The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

3.0 star property

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Photo gallery for The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

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

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

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

Room options

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

  • 306 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

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

  • 693 sq ft
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Suite, Non Smoking, Kitchen (3 Queen Beds)

  • 680 sq ft
  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 Queen Beds

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

  • 240 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

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

  • 286 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

  • 280 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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

  • 286 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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

  • 532 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Room, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

  • 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
  • Smoke-free property

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. 757 out of 1101 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 230 out of 1101 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 65 out of 1101 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 24 out of 1101 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 25 out of 1101 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Sarah

Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great price, huge room, terrible ant problem.

Needed a room that could sleep 3 adults, 3 kids for a mother son outing and this popped up. It was the perfect size and very cute, especially the little back area with the most beautifully relaxing secret garden. The price was more than reasonable and we felt like we got more than we paid for in the size of the room. Ok, now for the draw backs. There were only 2 and they are easy to overlook due to the size of the room and the price. 1- there was an ant issue. They were in our tub, all over our kitchen sink, in the window seals. We had ants crawling on us and it was rough. 2 - there was no extra bedding in the closet for the couch pull out so I called the front desk and they kept telling me it was there and I needed to look harder. Multiple times wouldn’t believe me that I looked. Not sure why they’d question me and not just bring it. Again, not big deals and all in all, we enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cathleen

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

4/10 Poor

Cecilia

Business traveler
Disliked: Staff & service
When registering they asked if I would like my room cleaned . I said yes , the room never got cleaned . I went and asked if they were still going g to clean it , they said yes. I came back from dinner and the room was not clean .
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

Christine

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
BREAKFAST IS VERY SIMPLE AND EVERY DAYS ARE THE SAME
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Eric

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

Week long business trip

Great value for the money in an area where the options are expensive. Clean, which is the key. Staff is nice. Room was big and comfortable. Only complain was my fridge and microwave weren’t plugged in so fridge had water collected in it. I didn’t use it as a result. Other than that I was happy.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dawn

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

10/10 Excellent

Mario

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very helpful and kind staff who helped me make my stay the best possible experience. One hundred percent I reccommend staying here for business or leisure
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jimena

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

10/10 Excellent

Klaus

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great service, staff incredible, convenient location...
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

Lara

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert

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

8/10 Good

James

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

8/10 Good

James

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bill

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

10/10 Excellent

igor, owings mills

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

10/10 Excellent

Brendan

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

Well located and spacious

Clean hotel in convenient location. Great breakfast! Family suite very spacious.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Frank

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Absolute gem tucked into quiet neighborhood. Small as compared to chain hotels but big on charm and friendliness. Spacious and comfortable rooms.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Oriana

Business traveler, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Our favorite place to come when we’re in the area
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ivann

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

10/10 Excellent

Marlene, Reno

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was very friendly. I felt safe at all times. Walgreens across street. Wonderful breakfast options. The property really feels Zen. I definitely will stay again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kelly

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

Comfortable and clean

This property is a clean, comfortable and economical place to stay. I have stayed here 3 times.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

Stephanie

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ubirajara, Folsom

Traveled with family and small children, Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff is friendly, breakfast is good, easy to park, very clean, new carpet, small gym, Landry in the building. Seems safe, but I don’t like the style of the construction, the buildimg is open to anyone get in and no security or gate to limit the entrance to the parking and your room door.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025