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Rest and Relaxation in the Foothills of the Appalachians in Northeast Alabama

Photo gallery for Rest and Relaxation in the Foothills of the Appalachians in Northeast Alabama

Screen Porch and Outside Dining Area
Entryway, Main Level
The General Cleburne Bedroom, Upper Level
Living Room and Dining Area, Main Floor
The Orchard House Drone View

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 14

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Balcony

Explore the area

View in a map
Ranburne, AL
  • Place, Choccolocco Park
    ‪40 min drive‬
  • Place, University of West Georgia
    ‪46 min drive‬
  • Place, Cheaha Resort State Park
    ‪53 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

General Cleburne Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

John's Mountain Bedroom

1 Double Bed

Lucky Joe Goldmine Bedroom

1 Double Bed

See Me No More Valley Bedroom

2 Single Beds

Talladega Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Lower Level Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Main Floor Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Upper Level Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Rest and Relaxation in the Foothills of the Appalachians in Northeast Alabama

The Orchard House is a 5 bedroom, 3 bath house with 3 levels located on the 1000+ acres of Laurel Ridge Plantation in the foothills of the Appalachians in Cleburne County, Alabama just over the Georgia line and only a short drive from both Atlanta and Birmingham. The Orchard House provides a comfortable base for your outdoor adventures in the surrounding area and the perfect country getaway from the fast pace of life.
In addition to your accommodations which are described in more detail below there are many activities in the surrounding area from which you can chose.
Activities at Laurel Ridge Plantation include the following:
Bonfires at the Orchard House
Examples of Off Plantation Activities within 30-45 minutes-drive
Fruithurst Winery and the Alabama Wine Trail
Tubing and Canoeing on the Tallapoosa River
The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
Banning Mills Ziplines
Flat Rock State Park
Cheaha Mountain State Park, site of Alabama’s highest peak
Lake Wedowee fishing and boating

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 3–17
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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

Important information

You need to know

Property # 715287vb
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: 20
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 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

About the area

Ranburne

Located in Ranburne, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. Travellers eager for a bit of culture can stop by West Georgia Museum, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Talladega National Forest and Pop's Landing. Kayaking and canoeing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and cycling nearby.
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Map
Ranburne, AL

What's nearby

  • Choccolocco Park - 40 min drive - 67.3 km
  • University of West Georgia - 46 min drive - 50.1 km
  • Lake Wedowee - 50 min drive - 61.4 km
  • Cheaha Resort State Park - 53 min drive - 60.6 km
  • Jacksonville State University - 60 min drive - 85.6 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Lost Creek Mercantile And Provisions - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Listening To KENNY CHESNEY #NOSHOESNATION - ‬23 min drive
  • ‪Jumpin Jax - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Country Boys - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Turning BOTTLE OF RUM UP #RumOn - ‬23 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Rest and Relaxation in the Foothills of the Appalachians in Northeast Alabama pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Rest and Relaxation in the Foothills of the Appalachians in Northeast Alabama?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Rest and Relaxation in the Foothills of the Appalachians in Northeast Alabama?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Rest and Relaxation in the Foothills of the Appalachians in Northeast Alabama?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Rest and Relaxation in the Foothills of the Appalachians in Northeast Alabama located?

Situated in the mountains, this holiday home is 15.5 mi (25 km) from Talladega National Forest and within 25 miles (40 km) of Pop's Landing and John Tanner Park. University of West Georgia and The Coliseum are also within 25 miles (40 km).

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. 20 out of 20 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 20 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jack S.

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

Great Getaway

The property and the host is fantastic. We had a great time and the house has everything you need.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

James F.

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

Slice of Heaven

This property is an excellent home. It was large, well supplied and clean. The owners were very nice and helpful. The porch propane incredible view and place to relax.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julie H.

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

Great hosts

This home was great. The owners were super friendly and helpful. Very peaceful setting. Kids had fun catching fish in the pond. House was clean and comfortable.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Jul, 2021
Dear Julie…..: Thanks so much for your kind review and for taking such good care of the Orchard House. You have a wonderful family. We are so glad you had a good stay and good family fellowship and hope you will visit the Orchard House again in the future. God bless, John and Carla Durham
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sabrina B.

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

Perfect Paradise

A picture is worth 1000 words. But the pictures posted do not do justice to this property! It is absolutely magnificent. Every detail is thought of! The beds were some of the most comfortable I have ever slept on. Peaceful setting for us to get away to.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Jun, 2021
Sabrina....... Thanks so much for your kind review. We are so glad you were pleased with your stay. You left the Orchard House so clean and in order we could hardly tell you had been there. We welcome your next stay at the Orchard House! Sincerely, John and Carla Durham The Orchard House
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Micah J.

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

Perfect stay

Will stay here again. Can’t think of one reason to complain. Great views and very nice and helpful owners
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lourdes F.

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

Beautiful Home

Everything was perfect! The owners were absolutely wonderful. We even ran into an issue with getting stuck in mud on the road one evening and the owners came to our rescue. The house was everything and more. I highly recommend this property. Can't say enough. I would definitely stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anne C.

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

Loved it!

This is the perfect house for a family getaway! The scenery is gorgeous! You can sit in rocking chairs on the porch and see the Smoky Mountains in the distance. The house is beautifully decorated and has a comfy feel to it. With two living areas, 5 bedrooms and 3 full baths, there is plenty of room for the entire family. The beds and pillows were super comfortable. Everything is very clean and well taken care of. There are lots of activities you can do there. We did some skeet shooting and hiking. John is a fantastic host and went out of his way to make sure we enjoyed our stay. Thanks John! Our trip was perfect!
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Mar, 2020
Anne.......thanks so much for your kind words and review. I am so glad that everyone enjoyed the stay and that I had the chance to spend some time with you and your family on Sunday. The weather was perfect and the trees were at their peak; a great day for the skeet shooting and your hike to the top of John’s Mountain. Please come back soon! John and Carla Durham The Orchard House at Laurel Ridge Plantation
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bre P.

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

Breath taking!!

This house was AMAZING!!! The owners were so very accommodating with every step and every question. We booked this house for the weekend due to an out of town wedding I was in. Unfortunately it was night time before I arrived for the first time and my husband said just wait until you see this place in daylight. First of all, although I couldn't see much of the outside, everything on the inside was beautiful! Then waking up the next day and walking outside was breath taking!! We had 8 people and ZERO complaints. I highly recommend booking this place!! We can't wait to figure out another time to go back and just sit and enjoy the house and property. Thank you for allowing us to stay!!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Mar, 2020
Dear Bre......Thanks so much for your kind review. We are so glad that you had an enjoyable stay and that the Orchard House met your accommodation needs while in the area for an out of town wedding. You left the house immaculate. We look forward to having you come back soon and take advantage of the many activities on Laurel Ridge Plantation and in the surrounding area. John and Carla Durham The Orchard House at Laurel Ridge Plantation
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Maria G.

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

Weekend Getaway

The property is rural and very relaxing. We were looking for a peaceful place to stay and this fit the bill to a tee. The house is beautiful and roomy. It was by far the cleanest Vrbo we have ever stayed in. It was everything we were looking for. The check in required nothing of us but to show up. John, the property owner was in touch and was terrific about offering up any help we may have needed and offers of things to do while we were staying there. I wouldn't change a thing and will definitely stay here again when we get the opportunity to get back to the area and I would encourage anyone looking in this location to stay at this property.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brian S.

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

Stay at the Orchard House

The Orchard House was an ideal setting for our family retreat. Quiet, secluded, and serene.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Wesley G.

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

Awesome

Place was amazing and everything we were hoping and expecting! We will definitely be back as soon as we can!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin K.

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

Weekend getaway

Everything about this weekend was easy and awesome! Even last minute having a bonfire and organizing other activities was hassle free. Everything far exceeded expectations and made it the best VRBO experience we have had yet.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sarah H.

So much fun for a lot of people!

We all loved the house and everything we needed was already there! The owner is super nice and accommodating!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chris C.

Excellent house, beautiful view, wonderful houses

Our biggest regret booking this house is that we couldn't stay longer. The house was clean, beautiful, and well equipped. The view from the hilltop is beautiful and it was a joy watching the sunrise. The Durham's went above and beyond to prepare a bonfire for us and welcome us. We wished we could have taken them up on their activities. Will definitely recommend this place to anyone.
Stayed 1 night in May 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Eric W.

Outstanding

Simply outstanding. We will never drive to Gatlinburg again. This gorgeous property is perfect for those wanting to get out of the city. Breathtaking scenery. Luxury accommodations. The hosts John and Carla cater to your every need and treat you like one of the family. My 7 year old caught five fish under Johns direction ( I don t know what I’m doing). We had a perfect bonfire that only required one match to get going as it was already set up for us. John ahowed is the old gold mines and told the stories to go with them. We were able to get a full family soccer game on the huge yard. All said and done this was nothing short of a spectacular vacation. Best part for us is that it was only 1.5 hour drive from Birmingham and had accommodations for the whole extended family. However even if you had to fly here for the experience it would be worth it!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rich I.

Talladega 2018

What a great place off the beaten path for a guys trip to Talladega 2018. John was very hospitable and our stay was very enjoyable. Plenty of room for all 8 of us to relax before and after the race. We would definitely visit again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paul G.

Wonderful!

The pictures don’t do justice to this beautiful property. John and Carla were very gracious and accommodating hosts. We brought a family of 7 and had plenty of room for all. The house was nicely equipped, very clean, and had very comfortable beds. We went fishing several times and caught some bass and a couple 10lb catfish. (Lots of shoreline made it easy to access and kid friendly). I had forgotten some tackle at home - but John came to the rescue and delivered his own for us to use. If you are considering this property - please do so without reservations.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jessica W.

Wonderful!

Sooo relaxing! We spent two nights and wish it had been longer. John showed us all about house and later he returned with his wife with warm cookies for us! He also took us on a tour of the property on his polaris. A calf was born, we got to name him Frances. Loved the house! Great star viewing deck on the top floor. The only complaint is that the wifi was a little slow. But he told us he was woking on it. We will be back!
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Mar, 2020
Thanks so much for the kind words of review. It was a pleasure to have you stay with us and we look forward to your next visit. Frances, the calf you named, sends regards. John and Carla
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Melanie f.

Beautiful home and surroundings!

We rented this home while we were in the area for the Talladega Nascar race. There was plenty of room for our group of 9 adults. The house was very clean with comfortable beds and nice plush towels. We enjoyed our morning coffee on the beautiful porch and the grill and screened in dining area in the evening. Our GPS had a little trouble finding it at first and the owner came right out to meet us and escort us in! From that point we had no further problem finding our way in and out. The location was perfect and just as the owner quoted on travel time. Would definately rent again if we return to the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Donna C.

Relaxation awaits

Escape the craziness of life and come to the peace and quiet of a beautiful family farm. The house is spacious (we had 3 families with 7 kids and 6 adults) with plenty of room for everyone. The kids had a blast running the hills and fishing in the 2 ponds on the property. The owners were delightful and went out of their way to make our vacation memorable. We toured the farm by hayride and got to see all the animals and some hidden treasures of the area. We ended our vacation with a bonfire at the manor house. Sunrises, sunsets, beautiful fall colors, and time away. Thanks for sharing your farm with our family.

About the host

Hosted by John Durham

Host profile image
Laurel Ridge began with the purchase of a small farm in 2006 with a hunting cabin and a beautiful view of neighboring John’s Mountain. The owners retired to the property in 2007, expanded the property holdings and have managed timber, farm, and vacation rental and recreational enterprises of Laurel Ridge over the years. What started as a small farm and hunting cabin has grown to nearly 1000 acres of beautiful hardwood and pine forests. The owners hope that you will join them to share in the natural beauty and participate in some of the many opportunities in the surrounding area to enjoy the refreshing change of pace that is part and parcel of an Orchard House stay. If the owners can’t point you in the direction of something fun to see and do in the surrounding areas, then the Tide doesn’t Roll, the War Eagle doesn't fly and Alabama is not the Heart of the South! They look forward to seeing you at the Orchard House at Laurel Ridge soon…don’t be late. Come soon and come often……

Laurel Ridge Plantation
January 1, 2019

Why they chose this property

We originally did not have plans to build or list the Orchard House for lease, but all of our friends that visited the farm just did not want to leave. They encouraged us to add the Orchard House so that we could share this beautiful secluded rural mountain area more readily with others.

Languages:

English
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