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The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

2.5 star property
Art Deco motel near Stanford University

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Photo gallery for The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

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Exterior
Exterior
Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking
Suite, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave (2 Queen Beds)

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Breakfast included
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

Map
4164 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
  • San Antonio Shopping Center
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Palo Alto VA Hospital
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Shoreline Park
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Palo Alto, CA (PAO-Santa Clara County)
    ‪14 min drive‬

Room options

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

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • 63 sq m
  • 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

  • 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

  • 27 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

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

  • 26 sq m
  • 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

  • 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, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

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

  • 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

  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Similar properties

Exterior

Creekside Inn

  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
4.5 out of 5, Wonderful, (1378)
The price is CA $322
per night
CA $397 total
includes taxes & fees
17 Mar - 18 Mar
Creekside Inn

About the area

Palo Alto

Green Acres stay.Your stay at this Green Acres motel places you within 3 miles (5 km) of Stanford University and Googleplex. San Antonio Shopping Center and San Andreas Fault Trail are also within 2 miles (3 km).
View more Motels in Palo AltoOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Palo Alto VA Hospital - 5 min drive
  • Stanford University - 5 min drive
  • Stanford Shopping Center - 6 min drive
  • Googleplex - 7 min drive
  • Stanford University Medical Center - 9 min drive

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
  • ‪State Of Mind Slice House - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪So Gong Dong Tofu House - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪La Salsa - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Hobee's - ‬6 min walk

About this property

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

Art Deco motel near Stanford University
Free breakfast is available daily. WiFi is free in public spaces. A fitness center, barbecue grills, and multilingual staff are also featured at the business-friendly The Zen Hotel Palo Alto. Free self parking is available.

This Art Deco Palo Alto motel is smoke free.

  • 37 guestrooms or units
  • 2 levels
  • 3 buildings
  • Built in 1970
  • Buffet breakfast (free)
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Express check-out
  • Staff is multilingual
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Garden
  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Outdoor picnic space
  • Newspapers in lobby (free)
  • Television in lobby
  • No smoking on site
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.

Languages

English, French, Spanish

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Soundproofed rooms

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–9:30 AM

Things to do

  • Fitness center

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • This property does not have elevators
  • Assistive listening devices available
  • Braille signage
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair-accessible fitness center
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • 37-inch LCD TV
  • iPod dock
  • Satellite channels

Bedroom

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Bed sheets
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Fan
  • Heating
  • Pillow-top mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Towels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop-friendly workspace
  • Safe
  • Slippers
  • Soundproofing

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

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Children 12 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

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
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Cashless transactions are available
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A credit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and cash. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

We should mention

  • Children 12 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.

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. 717 out of 1043 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 218 out of 1043 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 61 out of 1043 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 21 out of 1043 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 26 out of 1043 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Linda

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

10/10 Excellent

Jimena

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

8/10 Good

Susan

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A lot of special touches: so many small hotel rooms have no place to put things down (not true here); or the drawers are tiny (these are spatious). Outside temps were chilly; the wall heater is very effective. The lights have dimmers--and there is an unusual small spotlight for anyone who likes to read in bed. More than expected in several ways. The only drawback: like every "free breakfast" these days, more choices without sugar should be included.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

John, Gardena

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent place!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Robert L

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very comfy, great value.
This is a very nicely renovated motel. Due to the the age of the property, the room is larger than most Bay Area hotels. Four stars because it's not a luxury hotel, but it's very nice and a great value.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Esther

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The Zen Hotel stands out as a very pleasant place to stay. We particularly liked the esthetic touches, large quiet rooms and breakfast.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

6/10 Okay

Emily

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice rood, good neighborhood convenient location
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice setting, friendly staff, clean comfortable room
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ravi

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Efficient, clean, good amenities and friendly service! Excellent value, Will return ,
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephen

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
/
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

James

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Palao visit
It’s a small hotel, but nice.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tamara

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Nice little motor lodge. Very kind staff!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

6/10 Okay

Mijke

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Traci

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

6/10 Okay

John

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
I needed a 12 or one late checkout. Was told 11.30 after which I would be billed. Not cool. I have stayed here many times. Room was also far from the registration with stairs. Doubtful I will stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Jingqiu

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne

Business traveller, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I appreciate the minimalist decor, and the communicative, responsive staff.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Christina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Disha

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
always excellent
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

6/10 Okay

Edward

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Clean, adequate place to stay for a night for two
This appears to be a renovated hotel. The doors were not properly aligned so there were big gaps at places. Fortunately, it was a warm day so no cold to seep into the room. The breakfast was good and the place overall was quiet. The bathroom was tiny. The bed was comfortable and the tv channels had good selections. There was a Walgrens right across the street which was helpful.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Diana

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Attractive Asian aesthetic. Very clean and well maintained. Staff was very friendly and accommodating to our special needs.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024