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

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Laundry
$136
$118 nightly
$136 total
Total with taxes and fees
Mar 14 - Mar 15

Explore the area

View in a map
4164 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
  • Place, San Antonio Shopping Center
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, San Andreas Fault Trail
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Palo Alto VA Hospital
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪25 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
(106 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)

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(7 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
  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
4.5 out of 5, Wonderful, 1,708 reviews
$113 nightly
The price is $130
Mar 28 - Mar 29
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, steps from Silicon Valley and a short 4-minute drive from Stanford University. .This motel is 9.8 mi (15.7 km) from Levi's Stadium and 8.8 mi (14.1 km) from San Francisco Bay.
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
  • San Andreas Fault Trail - 4 min drive - 1.6 miles
  • DVBIC Palo Alto - 4 min drive - 1.6 miles
  • Palo Alto VA Hospital - 4 min drive - 1.2 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
  • ‪Junbi - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Holy Sushi - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪State of Mind Slice House - ‬12 min walk

About this property

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto offers 37 accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors and feature safes and coffee/tea makers. Pillowtop beds feature premium bedding. 37-inch LCD televisions come with satellite channels. Refrigerators and microwaves are provided. 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. Self parking (subject to charges) 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

  • Uncovered self parking on site (USD 9.95 per night)
  • 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

  • Uncovered self parking fee: USD 9.95 per night
  • 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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

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

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 906 out of 1332 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 275 out of 1332 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 91 out of 1332 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 29 out of 1332 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 31 out of 1332 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Dimiter

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Leslie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I like the Zen. It checks all the boxes for me.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Traci

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Breakfast menu is fresh!! Tastes good maybe two meat items would be great!! Or alternate between the days for choices of meat like the room service.
Stayed 10 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jill

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a nice hotel with comfortable bed!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Christine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good job
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniel Alexander

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I liked it a lot
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sharleen

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dorcas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Check in was smooth and very welcoming. Room was ready, super clean and up to date. The whole outside parking area is clean and well maintained. Pleasant atmosphere. Great central location in Palo Alto. Rooms on west side are very quiet. Breakfast offers many hot and cold options. Well pleased.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

Laura

The staff and breakfast (with hot items) are both good. The facility is somewhat dated.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Coach

Traveled with family
Liked: Amenities
Great hotel. Amazing breakfast spread and super helpful and friendly staff. Stay here everytime we are in town for games
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Corliss

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Staff was great!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cristina

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Everyone was so kind and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tao, San Jose

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Karen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice clean affordable option. Front desk staff helpful & efficient. Will definitely return!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

2/10 Terrible

Yong

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kate

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I really like this place. Not only did I get a wonderful weekend rate, the room was excellent (clean, accessible, quiet, well appointed) and the staff very nice. Breakfast more than adequate with make your own waffles, cereals, muffins, juice, hot drinks, potatoes/sausage/bacon, oatmeal, fruit. Good TV offerings and strong wifi. Lots of electrical outlets. Microwave, coffee/tea maker and mini refrigerator. Free parking. Quick pick up by Lyft/Uber. There's even a pool.
Double bed in accessible room
Patio entry to room
Micro/Frig/Coffee
BIG tv and work desk
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kurtis

Business traveler, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything from the parking lot the rooms were very clean and proper. Very close to food and the hospital.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Delyse

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Isaac, Kerman

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent staff and clean property. Room was clean and well stocked
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

4/10 Poor

Fady

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

Gail

Business traveler
Disliked: Amenities
Didnt eat the breakfast
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Vivian

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

woojung

Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Genice

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Staff was friendly. Rooms clean and updated. Conveniently located
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025