Bear House 1890, Johnson Retreat, Mins from Downtown, Perfect Luxurious Getaway!
🐻 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 stores, hiking and biking trails, tourist attractions. Less than 4 miles from Aquarium, all downtown, mountain and waterfront activities.
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! Centrally located in Chattanooga in the trendy St Elmo Historic District, at the foot of Lookout Mountain.
The spacious and bright Johnson Retreat includes the entire private 2nd story of The Bear House (Wheland Wing and Workman Wing combined into one large space, 2200 square feet): • Front and back private entrance. • High quality, fully equipped kitchen for your cooking and dining needs with gas stove/oven, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator and washer and dryer. Small appliances include toaster, mixer, crock-pot and electric tea kettle. 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. • Living room with ample seating, game table, games, smart HDTV with Cable, Amazon Prime and Netflix. • Resource center with writing desk, office supplies and reading corner. • 2 Hospitality Centers with microwave, small refrigerator, Keurig with well stocked variety of coffee, teas and hot chocolate and related condiments, fresh fruit, chocolates, some breakfast items and snacks. • 2 Dining areas for 4. Additional seating areas. • 2 King bedroom, smart HDTV with Cable, Amazon Prime and Netflix, WiFi, ceiling fan with remote, luxury bedding and linens, full length mirror, luggage racks, water bottles, bedside radio/clock with 2 outlets and 2 ports for charging your devices. • 2 Queen bedrooms, each with smart HDTV with Cable, Amazon Prime and Netflix, high speed WiFi, ceiling fan with remote, luxury bedding and linens, full length mirror, luggage rack, water bottles, bedside radio/clock with 2 outlets and 2 ports for charging your devices. • 2 Full size bathrooms with large original soaking tubs, custom tile work, luxury towels and amenities, hair dryer. • 1 Original shower room and dressing room, beautifully renovated with custom tile work, luxury towels and amenities.
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 bounty. 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
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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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 owner about event details and attendees
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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: 14
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Frequently asked questions
Is Bear House 1890, Johnson Retreat, Mins from Downtown, Perfect Luxurious Getaway! pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Bear House 1890, Johnson Retreat, Mins from Downtown, Perfect Luxurious Getaway!?
As of 27 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Bear House 1890, Johnson Retreat, Mins from Downtown, Perfect Luxurious Getaway! on 22 Mar 2027 start from £210, 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 Bear House 1890, Johnson Retreat, Mins from Downtown, Perfect Luxurious Getaway!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Bear House 1890, Johnson Retreat, Mins from Downtown, Perfect Luxurious Getaway!?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Bear House 1890, Johnson Retreat, Mins from Downtown, Perfect Luxurious Getaway!?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Bear House 1890, Johnson Retreat, Mins from Downtown, Perfect Luxurious Getaway! 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
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
The owners have thought of every detail to make this a comfortable stay. We had a large group with four grandchildren, and it was a wonderful experience. Comfortable beds, nice dishes for a large group, the fanciest toaster I’ve ever seen, laundry, and a very charming home.
Host was very welcoming, quick to respond to messages and had numerous suggestions for things to do in the local area. The living area was cozy, the beds very comfortable. Kitchen was stocked with plenty of appliances and cookware for eating in, and having a washer and dryer was convenient. Comfort stations in the dining area were a welcome suprise for coffee, tea, and snacks. We will definitely be reaching out to stay again next time were in the area
This is my second time staying with Steve and Sharmane. Such a comfortable, beautiful property. It’s conveniently located to everything you need. The hosts are always so kind and welcoming.
We had a great time at the Bear House as the location for a family celebration. Beautiful property and the hosts think of everything you might need. Our favorite place to stay in the Chattanooga area!
Wonderful spacious historic home! We had the two combined 2nd floor apartments which was plenty of room and privacy for 5 adults and 3 small children. Very relaxing to enjoy our families together. Very close to all the major attractions and restaurants.
We had a wonderful stay and any questions we had were answered right away. Check in/out process was simple. This property was more than enough room for our party of 8.
What a fantastic place and never have I stayed somewhere where snacks, coffee, water and so many other things were provided. Certainly will be back.
Randi S.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Richard M.
24 Mar 2019
Amazing place and hospitality a home away from home
Great area everything we needed was less than 5 min away
Richard M.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar 2020
Thanks for choosing to stay with us here at The Bear House. Yes, we do have a great location for a trip to Chattanooga to be sure! Please come again anytime.
Incredible place! Very clean, nice and quiet, full of amenities. The hosts are wonderful, would definitely stay again and recommend for families visiting Nooga
The host warmly greeted us and gave us instructions and helpful tips to make our stay at the Bear House easy breezy. The house and the grounds were filled with character and attention to detail and ambiance were admirable. The location was walkable to restaurants, a great wine store, coffee shop, and a supermarket. Our family had nothing but great things to say about our stay and we can safely recommend the Bear House for anyone looking for a home away from home in Chattanooga.
What a relaxing weekend! Every detail was attended to - the property, inside and out, was without flaw! St.Elmo is a quiet, quaint neighborhood close to everything! We will return!!
We were a a party of 8 - two families with adult children. We so enjoyed our stay at The Bear House. There were simply no details missed and we appreciated all of the attention to detail. The beds were very comfortable and everything was so clean and well maintained. We will definitely stay here again if in the area.
Everything was great. My husband and two kids stayed with our friends and their two kids. The accommodations were clean and the decor was really cute. The Christmas decor was so well done. We would love to stay here again!
The Bear House was the perfect location and property for our family vacation! It is central to Chattanooga and its various activities and St. Elmo is a wonderful neighborhood to be in with young kids. The property was exceptional - rooms, living, kitchen area, outdoor spaces, and all the special extras! We would recommend to everyone.
Beautiful house full of history. We had a great time at this charming house outside of Chattanooga. Only regret is that we didn't stay longer. We will definitely be back!
Brandon A.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar 2020
Thank you for your review. We have tried to keep the historic with modern updates in all of our apartments here at The Bear House as the spaces were being renovated. The main house was built in 1890 and the Carriage House in 1900. We are actually located in Chattanooga’s city limits and only 2-3 miles from downtown Chattanooga. I’t can be a little confusing since St Elmo is it’s own Historic neighborhood in the downtown Chattanooga area. We are within walking distance, less than 2 blocks, to the Lookout Mountain Incline and great local restaurants. Please come again anytime, we love having repeat guests!
We loved our stay the rental had so much character. All kinds of extras that was so nice. Beds Uber comfortable and the place was so quiet no noise at all.. we visited Rock City Lights and had a blast! Thanks so much for helping make our Thanksgiving special!!!
Regina D.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023
About the host
Hosted by Sharman Sherfey
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