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The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

3.0 star property
Art Deco motel with free breakfast and fitness centre

Photo gallery for The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

Exterior
Lobby
Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible, Non Smoking
Exterior
Property entrance

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • 24/7 front desk
The current price is NZ$192
includes taxes & fees
24 Aug - 25 Aug

Explore the area

View map
4164 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
  • Palo Alto VA Hospital
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Stanford University
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Stanford University Medical Center
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.)
    ‪17 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

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(49 reviews)

Highlights

Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Heating
Fridge
HDTV
Premium bedding
Fan
Pillow-top bed
  • 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)

Highlights

Separate dining area
Separate sitting area
Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Heating
Kitchenette
Fridge
Dining table
  • 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)

Highlights

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

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
(93 reviews)

Highlights

Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Heating
Fridge
HDTV
Premium bedding
Fan
Pillow-top bed
  • 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
(39 reviews)

Highlights

Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Heating
Fridge
HDTV
Premium bedding
Fan
Pillow-top bed
  • 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

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(14 reviews)

Highlights

Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Heating
Fridge
HDTV
Premium bedding
Fan
Pillow-top bed
  • 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
(45 reviews)

Highlights

Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Heating
Fridge
HDTV
Premium bedding
Fan
Pillow-top bed
  • 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
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Separate dining area
Separate sitting area
Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Heating
Kitchenette
Fridge
Dining table
  • 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
(8 reviews)

Highlights

Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Heating
Fridge
HDTV
Premium bedding
Fan
Pillow-top bed
  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

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About the area

Palo Alto

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto puts you in the centre of Palo Alto, 4.1 km (2.5 mi) from Stanford University and 2.1 km (1.3 mi) from San Antonio Shopping Center. Highlights at this Art Deco motel include free buffet breakfast and free self-parking. .This business-friendly motel offers free WiFi in public areas and a fitness centre, and has a 24-hour front desk. Other amenities include laundry facilities, a garden and barbecues. Each morning free breakfast is served. .Attractions within a 10-minute drive of this 3-property class Green Acres motel include Shoreline Amphitheatre and Stanford University Medical Center.
View more Motels in Palo AltoOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Palo Alto VA Hospital - 4 min drive - 1.9 km
  • Stanford University - 5 min drive - 3.9 km
  • Googleplex - 5 min drive - 4.0 km
  • Stanford Stadium - 7 min drive - 5.0 km
  • Stanford University Medical Center - 9 min drive - 6.4 km

Getting around

  • San Antonio Station - 3 min drive
  • Whisman Station - 8 min drive
  • San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.) - 18 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪State of Mind Slice House - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Hong Kong Restaurant - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪So Gong Dong Tofu House - ‬3 min walk
  • Hobee's

About this property

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

Art Deco motel with free breakfast and fitness centre
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. 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 members are 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 a safe. Pillowtop beds feature premium bedding. 37-inch LCD televisions come with satellite channels. Guests can make use of the in-room fridges, microwaves and coffee/tea makers. 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.

Languages

English, French, Spanish

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Exterior

Creekside Inn

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  • Breakfast included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
4.5 out of 5, Wonderful, 1,532 reviews
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includes taxes & fees
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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
  • 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
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.

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 guest room 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 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

Frequently asked questions

What is the cancellation policy at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto?

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.

How much does it cost to stay at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto?

As of 16 Aug 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto on 24 Aug 2025 start from NZ$191.64, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is parking available at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto?

Yep, The Zen Hotel Palo Alto has a free self car park.

Is The Zen Hotel Palo Alto family-friendly?

You bet! With amenities such as laundry facilities, a BBQ and a picnic area, it's no surprise that The Zen Hotel Palo Alto is a hit with families.

Does The Zen Hotel Palo Alto serve breakfast?

You bet, our guests love the free buffet breakfast here! Offered daily from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM, this is the place to fuel up for a day full of adventure.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto?

No, The Zen Hotel Palo Alto does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Check-out time is 11 AM.

Are pets allowed at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto?

No, only service animals are allowed.

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto Reviews

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 799 out of 1170 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 250 out of 1170 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 69 out of 1170 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 26 out of 1170 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 26 out of 1170 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Evelina

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

10/10 Excellent

Virginia

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a nice property, clean, quiet and comfortable. The staff was extremely pleasant and the full complimentary breakfast was a nice plus. I would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dawn

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

8/10 Good

WILLIAM

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

10/10 Excellent

Ryan

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leonard, Hazlet

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

amparo

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

amparo

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean quiet breakfast easy checkin and checkout comfortable amenities are good.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lloyd

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

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent place to stay in the Palo Alto area! Will stay here again next time I’m in town!
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Davidson

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very clean, comfortable bed and nice shower
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne

Business traveller, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Yes, Zen Hotel is my first choice when need a place in the Bay Area.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rosemarie

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

amy

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice staff, beds were pretty comfy, room was clean spacious.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brian

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

8/10 Good

Mary

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quiet and convenient area. Good value compared to other options. Nice exercise room. I’d stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Kevin

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Solid place. Not fancy, but clean and comfortable. Room has nice small features like bedside reading light. Breakfast good. Overall good value, especially for business travelers.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Ali

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service
Hotel is ok but had an unpleasant experience in the morning with the individual serving the breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Lindsay

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

A Very Pleasant Stay

We were very please with the welcome we received when checking in & the condition of the room. The bed was very comfortable and since we were in the corner of the rooms it was very quiet even though on a main busy street. Everything was clean & new. The breakfast was wonderful. Well stocked and a good variety was offered, even though we were there towards the end of the serving time. The only criticism we have is that the heater is very loud when the fan kicks on and off. We could turn it completely off since it wasn't a very hot or cold night, but not ideal.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mark, Seattle

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Mara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The staff was very friendly and accommodating. The rooms were clean, and it was conveniently located to my business meeting at Stanford.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Saengchai

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

10/10 Excellent

Terry

Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ortencia, Hanford

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Check in clerk was friendly and stay was comfortable
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025