The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

3.0 star property

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

Lobby
Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking
Exterior
Exterior
Suite, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave (2 Queen Beds)

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

Map
4164 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
  • Palo Alto VA Hospital
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Stanford University
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Stanford University Medical Center
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪18 min drive‬

Room options

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Suite, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave (2 Queen Beds)

  • 64 sq m
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Suite, Non Smoking, Kitchen (3 Queen Beds)

  • 63 sq m
  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 Queen Beds

Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

  • 22 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Deluxe Room, 2 Double Beds, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

  • 27 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

  • 27 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Suite, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

  • 49 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Room, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Similar properties

About this property

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

Art Deco motel with free breakfast and a fitness center
Along with a fitness center, this smoke-free motel has dry cleaning and laundry facilities. Free buffet breakfast, free WiFi in public areas, and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, a 24-hour front desk, express check-out, and free newspapers are onsite.
The Zen Hotel Palo Alto offers 37 accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors and feature iPod docking stations and safes. Pillowtop beds feature premium bedding. 37-inch LCD televisions come with satellite channels. Guests can make use of the in-room refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee/tea makers. Bathrooms include bathrobes, slippers, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers.

This Palo Alto motel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and desk chairs. Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and fans. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Recreational amenities at the motel include a fitness center.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

The free breakfast at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto gets high marks from our customers. During your stay, you'll be within walking distance of San Antonio Shopping Center. Enjoy features like free WiFi in public areas and free self parking, plus a gym.
  • Free buffet breakfast served daily
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self parking
  • Amenities include free lobby newspapers, a front-desk safe, and laundry facilities
  • Onsite recreation includes a gym
  • Guests really like the accommodations for the comfy beds and cleanliness
  • 5 minutes by car from Stanford University and 13 minutes from San Francisco Bay
Free breakfast is available daily. WiFi is free in public spaces. A fitness center, barbecue grills, and multilingual staff are also featured at the business-friendly The Zen Hotel Palo Alto. Free self parking is available.

This 3-star Palo Alto motel is smoke free.

Guests are served free buffet breakfast daily from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM.

Languages

English, French, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free uncovered self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Food and drink

  • Free buffet breakfast available daily 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM

Things to do

  • Gym
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Laundry facilities
  • Soundproofed rooms

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Picnic area

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Braille/raised signage
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible gym
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Pillowtop mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Dressing gowns
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 37-inch LCD TV with satellite channels
  • IPod dock

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Fan
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop workspace
  • Safe
  • Soundproofed rooms

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in is available for a fee
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Children 12 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.

We should mention

  • Children 12 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.

Property is also known as

Hotel Zen
Zen Hotel
Zen Hotel Palo Alto
Zen Palo Alto
Townhouse Hotel Palo Alto
The Zen Hotel
The Zen Hotel Palo Alto Motel
The Zen Hotel Palo Alto Palo Alto
The Zen Hotel Palo Alto Motel Palo Alto

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto Reviews

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 739 out of 1069 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 224 out of 1069 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 59 out of 1069 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 22 out of 1069 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 25 out of 1069 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sudipta, Kirkland

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Nice staff. Simple but nice.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

Stanley

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness
Empty shampoo bottle. Light flickering. Bed light bulb broken. Broken door knob at entrance. Everything else was fine. Some basic maintenance was off.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Randolph, Merced

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mahen

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sossity

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

larry

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
College drop off
Good place to rest up after dropping daughter off at college
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Htay

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Easy parking Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Charles

Travelled with family
Nice, new, and clean.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paul Arden

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kethsana, Merced

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nicely remodeled clean and quiet. Very nice hotel for the price.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Walter

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I like everything about it . The suites are little apartments. Not my first stay , not my last stay.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

gloria

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Yaowen

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Above average amount same grade accommodations.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Onur

Travelled with family
Good motel
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

2/10 Terrible

Corey

I prepaid for two nights and left after the first. That’s how lousy this place is. No, they didn’t refund me anything. Walls are paper thin. We heard the TV next door ALL night. Tiny room. Musty, mildewy, dusty for throughout. Bed frame had to be broken because it thumped every time I sat on it. Rusty components in the bathroom. Why stay at this dump, when the Marriott or Hilton properties down the street are 10x nicer with rooms more than 3x the size for not much more? That’s what I ended up doing. Lesson learned.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Meirong

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very good!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Egehan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mike

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Jill

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This was a good place for a one night stay while we visited Stanford. It has a cute zen garden. No plant based milk for coffee though.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Izrael

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room set-up and the king sized "cloud" for a bed was an ultimate cherry on top
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Onur

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Breakfast could be better.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024