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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
Free daily buffet breakfast
Exterior
Lobby
Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave | Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, in-room safe, desk

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Air-conditioning
  • Laundry room
  • Housekeeping

Explore the area

View in a map
4164 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
  • Place, Mitchell Park Dog Park
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, San Antonio Shopping Center
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, San Andreas Fault Trail
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪21 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking | Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, in-room safe, desk

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(16 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

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
(55 reviews)
  • 27 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

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
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Room, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

Room, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking | Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, in-room safe, desk

Room, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

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

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
(110 reviews)
  • 22 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 2 Double Beds, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

Deluxe Room, 2 Double Beds, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave | Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, in-room safe, desk

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

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(43 reviews)
  • 27 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave | Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, in-room safe, desk

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

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(57 reviews)
  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Suite, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave (2 Queen Beds)

Suite, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave (2 Queen Beds) | Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, in-room safe, desk

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
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Suite, Non Smoking, Kitchen (3 Queen Beds)

Suite, Non Smoking, Kitchen (3 Queen Beds) | Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, in-room safe, desk

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
  • Free Wi-Fi

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4.1 out of 5, Very good, 274 reviews
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About this property

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

Along with a fitness centre, this smoke-free motel has dry cleaning and laundry facilities. Free buffet breakfast and free WiFi in public areas are also provided. Additionally, a 24-hour front desk, express check-out and free newspapers are on-site.
The Zen Hotel Palo Alto offers 37 accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors and feature a safe and coffee/tea makers. Pillowtop beds feature premium bedding. 37-inch LCD televisions come with satellite channels. Fridges and microwaves are provided. Bathrooms include bathrobes, slippers, complimentary toiletries and hairdryers.

This Palo Alto motel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and desk chairs. Additionally, rooms include an iron/ironing board and fans. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

Recreational amenities at the motel include a fitness centre.

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'll be within walking distance of San Antonio Shopping Center. You'll find features such as free WiFi in public areas, plus a gym and dry cleaning service.
  • Free buffet breakfast served daily
  • Free WiFi
  • Amenities include free newspapers in reception, a front desk safe and laundry facilities
  • On-site recreation includes a gym
  • Guests really like the accommodation for the comfy beds and cleanliness
  • Steps from Silicon Valley and a 4-minute drive from Stanford University
Free breakfast is available daily. WiFi is free in public spaces. A fitness centre, barbecue grills, and multilingual staff are also featured at the business-friendly The Zen Hotel Palo Alto.

This 3-star Palo Alto motel is smoke free.

Guests are served a 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

  • No on-site 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 registration desk

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
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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
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 aged 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

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 915 out of 1365 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 289 out of 1365 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 97 out of 1365 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 32 out of 1365 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 32 out of 1365 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Rachel

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

6/10 Okay

George, Long Beach

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Cara

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Great spot!! Thank you
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

6/10 Okay

Laura

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
The room was shabby. Very uncomfortable bed. Harsh fluorescent lighting is unwelcoming and unpleasant. This place is marketed as boutique-esque but run as a cheap motel. Staff was lovely. Management and rooms are what needs improvement.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

2/10 Terrible

Edward

Disliked: Staff & service
I was unable to stay because I was stranded in Phoenix due to Winter Storm Fran. Once I was finally able to get out of the airport, I contacted the hotel to let them know I would not be arriving and requested a refund. I was told that the cancellation needed to be requested in advance, which was not possible given the circumstances. This situation was entirely outside of my control, as millions of Americans, myself included, were affected by this storm. Additionally, I had two coworkers staying at the same property, and their feedback was that it felt more like a motel than a hotel and did not reflect the value of the stay. I’m disappointed with how this was handled and with the outcome overall. Had I known this in advance, I would have booked with a larger, well established hotel rather than a boutique property.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Raymond

Stayed 9 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Reesa

Room was clean and staff was great
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Vivian

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Korin

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
clean room, clean facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

6/10 Okay

Eva

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The quality wasn’t very good and the selection limited.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

6/10 Okay

Hector

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness
The rooms are clean, the breakfast is good, they are getting a poor review because on the first say i arrived i mentioned i would need to cancel the last day of our múltiple day stay. The staff said to just do 24 hours before the last day reservation. So when i initiated the process they then went back on the policy and said it’s 24 hours to the starts of the first day. I asked if we could get a voucher for another day knowing because I’m sick and under care at Stanford we would eventually need to come Back..they said no and offered 20% off. I won’t be going back.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

DEBJANI

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Hugo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Parking, and layout was simple and convenient.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Diane

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great staff and the feeling that I was at home with the other guests.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Ruth

Everything was great.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Carlos

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean room. Friendly staff
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne

Business traveller, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Safe location for walking day and night. Great staff.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Bryndyn

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great breakfast!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Blake

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Allen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The room had small bath towels and no room safe for valuables was the main concern. No shower caps or amenities given like a hotel does. This seems more like a motel than a hotel. But pricing was good and convenient for my places I needed to go in the area.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

craig

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Theradapuzha Varghese

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2026

4/10 Poor

Joseph

Disliked: Cleanliness
Rooms are not good, and need attention and upkeep.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

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