See all properties
Save

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

3.0 star property

Photo gallery for The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

Exterior
Free daily buffet breakfast
Lobby
Exterior
Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Laundry room

Explore the area

View 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

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(15 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, in-room safe, desk

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

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(53 reviews)
  • 27 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Suite, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, in-room safe, desk

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

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 49 sq m
  • 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

Room, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(10 reviews)
  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, in-room safe, desk

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

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(106 reviews)
  • 22 sq m
  • 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

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

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(41 reviews)
  • 27 sq m
  • 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

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

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(55 reviews)
  • 28 sq m
  • 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)

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

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(7 reviews)
  • 64 sq m
  • 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)

Suite, Non Smoking, Kitchen (3 Queen Beds)

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(5 reviews)
  • 63 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 Queen Beds

Similar properties

Property grounds
Creekside Inn
  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
4.5 out of 5, Wonderful, 1,724 reviews
The price is NZ$207
includes taxes & fees
28 Mar - 29 Mar
Creekside Inn

About the area

Palo Alto

With a stay at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto, you'll be centrally located in Palo Alto, a 4-minute drive from Stanford University and 13 minutes from San Francisco Bay. .This motel is 9.8 mi (15.7 km) from Levi's Stadium and 14.1 mi (22.6 km) from Santana Row Shopping Center.
View more Motels in Palo AltoOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Mitchell Park Dog Park - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
  • San Antonio Shopping Center - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • San Andreas Fault Trail - 4 min drive - 2.5 km
  • DVBIC Palo Alto - 4 min drive - 2.6 km
  • Palo Alto VA Hospital - 4 min drive - 1.9 km

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
  • ‪Hong Kong Restaurant - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Junbi - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪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. Self parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.
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 transport

  • Uncovered parking on site (USD 9.95 per night)
  • Limited on-site self parking
  • 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

  • Dressing gowns
  • 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

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Uncovered self parking fee: USD 9.95 per night
  • 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. 900 out of 1330 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 276 out of 1330 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 91 out of 1330 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 31 out of 1330 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 32 out of 1330 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Magina

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

10/10 Excellent

Olivia, Rosemead

Travelled with group
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

10/10 Excellent

Solomon

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Natalie, Charlottesville

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent value for the price. It felt safe, staff was very friendly, it looked and felt extremely clean, parking was fine, it was quiet and we all slept surprisingly well. Breakfast was adequate.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Blake

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alena

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

10/10 Excellent

Rozanna

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Judy

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Good customer service in the front desk is
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Judy

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Room was nice. Breakfast had egg whites, potatoes and sausage every day. Also waffles, cereal, bagels, OJ, yogurt, and muffins. Staff was very nice. This is my second stay here and I will stay again in the future.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Vishaal

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was clean, and the hotel room decor was very calming. There was enough space to work in the room, and the chairs were comfortable. It was the first time I enjoyed a first-floor room. In addition, I though the breakfast options were extraordinary. Generally, I only get high carb options. This time, there were several reasonably healthy options, including poached egg whites.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ruben, Providence

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Enrike

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shenghao

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Meagan, Culver City

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Spacious and quiet. Courteous staff! In great neighborhood near two parks/playgrounds (Bol Park and Juana Briones Park).
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

ALFRED, antelope

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

10/10 Excellent

Josue

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tavehi

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Love staying at Zen! The service is outstanding and near lots of great food places.
Stayed 9 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Philip

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Ey
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Yuval

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
They forgot to wake me up in the morning for my flight
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
Staff
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

June

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dimiter

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Leslie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I like the Zen. It checks all the boxes for me.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Traci

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Breakfast menu is fresh!! Tastes good maybe two meat items would be great!! Or alternate between the days for choices of meat like the room service.
Stayed 10 nights in Nov 2025