Apartment

Bear House 1890, Stinson Suite, Perfect Getaway, Walk to Cafes, Outdoor Activity

Photo gallery for Bear House 1890, Stinson Suite, Perfect Getaway, Walk to Cafes, Outdoor Activity

Beautifully furnished living room with new dining table.
The front porch, perfect for an afternoon visit. Dining area on the other end.
Front of the Bear House. As seen on HGTV's House Hunter's show.
Perfect dining for four.
Private entrance to Stinson Suite.

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area

Highlights

  • Family fun awaits
    Top-rated for families.
  • Private garden
    A rare find — relax in the peaceful, private garden space.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Walk to Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washer/dryer
  • Air-conditioning
  • Deck or patio
  • Free Wi-Fi

Explore the area

View map
Chattanooga, TN
  • Place, Moccasin Bend Brewing Company
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Ruby Falls
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, Chattanooga, TN (CHA-Chattanooga Metropolitan)
    ‪18 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Bear House 1890, Stinson Suite, Perfect Getaway, Walk to Cafes, Outdoor Activity


🐻 Welcome to the Historic Bear House Circa 1890! The best of everything!! Refined luxury, detailed amenities, large beautiful property. Walk to local restaurants, shops, grocery store, hiking and biking trails, tourist attractions. Less than 4 miles from Aquarium, all downtown, mountain and waterfront activities.

Beautifully restored 120 year old house, the Bear House, and additional carriage house with beautiful grounds. A rare opportunity to stay in a special historic property that adds to your trip experience; much more than simply a place to spend the night! Centrally located in Chattanooga in the trendy St Elmo Historic District, at the foot of Lookout Mountain.

Private Stinson Suite daylight basement apartment at the Bear House, with its own entrance, offers historic charm with modern-day amenities. Wonderful, private apartment including two bedrooms and a full bath. Open kitchen, living and dining floor plan.

**High quality, fully equipped kitchen with electric stove/oven, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator. Small appliances include toaster, mixer, crock pot and electric teapot. The hospitality center comes equipped with Keurig and a well stocked variety of coffee, teas and hot chocolate and related condiments. The basics are kept stocked for your convenience: paper towels, garbage bags, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, foils and plastic wrap, salt and pepper, spices, olive oil, canola oil, sugar and some breakfast items.
**Beautiful living room with ample seating, dining, games, high speed Wifi, large smart HDTV with Cable, Amazon Prime and Netflix - a wonderful gathering space for you to relax and enjoy your visit.
**Resource center in living room with office supplies, vacations guides, reading materials.
**Queen bed, luxury bedding and linens, Smart HDTV with Amazon Prime and Netflix, iron and ironing board, full length mirror, luggage racks, water bottles, bedside radio/clock with 2 outlets and 2 ports for charging your devices, high speed Wifi (lower ceiling - 7'10").
**Full bed, luxury bedding and linens, full length mirror, luggage rack, water bottles, bedside radio/clock with 2 outlets and 2 ports for charging your devices, high speed Wifi. (lower ceiling - 7'4")
**Spacious full size bathroom with bathtub/shower combination (rain head faucet), hair dryer, and specialty toiletries from nationally known local store Good Fortune (soaps, body wash, bath salts, lotion), luxury towels and numerous amenities.
**Separate laundry room with large capacity washer and dryer. Laundry room located in the main house (Bear House), in the hallway outside Stinson Suite. Shared between Stinson Suite and the Carriage House (Sherfey Suite & Lilly''s Loft).

Our spacious property offers many opportunities for gathering spaces outdoors. The large old-fashioned front porch, courtyard garden and gazebo are wonderful spots for morning coffee, a special evening meal, or a place to relax in a comfortable chair with a good book. The special garden areas, and larger outdoor seating areas provide additional space for your enjoyment. Be sure to explore the carved bears placed around the property and hear their story! In the spring and summer, help yourself to the blackberries and small vegetable garden. And don’t miss the scavenger hunt; over 40 sculptured animals roam the property for you to find.

Our beautiful large property sits on an entire block, front to back, in the charming St Elmo Historic District. There is the majestic main house called Historic Bear House 1890 (6500sqft) that consists of 3 other private apartments. My husband and I reside on the private first floor in the main house. Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the main house, through the luscious courtyard, is the Carriage House (1600sqft) with 2 private apartments. With over 25 years experience in the rental property business, we specialize in a broad spectrum of lodging needs, from quick getaways, to out of town family and friends, to corporate rentals and short term rentals. With pampered on-site attention you’ll feel taken care of from your first inquiry until the end of your stay, whether it is a short trip or a few months.

Be sure to check out our other private apartments located here at the Historic Bear House 1890 property:

Workman Wing, 2 BR, 1BA, #1021491

Wheland Wing, 2 BR, 1BA, #1021450

Johnson Retreat, 4BR, 2BA, #1021232 (Workman & Wheland Wings combined)

Stinson Suite, 2BR, 1BA, #1076824

Lilly’s Loft, 1BR, 1BA, #1324077

Sherfey Suite, 1BR, 1BA, #1172405

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Inquire Host about event details (event attendees, type of event)

Important information

You need to know

Property # 1076824vb
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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 8
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Chattanooga

Located in St. Elmo, a neighbourhood in Chattanooga, this apartment is next to a golf course. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Ruby Falls and Tennessee River, while Lookout Mountain Incline Railway and Tennessee Aquarium are popular area attractions. Travelling with kids? Don't miss Chattanooga Zoo and Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hunting and rock climbing.
Map
Chattanooga, TN

What's nearby

  • Roy Nelms Park - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Moccasin Bend Brewing Company - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Lookout Mountain Incline Railway - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • St. Elmo Park - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Ruby Falls - 4 min drive - 4.2 km

Getting around

  • Chattanooga, TN (CHA-Chattanooga Metropolitan) - 27 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Little Coyote - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪The Tap House - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Massey’s Kitchen - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Bear House 1890, Stinson Suite, Perfect Getaway, Walk to Cafes, Outdoor Activity pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Bear House 1890, Stinson Suite, Perfect Getaway, Walk to Cafes, Outdoor Activity?

As of 16 June 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Bear House 1890, Stinson Suite, Perfect Getaway, Walk to Cafes, Outdoor Activity on 29 June 2026 start from NZ$347, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Bear House 1890, Stinson Suite, Perfect Getaway, Walk to Cafes, Outdoor Activity?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Bear House 1890, Stinson Suite, Perfect Getaway, Walk to Cafes, Outdoor Activity?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Bear House 1890, Stinson Suite, Perfect Getaway, Walk to Cafes, Outdoor Activity?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Bear House 1890, Stinson Suite, Perfect Getaway, Walk to Cafes, Outdoor Activity located?

This family-friendly apartment building is located in the city centre, within 1 mi (2 km) of Lookout Mountain Incline Railway and Tennessee River. Ruby Falls is 1.5 mi (2.4 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 245 out of 254 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 254 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 254 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 254 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 254 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jo K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great little 2bR area. Very comfortable, cozy, ALL the amenities you could need. I especially appreciated the white noise machine and how charming the decor was, inside and out. Loved all the outdoor seating areas and tons of flowers.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Was a good place to stay for a few days
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 12 April 2026
Thank you so much! Please come again anytime.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lisa D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent, welcoming and wonderful to stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 12 April 2026
Thank you for your review and staying with us. Please come again anytime!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brandon B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was very clean and quiet. Perfect for our small child and us. Very close to every attraction and the host was very friendly. We loved the garden and outdoor seating
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brenda W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The hosts were very friendly and welcoming. The outside area was beautiful with lots of flowers and conversation areas. The accommodations were spotless! It was also very quiet. I would definitely stay here again if traveling to Chatanooga.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gina S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Super cute place. Everything was well-stocked, beds were comfy, location is close to everything.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 12 April 2026
Thank you for your review. We do have the best location! We work hard to provide a clean and well stocked apartment for your visit. Please come again anytime!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Allison M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved staying here! The owners were amazing and went out of their way to make sure we felt at home! It is located in the cutest neighborhood with walkable places to eat. It is just minutes to all the major attractions. The property itself is clean and felt like home. Outside there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the grounds. You won’t be disappointed if you decide to stay here. We would love to stay here in the future. Thanks for everything!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lisa W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Always the best!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 12 April 2026
Thank you so much! We love to have our guests return for visits!!
Verified

8/10 Good

Elizabeth B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
A fun and funky/kitschy property in a fantastic location! Great for hikers or young travelers. NOTE for FAMILIES: We were traveling with an infant and a toddler so the basement suite was not ideal for our situation, which is not a reflection of the property but rather important to have a clear description for families so they can make the right choice. With young kids, we just needed more space and even surfaces - the ceilings are very low, the floors slope and there are steps going up into the bedroom and up to the bathtub in an odd way, as well as a flight of stairs to get down into the basement suite so it is not really safe for children and is in no way handicap accessible.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christy K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

great neighborhood

we enjoyed our stay
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kim K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was terrific! The
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 12 April 2026
Thank you for choosing to stay with us here at The Bear House!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Taylor Hoku H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

One-day two-night family getaway

From check in to check out, our experience was wonderful.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nicki C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Love this place!

This is one of the best places I have ever stayed. This was my third time here and would stay here again! The location is great, the place in clean and they provide tons of essentials.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 28 June 2025
Thank you so much! We love having our guests come for another visit. We work hard to keep all our apts spotless and well stocked.! Please come again anytime!
Verified

8/10 Good

Sandi S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bear House

Great area for my St Elmo stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 28 June 2025
Thank you for staying with us. We do have a great location for any trip to chattanooga! Please come again anytime.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Debbie U.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Great location and nice to have parking. Loved our rooms!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 1 April 2020
Thank you for your review and for choosing to stay with us here at The Bear House. Please come again anytime!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mark B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great property, Great hosts!

Steve and Sharman were great hosts, and we loved the house! We highly recommend staying here.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marc S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect cozy spot

We absolutely loved our stay at the Bear House! So cute & cozy - it was the perfect spot to rest & relax after a busy day of hiking and adventures.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Whitney G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very clean
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 12 April 2026
Thank you! Please come again anytime!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lisa W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Comfortable place every time

We had a wonderful stay! They have everything you need. Beds are very comfortable!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ashley H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is such a cute little place! They have a nice set up with many rentals. It is in such a convenient area. We loved it! We want to try other of their rentals too! This one is in the basement. If you are very tall you may have trouble! My husband 6'1" and his head touched the ceiling in the smaller bedroom. I'm 5'9" and my head was right at the shower head. The bigger bedroom's bed was a little saggy in the middle. Kind of a hammock feel. My back was feeling it.It was very clean and well maintained. They supplied coffee and snacks and some extra bathroom supplies were there of needed. Such nice people too.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 12 April 2026
Thank you so much for staying with us here at The Bear House! We’re glad you could visit. I’m so sorry the bed was uncomfortable. I wish we’re had known while you were here. Thanks for letting us know now. We will get on it first thing tomorrow! We are known for our comfortable beds and bedding and want to be sure to maintain that standard! Yes, our 7000 sq ft home is over 135 years old so that comes with its own uniqueness. The smaller bedroom and shower have shorter ceilings than the rest of the apartment. Our Stinson suite daylight basement apartment does have many repeat guests though as do our other apartments at The Bear House. Please come again anytime and try out the other spaces! They all are different and have their own special traits. Thanks, again.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic stay

Very clean, well-stocked property, in a great location. The bed was comfortable, the towels were good quality. Plenty of outdoor seating areas. We would definitely stay there again if we were in the area.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Karin N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay

This cute little rental had plenty of space for the two of us. It was clean, comfortable and well stocked with essentials, the numerous outdoor spaces were wonderful to relax after a day of activities. Great location close to many attractions.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Barry B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend Getaway

Great property and very cozy. Close to the heart of downtown with several good dining options. House was wonderful in every way. Will be back and highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

john b c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bear House

Really enoyed our stay at the Bear House. Have stayed there three times. Look forwasrdedto next stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tamrah S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay

Looked just like photos. Super clean. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 1 April 2020
Thanks for your review. We are glad you enjoyed your stay! Please come again anytime, we love having repeat guests!

About the host

Hosted by Steve and Sharman Sherfey

Host profile image
The Bear House is a beautifully restored 6,900 square foot house built in 1890. We have lived here for 25 years, raising our four children and enjoying this small community (St Elmo) within the city. Our long-term plan has been to share this special property as a B&B/Short Term Rental when we retired.

We opened as The Bear House in March of 2017. It has been a truly special year and brought great joy sharing The Bear House and meeting so many wonderful guests.

Steve and I live on the 1st floor of the house, which is completely separate from the 2nd story listings as well as the basement/lower level listing. In addition, we have the Carriage House with 2 listings. We are proud of The Bear House and think you will have a wonderful stay!

What makes this property unique

Beautifully restored 120 year old house and additional Carriage house with beautiful grounds. A rare opportunity to stay in a special historic property that adds to your trip experience; much more than simply a place to spend the night! One of the best locations for a trip to Chattanooga.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

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