The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

2.5 star property
Art Deco Palo Alto motel in Green Acres with free breakfast

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your current months are April, 2024 and May, 2024.
April 2024
May 2024

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

Photo gallery for The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

Lobby lounge
Exterior
Exterior
Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk
Property entrance

Overview of The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

9.2

Wonderful

Highlight
  • Free breakfast is scored top 10% in Palo Alto by travelers.

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast includedBreakfast includedBreakfast included
  • Parking includedParking includedParking included
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • HousekeepingHousekeepingHousekeeping
  • GymGymGym
  • Air conditioningAir conditioningAir conditioning

Explore the area

4164 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
  • Popular LocationSo Gong Dong Tofu House3 min walk
  • Popular LocationSan Antonio Shopping Center3 min drive
  • Popular LocationSan Antonio Station3 min drive
  • AirportSan Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)18 min drive

Room options

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

cleanliness

Highlights

Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Heating
Refrigerator
HDTV
Blackout drapes/curtains
Pillowtop bed
Fan
  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

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

cleanliness

Highlights

Separate dining area
Separate sitting area
Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Heating
Kitchenette
Refrigerator
Dining table
  • 64 sq m
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Suite, Non Smoking, Kitchen (3 Queen Beds)

cleanliness

Highlights

Separate dining area
Separate sitting area
Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Heating
Kitchen
Refrigerator
Dining table
  • 63 sq m
  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 Queen Beds

Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

cleanliness

Highlights

Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Heating
Refrigerator
HDTV
Blackout drapes/curtains
Pillowtop bed
Fan
  • 22 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

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

cleanliness

Highlights

Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Heating
Refrigerator
HDTV
Blackout drapes/curtains
Pillowtop bed
Fan
  • 27 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

cleanliness

Highlights

Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Heating
Refrigerator
HDTV
Blackout drapes/curtains
Pillowtop bed
Fan
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Refrigerator & Microwave

cleanliness

Highlights

Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Heating
Refrigerator
HDTV
Blackout drapes/curtains
Pillowtop bed
Fan
  • 27 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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

cleanliness

Highlights

Separate dining area
Separate sitting area
Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Heating
Kitchenette
Refrigerator
Dining table
  • 49 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Room, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking

cleanliness

Highlights

Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Heating
Refrigerator
HDTV
Blackout drapes/curtains
Pillowtop bed
Fan
  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Similar properties

About the neighborhood

Palo Alto

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto is located in Green Acres, a neighborhood in Palo Alto, and is near theme parks. Santana Row Shopping Center and Westfield Valley Fair Shopping Mall are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's popular attractions can visit California's Great America. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Levi's Stadium or PayPal Park. Practice your golf swing with lessons and a golf course nearby, or enjoy other activities in the great outdoors, such as hiking/biking trails.

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
  • Taqueria El Grullense J and G - 15 min walk
  • Hawaiian Barbecue - 10 min walk
  • So Gong Dong Tofu House - 3 min walk

About this property

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

Motel near Stanford University
A free breakfast buffet, a garden, and dry cleaning/laundry services are just a few of the amenities provided at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto. Free in-room WiFi and a gym are available to all guests.
Additional perks include:
  • Free self parking
  • Express check-out, free newspapers, and multilingual staff
  • Smoke-free premises, luggage storage, and a front-desk safe
  • Guest reviews speak highly of the helpful staff
Room features
All guestrooms at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto include comforts such as premium bedding and laptop-friendly workspaces, in addition to thoughtful touches like air conditioning and bathrobes. Guest reviews say good things about the clean, comfortable rooms at the property.
Other conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Heating and fans
  • Bathrooms with free toiletries and hair dryers
  • 37-inch HDTVs with satellite channels
  • Refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee/tea makers

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–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

  • Daily housekeeping
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • 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

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
Rollaway/extra beds are not available

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

Frequently asked questions

Is The Zen Hotel Palo Alto pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime. A fee applies for early check-in (subject to availability).

What time is check-out at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto?

Check-out is at 11 AM. Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability).

Where is The Zen Hotel Palo Alto located?

Located in Green Acres, this motel is within 3 mi (5 km) of San Antonio Shopping Center, Stanford University, and Googleplex. San Andreas Fault Trail and Palo Alto VA Hospital are also within 2 mi (3 km). San Antonio Station is 28 minutes by foot.

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto Reviews

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 699 out of 1016 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 217 out of 1016 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 55 out of 1016 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 27 out of 1016 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 18 out of 1016 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Paula

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
Unsafe for women. Location at the room by the street and driveway not good. Upon arrival to my assigned room 206 the door was wide open. In the room both of the beds had some type of oil on the top sheet at the head of the bed. Had to cover with towels to sleep do to the late time frame and pajamas.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen

It’s a quiet and safe place.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Desiree M.

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

8/10 Good

Ana Maria Veronica

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I found ants on my room
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

4/10 Poor

Flora

Business traveler
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I would not recommend this location for long-term stays, or if you need a quiet space to get rest after work. I would not recommend using their washer and dryer facilities, the washer is old and does not wash well and you will end up washing your clothes twice just to get the soap out. My experience with one of their front desk, staff members named Dimas, was very poor. When asking to get refunded for the wash to re-rinse my clothes, the man was rude and argumentative and made assumptions that I washed too much clothes. I was only there for five days for a work trip. Additionally, I used soap that I purchased from their front desk. Outside of the facility is nice, but inside my room it’s very clear that it was old, dingy and stained. Even the curtains had holes in them.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The Zen is a funky nice motel. I was very happy with the super clean and updated room.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cesar

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Super clean rooms, professional staff, great breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

raymond

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
All good except room has a humming noise throughout the night.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

PIERRETTE L

Business traveler, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a comfortable little hotel-great for an overnight stay.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne

Business traveler, Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent door solo travelers
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024