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❤ Zen Den Studio in the Berkeley Hills! ★BAY VIEWS★ HOT TUB★PARKING★PETS WELCOME

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Outdoor dining
TV, DVD player, books
1 bedroom, WiFi, bed sheets
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Interior

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Entire home

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
Berkeley, CA
  • Place, Berkeley Municipal Rose Garden
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, University of California, Berkeley
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Place, Greek Theater
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, Oakland, CA (OAK-Oakland Intl.)
    ‪32 min drive‬

Room options

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Exterior
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina
  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
4.1 out of 5, Very good, 4,284 reviews
The price is €125
includes taxes & fees
22 Feb - 23 Feb
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

❤ Zen Den Studio in the Berkeley Hills! ★BAY VIEWS★ HOT TUB★PARKING★PETS WELCOME

NEW LISTING! Our bright and cheery Zen Den Studio Apt is located in the peaceful and serene North Berkeley Hills. Chill out on your private sun-soaked deck; relax in the Hot Tub with Bay Views; or strum a guitar in the light-drenched bedroom while watching the sun set over the City. The Zen Den is surrounded by nature, trees and greenery. And yet it’s so close to the hustle and bustle of downtown city life w/ many it's shops and restaurants. Have the best of all worlds at The Zen Den Studio!

Imagine sipping a glass of wine while sitting on your private deck listening to the birds singing in the trees and watching the sun set over the bay. Imagine spending the evening soaking in your private Hot Tub while watching the city lights dance in the sky. Imagine relaxing in your warm and bright studio apartment with floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the bay and treetops. Imagine falling asleep in your comfy bed while watching the city lights twinkle. Imagine staying in the beautiful, serene and safe North Berkeley Hills and yet still being walking distance to shopping, cafes, restaurants, several parks, the Berkeley Rose Gardens and the UC Berkeley campus with famous Tilden Park only a short bike ride away. Imagine staying close to everything but feeling a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the noisy crowds and traffic. If this is the type of place you imagine staying in during your trip to Berkeley than our lovely Zen Den studio is the stop for you!

Our beautiful studio apartment is located in a very quiet neighborhood in the prestigious North Berkeley Hills. The space is not a detached unit. It is an in-law unit which is attached to a lovely mid-century modern home. The studio has its own off-street parking spaces, private entrance and private 2-tiered deck and yard area with an outdoor couch, dining set for4 and a HOT TUB! The attached main house does not share any of these amenities and won't interfere with your privacy. The studio is bright and cheery with newer furniture and fun Zen-themed decor. Looking for a break from the stresses of life? We’re all about chilling out at the Zen Den! Relax in your large outdoor living space surrounded by nature. Watch deer prance down the street and listen to the birds sing. The Zen Den is surrounded by nature but it’s located within close proximity to the UC Campus, many restaurants and cafes (including the famous Gourmet Ghetto) and many parks including Tilden Park. It's many features include:

-Beautiful BAY VIEWS from the deck, hot tub and living room/bedroom!
-A private FENCED yard. The yard includes a deck with BBQ, lots of trees and greenery, and beautiful bay views! Outdoor couches and outdoor dining for 4.
-A private HOT TUB on the deck with beautiful BAY VIEWS!
-Two parking spaces in the driveway!
-A sunny and bright living room/bedroom area with floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, and beautiful views of the BAY and treetops. This space has a both a queen bed and a queen-sized pull-out sofa bed located directly next to the queen bed.
-A small kitchenette with burners, a convection oven/microwave, sink and mini fridge.
-A huge tiled bathroom with bathtub and shower.
-Pella wood-clad windows throughout the studio.
-Ample non-permited street parking.
-Easy walking distance to several gorgeous parks, the Berkeley Rose Gardens, the UC Berkeley Campus and lots of upscale and casual shops, restaurants, cafes and FRIENDLY! Well-behaved dogs welcome! Please note! There is an extra pet fee of $25 per booking. Please let me know you are traveling with pets and I’ll charge you the fee. :) Please note that this is a studio space so it is small. It's ideal 1 or 2 people OR a couple and children. And the studio is located in a very quiet part of Berkeley. But it is still in the city. So expect some normal city noise occasionally of course. Our home is a legal and licensed vacation rental! PLEASE NOTE: We highly recommended that guests get trip insurance for their trip. We do not give refunds for weather-related cancellations or illness/ injury related cancellations unless they fall without the cancellation timelines. We DO NOT give refunds for the Coronavirus. Trip insurance is available via many providers for little money. I recommend looking at this website for more quotes and more info: https://www.squaremouth.com
During your stay at this vacation home, you'll be within walking distance of University of California, Berkeley. A hot tub is available. The vacation home offers a kitchen and a patio.
  • The vacation home offers a kitchen, a patio, and a living room
  • Just a 2-minute drive from University of California, Berkeley and a few minutes from Greek Theater
This vacation home offers its guests a hot tub, barbecue grills, and a garden. The front desk is open around the clock.

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Hot tub

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Hob
  • Kitchenette
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Soap
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Garden
  • Patio

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • One pet total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 1 pets
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Note from host: Pets are an additional $25 fee per pet

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking. An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Zen Den Studio N. Hills Hot Tub Bay Views Pet Friendly House
Zen Den Studio N. Berkeley Hills Hot Tub Bay Views Pet Friendly
Zen Den Studio N. Hills Hot Tub Bay Views Pet Friendly
Zen Den Studio N. Hills Hot Tub Bay Views Pet Friendly House
Zen Den Studio N. Berkeley Hills Hot Tub Bay Views Pet Friendly
Zen Den Studio N. Hills Hot Tub Bay Views Pet Friendly House
Zen Den Studio N. Berkeley Hills Hot Tub Bay Views Pet Friendly
Zen Den Studio N. Hills Hot Tub Bay Views Pet Friendly

❤ Zen Den Studio in the Berkeley Hills! ★BAY VIEWS★ HOT TUB★PARKING★PETS WELCOME Reviews

Reviews

8.4

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 24 out of 38 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 38 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 38 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 38 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 38 reviews

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Curtis G.

Dark steep stairs to climb. Flipped light switch on when coming in the door and nothing happened. Needed to use phone light to search for the switch to turn on the light. Later found the table lamp unplugged behind the tv. Towels are small and thin. Need to use multiple towels. Best thing was the driveway parking. Glad I didn't need to cook anything or use the kitchen.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Dean A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great view and the hot tub is cool (but feels like a waste of energy). Great price for the location. I mostly hated the mattress. Way too soft and low quality. I normally woke up very early with a sore back. The pillows are also not great.There is no dishwasher or washing machine. I would have been happy with a drying rack rather than a tumble dryer.The lighting is very dim. The light switch in the bedroom doesn't work; you need to go to a wall light. Generally feels low spec.
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Irene C.

Liked: Cleanliness
The advertised hot tub was a factor in booking the stay; however, the hot tub did not have water in it and messages to host went unanswered!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness
Do not stay here. Tub and kitchen were both infested with antsHot tub was not working and no one came to fix. Not pet friendly, my dog got stuck under the porch and it took 2.5 hours to get him out. Ended up leaving day 2 of the stay. Owner is not getting back to me and refuses to refund me and instead responds with having cancer treatments. TOTAL SCAM AND SUING.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

Raj

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness
Room and amenities
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025

4/10 Poor

Heidi & Christian E.

Disliked: Cleanliness
We will start with the positive, the check in process was very easy and clear. The unit was spacious, good natural lighting, and the bed was quite comfy. It is located on the Northside of campus, up a very steep hill, so not very practical if you planned on walking everywhere. The location was nice and there was ample parking. We enjoyed the deer that visited the property and overall the amenities were what we needed for our stay. Unfortunately, that's the end of the positives. The unit smelled of smoke, which was somewhat expected based on previous reviews, however we were hoping it was not as noticable. There was also fleas on the pull out couch, so me and my husband were covered in flea bites by the end of our stay. The walls are pretty thin, so we could easily hear the person walking around the adjacent unit. It scared our toddler while he tried to sleep. The bathroom light kept flickering periodically. We had messaged the owner, but they didnt respond until the end of our stay. We also messaged the owner about not being able to find the smoke detector, but they did not provide any response or comment about it which was a bit concerning considering there is likely a smoker somewhere on the property (based on the smell). Lastly, the number to contact after we checked out was outdated and apparently the owner hadn't paid her her final paycheck. Overall, ok experience but would not return.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property is vintage Berkeley. Comfortable, with a patio and spa, and a view of the Bay. Nice kitchen area, desk, many amenities.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sonia H.

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

Megan B.

Disliked: Cleanliness

Not a great experience- mold and smoke

1. We arrived to an overwhelming smell of stale smoke. The listing clearly states in several places that there is no smoking on the premises. When I brought this up to the owner they said that the place had just been cleaned. The overwhelming smell got better after all of the windows and doors being open for several hours, but it returned in the evening. We believe the person downstairs was smoking as it was coming in through the vent in the floor. We had to sleep with the windows open and a fan going to help reduce the smell. Photo of guest guidelines attached.2. We had trouble accessing the key. The listed phone number is for a person who no longer works for the property owner. They were quite upset to be contacted and stated that the owner hadn't paid them for several months. The owner's contact information was buried in the listing information and after voicing our concerns about the smell, they were unresponsive about solutions. 3. There is excessive mold in the bathroom. The window does not open and there is no vent. Photo attached. The owner stated that the listing had just been cleaned, but this was extensive.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Timothy T.

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Hannah K.

Great location; musty smells for free

Cute decor, fabulous location; had some bad air and mold in the shower.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Natalie Z.

Liked: Cleanliness

Zen den

The name is definitely accurate. Peaceful and quiet had a great time
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen K.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful views

Lovely, clean, quiet unit with gorgeous views of the SFbay from the Berkeley side. We had a wonderful stay. Walking distance to many places on Shattuck.
Stayed 10 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Don K., Viroqua, WI

Liked: Cleanliness

Review

Quiet spot tucked into the Berkeley Hills. Within 6 blocks of shattuck shopping but keep in mind it’s also 225 ft above shattuck—those last 2 blocks are killers carrying groceries but thankfully Uber’s are cheap. If you have a car, it has the best setup for parking of ANY place I’ve stayed in Berkeley...your own private spot! None of this on street parking permit stuff driving around for 15 minutes looking for a spot or sharing a driveway with 6 other cars! Great bed and sofa with kitchen capable of handling breakfast and lunch with no problems.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2020

8/10 Good

April M.

Liked: Cleanliness

The Zen Den delivers a zen experience

The property listing was accurate and perfect for our mini vacation. Bring your own knife or a sharpener, the knives in the kitchen are very dull. You may also want to bring extra towels. We had two bathroom towels and one beach towel. Not enough for 2 people to shower and enjoy the hot tub. I also had a hard time getting a response to my emails. You have to call the cleaning lady when the unit is vacated and because I was driving and late for an appointment, I didn't actually get to call her for about a half hour after we left; she basically yelled at me that check out was at 11. I tried to explain to her our situation and that the cleaning crew never showed up while we were there but I didn't get the impression she spoke very good English. Overall I would give The Zen Den 4 out of 5 stars.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Leina W.

Liked: Cleanliness

A Wish Fulfilled

I've secretly wished to live up in Berkeley Hills. This was my gift to me and hubby. And we've had a comfortable stay. We walked everywhere, everyday. Felt safe in the neighborhood even at night. Enjoyed the view esp. at night when all the lights were lit. We esp. appreciated the quiet. The only thing to mention: shower faucet needs fixing. Thank you.
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Michelle S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Berkeley stay

Very clean lovely property in an excellent location - beautiful view
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location. Very comfortable place with beautiful view
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Tara B., McKinney Tx

Liked: Cleanliness

Great space!

This was a super cute place with a charming deck to hang out on. There are great views of the city because the place is built up on a hill. We had four people in our party. I would recommend not having any more than three people, which I think that’s what it called for anyway. The place is efficient, cozy and has everything you may need, and fits three comfortably.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Julie A.

Liked: Cleanliness

Zen Den is a must

We loved our stay here. So quiet yet close to everything. Greeted by all kinds of wildlife at all hours of the day and night but still in the city.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Christopher B., Reno, Nv

Very Zen Indeed

The Zen Den is lovely! Great location with dedicated parking. Centrally located to downtown Berkeley and major freeways. Also a very easy jaunt to N. California wine country. You’ll want to bring your swimsuit along to take advantage of the hot tub. The deck is a gem for reading, relaxing and meditating. Small place but suited our needs very well, and was even slightly more spacious than expected. Very clean and well-appointed. Hot tub and grill were ready to go, and we used them quite a bit. Views from the deck are lovely and made for a perfect retreat from the grind. Tracy was responsive and helpful. Would definitely stay again! Tracy is extremely responsive and a great resource for any questions your may have. We appreciate the thoughtful touches like coffee, wine and the book selection.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Brian D.

Cozy studio in the North Berkeley Hills

This space is cozy, warm and welcoming. It was the perfect size for my wife and I whom were passing through the area for a couple days. It's located close to many good restaurants, including Chez Panisse. We enjoyed the morning stroll to Pete's Coffee shop. The space is very comfortable. We enjoyed the adorable kitchette area. If we had more time, we would have enjoyed the yard and hot tub. But we were too busy every day with activities. Tracy answered questions quickly. If we are passing through this area area again then we will be booking the Zen Den. Thanks Tracy.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Susan M., Sacramento, Ca

Charming space in a great neighborhood

We came to Berkeley to visit my daughter who attends the UCB. She suggest the North Berkeley Hills as a great place to stay. We wanted a unit that was close enough to walk to the UC but still quiet. We found the perfect space with the Zen Den. It was a pretty walk past the Rose Gardens to get to the campus. And the neighborhood is quiet and safe. The views were lovely from the living room/bedroom and yard. There is a large bathroom with a bathtub. But the hot tub and yard were the highlights. It was so nice to have a private yard to sit in and read a book. There is a comfortable outdoor couch and dining table in the yard. Lots of space to spread out. We liked the Zen decor and found Tracy to be a great host. If you are looking for a place that is close to the campus, shops, restaurants in a nice, quiet neighborhood then you have found it!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019

4/10 Poor

Lisette C., Delray Beach, Florida

Bleh

This place smells bad, of bug spray or mildew. I did not enjoy it. The hot tub area is attractive but faces the street and does not feel private. There were just a host of small things that weren’t quite right, like hair and ants in the bath tub, other small things. I have stayed at other homes that were truly homes, but this one feels run down and used just for hire, like a boarding house rental. While it has a bit of charm here and there, I really did not enjoy the stay. Sorry to say! It is a great location in the Berkeley Hills, but I would recommend against staying here; please keep looking for something that truly has a Zen soul, not just a few Buddha statues.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Johnny W.

Thanks Tracy for hosting us in this great space.

A lovely quiet neighborhood with off street parking. Beautiful outdoor space with wonderful views. Walkable to BART and Berkley restaurants. Workable kitchen with enough plates and cooking equipment. The hot tub was hot and clean. Enjoyed drinking wine on the deck in the evenings and watching the sun set over the bay.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019