Top 10% of guest reviews in this areaTop 10% of guest reviews in this area
5 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 12
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free Wi-Fi
Air-conditioning
Explore the area
Dahlonega, GA
Cavender Creek Vineyards & Winery
Place, Cavender Creek Vineyards & Winery
6 min drive
Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo
Place, Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo
8 min drive
Crisson Gold Mine
Place, Crisson Gold Mine
10 min drive
Rooms & beds
5 bedrooms (sleeps 12)
Basement Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Basement Bedroom 2
1 Queen Bed
Basement Bedroom 3
3 Single Beds
Honeymoon Suite
2 Single Beds and 1 King Bed
Master Suite
1 King Bed
3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom
Basement
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Half on Main
Toilet
Honeymoon Suite
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Master Suite
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Relax & Unwind at the Chestatee River Retreat! Pet Friendly & Near Wineries
Dog friendly & convenient to local wineries!
We're located right on the Chestatee River near historic Dahlonega, Georgia.
Whether you're visiting the North Georgia mountains for a wedding, winery tours, one of our many festivals, admiring the fall leaves, a college graduation, a family vacation, or in hopes of striking it rich while panning for gold, we're certain that our home will be a place of rest and relaxation during your stay.
There's gold in them thar hills! Historic Dahlonega, Georgia, gateway to the Appalachian Mountains, is the site of the first major U.S. gold rush. Come pan for gold in the Chestatee river. This large home is located directly on the Chestatee just before the old Coppermines. It was recently renovated, and is ready for eager treasure hunters and vacationers. We have central heating and air with a ductless air conditioning system in the honeymoon suite on the top floor and we continue to make improvements each year to ensure our guests have a great experience!
This warm, inviting home on the river was built in 1997. It has five bedrooms, three and a half baths, two great rooms, and two kitchens. All the rooms have high ceilings including the ground floor. If you like vaulted wood ceilings and the heavenly sound and view of the river just one hundred feet off the covered back deck, this is the place to spend your vacation.
The upstairs living space consists of two suites, each on a different floor with their own private bathrooms, a great room, a dining room, a full kitchen, a half bath, and a covered porch overlooking the river. The master bedroom on the main floor has a king size bed and a full private bathroom. The honeymoon suite upstairs has an Amish king-size bed, a daybed with a trundle, a sitting area, a vaulted wood ceiling, and a full private bathroom. Guests with minor mobility issues can easily access the bedroom on the main floor (only two steps on the front porch). We also have a handicap shower/bathtub bench for the main floor master bathroom. The house is not handicap accessible although one previous guest with a wheelchair commented that she was able to get around the main floor just fine.
The terrace level (ground floor) has three bedrooms, a great room/kitchen combo, one full bathroom, and a patio under the main deck also overlooking the river. Two of the bedrooms have queen size beds. The third bedroom has two twin beds with a built-in loft for children.
In total there are two king beds, two queen beds, two twin beds with a built-in loft, and a daybed with a trundle bed.
The accommodations are perfect for two couples with children, large extended families, a girls, guys or couples retreat, groups attending a wedding (we get a lot), family and company gatherings and wine tour groups. The upstairs living area is also quite cozy if you’re looking for more of a romantic getaway or have a smaller group. The main floor and upstairs suite has an old feel to it even though the house is relatively new and it has an open airy feeling with high ceilings and lots of natural light from the windows. Several rooms have antique dressers and gold accents. For our larger groups, there’s easily enough room to park up to eight vehicles.
One of our favorite activities at the house is relaxing by the river with friends and family and roasting marshmallows around the fire pit.
Have you ever panned for gold? This house comes with several gold pans so your family and friends can come search for gold without ever leaving the property. Several guests have found gold right on the property.
There are many fun things to do in and around Dahlonega including outdoor sports like kayaking, fishing, hiking, mountain biking and golf. There are also a lot of great vineyards (Cavender Creek, Wolf Mountain, Three Sisters, & Frogtown to name a few nearby), restaurants (Bourbon Street Grille is our favorite for dinner or brunch), antique shops, arts and crafts stores, wildlife preserves, and festivals to explore. The Smith House is a historic family style buffet worth visiting. Lake Lanier is also only 30 minutes south of Dahlonega in Cumming and Gainesville.
Don’t forget to have your picture taken with our life-size wooden hillbilly, Jed! He’ll be out on the back deck with his moonshine awaiting your arrival.
Book this exciting vacation getaway… make your reservations now!
Lumpkin County Georgia Business License #3912 / Short-Term Rental License #005
There are smart doorbells installed by the front & rear entrances with audio and video recording capabilities for security purposes.
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Guest acknowledge the property is located on the river and swim at own risk.
Do not allow children on back deck or in river without adult supervision.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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
Dahlonega
Located in Dahlonega, this holiday home is in the mountains and on the waterfront. Cavender Creek Vineyards & Winery and Three Sisters Vineyard are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo and North Georgia Zoo. Travelling with kids? Consider Mt. Yonah Book Exchange, or check out an event or a game at Yahoola Creek Tennis Center. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and water tubing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and ecotours.
Cavender Creek Vineyards & Winery - 6 min drive - 5.1 km
Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo - 8 min drive - 8.5 km
Crisson Gold Mine - 10 min drive - 12.2 km
Kaya Vineyard & Winery - 10 min drive - 12.2 km
Frogtown Cellars - 12 min drive - 14.2 km
Getting around
Gainesville Station - 32 min drive
Atlanta, GA (PDK-DeKalb-Peachtree) - 70 min drive
Restaurants
Chick-fil-A - 13 min drive
McDonald's - 15 min drive
Dunkin' - 14 min drive
Dairy Queen - 14 min drive
Tomato House Farms - 9 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Relax & Unwind at the Chestatee River Retreat! Pet Friendly & Near Wineries pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).
How much does it cost to stay at Relax & Unwind at the Chestatee River Retreat! Pet Friendly & Near Wineries?
As of 8 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Relax & Unwind at the Chestatee River Retreat! Pet Friendly & Near Wineries on 26 July 2026 start from AU$368, 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 Relax & Unwind at the Chestatee River Retreat! Pet Friendly & Near Wineries?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Relax & Unwind at the Chestatee River Retreat! Pet Friendly & Near Wineries?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Relax & Unwind at the Chestatee River Retreat! Pet Friendly & Near Wineries?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Relax & Unwind at the Chestatee River Retreat! Pet Friendly & Near Wineries located?
This family-friendly Dahlonega holiday home is located on the waterfront, 2.6 mi (4.1 km) from Cavender Creek Vineyards & Winery, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo and Chattahoochee National Forest. North Georgia Zoo and The Historic Holly Theater are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Amazing location being on the river and nearby things to do. We love being able to bring our dogs for a weekend away. The house was very spacious as well!
Tori W.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Nov 2025
Glad to hear you guys had a wonderful weekend getaway! Come see us again soon :)
The hast was very helping and concerned that our family would have a good time. All amenities were in order. The family had a great time and would use him again
Blas B.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Dec 2025
We're glad to hear your family had a wonderful stay! Come see us again soon :)
We have stayed here 4 times and we absolutely love it. The location is beautiful and is convenient to the places we love to visit. The home was clean and they provided the essential items that we needed. The owners are awesome to work with.
Jennifer S.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Nov 2025
Thanks for continuing to choose us :) We're glad we continue to knock it out of the park for you guys!
We really enjoyed our stay! The house was awesome! With having my 2-month-old grandbaby - the crib was a nice addition! Also having the handicap shower chair was awesome!Really enjoyed the screened in porch! Would love to come back during the spring or summer to enjoy the river! Seeing the eagles was a bonus!The owners were amazing and responded very quickly to my questions while we were there.If I had anything to suggest, it would be to have extra bath clothes.We will be back!
Lori Deal 8.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Jan 2026
Glad to hear your family had a wonderful time staying at our river cabin :) Come see us again soon!
Super beautiful property with plenty of space to to relax comfortably. Hosts are super nice and communicative. Will be returning!
Hallie S.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 16 June 2025
Glad to hear we earned ourselves another return guest :)
Verified
6/10 Okay
Denise S.
18 Aug 2025
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
We did enjoy our stay. The house is dated and the kitchen is set up in a weird way. Very tight. Being on the river was amazing though. The hosts were gracious when we needed them.
Denise S.
Stayed 16 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Sept 2025
Glad to hear you enjoyed your stay. Sorry the layout didn't suit your needs. We feel the photos are an accurate reflection of the property, and we're always happy to answer questions regarding our properties or the area during the booking process to aid our guests in making an informed decision. Thanks for sharing.
We wish we had more time to actually utilize river and fire pit…we had a weekend packed with wedding (and a funeral in Hartwell). We all thought the property was super and sad we didn’t get enough time.All instructions were clear and being able to contact owner with fast answers was nice. Plenty of room for us all.
Cynthia L.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Oct 2025
Glad to hear our retreat was the perfect space for your crew! You guys will just have to come back soon when you spend more time by the river :)
This house was perfect for our stay! We were in town for a family wedding, and my brothers family and my family needed a place where we could rest and spread out our mostly teenage kids. The house was just as described, and may be the best equipped VRBO I’ve ever stayed in. The owner was communicative, and we had a great stay. We were perfectly situated between Dahlonega and the cute little farm where the wedding took place. The kids enjoyed playing in the creek and I loved having my morning cup of coffee while enjoying the calming sounds of nature. If we are ever back this way we would not hesitate to stay here again!
Amanda
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Oct 2025
Sounds like your family had a wonderful time :) Come see us again soon!
This property was beautiful! We loved looking out over the Chestatee river. The house was clean and comfortable and located in the middle of all the small towns we wanted to visit! We enjoyed our time there very much!
Shanda A.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Feb 2025
Glad to hear our place was perfect for you ladies :) Come see us again next year!
My daughters and I had a great and relaxing long weekend. House was well stocked and had plenty of room. Owner was attentive and helpful. My girls want to come back in the summer to enjoy the river.
juliana e.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Mar 2025
Come on back anytime :) Glad your family had a wonderful stay.
We made wonderful memories this Christmas holiday, and we especially enjoyed gathering around the campfire making Smores (even though it was quite chilly). The property's amenities helped to make our vacation enjoyable.
Julia H.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Feb 2025
Glad to hear our cabin was perfect for your family's Christmas. Come see us again soon!
Three floors of “home” with all of the amenities including a backyard river, fire pit and s’mores, made this vacation one for a repeat. The family thoroughly enjoyed it and our week together. We were warm and cozy there and had plenty of local shopping and fun when we were out and about.
Jeannette B.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Nov 2023
We're so glad to hear your family had a wonderful time celebrating Thanksgiving week together at our cabin :) Come see us again next year!
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Carol S.
6 May 2019
Wonderful get away
We stayed at the cabin for my sons wedding at Montaluce. This place was perfect! Close to town, wonderful property and beautiful scenery. Beds were great the kitchen was well stocked. The back deck is very relaxing! Will stay again!
Carol S.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Mar 2020
Glad to hear you guys enjoyed your stay and found our space to be perfect for your wedding party! We love our repeat guests, come see us again anytime!
We came for a girls trip and had an amazing time. The home has plenty of room and everything you need. The sitting area next to the river was perfect. All of this and just 2 miles to our favorite winery.
Tonya M.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Sept 2021
We're glad you ladies had a wonderful stay with us and enjoyed the river setting! It's definitely a great way to relax and enjoy spending time with family or friends. Come see us again someday!
We travel quite often and this has been our favorite place to stay. The home is located close to the river and it’s so quiet and serene. The house is clean and has all the things we could possibly need. The owner is very friendly and keeps in communication during your stay. We love that it’s close to everywhere we like to visit. We have stayed here 3 times and will definitely be booking again.
Jennifer S.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Oct 2024
The number of times you guys have stayed with us says it all! Love that your family enjoys staying at our cabin whenever you come to visit the area :)
About the host
Hosted by Mitch Lathem
I'm a happily married father, local real estate broker, nature and wildlife photographer, volunteer soccer coach, world traveler, outdoor enthusiast, adventure junkie, working for an international Christian missions organization.
I'm a native North Georgian. Born, raised, and currently living in Gainesville, just 20 minutes south of Dahlonega. My wife, Monya, and I met at Young Harris College in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains and then hung around Athens for a few years to earn our degrees from the University of Georgia. It was love at first sight. It just took her a few years to realize it. We got married in the fall of 2007 at Big Canoe, yep you guessed it... in the mountains. She went on to get her master's from Brenau University and is an elementary school teacher. She thinks she's smarter than me, she's probably right. She's certainly better looking.
Our team consists of our daughter, Adri (9), and our son, Adler (6). I always tell everyone, "we've done our part and created our replacements". She's compliant and contemplative, like her mother, and he's our little strong-willed explorer, just like his old man. We have the most gentle and loving Great Dane Lab mix named Sophie, a temperamental self absorbed cat named Coal, and a spastic rescue squirrel named Lucky.
My hair is quickly turning gray. It started at 17. I like to think of it as my pre-mature crown of glory. It's probably just hereditary. And yes, I was born with a beard.
Why they chose this property
There's just something about relaxing by the river, listening to the sounds of crickets chirping and water rushing around the rocks on a cool, crisp mountain night that really restores my soul. Whenever our family is looking for a moment of respite, we go to the mountains. It has always been a dream of ours to own our own place to retreat and we're happy to share that with you!
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests