The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

3.0 star property

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

Exterior
Suite, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave (2 Queen Beds) | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk
Lobby
Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk
Property entrance

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

Map
4164 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
  • Palo Alto VA Hospital
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Stanford University
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Stanford University Medical Center
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪17 min drive‬

Room options

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

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

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

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(5 reviews)
  • 693 sq ft
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Suite, Non Smoking, Kitchen (3 Queen Beds)

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

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

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

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

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

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

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

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

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

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

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • 532 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Room, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

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

Similar properties

About this property

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

3-star motel in Green Acres
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.

Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast each morning. Wireless Internet access is complimentary. This Art Deco motel also offers a fitness center, barbecue grills, and multilingual staff. Complimentary uncovered self parking is available on site.

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto is a smoke-free property.

A complimentary buffet breakfast is served each morning between 6:30 AM and 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 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

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. 780 out of 1136 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 240 out of 1136 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 66 out of 1136 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 24 out of 1136 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 26 out of 1136 reviews

9.4/10

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

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

It’s a great place to stay!!

This is the second time I have stayed at the Zen Hotel. It is a quick drive to Stanford so I stay here because of convenience, cleanliness and the professionalism and kindness of the people who work there. Thank you for another positive experience!!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Preethi

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kelley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Love this place and will continue to stay
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alejandra

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very good
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Brent, Hillsboro

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hotel was clean. Our room was on the end near a pretty busy intersection. Kinda noisy but not aweful. Breakfast was good.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chang, Winnetka

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Ashley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Nice quiet place. Big rooms. Old but clean.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kadriye

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anna, Lakeland

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Peaceful hotel in a pleasant area close to many things!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Michael

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Aged but well kept.

Nice hotel that’s a bit aged but is well kept. Basic but comfortable and would stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Almina

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

8/10 Good

David

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

10/10 Excellent

Birgit

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Clean, spacious room, great location for us. The room walls are a little thin but would stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

4/10 Poor

Melissa

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The dead brown Christmas wreath still hanging in the lobby during my stay in March is a fitting metaphor for this hotel: previously vibrant and joyful, now neglected and sad
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jose Mauricio

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

carrie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff was friendly, room was clean. Great price for this hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patricia

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

10/10 Excellent

JaNae

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Linda

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Fan

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cecilia

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Beth C

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Elizabeth

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025