Apartment

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

Family-friendly apartment in Chattanooga

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
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 492.9 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Parking available
  • Outdoor space
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View map
Chattanooga, TN
  • Place, Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Ruby Falls
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Chattanooga Choo Choo Historic District
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Airport, Chattanooga, TN (CHA-Chattanooga Metropolitan)
    ‪15 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

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Mountain view

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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

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. Tennessee Aquarium is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Ruby Falls and Rock City. Travelling with kids? Consider Songbirds Guitar Museum and Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and horse riding.
Map
Chattanooga, TN

What's nearby

  • Lookout Mountain Incline Railway - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Ruby Falls - 3 min drive - 3.1 km
  • Chattanooga Choo Choo Historic District - 5 min drive - 5.1 km
  • Chattanooga Convention Center - 5 min drive - 5.5 km
  • Tennessee Aquarium - 7 min drive - 6.9 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Domino's Pizza - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪The Tap House - ‬10 min walk

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.

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?

Located in the centre of Chattanooga, this family-friendly apartment building is within a 10-minute walk of Moccasin Bend Brewing Company and Lookout Mountain Incline Railway. Ruby Falls is 1.5 mi (2.4 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

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
Rating 10 - Excellent. 235 out of 242 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 242 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 242 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 242 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 242 reviews

Reviews

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

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

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

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

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Lindsey V.

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

Lovely

Just what we needed
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca H.

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

Perfect stay

Beautiful suite and very clean. Comfortable beds. I would stay there again. Hosts are wonderful and very responsive to any questions. Excellent location
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeff and Angela N., McKinney - outside of Dallas, TX

Fantastic place to stay!! The Best!!

Everything was absolutely perfect from the comfortable beds to chocolate treats. The place was extremely clean and the kitchen perfectly stocked. We walked to restaurants and the Incline Railway. Fantastic place to celebrate our wedding anniversary.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jeannell C.

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

Nice Stay in the Bear House

The Stinson Suite apartment was very comfortable, well decorated and well supplied with useful kitchen and bath items. The bed linens and towels were luxurious. This was my second time to stay at the Bear House and I would try to stay there again if I am in Chattanooga in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kyle S.

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

Our 2nd Stay, Great Again

Hard to picture any better place to stay than the Bear House. It was our second stay. Hard to get closer to Rock City.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Jon H.

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

Two week stay for Ironman

A unique property in a historic area, while close enough to downtown. We were here primarily to participate in Ironman Chattanooga, but also spent some time exploring the area. The accomodation provided us with a good base, and was well stocked.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Margy M.

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

Great place super close to St Elmo!

This place was the perfect spot for our visit to family! Only ten minutes drive up Lookout Mountain to all the attractions, short drive to downtown, and a walk to St Elmo! Such a wonderful location and a nice haven during our family trip! The owners are so wonderful and have many great recommendations and history about Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain! I would definitely stay here again while visiting family!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Christina C.

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

Chattanooga Visit

Property was exactly as listed. I found the room rental uniquely different.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

christine

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Very welcoming and responsive hosts, comfortable bed with nice linens and lots of bath supplies, everything we needed and more. We enjoyed sitting in one of the gardens at the end of the day, location is nice and a great base for daily trips. Photos are accurate.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ryan Y.

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

Super cute

Amazing place with great history. Probably could have sat with the host for hours listening to the history of Chattanooga.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kevin M.

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

Great apartment for our Chattanooga stay

Really lovely apartment that had everything we needed. The apartment was nice and cool when we arrived with the temperature in Chattanooga close to 90 that afternoon. The check-in process was seamless and here were really nice touches throughout,
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Clay C.

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

Well-appointed two-room suite in a quiet neighborhood

My family of two recently stayed in the Stinson Suite and loved it! The owners thoughtfully stocked the kitchen and bathroom with everything we'd need for our stay. There are so many nice touches that make it feel like home. The den is comfortable with a nice TV (with cable). The beds are quite comfortable. We also enjoyed being in the St. Elmo neighborhood. It was convenient yet quiet. I'd gladly stay here again in the future.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrew J.

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

Fathers-in-law

Fathers My daughter married his son. We cruised from Nashville to Chattanooga and spend a couple of extra days sightseeing. Great memories. Our VRBO. The Bear House was perfect. Highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathy G.

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

Bear House, Chattanooga

Nicest, most responsive hosts we have ever had for a Vrbo. Top hosts of at least 15 that we have rented. Best cleanliness. Great location. Every single amentity/utility worked like a charm. Enjoyed meeting the host and speaking with him.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Travis R.

Nice, comfortable basement unit.

The basement unit had 2 bedroom, one bath, and a full private kitchen. Walking distance to the Lookout Incline Railway and grocery store. Off street parking. I would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth C.

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

A Wonderful New Year’s Eve/Anniversary Visit!

For our anniversary this year, we stayed in this charming apartment in St. Elmo, Chattanooga. It was fabulous! Every little detail was thoughtfully, beautifully designed with guests comfort in mind. The Christmas decorations were gorgeous & the too-many-to-list outdoor gathering areas were extremely inviting even in the cold weather! Great food within walking distance & wonderful sites to see. Highly recommend The Bear House!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Michelle H.

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

Perfect Location. Thoughtful Touches.

The hosts are a very sweet couple that live on the first floor. We stayed on the Stinson Suite and it was fillled with thoughtful touches like a basket of snacks, bottled waters, a coffee bar stocked with creamer and sugar, makeup remover wipes, toiletries, and even a supplies basket with deodorant and toothbrushes in case we forgot something. The location was perfect. We walked to the Incline Railway and restaurants, and Rock City was less than a 10 minute drive. Also, the beds were like sleeping on clouds! We only wish we could have stayed longer.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heath B.

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

Hidden Gem!

Our stay at the Bear House was a total surprise. The host were great at check in, and we only saw them if we needed something. The neighborhood felt completely safe at all hours. Our apartment was the unbelievably part. The entire space was immaculate. The beds were incredible, everything you would need and then some was provided. A generous snack bowl and candy was supplied which was great with our busy schedule. Convenient to EVERYTHING! We want to book again to stay and enjoy when we don't have such a packed schedule. I would recommend staying on this property 10/10!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lauren S.

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

Sweet Family Vacay

My husband and our two children (4 and 6) stayed in the Stinson Suite for 4 nights. The property was great and the kids loved exploring the grounds (talking to Big Foot and riding scooters in the driveway). There was a playground right down the street which we enjoyed and the house very close to Lookout Mountain to visit Rock City and Ruby Falls and go hiking. Not in the center of downtown, but a quick 15-20 minute drive. We preferred the drive over being in the middle of all the hustle and bustle. The suite itself had everything we could have needed and was right next to the shared laundry which was convenient. 2nd bedroom was very small with low ceiling, but our kids slept in there so it was a non-issue.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

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

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests