BCBusiness
With grab bars, a dancing pole, a tantric chaise and more, the Love Nest was designed to celebrate intimacy without shame.
When Hotel Zed’s Victoria property underwent a $6 million, ‘70s-inspired renovation to mark its 10th anniversary last year, one room was left untouched. That space has now become The Love Nest—B.C.’s first and only hotel suite designed explicitly for sex.
“I’ve been dreaming of The Love Nest for years, and I’m inspired by the unspoken truth that sex in hotel rooms is better than sex at home,” says Hotel Zed’s CEO Mandy Farmer. “I wanted to create an oasis of sex positivity: a safe space where you’re allowed to celebrate sensuality and explore what excites you.”
The Love Nest does just that. Keeping with the hotel’s aversion to the ordinary, the suite is anything but the norm. From groovy vintage records and cleverly-placed grab bars to a flirty dancing pole and sex swing, the room is designed and fully equipped for an intimacy-focused experience.
Ensuring pleasure and ease for guests was at the top of the list for Farmer, who shares that this singular room is the most difficult project she has ever worked on. With intimacy at the forefront of every detail, she consulted with experts in queer, sex-positive and body-positive communities, including sex educator and founder of Body Beloved Maxine Fischer.
The result is a suite where design and functionality go hand in hand.
“We approached every detail and touchpoint with this question: how can this enhance intimacy?” says Farmer.
Every surface and furniture is not only tactile and sensual, but also made to support all bodies in exploring sex safely and comfortably: think grab bars, wedge pillows and a tantric chaise. Thick velvet curtains lining the mirrored bedroom walls give guests the choice of revealing or concealing their reflections without ruining the mood.
For those concerned about interruptions or awkward questions, privacy is another priority that has been accounted for. Housekeeping only comes when requested, and as for the extensive features and amenities, Farmer says a retro cocktail bar-inspired menu explains each in detail. So there’s no need to call the front desk.
“Shame isn’t invited to The Love Nest,” she adds.
A playroom is incomplete without a playpen, and The Love Nest came prepared. The custom velvet sectional is a throwback to the iconic ‘70s Playpen sofa that fits seamlessly into the room’s speakeasy theme. It’s also where guests might find themselves playing sweet and spicy games or browsing the suite’s curated library—Farmer’s personal favourite.
“I’ve been collecting books and resources that inspire me,” she says. “Sometimes a partner may ask what you’re into, and you draw a blank. You don’t know what you don’t know, right?”
Play extends to every corner of the room—even the bathroom, with its peekaboo window into the bedroom, five showerheads, an assortment of grab bars extending to the ceiling and even a workbench.
For Farmer, The Love Nest is more than just a passion project—it’s a confession and appreciation for the hotel and its visitors. “We held this room back from the renovation because we had bigger plans to transform the suite into…a love letter to this property and to this community that’s always supported Hotel Zed,” she explains.
And the community has responded enthusiastically, Farmer says. Nearly 2,000 people signed up for the suite’s pre-sale list, and the room is fully booked every weekend for the foreseeable future.
The Love Nest is designed to empower and encourage open conversations about sex and intimacy. For Farmer, it’s about building a culture where pleasure is unapologetic and play is celebrated.
“I am confident that there’s nothing ordinary about The Love Nest,” she says. “I think it really is rebellious to talk about sex openly, without shame or judgment, let alone create physical space for it.”
After all, at Hotel Zed, ordinary is never on the menu.
Get the latest headlines delivered to your inbox 3 times a week.