Brooklyn Zen Gem Serenity is a fantastic place to stay and Sophie is an amazing host. I had issues booking a room owing to a technical problem on airbnb's side for 4 days, but Sophie was cheerful and extremely helpful throughout, calling airbnb to escalate the problem, which was ultimately fixed. I could tell before I got to the room what a great host and person she was. And when I got to her home -- wow! The room (one of three, I believe) was impeccable. Everything appeared to be brand-new and was super-clean. The bed and bedding were high-end-hotel quality. The same was true for the common room, kitchen and bathroom.

Sophie and her husband have done an amazing job turning the entire second floor of their home into a zen retreat. They have clearly taken great care at every level, from the multiple bedside treats to the serene color scheme, and have even added sound-proofing between two adjacent rooms. I live in Brooklyn and had booked the room to get a decent night's sleep in a quiet place, and boy, did I!

The area is super convenient and just a couple short blocks away from the R subway station and 86th St, the main street of Bay Ridge, where you can find tons of stores, banks, and restaurants.

I can't say enough about Sophie as a host. She and her husband clearly love being hosts and meeting new people. It was such a treat for me to stay there, and I know where I will go for my next mini escape in the city!