My girlfriend and I stayed in the Zen den for our first 40 days of moving our lives to Canada this August. It was a fantastic base for exploring the city, finding our bearings and enjoying Kitsilano.
Jess, Reva’s daughter, was our host and contact throughout our stay - she was lovely to deal with and was very responsive to all our questions.
The check in was simple, with clear instructions and lots of detail provided on the property and things to do in surrounding area. Check out was also very smooth.
The property itself is on the ground floor, which is useful when bringing as much stuff as we did - there was also ample storage for our clothes. For two of us there was more than enough room to enjoy the space. The kitchen is well equipped, especially when it comes to coffee making! Same goes for the storage cupboards (beach towels!) and bathroom (good shower pressure). The bed was comfy and spacious. The laundry room easy to navigate.
The balcony is a green haven, and great for a coffee in the morning. We saw black squirrels, songbirds and humming birds in the bushes as we relaxed. The shared roof terrace is quiet and rarely used, so we took our plates and had dinner as the sun set many times with it to ourselves. The view up there is amazing.
Both of us were able to work from the flat relatively comfortably before I started in the office - this was also very convenient, with the far side of Downtown a 15 min bus away.
The area is fantastic and well connected by bus, with beautiful streets and great restaurants, cafes and shops to spend time in. Kits beach is a two minute walk away, and both Jericho beach and Granville Island a short, picturesque stroll away.
We did have one issue with the apartment which was the smart lock running out of battery whilst we were out; what are the odds! Thankfully Jess was able to work through the problem with us remotely and get an override key to us - her communication and attitude throughout we’re exemplary and showed how much she cares about her guests’ experience.
Overall, would recommend the zen den to short and longer term visitors - you’ll struggle to find a better base to enjoy Kits and downtown Vancouver.
Thanks again Jess!