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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
Exterior
Lobby
Free daily buffet breakfast

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Air conditioning
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping
$114
$98 nightly
$114 total
Total with taxes and fees
Apr 25 - Apr 26

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
(55 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
(107 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
(42 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
(57 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
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  • Free WiFi
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4.5 out of 5, Wonderful, 1,751 reviews
$104 nightly
The price is $121
Apr 25 - Apr 26
Total with taxes and fees
Creekside Inn

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 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
  • San Andreas Fault Trail - 4 min drive - 1.6 miles
  • Palo Alto VA Hospital - 4 min drive - 1.2 miles
  • Nikola Tesla Statue - 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
  • ‪Junbi - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Hong Kong Restaurant - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪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.
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

  • No onsite 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 registration desk

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
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. 904 out of 1348 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 287 out of 1348 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 95 out of 1348 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 31 out of 1348 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 31 out of 1348 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne

Business traveler, Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Safe location for walking day and night. Great staff.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Bryndyn

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great breakfast!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Blake

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Allen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The room had small bath towels and no room safe for valuables was the main concern. No shower caps or amenities given like a hotel does. This seems more like a motel than a hotel. But pricing was good and convenient for my places I needed to go in the area.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

craig

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Theradapuzha Varghese

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2026

4/10 Poor

Joseph

Disliked: Cleanliness
Rooms are not good, and need attention and upkeep.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Karin

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Joan

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was clean and comfortable. The staff was friendly and professional. The breakfast was a standard hotel breakfast.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

2/10 Terrible

Jorge

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Anaisa

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Great place to stay
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Carrie

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Staff was friendly
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Bert

Business traveler, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Yes
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Dorcas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent location for access to downtown Palo Alto. Charming, quiet property, very clean and well maintained. Room was super clean in every detail. Very comfortable. Easy, friendly check-in. Will stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Lacresha

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Troy

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Everything was fantastic, again. This was my second stay and they were both to notch.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Mary J

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Li

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
good service
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

William, Truckee

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It's and old refurbished motel. Very nice. Great bed and pillows. Good breakfast. I was attending a funeral at Alta Mesa Cemetery, very convenient 5 minute drive to the Cemetery. It is a motel, would recommend anyway.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

carolyn

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Quiet, roomy, comfortable. Nice buffet breakfast
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Ali

Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This my go to spot when I am Palo Alto! Worth a try if you haven’t tried Zen.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

2/10 Terrible

Paula

Business traveler
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
Notifying the law enforcement is needed for this hotel. I traveled alone there to the hotel. Clerk didn’t regard my safety, shared my hotel room loudly several times. Even asked her to write my number on the receipt or door card. Secondly, gave me a key card that did not work. I asked her to accompany to the room and check for sure the card opened. I think this hotel may be involved with sex trafficking women.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Emilee

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mareta

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We did not make it in time for the breakfast, but the front desk clerk offered to check with the kitchen staff if there was still anything left i could have. I told her it was okay, but the fact that she offered i appreciated. Over the last 4 years i have traveled to Palo Alto to pick up and drop off my daughter from College. This was my last trip as she graduated and i have to say.. i am glad we stayed at the Zen. It was refreshing to have front desk staff who had great customer service. Sometimes it is not just a clean room and nice area, but just a friendly smile and great etiquette goes a long way. Low cost room, but high level services and our room was spacious, clean and very "zen". Thank you.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025