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The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

2.5 star property

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

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

Reviews

9.2 out of 10

Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Gym
    Gym
  • Breakfast included
    Breakfast included
  • Laundry
    Laundry
  • Housekeeping
    Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning
  • Parking included
    Parking included

Explore the area

Map
4164 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
  • San Antonio Shopping Center
    3 min drive
  • Palo Alto VA Hospital
    5 min drive
  • Shoreline Park
    6 min drive
  • Palo Alto, CA (PAO-Santa Clara County)
    14 min drive

Room options

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

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

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

  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Suite, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave (2 Queen Beds)

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

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

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

View all photos for Suite, Non Smoking, Kitchen (3 Queen Beds)

Suite, Non Smoking, Kitchen (3 Queen Beds)

Suite, Non Smoking, Kitchen (3 Queen Beds)

  • 63 sq m
  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 Queen Beds

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, in-room safe, desk

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

  • 22 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 2 Double Beds, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

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

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

  • 27 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, in-room safe, desk

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

  • 27 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Suite, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, in-room safe, desk

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

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

View all photos for Room, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

Room, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

Room, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

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About this property

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

Art Deco Palo Alto motel in Green Acres with free breakfast
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 Art Deco 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 public 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–9:30 AM

Things to do

  • Fitness centre

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Microwave
  • Fridge
  • Soundproofed rooms

Conveniences

  • Free newspapers in reception
  • Front-desk safe

Guest services

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Dry-cleaning service
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Multilingual staff

Outdoors

  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Garden
  • Picnic area

Accessibility

  • If you have any requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • This property does not have any lifts
  • Assistive listening devices available
  • Braille signage
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair-accessible fitness centre
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible (may have limits)

More

  • Smoke-free property
  • TV in lobby

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Bed sheets
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Fan
  • Heating
  • Pillow-top mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Dressing gowns
  • Free toiletries
  • Hairdryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Towels

Entertainment

  • 37-inch LCD TV
  • iPod dock
  • Satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Fridge

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop-friendly workspace
  • Safe
  • Slippers
  • Soundproofing

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

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
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Cashless transactions are available
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival.

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. 692 out of 1006 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 211 out of 1006 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 56 out of 1006 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 23 out of 1006 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 24 out of 1006 reviews" "

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jessica

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice location for a quiet night before surgery at Stanford and was accommodated for a ground level room without any inconvenience…Thank You!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

David

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was large with more than we expected. It's on a busy street, but it was quiet in our room. We slept great.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

tutu

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

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was very well maintained and the environment was very pleasant.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Vasile

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The low beds made the stay very comforting!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alnoor

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sian

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Raymond

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff were friendly, courteous, and professional. We were upgraded from a Deluxe room 1 king bed to a one-bedroom Suite with a king bed and Kitchen with a full complement of cooking and eating utensils. The Suite was beyond our expectation of a hotel suite. It was very spacious, exceptionally clean, well maintained, and bright with numerous windows plus a full complement of furniture including a sofa, sofa seat, dining table with 6 chairs and a work desk with its own chair. It was more like a very nice one-bedroom apartment rather than a hotel suite. The surrounding ground area was also well maintained and clean.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very peaceful and clean and maintained
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

P.

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

2/10 Terrible

Jason

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Don’t stay at the zen hotel
The noise was in bad you could hear traffic day and night both rooms next to me were so loud I could hear talking all night there were homeless people all around the manger was rude and mean
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lives up to its name
This immaculate little hotel was so well kept and serene, it really lived up to its name. Peaceful little garden area out in back of our room. Nice breakfast with just the right amount of choices. Staff was really nice and friendly. We plan on staying here during our next visit.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Solid
Always a solid spot when I visit Palo Alto! I would highly recommend the zen hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Kay

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Jenalle

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mohammad, Hoffman Estates

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Qiaoling

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

10/10 Excellent

Jeremiah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Don

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alice

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
What I liked: The staff is very friendly and helpful. The office is open 24 hr/day so you can check in any time. It is a great value for the price with generous amenities including a hot breakfast, even an ironing board and bathrobe in the closet! The rooms are clean and modern with everything in working order. The Zen Hotel is really a motel in that you can park in front of your room and not have to hike to the entrance and then take an elevator to your room. Most of the rooms are at ground level. What is unique: The quaint, Zen environment and ambiance. Also unique is the super friendly and helpful staff because good service is a rarity even at the most expensive of hotels. What I didn't like: The parking situation is tight, and getting my crew cab long bed pickup truck with trailer mirrors, trailer hitch, and the turning radius of a battleship into the only remaining parking space when I arrived very late at night was a challenge. But the next night, when I came in earlier, parking was plentiful. Other than the tight parking, I love this place and if I ever need to stay in the area again will definitely come back. I highly recommend The Zen Hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jaspreet

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Wacharaporn

Travelled with family and small children, Business traveller
Liked: Amenities
No elevator to 2nd level Complimentary breakfast menu doesn’t change day by day. Narrow parking in 2nd building & tight parking spaces. Clogged sink drain Staffer rude to child in breakfast area Noisy construction nearby TV not working, but was fixed by very friendly and professional morning staff. Rooms were comfortable and large enough for whole family. Receptive and professional cleaning staff. Centrally located to areas around Stanford. Overall, Satisfied with our 4 day stay. Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Pat

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Don't accept a room next to road (El Camino)
First night was a nightmare. Arrived at 1 am due to flight delay and was put in a room right next to busy road. Starting at 5:30 am I could hear and feel every truck that rumbled by. Moved to an interior room off the main road and the rest of my stay (2 more nights) was good.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jane, honolulu

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Anita

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