Yes, rooms are very small...let's get that out of the way. It's Palo Alto...do you have any idea what real estate costs?? Are you really interested in hiding in your room anyhow?

I recently stayed here for almost two weeks on a biz trip. The location is a few blocks from everything that matters in PA. The rooms are sparkling clean, well designed, with great linens, nice TVs and you can borrow magazines and Wii's downstairs if you like. The staff is super friendly in a natural, non-overbearing way. They recognize and greet you. They happily addressed my questions about the area, remade my room keys all 17 times I demagnetized them, provided truthful reviews on area restaurants and made me feel at home. They casually serve wine, popcorn and cookies in the evening based on traffic. Continental breakfast is adequate and the coffee (brewed all day) is great. The honor bar can meet your sweet/salty/beer/wine craving at any hour.

I'll be back and look forward to it!

Firstly let me say the Hotel is perfectly situated, near the University, and near the center of Palo Alto, which by the way is charming and very "user-friendly". Every establishment we visited had operating Wifi and some of the eateries were better than good.
As for the Keen, alas what do you do with a Hotel whose rooms are small as possible. The room we stayed in was too small to have a bathroom door, or a closet....
Breakfast is very adequate, though the place were it is served is so small that a maximum of six people can enjoy it , at any given time. I suppose the Hotel expects you to get your breakfast and find a quiet corner, away from the hotel. I do not recommend you bring it to your room as when we tried it , the cleaning person had already been there and the room was ready for "the next customer".
The hotel has wifi, but it was not working when we were there, a major disappointment. Phone was not working either ( battery ran out ), and the shower, while attractive and well appointed with soap, shampoo etc. had water that " trickled" rather than "showered".
There was one perk we chuckled over. In the room there are magic markers and a white board for using during "meetings".....the room barely had space for a bed and one chair. We wondered how many meetings they had, and how well attended they were.

I frequently travel to Palo Alto and stay at the Hotel Keen as often as it is available. It has the perfect location- walking distance to University Avenue and its many shops and restaurants, the most comfortable rooms- great beds and bedding, and a simple yet elegant bathroom, a staff like no other greetings guests as they come and go with a warm smile. They even provide a complimentary breakfast complete with "to-go" boxes, and coffee, tea and espresso throughout the day.

Palo Alton is not renowned for inexpensive accomodation but Hotel Keen is the exception. Tucked away just off University, this is quite a surprise and will do well. It is litterally 100 yds from all the restaurants, shops and life of PA but at the same time is quiet and welcoming.

A little funky, the rooms aren't huge but that misses the point. This is a well thought out hotel for short stays. No restaurant..don't need one as loads within 5 mins walk. It has an honour bar which people do honour!

Great find, not a Westin, Sharaton but a small hotel with a big personality