If we ever need to hold another big event for whatever reason, we would definitely do it at el PRADO, and we’d absolutely try to find a reason (perhaps an anniversary) to stay at el PRADO again. The Penthouse is gorgeous with its outdoor patio (where we did our first look photos) and has such a lovely bathroom with a rainfall showerhead and a deep soaking tub.

    After we booked for our wedding, they opened a Tapas Bar on the 2nd floor and we visited frequently in the months leading up to our wedding. The drinks and bites available daily are delicious!

    Highly recommend el PRADO as a place to check out, have an event, do a weekend getaway, grab some drinks, or all of the above! Literally cannot stop thinking about everything, it was everything we could’ve asked for and more!
  • J
    Juliet Married on 05/12/2020
    5 out of 5 rating
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    Winter Wedding at the Garden Court Hotel-AMAZING!

    I absolutely LOVED my experience with the Garden Court Hotel. Jesse Bresnahan, who was our Event Manager, was AMAZING and perhaps a big reason why our wedding was so great. Planning a wedding, as most will figure out soon enough, is extremely stressful, but with Jesse's help, I couldn't be at more ease. He was super responsive, gave tons of details when needed, and had a "can do" attitude for everything. Of course I loved the actual setting, food, and general service at the Garden Court, but I don't think I would have had such a great time planning my wedding if it weren't for Jesse. As an added bonus to the Garden Court, they give you a 5 day stay at a sister hotel in one of their locations in Spain for your honeymoon (which you have a year to use)...unheard of! They also help set it all up for you, so just one less thing to stress about. My husband and I went to Barcelona and of course, it was a trip to remember. Thank you Jesse and Garden Court team for making our wedding what we wanted and more!
  • Amber
    Amber D. Married on 11/16/2019
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    Best. Wedding. Ever.

    Wonderful venue, incredible staff. Delicious food, professional execution. Everything was stinky and Juli Calderon was an absolute dream. Thank you for helping us celebrate the beginning of our marriage with a bang!
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Awards

32
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2012 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2011 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2010 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2009 Winner

Real Weddings

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

Deals

el PRADO (formerly known as Garden Court Hotel) 1
Gift

With a minimum of 50 guests guaranteed for your event, you will recieve a complimentary deluxe guestroom the night of your event.

Ask about our Penthouse Suite promotions for Bride & Groom.

Professional Network & Endorsements

8 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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520 Cowper Street Palo Alto, CA, 94301
6503231912
Location of (el PRADO (formerly known as Garden Court Hotel))

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