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The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

3.0 star property

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Photo gallery for The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

Exterior
Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk
Lobby
Exterior
Free daily buffet breakfast

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Laundry
$115
$99 nightly
$115 total
Total with taxes and fees
Jan 18 - Jan 19

Explore the area

View in a map
4164 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
  • Place, San Antonio Shopping Center
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Palo Alto VA Hospital
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, San Andreas Fault Trail
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Airport, San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪16 min drive‬

Room options

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

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(15 reviews)
  • 280 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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

Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

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

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(52 reviews)
  • 286 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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

Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

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

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 532 sq ft
  • 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 | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

Room, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(10 reviews)
  • 306 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

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

Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

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

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(103 reviews)
  • 240 sq ft
  • 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 | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

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

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(40 reviews)
  • 286 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

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

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

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

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(54 reviews)
  • 306 sq ft
  • 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) | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

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

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 reviews)
  • 693 sq ft
  • 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) | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

Suite, Non Smoking, Kitchen (3 Queen Beds)

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(5 reviews)
  • 680 sq ft
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 Queen Beds

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Property grounds
Creekside Inn
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  • Free WiFi
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4.5 out of 5, Wonderful, 1,667 reviews
$104 nightly
The price is $120
Jan 18 - Jan 19
Total with taxes and fees
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About the neighborhood

Palo Alto

With a stay at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto, you'll be centrally located in Palo Alto, within a 10-minute drive of Stanford University and Shoreline Amphitheatre. .This motel is 8.8 mi (14.1 km) from San Francisco Bay and 9.8 mi (15.7 km) from Levi's Stadium.
View more Motels in Palo AltoOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Mitchell Park Dog Park - 18 min walk - 1.0 mile
  • San Antonio Shopping Center - 3 min drive - 1.1 miles
  • Palo Alto VA Hospital - 4 min drive - 1.2 miles
  • DVBIC Palo Alto - 4 min drive - 1.6 miles
  • San Andreas Fault Trail - 5 min drive - 1.8 miles

Getting around

  • San Antonio Station - 3 min drive
  • Whisman Station - 8 min drive
  • Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl. Airport (SJC) - 18 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Hong Kong Restaurant - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Holy Sushi - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪State of Mind Slice House - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪4290 Bistro - ‬12 min walk

About this property

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

Art Deco motel with free breakfast and a fitness center
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.

Make yourself at home in one of the 37 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Your pillowtop bed comes with premium bedding. 37-inch LCD televisions with satellite programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Private bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.
Enjoy recreation amenities such as a fitness center or take in the view from a garden. This Art Deco motel also features complimentary wireless internet access, a television in a common area, and a picnic area.
A complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM.
Featured amenities include express check-out, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Free self parking is available onsite.
A complimentary buffet breakfast is served each morning between 6:30 AM and 9:30 AM.

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • 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

More

  • 2 floors
  • 3 buildings
  • Art Deco architecture
  • Built in 1970
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Pillowtop mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • 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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Children up to the age of 12 years can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

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

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

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. 881 out of 1303 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 279 out of 1303 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 86 out of 1303 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 29 out of 1303 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 28 out of 1303 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Leticia

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
It was very nice. The staff were very helpful. I would recommend the hotel.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

erik

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
everything you could need!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

T

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I didn't partake of the ample breakfast but appreciated the strong coffee pods in the room. I liked the cleanliness/design of the room and property and all the electrical outlets. Great shower too. Only gripe is that the shower rod was extremely rusty which detracted from the overall appearance of the room. This was very odd and should be addressed. Staff was very courteous and obliging. I would happily stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Amazing staff very comfortable beds and pillows. Very clean room phenomenal showers very easy to find the hotel and a phenomenal breakfast in the morning. I would definitely recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Lovely stay at the Zen hotel. Comfortable beds and clean rooms. Great staff. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Virginia, reading

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very safe parking area 24 hours service at the front desk Clean rooms every day
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Alyse

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We would definitely stay here again. For being an older property, it's well maintained and updated. The beds were surprisingly comfortable and clean. Breakfast was what you would expect, but good.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jay

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It was all fine
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Randy

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Denise

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

richard

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This motel is in a great location to access Stanford and the price is very good for the area. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The room is due for an upgrade/refreshing though. Thus a 4 star rating and not a 5 star rating from when I stayed here last.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kodi

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lalaina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Easy check in, accessible parking, nice staff, clean and safe area.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sean

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice property. Clean and cute. The price was great as well. Would definitely stay there again if I need to stay in the area.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Michael

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Madhu

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Very friendly staff. Big spacious rooms. Only negative- Noisy bathroom fan.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Raini

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
n/a
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

JAMES

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Pina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Overall, the property and hotel was nice. The front desk clerk was very pleasant and nice. Great customer service. The rooms can use some updating and our room had a musty odor to it.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anaisa

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My family stays here often with no issues
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Elizabeth

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Vivian

Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
I have stayed in this two bedroom unit before. There is a small sofa missing that was up against the wall under the picture. This room also had a coffee table in front of the two couches. The carpet needs a shampoo as my feet were dirty every night from walking on the carpet. The furniture need to have the cleaned especially the chairs.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Heather

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It was greatoo lol
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

4/10 Poor

Muhammad

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025