I stayed at the excellent Cardinal Hotel in Palo Alto for 2 nights for a business trip and had a wonderful, cozy stay at this unique and historic gem. I make it a point to seek out old hotels that are full of character, so this was the perfect place for me.
Some of the rooms utilize a shared toilet and shower in the hall. While the whole hotel is a deal compared to surrounding options, the rooms utilizing the shared facilities are very affordable. I peeked my head in the toilet/shower and they were immaculate! They provide a robe and slippers in the room, so if you choose a room with a shared bath, you're covered, quite literally.
I booked a room that had its own bathroom, and my room was cozy and clean with a comfortable bed. The walk-in shower in my room looked brand new and had great heat and pressure. The provided shampoo, conditioner, and body wash smelled and felt luxurious.
There is no AC at this hotel, but the window opened, which was such a treat on a delightfully cool fall night. I adore a fresh breeze, so I was happy. The sounds of the city floated in, and I even enjoyed a multimedia art installation projected on a nearby building one evening—built-in entertainment for the win. By 1030, it was quiet, however, and I slept soundly until the morning. If you're a noise-sensitive person, you might want a more modern option, but I had a blast.