Nestled next to Shenandoah National Park and less than a mile from the Appalachian Trail, The Nest offers a true escape... breathtaking views along with an architecturally charming retreat. Enjoy smores at the fire pit... find a waterfall... overlook the mountains in your shower... grill out on the expansive deck... languish in the hot tub... just relax and enjoy the view! My place is good for couples, solo adventurers, families (with kids), and furry friends (pets on a case-by-case basis).
Do you like to visit wineries with your dog(s)?... check out https://www.corkhounds.com/ to see local wineries that welcome your furry friends. Search for Chester Gap, VA.
As a an added bonus, we are excited to offer our guests access to a local personal chef who will come to the home during your stay and prepare a lovely, locally curated dinner for two. Dates are subject to availability. Let me know if youre interested and ill be happy to connect you to your personal chef.
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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
Long-term renters welcome
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
About the area
Chester Gap
Located in Chester Gap, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. Front Royal Visitor's Center and Blue Ridge Arts Council and Gallery are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Chester Gap Cellars and Rappahannock Cellars. Fishing offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails, cave exploring and ecotours nearby.
Front Royal Entrance Shenandoah National Park - 13 min drive - 14.2 km
Front Royal Visitor's Center - 14 min drive - 14.8 km
Restaurants
McDonald's - 10 min drive
Spelunker's - 11 min drive
Starbucks - 9 min drive
Mom's Country Kitchen - 9 min drive
Brick House Bar And Grill - 11 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is The Nest at Chester Gap pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking at The Nest at Chester Gap?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at The Nest at Chester Gap?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The Nest at Chester Gap?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is The Nest at Chester Gap located?
Situated in the mountains, this holiday home is 1.6 mi (2.7 km) from Chester Gap Cellars and within 6 miles (10 km) of Rappahannock Cellars and Desert Rose Ranch & Winery. Shenandoah National Park and Front Royal Visitor's Center 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.
WOW!!! The Nest is simply incredible. I’ve stayed in a dozen cabins within a two hour radius, and The Nest is far and away the best I’ve ever seen. The interior is spacious and the furniture is comfortable and big, the layout is so cool, the view is just amazing. Check in was super easy, host was responsive and helpful, I cannot wait to come back here!!! Well worth the extra.
What a beautiful property! The setting is peaceful and private. The house is well appointed and beautifully decorated. The owner was responsive. We went to see a meteor shower and were successful. Great views from this property!
Love "The Nest"!! Cozy, private, peaceful!!! Just what we needed for a birthday get-away!!Tried some local restaurants and wineries recommended by the owner and all were excellent!A little pricey...but worth every cent!
Beautiful and cozy nest. So many thoughtful creative choices. If you're a late sleeper, change your schedule. The early morning view above the clouds over the "smoky" mountains below is special
Fabulous stay at the cabin with large ceiling to floor windows overlooking the Shenandoah valley with close access to great food at Flint Hill and Little Washington. Cabin was well appointed and the check-in and -out process was easy and hassle free.
The Nest was exactly as described! Cozy, off-the-beaten trail but close to civilization if needed, spacious and perfect for a long weekend get-away with our nature-loving furballs. Julie, our host, was wonderful with communication leading up to our stay and when we had a small technical glitch (our user error, not theirs) we reached out for help and Julie connected us with their wonderful property manager who contacted us immediately. The kitchen was stocked with all the tools we needed to cook (UberEats delivered a small grocery run), my husband was able to watch all the playoff games (streaming services galore in the bedroom and by the fireplace), furballs loved exploring the expansive yard and long walks, and I loved the quiet (and that shower, definitely the shower)!!! Even after our departure, when I discovered I left my laptop somewhere in the home, they secured it safely for me and I was able to retrieve it the same day. We will look for an opportunity to go back ASAP! Thank you!
In brief: I'm on board with the other reviewers of this property. Amazing views, incredibly convenient location, and a property that really exceeds expectations. Communication with the host was great. Would love to go back!
The property is beautiful, rustic, modern and cozy! We loved the fire pit, hot tub and amenities. Our pup loved it too! So many things to sniff during his walks. The communication with the owner was seamless and the place was incredibly clean. We plan to come back as often as possible!
*This property is an easy drive from the Northern Virginia area.
The Nest is truly an experience to remember. The house is built with pieces from the original 100+ year old structure with cool architectural touches. Floor to ceiling windows with panoramic views. Easy to access, impeccably clean. Fire pit, plenty of wood.
I'm reluctant to leave a really good review to make this place any more popular, but I have to be honest. This is the best VRBO rental we've visited without exception. The view is spectacular, and the house is a model of creativity and clever design choices. It's rustic and modern at the same time, and there is so much to explore in the neighborhood, including an easy stretch of the Appalachian trail nearby. I liked it so much, I contributed a few photos including the one above this review.
Payson P.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 21 June 2023
Thank you for the wonderful review and feedback! I was so happy to host you again :)
The Nest is one of those rare finds... you know it’s going to be lovely based on photos and previous reviews but the reality is even better. The thought gone into the design and materials used, the fabulous breathtaking position over the valley, the abundant chairs inside and out to enjoy the views, have coffee and wine and relax, the thoughtful welcome treats, the bears wandering by shyly from a respectful distance .... lots of terrific experiences. We genuinely could not find fault! Superb stay and we wished it was longer.
First, Julie responded immediately to any need and was easy to reach. A few points on what this cabin is and is not. Access is easy, only the last 500' is gravel, no 4 wheel required. The neighborhood is not the best but being at the end of the lane and tree cover gives good privacy and screening. The cabin- a contemporary structure with a very rustic interior. The 2nd br is a loftwith bath on the 1st FL. Large master br and bath - very nice and a well equipped kitchen. Very large outdoor deck (all uncovered) on which to enjoy the view. Our best ventures were 1) The Ashby Inn (Paris) for a phenomenal meal and purchasing wagyu steaks at Ovoka farm for grilling, and 2) Dark Horse Pub (Flint Hill) for drinks, food, and live music only 11 minutes away. For one or two couples, this is a good find.
We were disappointed. And upset.
None of the reviews had revealed the lack of privacy.
All of the Master bath area is in front of large window to hot tub and back deck.
No curtains or shades in front of window.
Kitchen floor is rotted in areas and outside pavers are loose and dangerous on patio and steps.
Kitchen had minimal supplies. Minimal.
Due to addition of hvac ( which is good) there is no storage space. Cleaning supplies are the first thing you see as you enter. Mops and brooms and vacuums.
Black garbage bags overhead in the master bedroom hold other supplies. Unsightly.
Door to back deck did not open
Definitely needed Lot of tlc and maintenance. Including yard and garden, choked with weeds.
Views were nice, but not worth the inconvenience of other aspects.
The rental was expensive for the product.
I have read that other people enjoyed this property,but I am so so sorry no one reported these flaws to us.
Would never have stayed there for 5 nights.
Positive: house is clean, and a unique and attractive rustic/ modern.
carey s.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 21 June 2023
Wow, I heard nothing of these issues until this review. I am very sorry to hear that Carey was so disappointed; had I had known that I would have tried to make things right by her, but I wasn’t given the opportunity.
To address some of the comments:
1) Yes, there are large windows with no coverings. The intent is to bring the outside in. The home is in the middle of a 10-acre parcel of land.
2) The floors are over 100 years old. They have a charming look and many appreciate it. I have replaced boards when absolutely needed, but we are trying to keep the floors as long as they will permit.
3) There are many outside pavers. Many of them are fine. We found two that were loose and will fix them.
4) The kitchen is well appointed. There are spices, pans, utensils, serving ware, etc. If we didn’t have something specific that Carey needed, I would have brought it to her. Again, I received no communication.
5) Yes, the home is over 100 years old and there is not a lot of storage space. There’s about as much as you can expect in a hotel room.
6) The black storage bags in the CLOSET in the master bedroom hold extra linens.
7) The home has lawn maintenance weekly. This guest and the previous guest came when we experienced a lot of rain, causing excess growth and the inability to mow.
I sincerely try to offer my guests the best experience. Please review all the other reviews to see proof of that.
We were looking for a private relaxing weekend getaway, and The Nest didn't disappoint. We loved hanging in the house and around the property. The views were epic and the house cozy. The close proximity to Front Royal was great for groceries and dining options. We also ventured out to Skyline Drive and Luray Caverns during our stay. We highly recommend staying at The Nest, and plan to do so again in the future.
The most amazing 4 days at The Nest! Julie was an excellent host who was extremely prompt in responding to my numerous emails with questions/concerns regarding the cottage and area.
The photos and description are a 100% representation of the real thing. The cottage sits on top of the mountain overlooking the valley (including Rappahannock Cellars) and you can see eastward for miles and miles; and yes, that means you get to enjoy the sunrises from the comfort of your bed or deck while sitting on some coffee,
The house was a perfect size for my wife and I, two boys (8 and 14) and dog; the authentic wooden floors and lower ceilings gives The Nest so much charm. And the floor to ceiling windows provides endless sunlight; yes, there are no blinds/shades and yes the floors are the original but that is what makes this place so special. We used the firepit each night while staring over the mountains and the gas grill was perfect for dinners.
The location was close to numerous wineries (Chester Gap Cellars is at the bottom of the mountain that The Nest sits on and is amazing), skyline drive and a pleasant 40 mile drive to Luray Caverns (not to mention a gorgeous estate vineyard, Glen Manor Winery which we found on the way).
The wi-fi was good and the direct tv was fine but we hardly used those as being outside and taking in the views from multiple spots of the property was the point of being there.
Julie, thanks so much for sharing your cottage as truly found it to be a great escape from the norm. We certainly look forward to visiting again in the near future!!
stuart f.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022
About the host
Hosted by Julie Gibson
I am a native Texan, but transplanted to the DC area for work. We created "The Nest" from a old, neglected property in 2015.
Why they chose this property
Close to Shenendoah National Park and within walking distance to the Appalachian Trail, The Nest offers tranquility and adventure to our family and now our guests.
What makes this property unique
The views and the rustic charm are truly unique!!
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests