Hotel Keen

Hotel Keen is a small, no-fuss hotel in one of the most convenient spots in downtown Palo Alto. It stands at 425 High Street, a block from University Avenue and a few minutes on foot from the Caltrain station. With 41 guest rooms plus a single Wellness Studio, it is far smaller than the big hotels on El Camino Real. Breakfast, Wi-Fi and coffee are included. The hotel also lends bikes. It suits travelers who care more about location and simplicity than about a pool or a restaurant in the lobby.

This profile is based on the hotel's website and its 2010 opening announcement. We do not publish prices, star ratings or reviews. To see current rates, check Hotel Keen on Booking.com or book with the hotel directly.

Location

High Street runs parallel to Alma Street and the railroad on the west side of downtown. Number 425 sits just north of University Avenue, in the Downtown North area. That is about as close to the Palo Alto Caltrain station as a downtown hotel gets. It is also an easy walk to the restaurant blocks of University, Hamilton and Lytton avenues.

These are estimates. From the transit center, Stanford's free Marguerite shuttle runs onto campus. Many routes run on weekdays only, so check Stanford's schedules before you rely on them. The hotel is about 20 miles from the main airports, which makes Caltrain a good way in: ride BART to Millbrae and change to Caltrain, or ride Caltrain north from San Jose. Our getting to Palo Alto page has the details.

From the Palo Alto Hotel to Hotel Keen

Hotel Keen opened in May 2010 in the building of the former Palo Alto Hotel. The opening announcement said the Palo Alto company BPR Properties had bought the property in 2008. The San Francisco firm Orlando Diaz-Azcuy Design Associates handled the design, aiming for a clean, productive look suited to Silicon Valley business travelers.

The idea from the start was a hotel built around work and rest rather than dining or events. The original announcement highlighted bed and desk combinations with ergonomic chairs, writable whiteboard walls and a pillow menu. Some of those details have changed over the years, but the focus on compact, efficient rooms remains.

Rooms and the Wellness Studio

The hotel's website lists 41 guest rooms plus a single Wellness Studio. The standard room is what the hotel calls the Comfy Room, built around a platform bed with a built-in wooden desk. An accessible king version is listed too. The style is European in spirit: clean lines, simple furniture and no wasted space.

Rooms are small. That is the trade-off for a central location at this size. In return, you can leave your bag in the room and be on a train platform or at a restaurant table within minutes. Points to consider:

• Space. If you are traveling as a family or need room to spread out, ask about the largest room type or look at a suite hotel.
• The Wellness Studio. The hotel lists it as a separate room, apart from the 41 guest rooms. Ask the hotel what it includes before you book it.
• Accessibility. An accessible king room is listed. Confirm the exact features by phone.
• Noise. Downtown is livelier on weekend nights and trains run nearby. Light sleepers should ask about quieter rooms.

What is included

Hotel Keen packs value into the rate rather than into on-site facilities. The website lists:

• Breakfast, complimentary every day.
• Wi-Fi, free.
• Nespresso coffee, available 24 hours.
• A wine reception.
• Bike rental, complimentary, which is ideal for flat Palo Alto. See biking in Palo Alto for routes.

Free breakfast matters more than it looks in a city where a café breakfast adds up fast. Our budget stays guide explains other ways to keep costs down.

Parking, groups and practical details

• Parking. The hotel advertises free parking every weekend. Ask about weekday terms when you book, since they have changed over time. Downtown's public garages are an alternative.
• Restaurant. There is none on site. Dozens of restaurants are within a few blocks.
• Pool and gym. Not advertised. If you need them, the El Camino Real hotels near Stanford have both.
• Meetings. There is no meeting space. The hotel takes group room blocks of up to 20 rooms through a request form.
• Pets. The hotel's website does not state a pet policy. Ask before you book.

Offers change through the year. The hotel has run discounts for stays of three or more nights paid in advance, among other deals. Check the hotel's official site for current terms.

Around the hotel

Step out the door and downtown is yours. Walk University Avenue for dinner, catch a classic film at the Stanford Theatre or browse the shops. On Saturdays the downtown farmers market runs year-round a few blocks away. Coffee is easy to find on almost every block; our coffee guide lists favorites.

A borrowed bike opens up more. Ride south through Professorville to see the historic houses and the HP Garage from the sidewalk. Or ride west across El Camino Real into the Stanford campus, where the Cantor Arts Center is free and closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Who should stay here

Hotel Keen suits:

• Car-free travelers who want Caltrain and University Avenue at the door.
• Solo business travelers with meetings at downtown offices or startups.
• Budget-conscious visitors who value free breakfast and a central location over extras.
• Longer stays where multi-night offers bring the cost down.

It is a weaker fit for families who need space, for anyone wanting a pool or on-site dining and for events. For a downtown hotel with more facilities, compare el Prado on Cowper Street. For a historic alternative two blocks away, see the Cardinal Hotel.

Booking tips

1. Book big weekends early. Stanford's 2027 commencement weekend runs June 10 to 13. Small hotels fill first.
2. Look at multi-night offers. Discounts for longer stays can make a real difference.
3. Ask about parking on weekdays. The free weekend parking may not apply Monday to Thursday.
4. Compare downtown in one search. You can compare downtown Palo Alto hotels on Hotels.com for your dates.

Hotels on a map

Frequently asked questions