The Zen Hotel Palo Alto, Palo Alto ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2025

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Key details

About the Hotel

4164 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, California, United States of America, 94306

The Zen Hotel Palo Alto is a unique Art Deco motel situated in the heart of Palo Alto, California. With a focus on tranquility and comfort, this 3-star property is ideal for both leisure and business travelers. It offers modern amenities blended with Asian-inspired design, promising a restful stay. Conveniently located near major attractions like Stanford University and the Computer History Museum, the hotel provides easy access to the area’s highlights.

Location

Located centrally in Palo Alto, The Zen Hotel is within a 10-minute drive of key landmarks such as Googleplex and the Computer History Museum. The hotel is approximately 15.5 miles from Mineta San Jose International Airport and 2 miles from California Ave Caltrain station. The nearby San Antonio Shopping Center and Tesla Motors offer further entertainment and shopping options.

Rooms

Each of the 37 rooms at The Zen Hotel is equipped with comfortable amenities, including premium bedding and air conditioning. Guests can enjoy thoughtful touches such as microwaves, refrigerators, and coffee facilities in their rooms. Additional features include laptop-friendly workspaces and private bathrooms furnished with complimentary toiletries and hairdryers. Certain rooms also offer a seating area for added convenience.

Eat & Drink

A complimentary hot breakfast buffet is served daily, providing guests with a variety of options to start their day. Breakfast is available from 6:30 AM. The hotel does not feature a full-service restaurant; however, nearby dining options are easily accessible for guests looking to enjoy local cuisine.

Leisure & Business

The hotel offers a state-of-the-art fitness center to help guests stay active during their stay. Business travelers can benefit from the 24-hour business center, express check-out, and complimentary newspapers. Additionally, guests have access to a picnic area and common space with a television for relaxation.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Deluxe Queen Room

Max:

3 persons

28 m²

Bed options:

2 King Size Beds

Garden view

Heating

Bathtub

room details

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Deluxe Queen Room

Max:

2 persons

22 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Garden view

Heating

Bathtub

room details

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Deluxe King Room

Max:

4 persons

27 m²

Bed options:

2 Double beds

Garden view

Heating

Bathtub

room details

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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Getting around

A list of all available modes of transport

City Center

Palo Alto 2.3 mi

Airports

Mineta San Jose International (SJC) 13.2 mi

San Francisco International (SFO) 23.7 mi

Train

California Ave Caltrain 1.6 mi

Train400 ft

Bus

Bus stop400 ft

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Spacious Comfort

“My room was impressively spacious, featuring two queen beds, a well-lit work desk, and a kitchenette equipped with everything I needed. It made my stay so much more enjoyable!” view full review

Excellent Kitchenette

“I loved having a kitchenette in my room! The fridge, microwave, and cooking equipment allowed me to prepare meals comfortably during my stay.” view full review

Lovely Shower

“The bathroom had a fantastic shower that offered great pressure and warmth, making it a relaxing experience every time I used it.” view full review

Immaculate Breakfast

“The breakfast area was beautifully maintained with a wide range of delicious options. I appreciated the staff's attention to keeping everything clean and well-stocked.” view full review

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Express check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
Security
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness center
Hiking
Golf course

Guest Parking

Cookware/ Kitchen utensils

Services

Housekeeping
Laundry
Dry cleaning

Dining

In-room breakfast
Picnic area/ Tables

Business

Fax/Photocopying

Children

Children's buffet
Game room

Facilities for people with disabilities

Toilet for disabled
Bathroom for disabled

Spa & Leisure

Garden area
BBQ facilities
Leisure/ TV room

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Sitting area
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Dining table
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries
Sink

Self-catering

Cookware/ Kitchen utensils

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

4164 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, California, United States of America, 94306

Map view

4164 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, California, United States of America, 94306

City landmarks

Parks

Mitchell Park

1.2 mi

1981 Landings Dr

Google Android Lawn Statues

2.1 mi

Parks

Robles Park

2000 ft

655 Arastradero Rd

Terman Park

3600 ft

Museums

Computer History Museum

2.6 mi

800 E Meadow Dr

Ramos Park

1.3 mi

Mall

Kohl's Mountain View

1.1 mi

Parks

Klein Park

1.4 mi

940 Commercial St

The Foster

1.6 mi

Parks

Rengstorff Park & Pool

1.7 mi

460 Thompson Ave

Monta Loma Park

1.4 mi

330 Distel Circle Los Altos

Sierra Azul Preserve

1.5 mi

Mountain View

Gemello Park

1.9 mi

University

Stanford University

2.7 mi

Amusement Park

Sierra Vista Park

2.0 mi

Museums

Museum-The Perham Foundation

2.3 mi

Parks

Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve Trail

2.0 mi

Gallery

Palo Alto Art Center

2.4 mi

Permanente Creek

2.1 mi

1431 Waverley St

Elizabeth Gamble Garden Center

2.3 mi

Amphitheater

Shoreline Amphitheatre

2.6 mi

Shoreline West

2.2 mi

Museums

Cantor Arts Center

2.9 mi

Zoo

Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo

2.4 mi

Parks

Mariposa Park

2.3 mi

Parks

Rinconada Park

2.4 mi

1451 Middlefield Rd

Junior Museum & Zoo

2.4 mi

Tower

Hoover Tower

2.5 mi

3160 N Shoreline Blvd

Shoreline Lake Park

2.5 mi

Nearby

Clemo Ave & Maybell Avenue

Briones Park

2000 ft

Restaurants

Happy Donuts

2500 ft

3916 El Camino Real

L & L Hawaiian Barbecue

2600 ft

3890 El Camino Real

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

86%

liked the hotel and would stay again

beautifully remodeled rooms

great location

simple dining options

lower than usual price

8.6/10

Great

Rooms

8.2

Location

8.6

Service

9.2

Dining

8.4

Abraham

United States of America, March 2024

8.8/10

I had a wonderful stay at this hotel! The rooms were beautifully remodeled, spacious, and provided a comfortable night's sleep with the quiet air-conditioning system. The service was exceptional, from accommodating early arrival requests to personalized assistance with receipts. The location was perfect for visiting Stanford and exploring nearby areas. The dining experience was satisfying, offering delicious options like smoothies. Overall, it was a great value for a hotel with top-notch service and amenities.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms are clean, roomy, and well-stocked with amenities. I especially enjoyed the private balcony with a great view.

Service

9.0

The staff was extremely nice and helpful, going above and beyond to meet our needs.

Location

9.0

The location was excellent, with easy access to Stanford and surrounding areas. It was a great value for the prime location.

Dining

8.0

The dining offerings were delicious, especially the smoothies. It was a complete breakfast spread that satisfied my cravings.

Facilities

9.0

The facilities were top-notch, providing everything I needed for a comfortable stay.

beautifully remodeled rooms

simple dining options

Jay

United States of America, February 2024

9.2/10

I absolutely loved my stay at this hotel! The rooms were like a dream, with a back door leading to a lovely patio that was better than any 5-star resort I've been to. The private balcony had a fantastic view of hidden water features, though a fresh coat of paint wouldn't hurt. The service was impeccable, from accommodating early arrival requests to providing tailored receipts. The location was perfect for me, being central and close to major highways. The dining experience was delightful, with a variety of fresh options served early in the morning. The facilities were top-notch and truly enjoyable.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were spacious and had lovely private balconies.

Service

10.0

The service was exceptional at all levels, from dry cleaning to housekeeping.

Location

8.0

The location was very convenient and offered free parking, right off a busy road.

Dining

9.0

The dining experience was excellent, with a variety of fresh and delicious options.

Facilities

10.0

The facilities were top-notch and truly enjoyable for a perfect stay.

Stanley

United States of America, February 2024

8.6/10

I stayed at the hotel during a busy time and enjoyed the convenient location just off El Camino Real. The rooms were clean, quiet, and comfortable, stocked with everything I needed. The service was friendly and hardworking, ensuring a pleasant stay. The dining experience was delicious, offering a variety of options. Overall, a great choice for a relaxing stay near Stanford University!

Rooms

8.0

The room was clean, quiet, and comfortable, stocked with everything I needed.

Service

9.0

The staff was friendly and worked hard to deliver a good experience.

Location

9.0

The hotel is just off El Camino Real, a busy artery, but the location becomes nice and relaxing once traffic dies down. Perfect for our destination near Stanford University.

Dining

8.0

The dining experience was great, with a variety of delicious dishes.

Facilities

9.0

The hotel offers everything you need for a comfortable stay.

Charles

United Kingdom, August 2023

8.0/10

The hotel is situated just off El Camino Real, offering a comfortable stay with exceptionally clean and modern rooms. The staff were friendly and accommodating throughout my visit. The dining experience was top-notch, providing a variety of options for a delightful meal. However, the presence of ants in the shower was a notable downside that affected my overall experience.

Rooms

7.0

The room was very quiet and peaceful, but lacked natural light. It had a connecting door to the next room, but was unfortunately infested with ants in the shower.

Service

9.0

The staff was real friendly and attentive to my needs, making my stay pleasant. They were helpful and respectful, going above and beyond to assist with requests from early arrival to tailored receipts for reimbursement.

Location

8.0

The hotel's location was comfortable, overlooking a small garden with easy access to nearby attractions like Stanford University, Walmart, and Target. Although it's off El Camino Real, the setting is peaceful once traffic subsides.

Dining

9.0

The dining experience was terrific, offering a variety of delicious options that surpassed my expectations. However, it was disappointing to notice ants crawling all over the shower in the room.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel facilities were well-maintained and provided a modern and tasteful decor. However, the presence of ants in the shower was a significant drawback.

Friendly Staff

Ants in Shower

Brian

United Kingdom, June 2023

8.6/10

I chose the Zen hotel over many options in a similar price range and was impressed with the clean and modern rooms, though the lack of privacy due to the room's location was a downside. The staff here truly stood out for their friendliness and helpfulness, making my stay very pleasant.

Rooms

8.0

The 'deluxe queen' room was clean and updated, offering all the amenities of higher priced hotels. However, it was dark-bordered the main street, and I couldn't have the curtains open for privacy.

Service

9.0

The staff at this hotel were universally helpful, friendly, and always available for any assistance needed.

Location

9.0

The location was perfect, just a few miles from Stanford and offering a stone path that gave lower rooms their own 'spot' for relaxation. It was just a short drive to the campus and nearby Walmart, which was very convenient.

Dining

8.0

The dining experience at the hotel was a pleasant surprise as the well-stocked continental breakfast actually included hot choices like eggs and pancakes, a great value for the price.

Facilities

9.0

The hotel's facilities were wonderful, with seats, fountains, umbrellas, and a stone path that added to the ambiance of the lower rooms' 'spot'.