Stanford University Medical Center - 9 min drive - 7.0 km
Getting around
San Carlos, CA (SQL) - 18 min drive
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl. Airport (SJC) - 18 min drive
San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) - 30 min drive
Oakland Intl. Airport (OAK) - 56 min drive
California Ave Station - 4 min drive
Menlo Park Station - 9 min drive
San Antonio Station - 28 min walk
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
When you stay at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto, you'll be within a 10-minute drive of Stanford University and Googleplex. Guests can enjoy the fitness center or take advantage of nearby hiking/biking trails. This Art Deco motel is also within a short drive of Shoreline Amphitheatre and Stanford University Medical Center. Fellow travelers say great things about the comfortable beds and helpful staff.
Languages
English, French, Spanish
At a glance
Hotel size
37 rooms
Arranged over 2 floors
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Express check-out available
Early check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out time is 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
Restrictions related to your trip
Check COVID-19 restrictions.
Special check-in instructions
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival
Required at check-in
Credit card required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
Children
Children (12 years old and younger) stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding
Pets
Pets not allowed
Service animals welcome
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
Parking
Free uncovered onsite self parking
Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking on site
Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
Food and drink
Free buffet breakfast each morning 6:30 AM–9:30 AM
Barbecue grills
Traveling with children
Children stay free (see details)
What to do
Bicycle rentals nearby
Golf lessons nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Winery tours nearby
Services
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning/laundry services
Free newspapers in lobby
Luggage storage
Multilingual staff
Facilities
3 buildings/towers
Built in 1970
Safe-deposit box at front desk
Garden
Picnic area
Television in common areas
Fitness center
Art Deco architecture
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible
Braille/raised signage
Wheelchair-accessible parking
Assistive listening devices available
Wheelchair-accessible van parking
Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
Wheelchair-accessible fitness center
Closed captioned TV
Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Well-lit path to entrance
Room amenities
Be entertained
IPod docking station
37-inch LCD TV
Satellite TV channels
Home comfort
Air conditioning (climate-controlled) and heating
Fan
Coffee/tea maker
Bathrobes and slippers
Iron/ironing board
Sleep well
Blackout drapes/curtains
Soundproofed rooms
Premium bedding
Pillowtop mattress
Freshen up
Private bathroom
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Towels
Stay connected
Desk
Free WiFi
Desk chair
Food and drink
Refrigerator
Microwave
More
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
Access via exterior corridors
Fees & policies
Optional extras
Early check-in can be arranged for an extra charge (subject to availability)
Late check-out can be arranged for an extra charge (subject to availability)
Policies
This property does not have elevators.
This property accepts credit cards and cash.
Cashless transactions are available.
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
Does The Zen Hotel Palo Alto offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, The Zen Hotel Palo Alto does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed, but service animals are welcome.
Is parking offered on site at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto?
Yes, there's free self parking.
What are the check-in and check-out times at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime. There's a charge for early check-in (subject to availability). Check-out time is 11 AM. Late check-out is available for a charge (subject to availability). Express check-out and contactless check-out are available.
Is there an onsite casino at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto?
No, this motel doesn't have a casino, but Casino M8trix (16-min drive) is nearby.
What is there to do at The Zen Hotel Palo Alto and nearby?
Have fun with nearby activities like cycling and hiking, and practice your swing on the nearby golf course. Enjoy amenities like a fitness center, a picnic area, and a garden.
What's the area around The Zen Hotel Palo Alto like?
The Zen Hotel Palo Alto puts you in Green Acres, in the heart of Palo Alto. Popular attractions include Stanford University, which is 5 minutes away by car.
Travelers say the area is safe.
Reviews
9.2
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
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 Very Good
Nov 21, 2024
Palao visit
It’s a small hotel, but nice.
James
James, 1-night business trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
6/10 Good
Nov 19, 2024
Traci
Traci, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very Good
Nov 14, 2024
Verified traveler
1-night business trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very Good
Nov 14, 2024
Christina
Christina, 3-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 11, 2024
always excellent
Robert
Robert, 3-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
6/10 Good
Nov 11, 2024
Clean, adequate place to stay for a night for two
This appears to be a renovated hotel. The doors were not properly aligned so there were big gaps at places. Fortunately, it was a warm day so no cold to seep into the room. The breakfast was good and the place overall was quiet. The bathroom was tiny. The bed was comfortable and the tv channels had good selections. There was a Walgrens right across the street which was helpful.
Edward
Edward, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 9, 2024
Quite and reasonable price
Stephen
Stephen, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 6, 2024
Jarold
Jarold, 1-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 24, 2024
Relaxing stay
Our stay was just what we needed: a clean, quiet, spacious room with a mini-frig and micrwave. The Zen was in a quiet area but near major streets. The included breakfast was a notch above the norm. We would easily stay here again if back in this area.
Robin
Robin, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
6/10 Good
Oct 23, 2024
Traci
Traci, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 22, 2024
David
David, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 18, 2024
Onkeo S
Onkeo S, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 17, 2024
Onkeo S
Onkeo S, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 16, 2024
Jill
Jill, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 16, 2024
Irma D
Irma D, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 15, 2024
Laura
Laura, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 14, 2024
Would stay here again!
Great location. Room was quiet. Beds and pillows were very comfortable. Very nice staff. Easy parking.
Suzanne
Suzanne, 1-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very Good
Oct 12, 2024
L Renee
L Renee, 3-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 8, 2024
Anthony
Anthony, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
2/10 Poor
Oct 7, 2024
Don’t stay at the zen
I was locked out of my room for 4 hours in the middle of the night. My key would not work. The clown at the front desk was completely useless. He could not open the door with his key fab he couldn’t or wouldn’t make me a new key. So I had to wait outside my room in the cold for the manager to wake up he did not respond when he was called. The next day true manager threatened to kick me out because I was upset about what happened. I should have been comped for the stay I wasn’t. So unprofessional and rude all the staff except for the cute girls that work furring the day they are very good at their jobs. And there was a cockroach in my room
Jason
Jason, 6-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 7, 2024
Excellent motel in Palo Alto
Had a great stay here at this motel. Room was very clean, modern bathroom, slept well! Mini fridge too. Free breakfast was pretty standard with a couple hot items like eggs and sausage. The side parking area seems tight but I had no problems. Will definitely stay again if in the area.