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





Reviews
10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 2900 sq ft
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Chattanooga, TN
- Place, Moccasin Bend Brewing Company5 min walk
- Place, Lookout Mountain Incline Railway6 min walk
- Place, Ruby Falls3 min drive
- Airport, Chattanooga, TN (CHA-Chattanooga Metropolitan)16 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
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House Rules
Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Pets
No pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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
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. Consider Camp Jordan for a night out or Songbirds Guitar Museum if you're travelling with kids. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Chattanooga, TN
What's nearby
- Roy Nelms Park - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
- Moccasin Bend Brewing Company - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
- Lookout Mountain Incline Railway - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
- Ruby Falls - 3 min drive - 3.1 km
- Point Park - 7 min drive - 4.1 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Taco Bell - 2 min drive
- Dunkin' - 2 min drive
- Domino's Pizza - 10 min walk
- Little Coyote - 8 min walk
- Wendy's - 2 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window10/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Amenities
10/10
Property conditions & facilities
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
10/10
Location
10/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
Verified
16 Mar, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified
10/10 Excellent
D R.
29 Dec, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
D R.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Stephanie G.
1 Oct, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stephanie G.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jessica W.
8 Dec, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Jessica W.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Tom H.
12 Oct, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Tom H.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Nicholas P.
29 Nov, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nicholas P.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Tricia H.
21 Sept, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Tricia H.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Brittany B.
19 Oct, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Brittany B.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Faith D.
18 Jul, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Faith D.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Kim R.
6 Oct, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Kim R.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Curtis G.
18 Sept, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy


Curtis G.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jami H.
20 Mar, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful place
Jami H.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jessica W.
15 Jul, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Keeping It Cozy
Jessica W.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
David P.
27 Jul, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect quiet location
David P.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jill B.
28 Jun, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A Perfect Place
Jill B.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Victoria F.
19 Apr, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved Lily’s Loft it was so charming
Victoria F.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Mary K.
11 Mar, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place in St Elmo.
Mary K.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Katherine G.
25 Apr, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lookout Mtn Hideaway
Katherine G.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Brook C.
3 Jun, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Place for Gathering
Brook C.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Nicole M.
11 Apr, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Enjoyable
Nicole M.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Thomas m.
29 Dec, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Short stay for a tour of Chattanooga with daughter and family.
Thomas m.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Laura S.
3 Mar, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Anniversary
Laura S.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Mark W.
20 Nov, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic stay and a fun location
Mark W.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Abigail S.
31 Dec, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely Spot
Abigail S.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Lisa C.
2 Apr, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay with comfy night’s sleep!
Lisa C.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
About the host
Hosted by Steve and Sharman Sherfey
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!
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
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