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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
Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk
Lobby
Exterior
Property entrance

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • 24/7 front desk
$126
includes taxes & fees
Sep 14 - Sep 15

Explore the area

View in a 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

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
(50 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)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 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

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
(95 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
(39 reviews)
  • 286 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

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
(14 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
(46 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
(2 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
(8 reviews)
  • 306 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

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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.

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. 812 out of 1186 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 249 out of 1186 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 73 out of 1186 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 26 out of 1186 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 26 out of 1186 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

10/10 Excellent

Editha

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laura

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great hotel, price & neighborhood! Lovely small hotel close to everything. We walked a few blocks in one direction to a large neighborhood park, then went a few blocks in the other direction to an awesome sushi/ramen restaurant!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Blanca

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

10/10 Excellent

Tracy

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This place is a great value. Nice landscaping, a decent low key gym, free breakfast that was fine and included several options, and clean rooms with nice amenities for a decent price.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Miguel

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Small hotel very quiet no noise super clean and the reception personal are very kind and professional the area is nice and convenient. Whole food market 5 min drive and Copa Coffee is very good place for coffee breakfast or lunch. Thank you
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Elena

Business traveler
Clean specious easy in and out
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Teresa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Clean and snug. The a/c functioned but tended to let the room get warm before kicking in. Breakfast was carb heavy but nice.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic location on same street as Stanford Stadium with a bus stop out front for events. The room was very large and comfortable. Easy parking. Safe area
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christian

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mona

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great experience! No complaints! Highly recommended!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peter

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Arrived for check-in and received pleasant customer service. Earliest check-in time is 3pm but due to a busy day prior, was not allowed into the room until 35 minutes due to cleaning not being completed yet. Once in the room, our perception of the room was that it was clean and quaint. Not the biggest room, but just right. Mattress was firm, pillows soft, and towels were white. The night was peaceful and quiet. They serve breakfast from 6 to 9 am and was decent quality for those looking for something quick before heading out. If you are looking for authentic breakfast, going out would be better. Checkout was quick and easy.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

christine

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Chris

Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leigh

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We really enjoyed our stay with Zen Hotel. It is a tastefully remodeled establishment within close proximity to Stanford healthcare for which we had come. Breakfast was nice too.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ivonne

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Hamid

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good clean room overall.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I had a quick stay while visiting hospital. Easy to get to, clean, very comfortable bed, goood tv channels, Walgreens right across street.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Pranav, Redmond

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lynne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very convenient. Easy to park and walk to dining. Golfing trip so clubs can stay in car right in front of our room.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My family loved the Zen Hotel! We had the “room” with three queen beds, which was actually a suite with a large bedroom with two beds, a smaller bedroom with one bed, a large living room with a sofa and dining room table with six chairs, and a kitchenette with a small four-burner stove, oven, refrigerator, microwave, pots and pans, dishes and silverware, a coffee maker, and even a small blender. The staff were all very friendly and helpful, and the breakfast was great. My only little quibble is that the scrambled eggs were egg whites, rather than regular scrambled eggs. This was a problem for one of us who is on a keto diet and vegetarian (couldn’t eat sausages). But this is a very small quibble. We loved our stay and plan to return.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

4/10 Poor

Suzanne

Business traveler, Traveled with partner
Disliked: Amenities
Usually, when at this property, the king bed is available and very comfortable. Unfortunately, king bed was unavailable this visit and assigned 2 old, worn uncomfortable queen beds, room 209.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dimiter

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Pamela

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

Wonderful Hotel

This Hotel is super nice and very Clean Easy Check-in Nice Breakfast Everyone Is so nice. This will be our go to Hotel when we are in the area. It was our first stay there I had a procedure at Stanford hospital so its pretty close. Our family was able to stay there for a few days. I highly recommend The Zen Hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

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

Pleasant people and location

Quiet and a place I would return to for an extended stay.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Daniel

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It's clean. Breakfast and coffee is included. Rooms have microwave and a fridge.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025