Vacation Rentals by Owner

Zen Studio on Heart Circle Mountain in Big Sur [#369462] | View Property

Big Sur
Studio, 1 Bath (Sleeps 2)
$325-350/nt - $1950-$2100/wk (1nt free)
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Traveler Reviews (17)

• Beautiful, relaxing anniversary trip

  Beautiful, relaxing anniversary trip

  • Guest Lee
  • Date of stay 08/25/12
  • Review Submitted 03/13/13
  My Husband and I stayed in the Zen Studio to celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary. The place is absolutely breathtaking, immaculately clean, furnished beautifully and has great views out the back and front windows. The photos don't lie, it's so perfect! The host was very helpful and welcoming but also stayed out of our way once she'd shown us where everything was and how everything worked. Hot Tub and outside shower were great, we sat in the hot tub and watched the fog come in. Kitchen was very clean and well stocked, only thing was there were no champagne glasses (just a heads up if you plan on drinking champagne) but there were wine glasses and anything else you might want for cooking. Great weekend away with lots to do around the area from hiking to restaurants to day spars, would stay here again anytime!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway.

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• Gorgeous views, completely peaceful!

  Gorgeous views, completely peaceful!

  • Guest ST
  • Date of stay 08/15/12
  • Review Submitted 08/26/12
  Wow! Thank you to Brianne & Andrew for a perfect stay. The Zen Suite is exactly as it appears online. Terrifically clean (and I am a neat-nick!), with gorgeous views and utter peacefulness. We loved the outdoor shower - what a fun experience, with views of the forest. From the hot tub, you can see every star...the nights are so clear and dark that it's an experience unlike any other. When we needed a meat thermometer for grilling dinner, Brianne was immediately and cheerfully accommodating. The drive up to the property was fun and made us feel like we were "locals"! We had planned to drive elsewhere for hiking, but instead chose to enjoy the views from the deck and to go on the two short hikes on the property. What a restful retreat. We'd love to return someday - this is a perfect location to get away from it all, yet a short drive to hiking in Big Sur and sightseeing in Carmel. Thank you for sharing your home!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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• Wonderful retreat!!

  Wonderful retreat!!

  • Guest Michael G.
  • Date of stay 07/10/12
  • Review Submitted 07/15/12
  We just stayed three nights at the Zen Studio. I would go back in an instant. The combination of the studio itself (perfectly neat, clean, comfortable and zen-like) and the mountain top location is perfect. So close to everything in Big Sur and Carmel, yet even when it is cold and foggy on the coast, the retreat remains sunny and warm. Breakfast on the patio surrounded by hummingbirds; beautifully clean private hot tub on the deck with views the mountains; the short but gorgeous trails on the property. Cannot ask for more in a place to stay in the area!

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• Paradise

  Paradise

  • Guest Gabriel A.
  • Date of stay 07/05/12
  • Review Submitted 07/12/12
  My wife and I were looking for a quiet, relaxing weekend on the coast to celebrate our most recent anniversary, and this place was the perfect fit - a cozy studio with a nice kitchen, plus an outdoor deck with a hot tub, a staggering view of Palo Colorado Canyon and an outdoor shower. Perfect for enjoying a glass of wine under the stars. Also, one morning we saw a deer walk right up to the window!!! On first glance, the studio appears to be right next to the owners' residence, but they were very discrete and provided a great sense of privacy. Highly recommended!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• Beautiful property. Well maintained and very nice owners

  Beautiful property. Well maintained and very nice owners

  • Guest Traveling_chic
  • Date of stay 06/27/12
  • Review Submitted 07/08/12
  The Zen studio was exactly as described and shown in the pictures. Very very nice. Well maintained property. Loved the privacy of the studio. The highlight is the hot tub on the deck and you can gaze at the stars while sitting in the hot tub. Breath taking views and feeling. Also loved the fact that the kitchen was fully equipped - we cooked most of the time while there, very easy to do. Also, Brianne keeps organic products around the house. Being a city person, the fact that there was no TV gave me a little shock - but this turned out to be an amazing thing! You really get to recharge and connect with your significant other. All you have is each other and the lovely mountain views! Also, the kitchen has some spices and stuff for you to cook with. The curvy road to get there is quite scary at first - during your first night, best to go there before nightfall to get familiar with the road. The studio is up up the mountain. The main house is attached to the studio, so you cna just knock on Brianne/Andrew's door if you need anything. Will definitely be back here. Very nice property!

  Recommended for: Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Best vacation home ever!!

  Best vacation home ever!!

  • Guest F
  • Date of stay 05/22/12
  • Review Submitted 06/12/12
  Beautiful inside and out!! From the drive up the gorgeous road we felt like went into a magical land Studio was spotlessly clean and so peaceful. Owner was so helpful and kind-- my husband and I had such a wonderful time-- Wish we could've stayed longer. Can't wait to go back

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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• Experience of a Lifetime!

  Experience of a Lifetime!

  • Guest Rue-Nu
  • Date of stay 05/14/12
  • Review Submitted 05/24/12
  My wife and I spent our honeymoon @ Zen Studio and had an amazing experience. Pictures just can't do this property justice...for a couple of Lowcountry Sandlappers from Charleston, SC; this was like stepping onto another planet! Brianne was so hospitable and accomodating and we really enjoyed chatting with her. Obviously a honeymoon is a time in one's life that will always be a significant memory...we're just thankful we chose Zen Studio to make those memories.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers

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• Stay in the Zen Studio

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Stay in the Zen Studio

  • Guest Susan & James
  • Date of stay 02/24/12
  • Review Submitted 05/30/12
  Dear Brianne, Thank you for sharing the beautiful sanctuary you've created on Heart Circle Mountain. We've appreciated all the details you've made to create this serene Zen Studio. We are leaving feeling rested and rejuvenated. Blessings of light and joy,

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• Serene

  Serene

  • Guest DK
  • Date of stay 10/07/11
  • Review Submitted 11/01/11
  Had a great stay...so beautiful and peaceful! Will definately be back!!

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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• Can't wait to return!

  Can't wait to return!

  • Guest Sandy (and Ralph)
  • Date of stay 09/20/11
  • Review Submitted 09/26/11
  We fell in love with Zen Studio. What a great space. If you are looking for something peaceful, tasteful, and super comfortable, this is for you. Every detail has been meticulously planned out. Even the bed has got to be one of the most comfortable of any place we've stayed in. We both love to cook and found the kitchen and grill easy to work with. Sure we could have gone out to dinner, but it was so nice being up on the ridge, we wanted to stay. Brianne, owner and host is so welcoming and helpful we feel like we've made a good friend. Go, enjoy, regroup, wake up to mountains, red woods, and beautiful flowers. Make a cup of coffee or tea and sit outside and take it all in. We'll definitely be back-and we hope it's soon.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

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• awesome accomodation: Zen Studio

  awesome accomodation: Zen Studio

  • Guest Mars
  • Date of stay 09/10/11
  • Review Submitted 09/24/11
  We had a lovely time at the Zen Studio. It's a beautiful quiet place, completely furnished. Great hot tub and the perfect location for exploring the Big Sur area. Highly recommended!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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• Beautiful View

  Beautiful View

  • Guest Elizabeth D.
  • Date of stay 07/31/11
  • Review Submitted 08/16/11
  I really enjoyed my quiet stay in the Zen Studio. The place was immaculately clean and all amenities were as advertised. Brianne and Andrew run a comfortable getaway just ripe for solitude and reading. Thanks and I hope to come back.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Out of this world!!

  Out of this world!!

  • Guest Pepe
  • Date of stay 05/27/11
  • Review Submitted 06/01/11
  The property is about 2-3 miles off of Highway 1, on a secluded hilltop that is impossibly lush and vibrant. The studio was pretty enough to make The Standard Hotel look shabby. After a homemade grilled steak dinner (gas grill and full kitchen attached to studio), as we soak in the hot tub with a glass of wine and enjoying the clearest starry sky in our adult memories, everything faded and seemed dreamy and unreal. For the next two days, we settled into a loose routine of sightseeing along the coast, picnics, napping, grilling steaks for dinner, and soaking in the hot tub. Suddenly the deeper meaning of life is within grasp. Truly an out-of-this-world experience. Skip the hotels, come stay here, and have your eyes opened.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Zen Studio Getaway

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Zen Studio Getaway

  • Guest Nick
  • Date of stay 05/13/11
  • Review Submitted 07/29/11
  My wife and I spent a spectacular 2 nights at the Zen Studio in Big Sur. Brianne was a great hostess who was very helpful when we had questions. The studio was exactly what was advertised and the views and surrounding property were beautiful. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to get away for a few days or who is looking for a good location to stay when visiting the Carmel / Big Sur area.

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• Zen Studio was Zentastic!

  Zen Studio was Zentastic!

  • Guest MangoTango
  • Date of stay 02/18/11
  • Review Submitted 03/07/11
  We spent a long weekend in the Zen Studio. Terrible rain storms on that Friday got us out of San Francisco late. We got a courtesy call that the electric had gone out due to the storm but by the time we arrived that night, the power was back on. Studio was just perfect: great views of the canyon, comfy kitchen, romantic bed, minimal furniture. Hot tub was splendid both in the rain and after it cleared up. Made ample use of the grill and the kitchen (large toaster over and hotplate but no formal stove/oven) for great meals. Especially relaxing. We didn't want to leave. Easy access down the canyon to Route 1 as well (we made an Esalen hot tub trip on the last night -- took about 45 minutes each way). HIGHLY recommended!!!

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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• Excellent stay at the Zen Studio Aug 2010

  Excellent stay at the Zen Studio Aug 2010

  • Guest Rob
  • Date of stay 08/15/10
  • Review Submitted 08/28/10
  We really enjoyed our recent stay at the Zen Studio. The studio itself is beautiful, quiet, and very private. The mountain and forest views were fantastic and watching the fog roll in during the evenings from the hot tub was very relaxing. Andrew greeted us and was very kind. He was also extremely helpful with hiking tips and knowledge of the area. The location of the studio is ideal because you are midway between Carmel and Big Sur with easy drives to a lot of great state parks and hikes. If you are looking for a relaxing, peaceful and beautiful place to stay we would highly recommend staying at Heart Circle Ranch in the Zen Studio. Thanks for everything. Tracy and Rob.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Memorable Memorial

  Memorable Memorial

  • Guest michi13
  • Date of stay 05/27/10
  • Review Submitted 06/09/10
  Finding this gem in Big Sur has forever changed how I plan to spend my vacation time. Brianne has put so much love into her property and I am so thankful that she has chosen to share it with the lucky few of us who find it amongst the endless list of vacation homes. My boyfriend and I stayed in the zen studio; we woke up every morning to a fabulous view of forrest and blue sky from our cozy bed, eagles soaring in plain view. After a quick shower outside (a little intimidating at first, but AMAZING once you try it.), we were as close as 7 minutes from hikes, but within about 40 minutes from the majority of ones listed in our guidebook. The kitchen has a hot plate in place of a stove, and a toaster oven in place of a full size oven. A BBQ on the deck is available to use as well. I cooked some fantastic meals with those appliances, but arrived with the expectation of a full kitchen (no surprises for you, though). We arrived the first night to chocolates and wine waiting for us, just because. Anyone living or working on this property offers a friendly smile and "hello" when walking by, but gives the guests the privacy they seek. Brianne is around to help if you need her, but mostly (as I imagine her) just sits back and smiles, knowing that people nearby are enjoying this little secret as much as she has over the years. We WILL be back.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2