Apartment

Bear House 1890, Lilly's Loft, Delightful, Upgraded amenities, Walk to Cafes

Family-friendly apartment in Chattanooga

Photo gallery for Bear House 1890, Lilly's Loft, Delightful, Upgraded amenities, Walk to Cafes

Stairs leading up to Lilly's Loft in the Carriage House
Relaxing light filled living room with Smart HDTV, electric fireplace, office.
Beautiful Master with luxurious Queen Bed and Smart HDTV. Walk in closet.
High end mattress and bedding.  Consistently ranked 5 stars on all listings!
Beautiful Master with Queen Bed and Smart HDTV.  Luxury mattress and bedding.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 2900 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View in a map
Chattanooga, TN
  • Place, Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, St. Elmo Park
    ‪17 min walk‬
  • Place, Ruby Falls
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Chattanooga, TN (CHA-Chattanooga Metropolitan)
    ‪15 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Bear House 1890, Lilly's Loft, Delightful, Upgraded amenities, Walk to Cafes


🐻 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.

Private Lilly's Loft (Carriage House 2nd floor), with its own entrance, offers historic charm with modern-day amenities. Wonderful, the private apartment including one bedroom, full bath, kitchen, living, dining, and light-filled sunroom overlooking the beautiful gardens.

**Custom, fully equipped kitchen with gas stove/oven, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator. A variety of small appliances including toaster, mixer, crock pot, and electric tea kettle. The kitchen comes equipped with a Keurig and well stocked variety of coffee, teas and hot chocolate and related condiments. 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 and some breakfast items.
**Beautiful light filled sunroom/dining room with dining for 4 and a cozy nook for reading or relaxing.
**Comfortable living room with ample seating, games, high speed Wifi, electric fireplace, large smart HDTV with Cable, Amazon Prime and Netflix - a wonderful gathering space for you to relax and enjoy your visit.
**Resource center in living room with desk, office supplies, vacations guides, reading materials.
**Restful bedroom includes a queen bed with high end mattress, luxury bedding and linens, iron and ironing board, full length mirror, luggage racks, water bottles, bedside radio/clock with 2 outlets and 2 ports for charging your devices, high speed Wifi, and smart HDTV with Cable, Amazon Prime and Netflix.
**Upgraded full size bathroom with bathtub/shower combination, hair dryer, and specialty toiletries from nationally known local store Good Fortune (soaps, body wash, bath salts, lotion), luxury towels and numerous amenities.
**Separate laundry room with large capacity washer and dryer. Laundry room located in the main house (Bear House). Shared between the Carriage House (Sherfey Suite & Lilly''s Loft) and Stinson Suite in the main house.
**Note on ceiling heights: All ceilings are 7' tall with the exception of the sun room that you walk into from the deck entrance. It is a sloped ceiling about 6' 4”-6’8”.

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. 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.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Mountain view

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

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: 4
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

Chattanooga

Located in Chattanooga, this apartment is in the city centre. Tennessee Aquarium is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Ruby Falls and Rock City. Travelling with kids? Consider St. Elmo Park and Songbirds Guitar Museum. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Chattanooga, TN

What's nearby

  • Lookout Mountain Incline Railway - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • St. Elmo Park - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
  • International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum - 18 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Ruby Falls - 3 min drive - 3.1 km
  • Point Park - 7 min drive - 4.1 km

Getting around

  • Chattanooga, TN (CHA-Chattanooga Metropolitan) - 21 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Domino's Pizza - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪The Tap House - ‬10 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Bear House 1890, Lilly's Loft, Delightful, Upgraded amenities, Walk to Cafes pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Bear House 1890, Lilly's Loft, Delightful, Upgraded amenities, Walk to Cafes?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Bear House 1890, Lilly's Loft, Delightful, Upgraded amenities, Walk to Cafes?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Bear House 1890, Lilly's Loft, Delightful, Upgraded amenities, Walk to Cafes?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Bear House 1890, Lilly's Loft, Delightful, Upgraded amenities, Walk to Cafes located?

This family-friendly apartment building is located in the city centre, within 1 mi (2 km) of Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, St. Elmo Park and Tennessee River. 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.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 206 out of 214 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 214 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 214 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 214 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 214 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location, clean, friendly staff.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tom H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
100% satisfied great location unbelievably stocked would recommend to anyone and would try to get it again if we came back
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tricia H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect accommodations and so close to all attractions! Will definitely recommend to friends and family. If we're ever in Chattanooga again, we will absolutely stay at The Bear House. We stayed in Lilly's Loft and it couldn't have been more cozy and comfy.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brittany B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This property is absolutely lovely! The hosts are amazing and very friendly. The neighborhood is beautiful and the accommodations on the property are perfect. They literally provided everything we could possibly need or want for a perfect stay. The drive is shared but the apartment itself has a private entry. This was the best place that I have stayed at in quite some time, clean, comfortable, and absolutely gorgeous historic home. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kim R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Such a wonderful gem of a house..very clean and comfortable..first class luxury on everything from the bed linens and towels to lovely hand and shower soap. Lots of personal extras that go above and beyond most places. Excellent location as walking distance to locals restaurants! Lots of activities close by. This was a hit it out of the ballpark for us!! Highly recommend and u will not be disappointed!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Curtis G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was great! No issues and we had a super time. Walked to a restaurant and drove up the Mt. to watch a fabulous sunset, also just a short drive up the road - hiked to a Falls (well not so much, water wasn’t flowing this time of the year).
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Faith D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful property. Beautiful grounds. Quiet and convenient location
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jessica W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Keeping It Cozy

Lilly’s Loft provided a quaint and cozy experience. Every detail was thought of for a comfortable and relaxing stay. Highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

David P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect quiet location

This quiet little historic neighborhood is perfectly located for so many attractions. Ruby falls, Rock city and the Incline railway are just minutes away. There's pretty gardens on the property with various seating areas for relaxing evenings. The historic house is charming, clean and is stocked with pretty much anything you'll need for a stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jill B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Perfect Place

The weather was hot but our stay was more than comfortable! From the beautiful grounds to the little extras scattered throughout the property, Lilly's Loft was a wonderful place to call home for our stay in Chattanooga. Many shops and restaurants were within walking distance and the downtown area was a short drive. A great place to stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jami H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful place

Wonderful place to stay. It was clean and quiet.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Victoria F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved Lily’s Loft it was so charming

Very nice property also enjoyed the gardens on the property
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brook C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Place for Gathering

We stayed at the Bear House for Covenant graduation weekend as our son and his fiancé both graduated. Both of our families stayed in the spaces at the Bear House and enjoyed being together for meals on the lovely garden patio and playing games. Beautiful gardens and nice place to be together.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katherine G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lookout Mtn Hideaway

Lilly's Loft was a very comfortable and quiet place. We enjoyed the short walk to restaurants a few blocks away. Ruby Falls was spectacular. Would stay here again in a heartbeat!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place in St Elmo.

This was the perfect place for our weekend getaway. Very clean, very comfortable, and the hosts were incredibly responsive and kind.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicole M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Enjoyable

We enjoyed out stay in Lilly's Loft. It was comfortable and well stocked with everything we needed. Nice location near hikes on Lookout Mountain and could easily walk into St. Elmo.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laura S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Anniversary

Great place!!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay with comfy night’s sleep!

So cozy and comfortable! We felt right at home, everything was well stocked and we really appreciated the extra snacks and drinks! There’s so much to do in the area and we will definitely be returning to Lilly’s Loft the next time we’re in town.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Thomas m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Short stay for a tour of Chattanooga with daughter and family.

Residence was very clean, very well supplied with everything and close to restaurants and all we wanted to see.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Abigail S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Spot

Came for a solo getaway and had the best time! Loved the loft, and the hosts were wonderful.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jenny W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect cozy stay!

This was a perfect location for my husband and I to have a little getaway! It was clean and cozy and had everything we needed. I should note that if you have back problems, the mattress is very soft. The shower water pressure was great! (Always a plus)We highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mark W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic stay and a fun location

Clean,well kept and nothing was forgotten to insure a relaxing stay !
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cindy S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Birthday getaway

We have stayee in the main house and the owners are very friendly and helpful. This time we stayed at Lillys Loft. We really enjoyed our stay. The apartment was cozy and very comfortable. I would recommend this rental. We look forward to visiting again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Heidi M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Location in St. Elmo

Absolutely loved the extra space in Lilly's loft. Had coffee in entryway and the desk in tv room was nice for those who still need to check-in while on vacation.We loved walking to shops/dinner.We slept SO great - between blackout curtains, sound machine and bed/pillows.Definitely one of the best VRBO's we've ever stayed in. Would visit again without questions.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christine D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

As good as I remembered!

Second time staying at Lily's Loft! Such a cozy comfortable space--I will stay here again, for sure ( :
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

About the host

Hosted by Steve and Sharman Sherfey

Host profile image
The Bear House is a beautifully restored 6,500square 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