The Zen Hotel Palo Alto

Hotels
•
Magnuson Hotels
9 (1304 reviews)
4164 El Camino Real , Palo Alto , US
+1 650-493-4492

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

Fitness facilities
WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Fitness center
24-hour front desk
Heating
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Clean rooms
Friendly staff
Good breakfast
Great location
Cons:
Street noise
Malfunctioning TV
Older facilities
Limited amenities

Categories

Cleanliness
9.14
The room was clean and the suite spacious.
Service
9.61
Friendly staff, accommodating service, though not without issues.
Location
9.65
Great location central to attractions and necessary amenities.
Room Quality
8.6
The room was spacious and comfortable, but some amenities felt dated.
Amenities
8.63
Decent amenities, but some items need updating.
Value for Money
8.09
Price was reasonable, but issues with the TV impacted perception of value.
Food and Beverage
9.14
Breakfast was good, but could include more variety.
Overall Experience
9.11
The stay was enjoyable despite some inconveniences.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-09 02:54

Property Description

Asian Decor and Eco-Friendly Design
Experience tranquility at The Zen Hotel, nestled in Palo Alto, California. Immerse yourself in the calming Asian decor while knowing you're staying at an eco-friendly hotel.

Modern Amenities
Enjoy the convenience of free WiFi, a gym, and iPod docking stations in every room. Unwind with coffee facilities, a microwave, and a refrigerator at your disposal.

Prime Location
Explore nearby attractions like Stanford University just 3.7 miles away. With Levi's Stadium a short 10.6-mile drive, The Zen Hotel is the perfect choice for your stay in the Southern San Francisco Bay area.

Book now for a serene and sustainable stay at The Zen Hotel.

Important information:

Upon check-in photo identification and credit card is required. All special requests are subject to availability upon check-in. Special requests cannot be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: SJC

Location

Property Accessibility

Total Disability Score: 35.71
Public Area
  • Ramp: No
  • Entrance Leveled: No
  • Pet Friendly: No
Reception And Restaurant
  • Reception Hearing Accessible: No
  • Reception Wheelchair Accessible: No
  • Restaurant Wheelchair Accessible: No
Elevator
  • Elevator Audio Signals: No
  • Elevator Braille Numbers: No
  • Elevator Contrasting Buttons: No
  • Elevator Visual Signs: No
Show all accessibility features

Guest Reviews

9
Based on 1304 reviews
Cleanliness: 9.14
Service: 9.61
Location: 9.65
Room Quality: 8.6
Amenities: 8.63
Value for Money: 8.09
Food and Beverage: 9.14
Overall Experience: 9.11
J
Joe • solo_traveller • us
9
Great exterior but needs interior upgrades
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Lowest toilet ever! I’m tall and it was an issue.

2026-09-18 • via Nuitee
L
Lawrence • extended_group • us
10
2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
L
Lauryn • solo_traveller • gb
5
Pros:

Location was good

Cons:

Staff were not friendly and welcoming.

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
H
Hae-Young • solo_traveller • kr
10
Pros:

교통이 아주 편했음
주위 조용한 주택가와. 공원이 있음

Cons:

10박 동안 조식이 전혀 변화가 없었음

2026-09-13 • via Nuitee
S
Saran • family_with_children • th
8
Great affordable hotel in good location.
Pros:

The room is clean and spacious. The hotel provides breakfast. Although the menu is the same everyday during my stay, it is good enough. Having hot oatmeal is a plus.

Cons:

A minor issue. Giving liquid soap instead of soap bar would be better.

2026-09-12 • via Nuitee
R
Rael • solo_traveller • br
8
Quarto ótimo, staff ruim, café sem reposição.
Pros:

O quarto que fiquei (205) maravilhoso. Ficaria uma semana fácil só aproveitado o quarto. São dois quartos, 03 camas, sala, cozinha e um único banheiro.

Em contrapartida o atendimento da funcionária do café achei muito de mal gosto. O café é cedo, das 06:30 às 09:30. Chegamos 08:50 e já não havia quase nada pra comer. Ela não repôs produtos, e quando pedi pão, já que não tinha mais ovos, não tinha batata, não tinha suco, não tinha muffins e tb não tinha pão. Ela me disse que o café já estava para encerrar (09:10). Questionei que estávamos há 20 minutos aguardando alguma reposição. Ela buscou 2 fatias de pão para 8 pessoas que estavam no café. 09:25 começou a recolher e guardar o sucrilhos e os utensílios. Pagamos uma hospedagem com café da manhã e não tinha o que comer.

Cons:

O hotel em si é pequeno, nada muito bonito, mas os quartos são ótimos. Da nossa janela dava para ver um parque de árvores. Gostei.

2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
A
Antonio • couple • us
7
Pros:

It was ok

Cons:

Carpet smelled pretty bad.

2026-09-05 • via Nuitee
V
Vanessa • couple • us
8
The scenery was nice. I liked the view from my hotel window. Very comfortable pillows!
Pros:

Breakfast was good. The sausage was my favorite and the waffle machine is always a hit! The mini muffins were a nice treat too. If I didn’t get full, I would’ve grabbed a yogurt too.

Cons:

The parking situation. Getting here there was plenty of parking but when it was nighttime and we were returning from an event, there were no spots! Glad I got there at the same time as an employee, since he ended up moving his car for us to take his spot. There should be plenty of parking for the people staying and the employees. I wasn’t sure of the availability of street parking, I was also in a city I am not familiar with so wasn’t going to risk parking elsewhere

2026-08-31 • via Nuitee
H
Hida • couple • br
10
2026-08-30 • via Nuitee
D
Davis • solo_traveller • us
9
Location is excellent and property is well maintained.
Pros:

Property is well maintained and has a fresh appearance

Cons:

Card key dialed first time

2026-08-25 • via Nuitee
C
Christopher • solo_traveller • us
7
2026-08-24 • via Nuitee
A
Aguilar • solo_traveller • us
10
2026-08-19 • via Nuitee
A
Asaf • family_with_children • ca
10
Pros:

הכל, החדר ענק, נקי, מיקום נח, מחיר טוב.

Cons:

מכונת כביסה אחת בתקופה עמוסה היה קצת צפוף

2026-08-17 • via Nuitee
S
Shahrzad • solo_traveller • us
9
2026-08-13 • via Nuitee
S
Salina • couple • us
10
I will be traveling to Palo Alto every couple of months and plan to stay at the Zen Hotel
Pros:

The breakfast was excellent The overall vibe was very comfortable.

2026-08-12 • via Nuitee
J
James • couple • us
8
Well located, no frills, motel that met my expectations.
Pros:

Location close to both Stanford and the Shoreline Amphetheater.

2026-08-12 • via Nuitee
J
Johanna • solo_traveller • de
10
Pros:

Coffee and breakfast was enjoyed and sincerely appreciated indeed 😊

2026-08-10 • via Nuitee
U
Unaloto • solo_traveller • us
8
Great value, clean and comfortable room, friendly staff.
Pros:

Great location if you’re visiting Palo Alto! Clean and comfortable room and free breakfast!

Cons:

The parking. We were in town for a funeral and we got back very late from the wake, and although there was a parking spot near our room, it was too narrow for me to park AND exit my vehicle.

2026-08-09 • via Nuitee
D
Dandun • couple • il
8
2026-08-07 • via Nuitee
C
Candace • couple • us
8
2026-08-07 • via Nuitee