Mins to Downtown! Deck & Firepit - Elmwood Retreat
Summary: Elmwood Retreat offers you and your guests a large yard with ample privacy while remaining close to downtown! Take a 5-minute drive to Chattanooga Zoo, go 10 minutes to downtown and the nearby Tennessee Aquarium, or explore nature 20 minutes away at Lookout Mountain. The Tennessee Riverpark and Chickamauga Dam Day Use Area is only 15 minutes away. Between bedrooms and the sofabed, this home sleeps 14 guests. We hope to host you!
The Space: You'll enter the home through the front door with a code provided to you before check-in. Enjoy the open-concept layout. The living room with a sleeper sofa, dining room, and kitchen are at the front of the home. The dining table has room for six or more with two bench chairs, and the fully equipped kitchen is ready for all your cooking needs!
The master bedroom is off the kitchen. Here you will find a king-sized bed and an ensuite bathroom with a tub. Down the hallway are the remaining bedrooms and shared hallway bathroom. The second and third bedrooms both feature a queen bed. The fourth bedroom has one twin-over-twin bunk bed and a sleeper sofa. You'll also find an additional TV in this bedroom.
There is a small laundry room off the kitchen. The backyard has a charcoal grill for your use and a picnic table!
Enjoy a night in the spacious backyard at the firepit! We would love to house you and your guests at our home! Four car maximum.
Note: Please be aware that the driveway is very steep- a couple of cars can park at the top of the hill, and a couple could fit at the bottom. We do not recommend parking on the incline. It has never caused any issues; please be aware of this before booking.
***NO STREET PARKING, ONLY DRIVEWAY PARKING AVAILABLE, FOUR CARS MAXIMUM ALLOWED***
Guest Access: The house has a digital keypad at the front door which will provide you access to the house. The code will be provided upon check-in. You will have full and private access to the home.
The Neighborhood: This home is located in the Missionary Ridge area of Chattanooga.
Getting Around: This is a rural area so driving is recommended. Uber and Lyft are readily available as well.
Please be aware that the driveway is very steep- a couple of cars can park at the top of the hill, and a couple could fit at the bottom. We do not recommend parking on the incline. It has never caused any issues; please be aware of this before booking.
Other Things to Note: We require a signed rental agreement and for guest to be 25 years of age to book.
If you notify us of your intent to cancel prior to the lapse of the free cancellation period, we will return 97% of your payment. The other 3% will already have been collected by the credit card processing company, and we have no way to return that portion of the payment.
We are a pet friendly home. Pets must be crated when they are left unattended in the home. We do not allow pets on furniture or beds, and all waste must be cleaned up from the yard. All pets require a non-refundable pet fee. If there is evidence of pet hair on the furniture, excess hair in the home, stains, or waste found in the yard or home, you will be charged the cost to clean this. In the event that a security deposit is collected, we will retain all or part of the security deposit to cover any costs associated with additional cleaning due to pets.
Our short-term vacation rental certificate number is STVR-21-183
Interaction with Guests: We like to give our guests maximum privacy, so we offer contact-free checkin via a digital door code. Just know that we are only a phone call away if ever the need arises during your stay!
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Similar properties
Lookout Mtn View! Dog & Family friendly! STEAM shower! 🐶⛰️
Rossville
Lookout Mtn View! Dog & Family friendly! STEAM shower! 🐶⛰️
"(1) MINIMUM AGE: You must be at least 21 years of age to rent this property.
(2) NO SMOKING: If our cleaning crew reports any signs of smoking ci...
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 and a first aid kit
Frequently asked questions
Is Mins to Downtown! Deck & Firepit - Elmwood Retreat pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Mins to Downtown! Deck & Firepit - Elmwood Retreat?
As of 3 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Mins to Downtown! Deck & Firepit - Elmwood Retreat on 12 July 2026 start from AU$300, 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 Mins to Downtown! Deck & Firepit - Elmwood Retreat?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Mins to Downtown! Deck & Firepit - Elmwood Retreat?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Mins to Downtown! Deck & Firepit - Elmwood Retreat?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Mins to Downtown! Deck & Firepit - Elmwood Retreat located?
Located in Missionary Ridge, this holiday home is within 3 miles (5 km) of Memorial Hospital, CHI Memorial Hospital - Chattanooga and Chattanooga National Cemetery. Chattanooga Zoo and Brainerd Golf Course are also within 3 miles (5 km).
Reviews
8.0
Very good
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Although the outside was a mess when we arrived the amenities met our basic needs. The backyard was beautiful!
Savana J.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Oct 2025
Hello Savana, I truly apologize that the outside was a concern during your stay. We have addressed this appropriately with our team. I am glad you were able to enjoy the remainder of your stay.
Our family group was able to enjoy a great weekend together and the home was spacious and conveniently located. We also enjoyed the ping ping table and the deck.
Verified traveller
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 24 May 2023
Thank you for the kind review, Jeanne! We would be happy to host you again!
Verified
6/10 Okay
Jenny R.
4 Aug 2025
Liked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy
The house held twelve of us fairly comfortably. It was a tight squeeze in the kitchen though, because the four bar stools are much too high for people to fit their legs under the counter when they sit. The place could use a good cleaning - dirty doorknobs, doors, walls, stair rails and stove back splash. We brought our own pots and pans, which was a definite help. But the price was decent and the house fit our needs. Beware backing up in the driveway!
Jenny R.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Aug 2025
Thank you for your feedback, Jenny. We’re glad the home accommodated your group and that the price and overall space worked for your stay. We’re sorry for the cleanliness issues you encountered—since your visit, our team has addressed these areas to ensure a more comfortable experience for future guests. We also appreciate your note about the bar stools and driveway and will take it into consideration for improvements.
Cute place that for all of our needs. The house was clean and included a fire pit where we made s’mores. Plenty of clean towels and space to fit all twelve of us.
Marcus W.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Nov 2023
We're thrilled to hear about your positive experience during your short stay in Chattanooga, Marcus. We appreciate your feedback and are delighted that our place met your needs.
It's wonderful to hear that you found the house to be cute, clean, and accommodating for your group. We're glad you enjoyed making s'mores by the fire pit and that you had plenty of clean towels and ample space for all twelve of you.
If you decide to visit again in the future, please don't hesitate to reach out. We would be delighted to host you once more and ensure another enjoyable stay.
My family had an amazing time. The house was spacious and very welcoming. I love that they had a lot of cooking utensils, it made Christmas dinner so much easier. Highly recommend.
Jaye M.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Jan 2024
Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience with us, Jaye! We're thrilled to hear that your Christmas stay at our property was amazing and that the spaciousness and amenities contributed to a welcoming atmosphere for your family.
We're delighted that the abundance of cooking utensils made preparing Christmas dinner easier for you. Creating a hassle-free and enjoyable experience for our guests is what we strive for.
Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we greatly appreciate your kind words. If there's anything specific you'd like for your next visit or if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. We're here to ensure your future stays are just as wonderful!
Thank you for choosing Patriot Family Homes, and we look forward to hosting you again!
The property was clean and tidy. The area was quiet, sat right outside of downtown. Easy to get shopping and entertainment. Property manager was easy to speak to and very helpful. Great family vacation!
Shawna F.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 17 May 2023
This makes me so happy to hear, Shawna! We would be happy to host you and your family again in the future! Thank you for being great guests!
Location was just where we needed to be. It wasn’t very clean and the pots and pans were unusable. That driveway is an experience! It’s better than a hotel but only by a hair.
kristi b.
Stayed 13 nights in Dec 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Jan 2025
Thank you for your feedback, Kristi. We’re glad the location was convenient for your needs, but we’re sorry to hear that the cleanliness and kitchenware didn’t meet your expectations. We take cleanliness seriously and will address the issues you mentioned. Additionally, we’ll look into the condition of the pots and pans to ensure they’re up to standard for future guests.
We appreciate your input, and we’ll work on making improvements to provide a better experience. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to have the opportunity to host you again.
We had an enjoyable weekend, the house was spacious and clean. The living room seating was a bit spartan, but the rest of the house was very nice.
Deb M.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Nov 2022
Hi Deb! I'm so happy you all had a wonderful stay and thought the home was spacious! Thanks for your useful feedback on the living room so we can improve this for future guests. We hope to get the opportunity to host you again!
The property was mostly as pictured, and as expected for the price. We enjoyed the fire pit. Refrigerator was missing some parts, and minor repair needs were brought to the attention of the owner. The neighborhood is safe with cordial neighbors, and convenient to the sights. Would stay again.
Twyla J.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 7 July 2022
Hey Twyla, thank you for this feedback! You are welcome back anytime.
The house was clean and certainly inviting. Beds were comfortable and for us the location was convenient to all the events and activities that brought us to Chattanooga. The living/common area is a little small but we till managed to eat together at the large table and play multiple games of trivia each evening. Coming from the flat lands of the midwest we found the driveway to be a bit steep, but certainly could navigate it without 4 wheel-drive vehicles. We would rent this property again!
Shirley H.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 28 June 2022
Hey Shirley, Thank you so much for this feedback! I am so glad you all had such a great experience and we look forward to hosting you again in the future!
House is exactly what is advertised. Driveway is very steep winter could be rough. Neighbor is very friendly. Not far from anyplace we wanted to go. Grill was a little small but we understood. Needs to have bigger couch or more seating in living room but we made it work. Host answered us every time we messaged them.
Valerie B.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Oct 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience, Valerie! We're glad to hear the house met your expectations and that the location worked well for your family visit. We appreciate your feedback on the seating and grill size—always good to know for future improvements. It’s also great to hear that our responsiveness helped make your stay more comfortable. We hope to host you again, whether it's a summer trip or if you're up for braving the driveway in winter! Thank you for choosing Patriot Family Homes!
Verified
4/10 Poor
Evelyn P.
25 July 2022
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy
Too small
It was not comfortable for a party of 14. Yes it slept 14 people but after that it was very uncomfortable. Only 1 couch in living room. Where were the other people suppose to sit. Kitchen table not big enough for over 6 people. Furniture was very uncomfortable.
Evelyn P.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Sept 2022
Hi Evelyn, thank you for your feedback! I am sorry the home seemed a bit to small for your party. While the home can sleep 14, it is best to look at bedroom count to get a better idea of the space for this listing.
I have used VRBO numerous times through the years and knowing that I depend on these reviews, I feel that I must be totally honest about this property. The driveway is extremely steep and partially painted making it very slick. The neighbors literally said it was the worst driveway ever and accidents happen all the time. Two different tow truck drivers had to come out and each of them stated that they had been called to that driveway about accidents many, many times. It is absolutely horrible!! I can't say that enough. After the tow trucks were gone with my vehicle in a mess. We had to park the other vehicles at the buttom of the driveway and walk up and down it to be able to go to the house or to the wedding festivities we were there for. Elderly family members could have NEVER made it up or down the driveway. The house itself was alright. But, I would never recommend this property because of that driveway.
Lori B.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 10 May 2023
Hi, Lori. Thanks for your honest feedback. To address a couple of your concerns: 1. The Driveway is not painted. 2. We’ve never had tow trucks pull out cars in the past. Yes, the driveway is steep but I have never seen a car have an issue on it, even low riders. We apologize for any damage caused to your vehicle and the inconvenience of having to park at the bottom of the driveway and walk up and down. We recognize that this situation would be especially challenging for elderly family members and we apologize for the impact it had on their ability to access the house and attend the wedding festivities.
We appreciate your acknowledgment that the house itself was alright. However, we understand that the driveway experience overshadowed the overall enjoyment of your stay.
We take your feedback seriously and will be reevaluating the situation to find potential solutions to improve the driveway safety and accessibility for future guests. We want to ensure that our property meets the expectations and needs of all our guests.
Once again, we apologize for the inconveniences you faced. Your feedback is valuable to us, and we appreciate you bringing this matter to our attention. If there is anything else you would like to discuss or if there is any way we can make it right, please do not hesitate to reach out to us directly.
Previous booking fell through so thankfully this one was available but was available for a reason. We are not picky people and often camp so take this review with a grain of salt. The neighborhood is not entirely safe (research East Ridge) and with the long, steep driveway it is very challenging to park close to the home. Our party had multiple issues with exiting the driveway. With any ice it would be impossible. We had a large group and looked forward to cooking evening meals together, but it was not a possibility as there was minimal pans or utensils for cooking, additionally the outdoor grill was neglected and we choose not to use it. Outdoor firepit was not inviting. Essential items were absent, toilet paper, bath towels, paper towels, laundry soap, dishwasher soap, and the outdoor trash was full when we arrived, overall the home just felt neglected. We did notify the property manager and heard back after two emails and the next day. The owners have over 300 properties they manage and it feels as though quantity is held in higher regard than quality. I would only recommend this property as a last minute option.
Amy S.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Apr 2024
Thank you for your detailed feedback regarding your recent stay at our property, Amy. We sincerely apologize for the inconveniences you encountered and appreciate you bringing them to our attention.
Regarding your concerns about the neighborhood safety, we understand the importance of feeling secure during your stay. We will review the neighborhood's safety measures and work with local authorities to ensure the safety of our guests.
We also understand the challenges with the driveway's steepness and parking difficulties. Our team will assess the situation to explore possible solutions to improve accessibility, especially during adverse weather conditions.
We regret that the kitchen amenities did not meet your expectations. We will conduct a thorough inventory to ensure all necessary cooking utensils and essentials are provided for our guests' convenience. Additionally, we will address the neglect of the outdoor grill and firepit to ensure they are maintained and inviting for future guests.
Your feedback regarding the lack of essential items such as toilet paper, bath towels, and cleaning supplies is concerning. We will reinforce our stocking procedures and ensure that our cleaning team thoroughly prepares the property before each guest's arrival.
Please rest assured that we take your comments seriously and are committed to addressing them promptly to enhance the quality of our accommodations. We sincerely value your patronage and hope to have the opportunity to exceed your expectations on your next visit.
Verified
2/10 Terrible
Jyl T.
10 June 2024
Liked: Communication
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, listing accuracy
So Disappointing!!
I booked this property for a long awaited multi generational family get away. What a disappointment!
First of all, I erred on the booking dates; my bad! When I called a few hours later to ask to move it one day back, was told their policy did not allow that. I would need to add and pay for the extra day....but they could offer it at 50% off. Oh well, I could live with that; after all it was my mistake. It's too bad when policy matters more than people!
Then our 4:00 check in was delayed almost an hour! The property was not ready. Strangers were upstairs setting up bunkbeds....just the frame though...no mattresses; no bedding?? Good thing we didn't really need them!
Upon entry the place was unkempt and in a sad state of disrepair. From broken curtain rods and luggage rack, faulty electrical outlets, missing light bulbs, bugs, cigarette butts outside, dirty BBQ, broken lawn chairs, the place is in dire need of a whole lot of TLC. What a shame; it could be quite nice.
I must say, the property manager, Tim, was kind and responsive. At his request, I sent him photos and a list of missing necessities. A new BBQ, lawn chairs and dishwasher tabs were delivered the next day. We declined their offer to come in to clean and fix during our stay.
In the end, we accepted a 10% refund and left a day early. It was still a lot of money for a short stay in poor accommodation.
Jyl T.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 26 June 2024
Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding your recent stay at Patriot Family Homes, Jyl. We deeply regret that your experience did not meet your expectations and apologize for the inconveniences you encountered.
We understand the importance of flexibility and sincerely regret that we could not accommodate your date change without the additional cost. Your point about policy and people is well taken, and we will review our policies to better balance both aspects.
The delayed check-in and the presence of workers setting up bunk beds were certainly not up to our standards, and we apologize for this oversight. It is our goal to ensure all properties are ready and in excellent condition before guests arrive.
We are sorry to hear about the various maintenance issues you encountered. While we’re pleased that Tim was responsive and quick to address some of these concerns, such as providing a new BBQ and lawn chairs, we understand this did not fully mitigate your disappointment.
We appreciate your decision to decline further in-stay fixes and accept our 10% refund. Your feedback is invaluable as it highlights areas where we need significant improvement. We are committed to making the necessary repairs and improvements to ensure future guests have a more enjoyable experience.
Thank you again for your candid feedback. We hope you might give us another chance in the future to provide the quality stay you were expecting.
We enjoyed our stay at the Elmwood Farmhouse; it was clean and accommodating. Bedrooms were a good size but could have used a luggage rack for our clothes. Loved the fire pit; we sat around it every night. Dining area was good for games too.
The neighborhood was close to the attractions we wanted to see; would stay here again!
Vickie L.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 13 May 2022
Hi Vickie! We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay at the Elmwood Farmhouse! We are working to stock luggage racks for our guests and appreciate your feedback.