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The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

2.5 star property

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

Lobby
Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk
Suite, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave (2 Queen Beds) | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk
Exterior
Exterior

Reviews

9.2 out of 10

Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast included
  • Parking included
  • Gym
    Gym
  • Laundry
    Laundry
  • Housekeeping
    Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning

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 | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

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

  • 306 sq ft
  • 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) | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

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

  • 693 sq ft
  • 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) | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

Suite, Non Smoking, Kitchen (3 Queen Beds)

  • 680 sq ft
  • 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

  • 240 sq ft
  • 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 | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

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

  • 286 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

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

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

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

  • 280 sq ft
  • 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

  • 286 sq ft
  • 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

  • 532 sq ft
  • 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 | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

Room, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

  • 306 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
Property entrance
Creekside Inn
Pool
Breakfast included
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
4.5 out of 5, Wonderful, (1328)
The price is $217
$188 per night
$217 total
Dec 5 - Dec 6
Creekside Inn

About the neighborhood

Palo Alto

With a stay at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto, you'll be centrally located in Palo Alto, within a 10-minute drive of Stanford University and Googleplex. .This motel is 8.8 mi (14.1 km) from San Francisco Bay and 9.8 mi (15.7 km) from Levi's Stadium.
View more Motels in Palo AltoOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Palo Alto VA Hospital - 5 min drive - 1.9 miles
  • Stanford University - 5 min drive - 2.4 miles
  • Googleplex - 7 min drive - 3.0 miles
  • Stanford Stadium - 7 min drive - 3.1 miles
  • Stanford University Medical Center - 9 min drive - 4.4 miles

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 Restaurant - ‬6 min walk

About this property

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

Art Deco Palo Alto motel in Green Acres with free breakfast
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.

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. Free self parking is available onsite.
A complimentary buffet breakfast is served each morning between 6:30 AM and 9:30 AM.

Languages

English, French, Spanish

Property amenities

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

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

  • Bathrobes
  • 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

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

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • 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
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Cashless transactions are available

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

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 692 out of 1006 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 211 out of 1006 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 56 out of 1006 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 23 out of 1006 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 24 out of 1006 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

Douglas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent value
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gina

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was nice, the price was good. We would come back.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessica

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice location for a quiet night before surgery at Stanford and was accommodated for a ground level room without any inconvenience…Thank You!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

David

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was large with more than we expected. It's on a busy street, but it was quiet in our room. We slept great.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

tutu

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

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was very well maintained and the environment was very pleasant.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Vasile

Business traveler, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The low beds made the stay very comforting!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alnoor

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sian

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Raymond

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff were friendly, courteous, and professional. We were upgraded from a Deluxe room 1 king bed to a one-bedroom Suite with a king bed and Kitchen with a full complement of cooking and eating utensils. The Suite was beyond our expectation of a hotel suite. It was very spacious, exceptionally clean, well maintained, and bright with numerous windows plus a full complement of furniture including a sofa, sofa seat, dining table with 6 chairs and a work desk with its own chair. It was more like a very nice one-bedroom apartment rather than a hotel suite. The surrounding ground area was also well maintained and clean.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very peaceful and clean and maintained
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

P.

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

2/10 Terrible

Jason

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Don’t stay at the zen hotel
The noise was in bad you could hear traffic day and night both rooms next to me were so loud I could hear talking all night there were homeless people all around the manger was rude and mean
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lives up to its name
This immaculate little hotel was so well kept and serene, it really lived up to its name. Peaceful little garden area out in back of our room. Nice breakfast with just the right amount of choices. Staff was really nice and friendly. We plan on staying here during our next visit.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Solid
Always a solid spot when I visit Palo Alto! I would highly recommend the zen hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Kay

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Jenalle

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mohammad, Hoffman Estates

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Qiaoling

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

10/10 Excellent

Jeremiah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Don

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alice

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
What I liked: The staff is very friendly and helpful. The office is open 24 hr/day so you can check in any time. It is a great value for the price with generous amenities including a hot breakfast, even an ironing board and bathrobe in the closet! The rooms are clean and modern with everything in working order. The Zen Hotel is really a motel in that you can park in front of your room and not have to hike to the entrance and then take an elevator to your room. Most of the rooms are at ground level. What is unique: The quaint, Zen environment and ambiance. Also unique is the super friendly and helpful staff because good service is a rarity even at the most expensive of hotels. What I didn't like: The parking situation is tight, and getting my crew cab long bed pickup truck with trailer mirrors, trailer hitch, and the turning radius of a battleship into the only remaining parking space when I arrived very late at night was a challenge. But the next night, when I came in earlier, parking was plentiful. Other than the tight parking, I love this place and if I ever need to stay in the area again will definitely come back. I highly recommend The Zen Hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jaspreet

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Wacharaporn

Traveled with family and small children, Business traveler
Liked: Amenities
No elevator to 2nd level Complimentary breakfast menu doesn’t change day by day. Narrow parking in 2nd building & tight parking spaces. Clogged sink drain Staffer rude to child in breakfast area Noisy construction nearby TV not working, but was fixed by very friendly and professional morning staff. Rooms were comfortable and large enough for whole family. Receptive and professional cleaning staff. Centrally located to areas around Stanford. Overall, Satisfied with our 4 day stay. Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Pat

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Don't accept a room next to road (El Camino)
First night was a nightmare. Arrived at 1 am due to flight delay and was put in a room right next to busy road. Starting at 5:30 am I could hear and feel every truck that rumbled by. Moved to an interior room off the main road and the rest of my stay (2 more nights) was good.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024