Apartment in Chelsea, AL

The Peaceful Retreat Near Birmingham

The Peaceful Retreat Near Birmingham

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Relax!  You're at Meadow Lake!
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Overview of The Peaceful Retreat Near Birmingham

4.9 out of 5 Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 465 sq m

Popular amenities

  • PoolPoolPool
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Outdoor spaceOutdoor spaceOutdoor space

Explore the area

Chelsea, AL
  • Popular LocationOak Mountain State Park10 min drive
  • Popular LocationThe Summit16 min drive
  • Popular LocationOak Mountain Amphitheatre24 min drive
  • AirportBirmingham, AL (BHM-Birmingham Intl.)35 min drive

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 2

Master Bedroom

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

The Peaceful Retreat Near Birmingham

(Please read the following details and rates thoroughly for important information about check-in/check-out times, amenities, Extra Guest Fee for 3rd or 4th guests, and other policies. When submitting your inquiry please tell us something about yourself and those accompanying you, and a bit about the purpose of your trip. Thanks!) PLEASE CLICK ON THIS PAGE TO OPEN IT AND READ THE DESCRIPTION....

You don't have to sacrifice tranquility and beauty for convenience. Meadow Lake Suite is relaxing, private, and cozy, with a picturesque meadow, stream and fishing lake just a few steps away. Yet nearby are parks, restaurants, and shops. It's the perfect accommodation for couples, small families, seniors, solo adventurers, and business travelers. While the owners live in the home upstairs, guests have the roomy suite all to themselves.

This is a private and restful one-bedroom, ground-level/walkout basement suite that features easily accessible parking; its own entrance; roomy master bedroom with queen bed, closet and desk; smaller separate bedroom area with a single bed; large bathroom with walk-in shower; kitchenette area; and a living room with comfortable seating, cafe table, and room for a roll-away bed. The suite is fairly accessible for those with limited mobility or handicaps. A crib is available on request. We also rent a cabin on the property that sleeps 4, allowing larger groups of up to 8 to enjoy the property together. (Search for "Meadow Lake Cabin" on HomeAway.)

Our check-in time is 3 p.m. Central. Check-out time is 10 a.m. Central. Please DON"T assume we're okay with arrival or departure times different from these. These times are based on our personal schedules, that are necessary for hosting you and others, and arriving early or departing late isn't acceptable without previous approval.

We're situated on 3.5 acres. Guests have access to the front meadow, a seasonal stream, views overlooking a 6-acre lake, dock (fishing only on our end of the lake, which is small but productive, and is catch and release only), lakeside benches, and our (unheated) salt-system swimming pool with patio dining tables (located behind our home). The owners live in the house upstairs from the Suite. Meadow Lake Cabin, on the same property as the Suite, may also be rented through HomeAway, so that groups of up to 8 can be accommodated simultaneously. Both Cabin and Suite guests share use of the pool, dock, and grounds.

Our lake is home to Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Gar & several turtle species, and is periodically visited by Great Blue & Green Herons, Canada Geese, Mallards, Wood Ducks, Kingfishers, Muskrats, & Beavers.

Our home is located just off a county road, but on a private lane that's only used by the few residents living on it, allowing privacy without being remote. There is a railroad crossing within 1 mile, but the sound of the occasional train is usually soothing rather than disruptive. Chelsea has small-town character, but easy access to big-city amenities. The Shelby County area has many quiet and scenic roads to explore. Within 15 minutes you can find great dining and shopping options, a large cinema, and any number of services. Our county seat, Columbiana, has a pleasant Main Street to stroll, complete with a drugstore soda fountain. Columbiana also lays claim to a small gem of a museum with the second largest collection of George & Martha Washington memorabilia outside of Mt. Vernon!

Meadow Lake is approximately 30 minutes drive from downtown Birmingham, 40 minutes drive from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (23 mi or 37 km), 2.5 hours from Hartsfield-Atlanta Airport (152 mi or 245 km), 30 minutes from Amtrak Birmingham rail station (19 mi or 30 km), and less than 30 minutes from Interstates 65, 20, or 459.

We believe informality is a key ingredient of relaxation, and it begins when you arrive. We allow guests to let themselves in and get settled, and enjoy meeting them later when possible. We're always glad to recommend places to visit, shop, or eat at in our area, or otherwise make ourselves available to help.

Here are some important Rules of the House that our guests should know:
- We respect our guests' right to a quiet getaway, and ask them to also respect the peacefulness we enjoy. Evening quiet hours are from 10pm to 7am, but we like for Meadow Lake to be a tranquil place all day. Loud volume music or other entertainment isn't allowed on the property. Full disclosure: on weekends (mostly on Sundays) our children and grandchildren occasionally enjoy the afternoon in our home, so there is more activity upstairs or on the grounds at this time (usually from 1-6 p.m.). This Suite is in our home, so a give and take is expected. You may hear us upstairs just as we may hear you downstairs, but by being considerate of one-another's needs and schedules it works well. We are never loud and boisterous, and expect our guests to not be either.

- Our floors are carpeted for comfort, and we ask (but don't require) our guests to remove their shoes indoors to keep it a clean and sanitary space for themselves and future guests. Please bring slippers or socks.

- The suite, the area immediately around the house, and the pool area are all Smoke-Free Zones. Smoking is only permitted on the lawn areas. There are no exceptions to this. Smoking is permitted on the lawn, and guests must dispose of cigarette butts in their vehicle ashtray or a water bottle, not indoors. Smoking indoors will incur a damage fee.

- We require an accurate statement of the number of guests in your party, and that IF THERE ARE 3 OR 4 GUESTS THE EXTRA PERSON FEE OF $12 PER PERSON PER NIGHT BE PAID THROUGH HOME AWAY IN ADVANCE OF ARRIVAL. Cash will not be accepted. There is a limit of 4 people who can be accommodated in the Suite, and only the first 2 guests are covered in the basic rate. There is no extra person fee for children under 1 year old.

- Guests of ours may not invite their own guests, friends or family into the Cabin or onto the grounds. No exceptions are allowed!

-Early check-ins and late check-outs cannot be accommodated. 3pm CENTRAL and 10am CENTRAL are our check-in and checkout times. Please plan accordingly.

- Please remember that NO pets are allowed in the Suite. This is to accommodate guests with allergies. Sorry, but no exceptions are considered (except for bona fide service dogs). Our “Meadow Lake Cabin,” however, can accommodate dogs. See its separate listing for the policy. Our dog "Tilly" lives in our home or fenced back yard, but does not have access to the apartment or other areas of the property. Our cat "Pepper" lives upstairs with us, and is never allowed in the apartment.

- Personal firearms may not be carried openly on the grounds or brought into the Suite.

- Minors using the pool or lake must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

- A canoe is available for guests, but passengers must know how to swim and wear a PFD (personal flotation device, which is provided) at all times.

-The Host has a Master's degree in Environmental Education, and is a certified Alabama Master Naturalist. Guided nature walks can be arranged for an extra charge. If interested please inquire for details in advance of your stay. We also rent a mobile Grills, BBQ Smokers and Pizza Ovens for area events, through BBQRents, if you’re in our area for a family reunion or party.

Property manager

David Marshall

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

No events allowed
No friends of guests on property w/o approval

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
We allow smoking only outdoors on lawn areas.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: No friends of guests on property w/o approval
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

About the area

Chelsea

Located in Chelsea, this apartment is on a lake. Airwalk Trampoline Arena and Eagle Point Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit The Village at Lee Branch and The Summit. Traveling with kids? Consider Treetop Family Adventure and Pelham Civic Complex. Fishing and swimming offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and horse riding nearby.

What's nearby

  • Treetop Family Adventure - 5 min drive
  • Oak Mountain State Park - 10 min drive
  • Grandview Medical Center - 14 min drive
  • The Summit - 16 min drive
  • Oak Mountain Amphitheatre - 24 min drive

Getting around

  • Birmingham Station - 27 min drive
  • Birmingham International Airport (BHM) - 35 min drive

Restaurants

  • McDonald's - 3 min drive
  • Station 31 Kitchen - 3 min drive
  • Baumhowers Restaurant Of Lee Branch - 10 min drive
  • Domino's Pizza - 3 min drive
  • Buffalo Wild Wings - 3 min drive

Reviews

4.9

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 5 - Excellent. 92 out of 97 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Good. 5 out of 97 reviews" "
Rating 3 - Okay. 0 out of 97 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Poor. 0 out of 97 reviews" "
Rating 1 - Terrible. 0 out of 97 reviews" "

5/5

Cleanliness

5/5

Check-in

5/5

Communication

5/5

Location

4.9/5

Listing accuracy

Reviews

5/5 Excellent

Jennifer P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
100% would recommend
I was actually very nervous about going because it was my first time staying on a property that someone else was staying on... The owners reassured me that everything would be great, they met me when I got there, and they made my stay very welcoming. This was exactly where we needed to be when we needed to be there and I am very thankful for the owners of this property. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a nice little getaway
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

5/5 Excellent

Mika P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice clean place, super nice host!
Quick in and out just to get some sleep during our lengthy road trip. Arrived after dark but noticed the beautiful grounds as we were leaving early this morning.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

5/5 Excellent

Lee B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome host!! A+
Stay was short but great. The place was perfect. My 9 year old loved the bunk bed!!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

5/5 Excellent

Ron K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
12 day stay
Had another great visit! Thank you Dave and Tracy! Hope top see you guys soon!!!!
Stayed 11 nights in Sep 2023

5/5 Excellent

Beth H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful, quiet spot
Mr. David is an excellent host. The space is a quiet, beautiful spot with lots of beautiful nature to offer a retreat. It’s a convenient drive to Hoover Met for baseball as well.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

About the host

Hosted by David Marshall

Host profile image
We love travelling, and want to offer our guests the best of the hospitality we've experienced in accommodations in the U.S. and abroad. We enjoy going beyond the usual expectations to offer special features to our guests. When our guests leave, refreshed, satisfied, & wanting to return, we know we've succeeded.

Why they chose this property

When our children grew up and moved away, we relocated to be near a new grandchild! We had to wait over a year to purchase Meadow Lake, but it was well worth it.

What makes this property unique

When we first saw the property we thought it was gorgeous. Then we realized it was for sale, and that there was a possibility of it actually being ours! After a year's wait that became a reality. From the beginning we knew it was not just meant for us--we had to share it with others. Making our Suite available to guests helps us realize this part of the dream too.
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