Vacation Rentals by Owner

M. Hosey

Guest: Mommyfour (Lexington, KY)
Date of Stay: 08/05/11 Review Submitted: 09/19/11

While visiting Sewanee, my children and I needed a place to overnight. "fishing" is what drew my four little anglers to Red Oak Hollow. The setting is removed, quiet, and serene. After dinner in the roomy, very clean guest cabin, we all headed to the pond. The kids pulled in one big pet catfish after another, and were delighted with them. The owners are a lovely couple, and made a small fire for us to roast marshmallows. Tired, happy, and covered in chocolate and sugar, the kids all slipped into a warm oversized bath. We all slept soundly, but left much too early for home the next morning. The next time we visit, we will stay for more than a day!

Owner response:Melanie, It was a pleasure to meet you and your young family. We really got a kick out of the kids. I'm still amazed that your little one was eager to fish and hold her catch for a photo. We would love for you to stay here again. Thanks for the kind words.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, sightseeing.

A great, relaxing weekend!

Guest: Lisa (Pensacola, FL)
Date of Stay: 07/22/11 Review Submitted: 07/26/11

My husband and I stayed at Red Oak Hollow while our daughter attended an event at The University of the South and the accommodations couldn't have been better. It was very charmingly decorated, the kitchen was well outfitted, the bed was super comfy, and we really enjoyed the two ponds with the wildlife watching opportunities they supplied. The WiFi and TV services helped us stay connected with the outside world, though we surely didn't need technology to entertain us. The hosts are very gracious and give you ideas for local dining, hiking, and shops, but also respect your privacy so that you can enjoy the beautiful property.

Owner response:Melissa and Gary, It truly was a pleasure to meet you and we are so happy that you enjoyed your week-end of relaxation. It is pretty cool to be down by the ponds, check in with our free WiFi for your email and watch of Blue Heron fish for a large mouth bass for his dinner. If your soccer star chooses Sewanee as her school, we love to continue to be "Your Sewanee Home away from Home"

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Fantastic Family Retreat

Guest: Jenny (Lagrange)
Date of Stay: 11/11/10 Review Submitted: 11/16/10

This place is a godsend for Sewanee alums travelling with young kids. Mesha had a perfectly clean high chair and portable crib all set up for our baby when we arrived. We had all the amenities a young family could want -- a short hiking trail, two ponds with catfish and bass who like to be fed or caught and released by young fishermen, a well-stocked kitchen, washer and dryer, a separate TV / VCR combo with kid's movies in the bedroom with the bunkbeds, and a huge bathroom with soaking tub for mom to relax after chasing the kids around all day. Tim amd Mesha are wonderful hosts - friendly and welcoming to children as well as adults, and go out of their way to make sure their guests are comfortable. My 8 year old enjoyed our visit so much that he is already begging me to bring him back.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway.

A Relaxing Autumn Getaway in a Picturesque Country Setting

Guest: Half-Backs (Palm Harbor, Florida )
Date of Stay: 10/21/10 Review Submitted: 11/08/10

Everything in this wonderful cottage and setting is exactly as advertised. Clean, well-equipped accommodations - nicely furnished too. We loved the Sleep Number Bed!!! Peaceful, off-road setting with view of the pond and hills, but very convenient to Sewanee, the University of the South and Chattanooga for day trips. The owners were lovely and assisted us in getting to know the area during our 9 day vacation and real-estate search. Overall a very good value considering prices for other accommodations in the area. Would definitely recommend to a friend and we hope to visit again!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Tharon and Jeff and dog "Logan"

Guest: Pharma's Nanny (palm harbor,florida)
Date of Stay: 10/13/10 Review Submitted: 11/02/10

We all had a wonderful time. The hospitality and the "magic"of the area led to one of our most enjoyable vacations. The accommodations were fantastic. We didnot want for anything. The grounds were beautiful and well kept. We could see there was much love and pride in ownership keeping the area so beautiful. The serene and picturesque environment made our stay even more enjoyable. Besides our enjoyment of Red Oak Hollow our small dog also fell in love with this place. We all developed new friendships and already planning a return trip. We want to be where the "peaks meet the sky" and the tree's are calling us back.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, pet owners, romantic getaway.

A Relaxing Family Getaway

Guest: Misty (Murfreesboro, TN)
Date of Stay: 10/04/10 Review Submitted: 10/18/10

Recently our family spent a few relaxing days at the Cottage at Red Oak Hollow. We were looking for a mountain getaway a little closer to home and we certainly found it. While there we enjoyed the property to it's fullest. We hiked the trails, fished in the well stocked pond, canoed with our children, relaxed in the hammocks, rode bikes, fed the catfish, played croquet in the backyard and roasted marshmallows in the fire pit just to name a few. Our son learned to ride his bike. Our oldest daughter caught her first fish. Our baby girl fell in love with Mesha's puppy dogs. We would definitely recommend the Cottage at Red Oak Hollow for families with young children along with anyone else searching for a quiet and relaxing getaway. Our hosts were wonderful and made sure we had everything we needed for a memorable stay.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Guest: Freshman parents
Date of Stay: 08/20/10 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

The cottage is very cozy and comfortable; we were greeted by two deer when we drove into your property – something we don’t see very often here. Bob relayed the story about the foxes and I loved it. We do occasionally see foxes around Atlanta, but certainly not in large numbers. I loved all your fox prints. We are looking forward to our October visit

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Guest: Noel and Cader
Date of Stay: 08/12/10 Review Submitted: 08/16/10

Thanks for helping to make our visit spectacular with wonderful accomadations. We'll be in touch before our next visit.

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Beautiful serene location

Guest: Mary Anne & Gary (Summerville, South Carolina)
Date of Stay: 07/15/10 Review Submitted: 08/18/10

We have stayed at this cottage for 4 of our 6 visits to Sewanee. Would have stayed all 6 times but we did not know about it our first trip to Swanee and one time we waited to late and it was already booked. The cottage is beautifully decorated and spotless. The grounds are beautifully landscaped. Often a bowl of cherry tomatoes or freshly picked blueberries would be waiting on us when we retruned for the day. The owners are friendly and eager to answer any questions that you may have. On our last visit we all sat on the porch had a cup of coffee and just talked. Consider the owners our friends now. Found some really good restaurants. One is High Point located in the next town over from Sewanee. Interesting fact is that this restarurant use to be Al Capone's home. The other that we have visited twice was Granny's Fish House. About a 45 minute drive away but very much worth the ride. Catfish and trout are out of this world. Enjoyed every minute we were there.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Kevin and Amanda
Date of Stay: 05/29/10 Review Submitted: 06/09/10

Last week we celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary and spent a long weekend completely isolated from the outside world- hidden away in a cozy cottage in the small town of Sewanee, Tennessee. Sewanee’s quaint shops and small town charm reminded me of another small town, Stars Hollow! :) (From Gilmore Girls) And even though we had *zero* cell reception the entire time we were there, it was so nice to be unplugged for a few days… I didn’t want to leave and I’m ready to go back. We arrived early Saturday morning and our gracious hosts at the Red Oak Hollow Cottage allowed us to check in early so we could enjoy a full day in the beautiful mountain town. When we arrived there was a sweet note on the whiteboard that read “Welcome Kevin, Amanda, Miley & Howie to Red Oak Hollow!” We found freshly baked brownies, two chilled bottled waters & two Snickers bars waiting in the cottage for us- and Miley and Howie found a big, fresh doggie bowl of water & Pupperoni treats waiting for them. :) Talk about being pampered! :) The cottage was spacious and gorgeous, with a full kitchen, fenced-in backyard, and lush gardens all around. We had fresh sweet basil, peppery arugula, spearmint, cilantro, and so much more growing right outside the back door. The cottage is Pet-Friendly, although it was so clean I couldn’t tell any pets had ever stayed there before!

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Great Stay at Red Oak Hollow

Guest: Karen & Whit (Stuttgart, Germany)
Date of Stay: 05/13/10 Review Submitted: 05/31/10

We are Sewanee (University of the South) parents and brother (14 years old) who stayed at Red Oak Hollow during graduation week 2010. We came all the way from Germany to stay here and it was a welcome respite. We have stayed in the Sewanee area many times (my husband is an alumni) and finding Red Oak Hollow was absolutely wonderful. It is in a beautiful, private setting that's very convenient to the university campus. Our 14-year old spent hours catching catfish and bass from the well-stocked pond. Tim, the owner, gave him a fishing pole, bait and even taught him how to fish. Both he and his wife, Mesha were incredibly gracious in going above and beyond to ensure we had everything we needed.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful retreat and great biking opportunity

Guest: Prairie girl (Houston, TX USA)
Date of Stay: 04/15/10 Review Submitted: 04/22/10

This place is wonderful! We slept with the windows open and listened to the wind and the birds. Bluebirds and goldfinches practically swarmed the cabin and ruby crowned kinglets and titmouse were there, too. I liked hearing the red-winged blackbirds while fishing at the pond and the sound of the meadowlarks when we biked down the road. Nice rocking chairs on the porch.....great for resting after bike-riding the hills! Would definitely go back. Owners (and their dogs) are really friendly! For a really challenging bike ride, go south on 156 right in front of Red Oak Hollow and you'll do 28+ miles of hills and can reach 38 mph going down a few of them. For an easier ride, ride into Sewanee and ride some of the streets on the campus--the main road has a pretty good shoulder to ride on.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Guest: Denise & Jerry Gonzalez (Murfreesboro, TN)
Date of Stay: 09/17/09 Review Submitted: 09/17/09

A few weeks back my husband and I stayed at the Red Oaks Cottage. It was very nice, SUPER well-stocked, and clean. We had a great weekend relaxing and exploring the area campus and hiking trails. Our hosts were most gracious. Thanks for the balsam seeds, Mesha!

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Guest: Carol
Date of Stay: 09/11/09 Review Submitted: 09/16/10

Just wanted to thank you for another wonderful stay; just wish it could have been longer. I love the beauty, peace and quiet there. The new room and patio are great ! I agree with all on your blog. I am really looking forward to our 2 stays in Oct and will surely miss them when Matt has graduated. But I will know where to stay when back in the area. I just caught up with all on your blog and really enjoyed it. I like being able to see what is going on there and hearing what is new in the area. - Thanks again, Carol

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Guest: Stephanie P. (South Carolina)
Date of Stay: 08/31/09 Review Submitted: 08/31/09

My husband and I spent 4 nights at Red Oak Hollow. We needed to get away from the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives and this was the perfect setting. It was so peaceful and serene we didn't want to leave. The property owners were very accommodating; they even offered tomatoes and herbs from their garden. The cottage was immaculate and much larger than we expected. The bathroom was huge with two vanities and having a king size sleep number bed made for a very restful sleep. We barbecue almost every evening, went fishing twice and for our last night we had a good old fashion cook out at the fire pit, with hot dogs and smores. Our favorite thing was that we woke up to the sound of birds. We loved rocking on the old fashioned rocking chairs on the front porch with our morning coffee. We thoroughly enjoyed our morning hike thru their private woods, pass the fox den, thru a wildflower field and down in the hollow by the ponds where I got to feed cracked corn to the wild ducklings. This 30 minute nature walk highlighted each day and we both loved it! It was like having a little second honeymoon at our own private state park.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/22/09 Review Submitted: 07/22/09

We just spent five days at Red Oak Hollow and enjoyed every minute of it. We drove up to Sewanee from Atlanta for some rest and a chance to reconnect as a family. Tim and Mesha were exceptionally kind hosts, welcoming all of us (including our 15 month old daughter and our dog) with thoughtful touches. The cottage was especially clean, very quiet, had every amenity we could think of, and was perfectly located about 15 minutes outside of Sewanee. The price was just right - as was every part of our stay. We look forward to going back.

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Guest: Jane Schladand (Georgetown, IN)
Date of Stay: 07/07/09 Review Submitted: 07/07/09

We visited Red Oak Hollow for the 4th of July weekend. Our hosts won First Place in the Car Division in the parade! It is this type of attention to detail that typifies the owners. Everything we needed was there. The quality of the decor, and the pristine care that is taken inside and out was greatly appreciated. We walked the property, and explored all the beauty that the area has to offer. Our hosts made us feel welcome and at ease to enjoy our magical time in Sewanee. This cottage met and exceeded the high standards of a clean freak.

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Guest: nancy wade (Albany, Ga)
Date of Stay: 07/06/09 Review Submitted: 07/06/09

Red Oak Hollow was a great vacation retreat for our annual sisters-get-away. The four of us found everything we needed and felt at home. The landscaping, serenity, discernment and graciousness of our hosts, Tim and Mesha, were more than we expected. The gardens were beautiful and tasteful. I highly recommend Red Oak Hollow if you need accomodations for this area. Thanks Tim and Mesha for sharing your small paradise with us. Nancy--June 2009

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Guest: Kelley5 (Alabama)
Date of Stay: 06/08/09 Review Submitted: 06/08/09

What wonderful hospitality! The cottage was so fresh and clean, the beds were comfortable and the front porch in the mornings was great. We had such a great weekend and being able to celebrate our reunion in such tranquil surroundings was truly amazing.This is a beautiful place with delightful hosts who know the area well. I can't wait to go back again.

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Guest: Carol48 (Laguna Beach CA)
Date of Stay: 06/08/09 Review Submitted: 06/08/09

We loved our stay at Red Oak Hollow! Sewanee is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. The scenery around Red Oak Hollow is picture perfect with all of the beauty of nature surrounding it! The cottage accommodations were perfect for my husband and family. It’s close to the activities on the mountain and it has all the comforts of home!Sherri Ayala

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