Top-rated for comfort — guests feel right at home here.
Centrally-located
You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 3
Popular amenities
Onsite parking available
Kitchen
Washing machine
Air-conditioning
Balcony
Free Wi-Fi
Explore the area
Franklin, TN
Westhaven Lake
Place, Westhaven Lake
4 min drive
Westhaven Residents' Club
Place, Westhaven Residents' Club
4 min drive
Westhaven Golf Club
Place, Westhaven Golf Club
5 min drive
Nashville, TN (BNA-Nashville Intl.)
Airport, Nashville, TN (BNA-Nashville Intl.)
37 min drive
Where you'll sleep
1 bedroom (sleeps 3)
Bedroom 1
1 Single Bed and 1 Queen Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Dining area
About this property
Whimsical Gatehouse at Dark Horse Retreat
Welcome to The Gatehouse, and the private world of Dark Horse Estate. A perfect setting for friends and families to unplug. This residence can accommodate three overnight guests. The Gatehouse features a queen bed and a day bed. It boasts a fully equipped kitchen, private bathroom and a huge, covered porch looking out over the countryside. The Gatehouse is exclusively yours and can be accessed with an outside entrance. This romantic one-of-a-kind get-away will exceed your expectations.
Dark horse estate is gracefully set in the rolling hills of Tennessee, just 5 miles north from Franklin’s historic town square and 25 minutes from downtown Nashville. Beautiful sunsets and lush mystic landscapes make this private sanctuary an exclusive destination. As you stroll down to the river, you’ll find yourself breathing more deeply as though you’ve been transported to a simpler time.
You will have the entire Gatehouse apartment to yourself, and feel free to use the full studio kitchen, dining room, and beautiful porches!
At Dark Horse Estate your privacy is top priority. Having said that, you might bump into other guests as you explore the grounds. Every day is different with activity such as film shoots, interviews and, of course, recording sessions. Sometimes you may be able to hear music from these sessions inside the apartment. And while late night and early morning sessions are rare, it does happen occasionally. Please read our reviews and you’ll see that our guests are delighted with both the atmosphere and privacy.
Dark Horse Recording is just 5 miles west of the historic town of Franklin
Uber or taxis are available if you do not have a vehicle.
Note: Once again please know that the Gatehouse is located on the first level of our 9,000 sq. ft. (three level) studio building. During some private recording sessions, certain areas of the studio building may be closed off to guests. Being an active recording studio, there is potential for noise. We highly encourage you to read our reviews!
PLEASE carefully review HOUSE RULES in the Rules section of this Airbnb listing. This includes pet policies, property policies, etc. And please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
*We allow dogs, but no other pets (cats, birds, etc.)*
**If you need more space, inquire about our other airbnbs on site!**
The Manor (sleeps 16)
airbnb.com/h/dhmanor
The Bunkhouse (sleeps 4)
airbnb.com/h/dhbunkhouse
PET POLICY:
We love dogs! We strive to keep our pet friendly homes just that, pet friendly!... by asking our guests to be conscientious about the impact their four-legged friend is having on the home, the property, and the neighbors.
OF PET OWNERS, WE ASK:
A one-time, non-refundable $75 fee per pet for four legged guests. This fee goes toward helping homeowners with the inevitable repairs needed for cumulative pet-wear-and-tear on their home. This is a cash fee, payable upon arrival.
We accept guests of the canine persuasion only ~ sorry, no feline friends, zebras, ferrets, parakeets, camels, etc.
In the home, dogs are not permitted on the beds, chairs, couches, or blankets. If you are unable to prevent this, please bring (clean!) sheets or blankets from home to put over the couches, bedding, and pillows.
If it’s rainy or muddy outside, please throw a dog towel that you provide on the floor by the doors. While some dog- friendly properties provide these towels, please bring your own. Please do not use the towels provided at the property to clean or dry your pets.
Additional cleaning charges will apply for yard clean-up, excessive pet hair, or messes requiring additional carpet, upholstery, or linen cleaning.
Pets may not be left alone in the home unless you have them kenneled or are 110% certain there will be no disturbing barking, scratched doors, or stained carpets. If needed, local pet boarding is available at Waggy Tails Pet Center.
Please understand that we are an active recording studio. Both the studio clients and other visiting guests are looking for privacy and relaxation, and the engineers and musicians are looking for a quiet place to work. We ask that you ensure there is no excessive barking. If you leave your dog unattended in the room and your dog’s barking causes a disturbance amongst other guests, we reserve the right to enter the room and try to calm the dog down. If the barking noise cannot be brought under control, we reserve the right to ask you to vacate the property without refund.
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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
This property accepts cash
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
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
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
About the area
Franklin
Franklin is home to this apartment. Franklin Theatre and CMA Theater at Country Music Hall Of Fame are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Westhaven Golf Club and The Square. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at Crockett Park Tennis Center, or consider a night out at Westhaven Residents' Club.
Williamson County Soccer Complex - 6 min drive - 6.9 km
Getting around
Nashville Riverfront Station - 35 min drive
Nashville International Airport (BNA) - 36 min drive
Restaurants
Starbucks - 9 min drive
Dairy Queen - 8 min drive
Dunkin' - 6 min drive
Kroger Fuel - 9 min drive
NY Pie - 6 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Whimsical Gatehouse at Dark Horse Retreat pet-friendly?
No, only service animals are welcome at the property.
How much does it cost to stay at Whimsical Gatehouse at Dark Horse Retreat?
As of 4 Oct, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Whimsical Gatehouse at Dark Horse Retreat on 11 Jan, 2027 start from S$475, 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 Whimsical Gatehouse at Dark Horse Retreat?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Whimsical Gatehouse at Dark Horse Retreat?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Whimsical Gatehouse at Dark Horse Retreat?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Whimsical Gatehouse at Dark Horse Retreat located?
Situated in Franklin, this apartment building is within 3 miles (5 km) of Westhaven Golf Club, Gentry Lake and Westhaven Residents' Club. Westhaven Lake is 2.4 mi (3.8 km) away.
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
This was a surprise find, and we will be looking for reasons to come again, as well as to stay in other spaces at this unique location. Austin, Robin and Emily were very welcoming and showed us around.
This was the perfect location and setting for our stay. The property is beautiful and convenient to the places we wanted to visit. Austin and Emily were engaging and made us feel like family from the time we stepped onto the grounds. We will definitely visit again!
We’re so glad we found this unique stay and Austin was such an amazing on-site host! What a fun and beautiful place - the room was very comfortable and it was just an extra special kind of place you don’t come across every day. Thanks again for a wonderful stay!
The property exceeded expectations. The host was very timely with communications. For a really peaceful country feeling just outside the big city, this is a great choice. Very unique and worth the drive.
The gatehouse was spacious, comfortable and well stocked. The grounds and surrounding area I are beautiful! We were in town for a wedding, the location was convenient, Historic Franklin is charming. Austin was very helpful and responsive. We would definitely stay there again.
Such a unique place to stay! Enjoyed our stay and loved talking with the young people that work there - so friendly and accommodating.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023
Verified review
10/10 Excellent
Hjalti
18 Feb, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This is a hidden gem. We just got back from a stay at Dark Horse in Franklin, and it was honestly the best stay we have ever had. Beautiful, spotless, and genuinely unique, you are literally staying in a working recording studio, but it still feels calm, comfortable, and relaxing... a one-of-a-kind mansion. If you want to experience Music City from the inside while being a short drive from Nashville, this is a must. We would book it again without thinking.
We had a total of 7 adult guests that stayed on the property and everything was great! The house and grounds are maintained exceptionally and it worked well for our team. We will definitely be back!
We cannot say enough positive things about this property and staff. We found this to be rustic yet modern. Peaceful, relaxing and beautiful all within a short drive from all that Nashville and area has to offer. We highly recommend this place if you’re looking to stay in the Nashville area.
In town only for the weekend and Robin’s place was the perfect accommodation! Well appointed and felt like a genuine getaway from our daily lives! Thanks for sharing the property with us!
We had a wonderful stay at the Whimsical Gatehouse! Austin and Robin greeted us warmly, and our private, beautifully appointed room overlooked a peaceful view. The bed was very comfortable and the room overall was perfect for us during our short stay. We loved relaxing in the rocking chairs with a glass of wine, and our dog Stella was welcomed too. The highlight was an incredible tour of the Studio and Manor—Christian and the interns made it so fun and fascinating. A truly memorable trip, and we can’t wait to return!
Everything was incredible - from the communication with the property manager, check-in, stay, and check-out. The location is breathtaking and so unique! We felt like we were stepping into a place where history has been and is made! We brought our dog with us and she was so welcomed by the whole staff!!! We loved our stay and will book here whenever we're back in the area!
We had the best stay here! The location was AMAZING. Minutes from Leipers Fork and Westhaven. We had the most magical and relaxing time at each of those towns and loved sitting on the porch in the evening here. Our kids also loved the "tree house" they found over the walkways. It was a really special trip we will not soon forget!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025
About the host
Hosted by Robin Crow
Why they chose this property
Located in the north wing of the Dark Horse Recording facility you find "The Gatehouse." a well-appointed apartment bathed in natural light creating a seamless transition from indoor living, to outdoor experience. This apartment features a queen bed, day bed, a timber frame bunk bed with full kitchen and bathroom. Sleep in the same bed as some of your favorite stars who have slumbered in the Gatehouse after a long day of recording. Whether you’re a vacationer seeking an unforgettable experience, or a platinum recording artist working on your next hit, you’ll fall in love with the beauty, spirit, and warm country charm of the Gatehouse at Dark Horse Recording.
Dark Horse Recording is a 10-acre riverside estate nestled in the rolling hills of Tennessee just five miles from downtown Franklin and 17 miles from downtown Nashville and music row. During your stay you can hike along the West Harpeth River, stroll the expansive grounds and boardwalks, lounge under the gazebo, and take an exclusive private tour of the world-famous Dark Horse studios. This is a place where you can truly escape from your day to day distractions.
What makes this property unique
Welcome to the private world of Dark Horse Recording. For 25 years this secluded sanctuary has been home to many of the biggest stars in the world, such as Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Alice in Chains, Tim McGraw, Korn, Matchbox 20, Carrie Underwood and Neil Diamond. So... during your stay you’ll find yourself among very good company!
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests