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The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

3.0 star property
3-star Art Deco motel near Stanford University

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Photo gallery for The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

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

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

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

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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 - 3.0 km
  • Stanford University - 5 min drive - 3.8 km
  • Googleplex - 7 min drive - 4.7 km
  • Stanford Stadium - 7 min drive - 5.0 km
  • Stanford University Medical Center - 9 min drive - 7.0 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
  • ‪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

3-star 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 3-star 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

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Exterior

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  • Free WiFi
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includes taxes & fees
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Property amenities

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Laundry facilities
  • 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 to 9:30 AM

Things to do

  • Gym
  • TV in common areas

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

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • 37-inch LCD TV with satellite channels
  • iPod dock

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Pillowtop mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

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

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

  • 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
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
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. 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 Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and debit cards. Cash is not accepted. 
    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. 786 out of 1151 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 248 out of 1151 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 64 out of 1151 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 25 out of 1151 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 28 out of 1151 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

10/10 Excellent

Meirong

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very good!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Egehan

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

10/10 Excellent

Mike

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Jill

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This was a good place for a one night stay while we visited Stanford. It has a cute zen garden. No plant based milk for coffee though.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Izrael

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room set-up and the king sized "cloud" for a bed was an ultimate cherry on top
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dion

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Quiet and clean easy to get around to the places we had to go
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

David

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Great location. As someone who was born and raised long ago in Palo Alto, I was excited to be back in my old neighborhood. It was great to be able to run from the hotel to my old high school (Gunn) and up into Los Altos Hills, where I used to do training runs. My room was not cleaned after the first night, but after I complained it was cleaned and refreshed well the next day. The small fitness center could use an upgrade, for example with towels and more exercise mats being provided.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Christopher

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Betty

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Enrike

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was a great first impression. I would love to stay there again on my next travel to the area.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ravindran

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A well maintained property with WiFi, parking and good breakfast. There is a Walgreens across the street.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

2/10 Terrible

Revathi

Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

RICK

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

Nghi

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Misael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jackie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dorothy

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The staff at the Zen are very nice people! I would stay again!
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

catalina

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Tttt
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

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

10/10 Excellent

Karen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very nice place to stay!
Nice place to stay for a quick trip. Free breakfast and parking are a good perk.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

raymond

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Clean safe and easy to get around.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

April

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean and nice service but pretty noisy.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Donald

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
property was older but clean and in area that was convenient for us.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024