The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

3.0 star property

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

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

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Air conditioning
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping
The current price is $103
$89 nightly
$103 total
Total with taxes and fees
Jul 3 - Jul 4

Explore the area

View in a map
4164 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
  • Place, Mitchell Park Dog Park
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, San Antonio Shopping Center
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, San Andreas Fault Trail
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪21 min drive‬

Room options

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(17 reviews)
  • 280 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

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

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

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
  • Free WiFi

Room, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(11 reviews)
  • 306 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

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

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(111 reviews)
  • 240 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

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

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(45 reviews)
  • 286 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free WiFi

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

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(58 reviews)
  • 306 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free WiFi

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
  • Free WiFi

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
  • Free WiFi

Similar properties

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.

What's nearby

  • Mitchell Park Dog Park - 2 min drive - 1.0 mile
  • San Antonio Shopping Center - 3 min drive - 1.1 miles
  • San Andreas Fault Trail - 3 min drive - 1.6 miles
  • The Labyrinth At Grace - 3 min drive - 1.4 miles
  • Nikola Tesla Statue - 4 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
  • ‪State of Mind Slice House - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Holy Sushi - ‬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. 931 out of 1396 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 300 out of 1396 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 99 out of 1396 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 33 out of 1396 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 33 out of 1396 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kim

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, easy check in and out with a great breakfast!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brittany

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Great staff, clean room, amazing location, delicious breakfast, safe for families with small children
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anaisa

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

8/10 Good

Eileen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff, clean room, great for our one night stay in the Bay Area.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Connie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Friendly staff, cozy room.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ana

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, staff was friendly and professional.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gabriel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excelente hotel
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Karen

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Spotless room, wonderful staff, nice breakfast, and great location.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Reesa

Room was clean and staff was great
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Diane

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great staff and the feeling that I was at home with the other guests.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carol

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
This is a very small, neat and modern hotel in a good location. Our room was clean and attractive.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Magina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Always a great stay at the Zen!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Katie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Perfectly clean room, great breakfast, an awesome find
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bryndyn

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

10/10 Excellent

Sandra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Clean and comfortable, quiet.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Olivia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I love staying here, the beds and pillows are so comfy and the rooms are very clean.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
For the price its great. Very clean and staff are really nice and accommodating.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Judith

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Unpretentious motel, but a wonderful choice! Clean room with every important amenity, including an easy to use shower with a grab bar and non-slip surface (rare!). Excellent hot breakfast included, great location.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Hugo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Parking, and layout was simple and convenient.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Juan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Exceptional on all levels. Creme de la creme of hotel stays. Best value for the buck on the Peninsula
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alena

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Clean room and good amenities, especially the breakfast!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jill

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Very friendly staff! Clean.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

ALFRED

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was great, plenty of room & the breakfast was very good & tasty
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Irene

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Delightful staff, excellent breakfast.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Carrie

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