Is parking available at the property?

Free self parking is available on-site, but guests must contact the property in advance to reserve a parking space.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in time is at 3:00 PM and check-out time is at 11:00 AM. Early or late check-in/check-out may be available upon request, but additional charges may apply.

What is the location of the property in relation to key landmarks?

The property is located within a 10-minute drive of San Francisco Bay and San Mateo County Event Center. It is approximately 7.6 miles from Stanford University and 7.4 miles from Stanford University Medical Center.

San Carlos Inn: Comfort and Convenience

Average nightly price at San Carlos Inn by month, last 12 months (USD)
Month	Average price
January	$87
February	$89
March	$94
April	$77
May	$97
June	$121
July	$107
August	$108
September	$125
October	$107
November	$86
December	$79

What guests think

At San Carlos Inn, reviews highlight a budget, no-frills stay with a convenient, walkable location and generally friendly staff, alongside aging rooms and intermittent maintenance issues with heating, locks, and bathroom fixtures.

Guests appreciated easy parking, quiet surroundings, and simple in-room amenities such as mini fridges, microwaves, cable, and hot water. Cleanliness feedback is mixed, with reports ranging from acceptable to dirty, including stained towels, grime, moldy shower curtains, musty odors, and occasional pests. Expect a basic, affordable motel experience best for short stays focused on price and location.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Parking is easy and close to rooms, and basic in-room amenities (mini fridge, microwave, cable, internet) are commonly noted. Some guests mention construction outside and occasional equipment issues with heaters or AC, plus retro key locks instead of keycards.

Related guest reviews

10

KIM

Mar 16, 2025

·

primo parking near front door no key card hassle , i.e no scanning card3-4 times....retro key lock and dead bolt , feels not just safe , property is secure. bedding more cozy comfortable , not hard like a board.

4

Douglas C

Apr 27, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Cheapest price in the hood. Rooms face an alley but was quite. Bed wasn't double sheeted. Heater didn't work so they had a small space heater sitting on the night stand

2

Vicente del

Jul 14, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Terrible motel in all senses. Smelly and dirty carpets, dirty and broken air conditioning, depressing colors, old bed linen, terrible lights in the room, old everything. My bed had only one sheet and when I complained the front desk person lazily gave me one…. And I said “you want me to put in on”?!?! After a while she got another lazy person to her who simply put my pillow on the floor!!!! I decided to sleep as fast as I could and hit the road in the early morning without even showering… who know what I would find there!

10

KIM

Oct 6, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

All of the above ,what else is there .... Bed.... pillows ....AC....micro ....mini fridge...parking near front door... friendly owners...etc....cable , i dont have cable . never had a room upstairs...

10

KIM

Sep 4, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

i love the friendly staff . the value includes the internet,cable, microwave,mini fridge, (markets and dinning) nearby downtown

8

Norman

May 21, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Check in easy and quick. Some construction going on but no big deal.

10

John

Oct 9, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Our room was clean, parking was easy and felt safe here, theres also a shopping center just around the block. Simple room had everything we needed for a comfortable overnight stay and staff was nice

8

Norman

Apr 1, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Checkin was easy, they are always nice. The only thing is the construction going on right in front of the hotel. Obviously not their fault.

8

KIM

Jan 21, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Accomodating friendly and polite staff. No fancy ..economical for me. Mini fridge adequate for frozen pancakes and tv dinners ...uno.. Freezer portion always small. Fridge kept fridge stuff cold , no complaints. Cable lots channels.window heater went down....portable heating waiting my arrival and just as toasty. Hot water YES! The regulars who stay here ...peaceful , happy ,too ? Why not.

10

Tiva

Jan 7, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Safe, convenient and good parking space

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Cleanliness

Cleanliness feedback is mixed, with multiple reports of stained or worn towels, grime, mold on shower curtains, musty odors, and occasional pests, while others noted clean rooms.

Related guest reviews

6

Adam

Jul 13, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

This place needs a lot of work, the staff are friendly place is nice on the outside, but this place needs an upgrade. And a deep clean. As soon as I opened the door the room had a damp feeling, and I instantly knew bugs. Moved the microwave a layer of dust not a big deal but showed the cleaning effort of the place, moved on to the refrigerator and under it as infestation of cockroachs. That too not a big deal but if i was going to stay three nights I would need to treat the room. Went to home depot got some bug treatment and cleaning spray and a tarp to sleep on. Cleaned everything doors bathroom, and table scrubed every nook sprayed should have got a discount for the amount of work i did, but whatever, after the deep clean I felt comfortable enough to sleep and had a very pleasant stay.

2

Nupur

Sep 27, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The room was filthy. The microwave had food splatters, and fridge door had food gunk. Did not microwave after seeing the condition. One towel’s corner was literally shredded with worn. I had to put towels on carpet floor to walk around. Carpet felt so cringe. Only space I was comfortable to touch was bed. Left without even the shower as the whole room felt so dirty, dusty and musty. Probably the worst ever motel I have stayed. Couldn’t give any lower than 1 star

2

Miguel

Jun 29, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Very dirty. Carpet was wet, towels has stains and there was MOLD on the shower curtains.

4

Nancy

Jun 4, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

It's cheap, but you get what you pay for. Except for the bed, everything else is dirty and old. The towels are almost worn out and no longer white. Don't walk on barefoot and avoid touching anything.

4

Allyson

May 20, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The property is very outdated and not clean. The toilet was fthy, the towels were stained and I moved the nightstand looking for an outlwt and there was garbage and papers there indicating no one has moved or vacuumed there in quite some time. The sheets seemed fine, but the bedspread did not seem clean at all. I think they need to do an overhaul and invest a little money in some necessities. I

4

Chris

Nov 4, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

- Had to buy wipes because surfaces were grimy. - half the dresser drawers broke - Black mold on shower curtain

4

Frank

Oct 11, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The towels and washcloths looked dirty and stained ! Not a clan place

8

Terry

Dec 21, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Clean neat room. Staff was friendly.

2

Mya

Jun 4, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

dirty, bed bug bites, disorganized, rude and slow staff

6

Davina M

Jul 15, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

It’s a cheap place to stay. Overal a good experience. The AC worked well and the bed was comfy. The neighborhood surrounding seemed safe and quiet, but the bathroom was dirty and had a leaky sink. Around the shower was dirt and hair, and hair inside the tub. One of the sheets was stained as well.

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Rooms

Rooms are basic and dated; some guests liked the quiet atmosphere, comfortable beds, and occasional spacious layouts. Others reported worn decor and issues with heating or bathroom fixtures.

Related guest reviews

10

KIM

Mar 16, 2025

·

primo parking near front door no key card hassle , i.e no scanning card3-4 times....retro key lock and dead bolt , feels not just safe , property is secure. bedding more cozy comfortable , not hard like a board.

6

Carlos

Nov 24, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

It little old and smell abandoned

4

Douglas C

Apr 27, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Cheapest price in the hood. Rooms face an alley but was quite. Bed wasn't double sheeted. Heater didn't work so they had a small space heater sitting on the night stand

10

Chelsea

Jan 4, 2026

·

Stayed 1 night

Easy check in, big spacious room, good location, friendly staff, really goood price !

4

Carl

Mar 19, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

I wouldn't stay here again. The door lock opened by a key and the lock seemed loose. The furnishings were dated and worn but the worst of all was the bathroom sink faucet which barely trickled water. When I tried to brush my teeth, I had to take a plastic cup filled with water from the the bath tub faucet to rinse my mouth.

2

Vicente del

Jul 14, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Terrible motel in all senses. Smelly and dirty carpets, dirty and broken air conditioning, depressing colors, old bed linen, terrible lights in the room, old everything. My bed had only one sheet and when I complained the front desk person lazily gave me one…. And I said “you want me to put in on”?!?! After a while she got another lazy person to her who simply put my pillow on the floor!!!! I decided to sleep as fast as I could and hit the road in the early morning without even showering… who know what I would find there!

10

Arazheli

Sep 19, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was fair not the best but alright

10

David

Sep 12, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The particular room had v notch pine ceilings and fraud beam support. I liked the look, room was clean, bathroom had been updated and was not cramped. The bed was firm for good back support and soft enough that when I relaxed I could feel the tiredness of the day drain into the bed. The carpet should have been replaced 10 years ago it was below the quality of the rest of the room. I entered the room around 3:30 turned the a/c and it cooled down within 1/2 hour. Since my truck is my life while traveling, I am concerned about security. I was parked within10 steps of my door and did not hear much after turning the TV off. Overall very good experience.

10

Winstead

Jul 8, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

quite room

6

Davina M

Jul 15, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

It’s a cheap place to stay. Overal a good experience. The AC worked well and the bed was comfy. The neighborhood surrounding seemed safe and quiet, but the bathroom was dirty and had a leaky sink. Around the shower was dirt and hair, and hair inside the tub. One of the sheets was stained as well.

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Service

Staff are frequently described as friendly, accommodating, and welcoming. A few guests reported rude interactions or difficulty reaching the office for check-in or refunds.

Related guest reviews

10

Chelsea

Jan 4, 2026

·

Stayed 1 night

Easy check in, big spacious room, good location, friendly staff, really goood price !

2

Benjamin

Sep 25, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Rude proprietor. Trash place. To be expected for the price, but even so… yuck

10

Chris

Aug 25, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Friendly and accommodating staff.

10

John

Oct 9, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Our room was clean, parking was easy and felt safe here, theres also a shopping center just around the block. Simple room had everything we needed for a comfortable overnight stay and staff was nice

10

David

Sep 4, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

I always enjoy my experience at San Carlos Inn. Management treats me like family.

8

Terry

Dec 21, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Clean neat room. Staff was friendly.

10

Summer

Apr 30, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very friendly staff!

2

Mya

Jun 4, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

dirty, bed bug bites, disorganized, rude and slow staff

10

David

Aug 10, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Love this place!! Management super friendly and accommodating. Nita is awesome. In the heart of all that is San Carlos!

2

Nuozhou

Oct 17, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

No one was at the office when I arrived, so I couldn’t check in, and they refused to issue a refund. I paid for three nights.

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Location

Convenient, walkable location near Laurel Street and downtown with restaurants and shops nearby; several guests felt safe and found it quiet. One review described the surrounding area as a bit questionable.

Related guest reviews

8

Cecilia

Apr 9, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Nice and convenient

10

Chelsea

Jan 4, 2026

·

Stayed 1 night

Easy check in, big spacious room, good location, friendly staff, really goood price !

10

Alexander

Oct 4, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Very lovely botique hotel in the middle of a questionable area. Effectively operated, reasonably priced, clean and slightly old-timed if not outdated.

10

KIM

Feb 1, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

28jan25 , my go to place when working in redwood city . welcoming . ground floor without asking . especially ( no caltrain crossings ) quiet

8

Mele

Sep 15, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Manager are so friendly and helpful. My daughter used a lot of toilet paper and she help herself to it , they called to let me know and they were so kind about it! The motel is located well but it’s an old motel! My daughter is one ear deaf and she ki d of talking too loud. Thank you and

10

John

Oct 9, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Our room was clean, parking was easy and felt safe here, theres also a shopping center just around the block. Simple room had everything we needed for a comfortable overnight stay and staff was nice

10

Ellen

Oct 29, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location right off of Laurel St. Very convenient location. within walking distance of well, : everything, Lucky California grocery store, Shell gas station, Jack in the Box and of course all the great botiques and stores up and down Laurel St, including USPS. It's a small but cozy no frills hotel but our room did have brand new carpet, a little refrigerator and a microwave, which was nice to have a cold drink close by and some way to heat up our left overs. The staff here was very friendly which is always a good thing when your in a new location. Long story short, considering the great location and low rates the hotel was perfect and honestly, you can't ask for anthing more.

10

David

Aug 10, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Love this place!! Management super friendly and accommodating. Nita is awesome. In the heart of all that is San Carlos!

10

Jessica

Jun 8, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

This Motel is all I need. Clean bed and towels, friendly staff, super quiet and plenty of restaurants in walking distance. Great place.

10

Tiva

Jan 7, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Safe, convenient and good parking space

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Dining

Not enough information in reviews.

Related guest reviews

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
1 $85	2 $103	3 $101	4 $101	5 $101	6 $93	7 $95
8 $90	9 $101	10 $102	11 $128	12 $128	13 $122	14 $130
15 $122	16 $127	17 $134	18 $128	19 $136	20 $128	21 $128
22 $122	23 $134	24 $135	25 $128	26 $133	27 $130	28 $128
29 $128	30 $137

San Carlos Inn

Prices for San Carlos Inn

Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Double Room

Deluxe Queen Room

Double Room Disability Access

Guest reviews of San Carlos Inn

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property Policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

FAQs about San Carlos Inn

Prices for upcoming dates

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1	2	3
4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17
18	19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26	27	28	29	30 $88	31 $91