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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
Property entrance
Exterior
Lobby

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

View in a map
4164 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
  • Place, San Antonio Shopping Center
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Palo Alto VA Hospital
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, San Andreas Fault Trail
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Airport, San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪16 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
(51 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
(102 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
(40 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
(54 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)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 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

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About this property

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

Art Deco motel with free breakfast and a fitness center
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.

The free breakfast at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto gets high marks from our customers. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Silicon Valley. Enjoy features like free WiFi in public areas and free self parking, plus a gym.
  • Free buffet breakfast served daily
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self parking
  • Amenities include free lobby newspapers, a front-desk safe, and laundry facilities
  • Onsite recreation includes a gym
  • Guests really like the accommodations for the cleanliness and comfy beds
  • 5 minutes by car from Stanford University and 13 minutes from San Francisco Bay
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.

Guests are served free buffet breakfast daily from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free uncovered self parking on site
  • 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

  • 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.

Payment types at the property

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

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
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
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

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. 868 out of 1288 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 278 out of 1288 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 88 out of 1288 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 27 out of 1288 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 27 out of 1288 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Suzanne

Business traveller, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice, quiet.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sharon

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

10/10 Excellent

Puneeta

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Scott

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff went above and beyond to accommodate my schedule changes. Room was clean and quiet.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Jennifer

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The first room we stayed in was room 116, the bed was very comfortable and the bathtub was high the front desk accommodated and got us another room which was 202. Everything was better in that room, but the bed was not as comfortable. we were extremely happy. Raul, one of the front desk people, was extremely helpful.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bryan

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

10/10 Excellent

Robin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was wonderful and the gym was fantastic. My only drawback was the laundry setup: the dryer required coins, while the washer had to be paid for with cash at the office. Since I hadn’t brought cash, my plan to do laundry was derailed unless I wanted to go find an ATM. Which I did not. Tip for future guests: bring cash if you plan to use the laundry facilities. 3.50 each.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Beverlee

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

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marjorie

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely, clean and comfortable room, ample free parking, and a hearty and delicious free hot breakfast with a good variety of options! Also loved the balcony overlooking a pretty, peaceful little garden. Would definitely stay here again next time I’m in the area!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Mary

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very kind fron office. Convenient water refill station, thank you.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

2/10 Terrible

Robin

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

All around a horrible experience

First of all I was given keys to the wrong room. I checked in around 5:45 pm but did not go to the room at that time because I had dinner reservations and did not return until around 10 pm. When I went to my room at 10:00pm, through a very dark alley, I tried to use my key and it wouldn’t work. I kept trying to get in and then a man started banging on the window from inside the room and yelling at me. I went back to the front lobby and the man at the desk couldn’t believe he had made this mistake and tried to blame it on his boss when he was the one who checked me in four hours prior. After about ten minutes I was finally given a new room which was on the 2nd floor when I had specifically asked for a ground floor room when I walked into the new room there was a strong odor snd the room appeared dirty. I ended up leaving and finding somewhere else to stay. I was a woman by myself and did not feel safe staying there.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kelly

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

This is where is stay when I visit Palo Alto

The workout room is really nice. WiFi is strong.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Frank

Travelled with family
Overall, the property is okay for the location and basic need of a place to sleep. However, the front desk staff was not very helpful. Our room wasn’t ready at check-in, and when we asked for a ground-floor unit, we were downgraded to a room with two double beds instead of the two queen beds we had reserved. On the last night of our stay, the smoke detector kept going off with loud beeping every hour. I couldn’t get any sleep, and by the end, I just wanted to leave.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

4/10 Poor

Chen

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Super dirty especially the bathtub.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Evelyn

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

Excellent

Good breakfast and more important parking lot
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Jean

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

10/10 Excellent

Christyne

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Simple, clean, friendly staff, comfortable bed, quiet.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jason

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Monica

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice and quiet, perfect for a good night sleep.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Terri Ann, Rio Vista

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Blair

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great staff and service. Very clean and good breakfast
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
All great
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Every staff member throughout our stay was friendly, kind and helpful. Our room was fabulous. It was obvious that the Zen had been recently refurbished. Our room was huge with a king bed, couch, coffee table, dining table andh chairs I appreciated the clean sink, toilet and bath areas. The rain showerhead was great with excellent water pressure and heat. Breakfast is not fancy but has plenty of hot and cold choices even for me a picky eater. Lastly, we had an upstairs room that backed up to a busy road. Thought it was going to be a noise problem. With the back windows closed we heard no noises and the ac worked great! Loved this place!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Taylor

Great location, everytbing a short drive within PA
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

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