Entire home

Your Sustainable and Secluded Dog-Friendly Home Away From Home.

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

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Property grounds
Aerial view
2 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Fridge, microwave, oven, dishwasher
Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, books

Reviews

9.2 out of 10

Wonderful

Entire home

2 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8157.9 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Barbecue grill
  • Hot tub
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Outdoor space
  • Pet-friendly

Explore the area

Map
Chillicothe, OH
  • Ross County Heritage Center
    13 min drive
  • Majestic Theatre
    14 min drive
  • Yoctangee Park
    14 min drive

Room options

Similar properties

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Your Sustainable and Secluded Dog-Friendly Home Away From Home.

Wren Eagle Retreat is surrounded by forest, close to Chillicothe and very early Ohio history, and perfect for a quiet family weekend, a church group, scrapbooking or quilting group, corporate retreat, or any other getaway occasion. Wren Eagle Retreat offers many of the comforts of home albeit in a natural environment (with low-flow toilets, LED bulbs in most places, natural (and effective) cleaning solutions, recycling, and easy access to kayaking, biking, hiking, historical sites, and much more that Chillicothe and the surrounding area has to offer. Wren Eagle Retreat is also well-insulated so it uses less heating energy in the winter, and less AC in the summer. I do not use AC and you are not compelled to use it either although it is available! The multitude of trees ensure fresh air and cooler temperatures, and the windows and leafless trees allow winter sun to provide heat along with the wood stove insert, an easily renewable fuel. But, for those who want it, there is central heating , also.

So whether you stay for a week or two or make it a long weekend you can experience history and nature, and engage in many other activities. Or simply relax on the expansive deck and enjoy birds (including owl and whippoorwill), deer, lizards, toads and other wildlife found on the 31+ acres. Cathedral windows flood the main floor with light including the great room with stone fireplace with efficient wood stove insert, dining (with seating for 12) and a fully equipped kitchen with many modern conveniences. The sofa pulls out to a full bed and the main bedroom boasts a king bed and sitting area. The loft, with its seven windows, looks out on the forest and makes you feel as though you are staying in a tree house. It has a queen bed, 2 twin beds, and a half bath. Through the loft double glass doors you have a forest view on three sides for a comfortable tree house experience. Outdoors, you can grill your steaks on charcoal grills under the covered deck when it's raining, or simply sit and rock and enjoy the peace. The open deck is mostly shaded during the summer for your comfort and has 3 tables that can seat 12+ along with patio furniture. If you get your fill of lazing on the deck, you can always take in local shopping, ride the Paint Creek Recreational Trail, or visit museums. You're only about 5 miles from anything you might do in a city: eat fast food, go roller skating or bowling, sit down at a local restaurant, or watch a movie. You can drive to the First Capital District and walk from there to Yoctangee Park and visit the art museum then walk along the flood wall. Or you can drive to Memorial Stadium and watch a very entertaining college summer league baseball game by the Chillicothe Paints or, for more entertainment, take in the outdoor drama Tecumseh. There are golf courses for golfers, kayak services for kayakers, and many good churches. There's so much to do that a week will not be sufficient to explore everything and you will want to return time and time again. If you start at the First Capital District and walk south you can explore the Ross County Museum district and some historic homes. Or you can drive to the Adena Mansion and visit the home of Ohio's first governor.

There are many state parks and wildlife areas nearby. Among them are Great Seal State Park, Scioto Trail State Park, Ross Lake, and Buzzards Roost Nature Preserve where the tiny saw whet owls are banded each year and where you can see an exquisite cliff-side view above Paint Creek.

NOTE: I have video doorbells, and security cameras in the great room and kitchen and outside on or around the deck. I do not monitor them during rentals unless something unusual is noted (eg. fire/smoke alarm, sustained outdoor noise) I also have glass break sensors in various places because there is so much glass at Wren Eagle Retreat. No cameras are located in private areas (bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways, etc.).

There's so much more to do and see. Contact me for more suggestions. And BTW, I often cannot accommodate last-minute rentals (may need 2 or 3 days or more) because I clean, launder, and make beds and equip bathrooms slowly and carefully. I cannot give you any direct way to contact me because VRBO does not allow it. You'll just have to send me a message through VRBO.

And if you'd love to hike at Wren Eagle Retreat do stay on the marked trails. It's easy to get lost in the woods! And even I have gotten lost off-trail!
During your stay at this vacation home, you'll be close to Ross County Heritage Center. A spa tub is available. Enjoy your stay with amenities like free WiFi and a jetted tub in the vacation home.
  • Air-conditioned home with kitchen, washing machine, and 2.5 bathrooms
  • Free WiFi
  • Onsite recreation includes a playground
  • 13 minutes by car from Ross County Heritage Center and 14 minutes from Majestic Theatre
As a guest of this vacation home, you'll find a spa tub and barbecue grills. The front desk is open around the clock.

Property manager

Diana K Harkness

Languages

English, French, Spanish

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • A hot tub

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking options include a garage
  • On-site parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Blender
  • Toaster
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Paper towels
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathrooms

  • 2.5 bathrooms
  • Bath or shower
  • Jetted
  • Hairdryer
  • Soap
  • Shampoo
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite service
  • DVD player
  • Video library
  • Books
  • Games

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Barbecue
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Firepit

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Work spaces

  • Printer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 3 total pets
  • Welcoming dogs only

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: You may smoke outdoors only.

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Kayaking on site
  • Hiking nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Power boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 1700 sq ft (157.9 sq m)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 28

Check-out

Check-out before 12:00 PM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 3 pets
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Note from host: Up to 3 dogs for an additional $50/dog fee.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Note from host: No child equipment available.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
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
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.
Property Registration Number 61792

Property is also known as

At Home In the Forest
Wren Eagle Retreat--your forest home away from home Chillicothe

Your Sustainable and Secluded Dog-Friendly Home Away From Home. Reviews

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 15 out of 25 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 25 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 25 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 25 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 25 reviews" "

9.0/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Andrea B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice getaway
My husband and I loved it. We love being out in the middle of nowhere which is just what this place is, so you'll need that mentality to enjoy it. It was great to just be able to let the dogs out for them to run around and not worry about any roads or neighbors. It's nearly an hour from Hocking Hills, but it was such a gorgeous drive, I'm glad we stayed on this side of the park. The place was "farm house clean." Counters and kitchen, etc. were clean but baseboards, etc were dirty. Very roomy so the kids were able to play around.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda H.

Liked: Cleanliness
25th Anniversary Stay
Very nice and relaxing. I have Netflix and it was very easy to connect to my settings.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

James S.

Liked: Cleanliness
The host was very nice and helpful. The place was very peaceful
Host was very nice and helpful. The property was peaceful
Stayed 19 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Christy G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Vacation
The home is secluded and we enjoyed the wrap around deck. We thought it was a great location as far as near by historical sites, great hiking and things to do with our dog.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Beth K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful area and comfortable home
The area is beautiful and it is only a short drive to get to Chillicothe and not too far to get to Hocking Hills. The house was comfortable and felt like home with many amenities. Had a great visit.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anita C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Love the woods
The house is a little older but had great amenities. Not really comfortable with the cameras inside the living room and kitchen areas with only one able to be unplugged but we dealt with it. The woods surrounding the house was amazing though. Very peaceful. Wish the trails would have been clear and it wouldn’t have rained so much so we could have hiked with our dog. Other than that we had a good stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

8/10 Good

Margeaux L., Dayton, Ohio

Liked: Cleanliness
Weekend getaway
Nice location only 10 minutes from downtown Chillicothe which is such a cute and fun town! We drove our truck there and thankful for that because the driveway was steep and slick. Very private house / large property. How decor was a little “tired” but the deck was great along with the outdoor furniture. Kitchen had most cooking essentials which we were thankful for since we did a lot of cooking. Check in and check out was smooth process and owner was very quick and easy to communicate with. Her food / shopping / hiking recommendations were great!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

George W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Property was great, just a couple suggestions
The setting a seclusion were just what we were looking for, and the property was large enough to accommodate my family of seven. Furniture was great and the beds comfortable. The property was clean, bathrooms and cooking/eating amenities great. We had a few detractions: The thermostat locked in at 72. It was very rainy and warm during our stay which made the humidity high. It was hard to get comfortable in the main parts of the house without being able to adjust the A/C lower to remove the moisture form the air. We keep out thermostat at home 65 at night and 68 during the day, even in the snowy winter. The grates for the Weber Grills were rusty. No amount of cleaning could get them to shine again. Guests might want to bring grill sheets from the grocery store (in the grilling aisle they look like aluminum screens) we use them on public park grills . We have a garbage disposal in our sink at home, without thinking my wife used this one for small vegetable scraps. But then we couldn't figure out how to turn it on or if it worked. I used the break loose tool to manually grind things up and the toilet plunger to move things along. Maybe, repair/replace/remove the kitchen sink garbage disposal. There were a lot of instructions for cleaning recyclables, but no instruction on what to do with them. I tried to guess based on the neighbors if they went in one of the cans at the end of the driveway or not. Some neighbors had brown and green cans, some had one or the other and some had black, but they were all empty. Rather than do the wrong thing we left them in the big container next to the kitchen. There weren't any additional kitchen garbage bags. I was thinking we could get all the trash out in one bag. To conserve space in the one bag, I tossed the grill ashes off the balcony into the woods. I regretted it immediately after. Well rain will take care of it, and I still had to go buy bags the morning we were leaving. The thermostat was an area of discomfort. We were very thankful for the portable A/C unit upstairs. The other items were minor inconveniences, but I stressed our work-a-rounds would result in a negative guest review or keeping the deposit.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Fred S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Getaway
We had a wonderful stay. The location is isolated enough for peace and quiet and the enjoyment of nature, but close enough to Chillicothe for other needs. My daughter and I enjoyed the mountain biking trails that were about 20 minutes away. We also enjoyed a couple fires with smore cooking in the evening. There is a kayak place just up the road.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Jeanett B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful and serene
We had a wonderful stay here. Diana was very accommodating and quick to respond. Beautiful outdoor setting with plenty of small wildlife and birds. House was well stocked with cooking and cleaning products.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kevin M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing stay in a quiet secluded home.
Had an extra long weekend stay with some friends and the house was exactly what we needed. Working with the owner was fast and easy, and she was super helpful. House was set back from the road a bit, but the instructions given by Diana were spot on. Overall very comfy, maybe a bit run down in spots (as others have mentioned stove top and other minor things) but it was in now way detrimental to our comfort, or impacted our stay. It was a tad muggy during our stay and the thermostat is locked at 76, so if you're sensitive to heat that may be something to consider, but it didn't really bother any of us on our stay. I would definitely recommend this place for anyone looking for a quiet getaway with lots of wildlife!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

8/10 Good

Stephanie H.

Beautiful location
The house is quite spacious and the view and privacy are stunning. Diana is extremely responsive. The kitchen had everything you need but stovetop dials are worn and difficult to read. Diana had informed me the day before that mice chewed thru all the dishcloths. There were 2 dish towels available; 1 had mice poop on it. I also found mice poop on the counter and plenty under the sink cabinet. This bothered me and made cooking there not so nice. One mouse trap doesn't seem sufficient(and I speak from experience). The only other difficulty was with laundry. The combination washer/dryer is smaller and it took between 3 to 4 hours to wash and completely dry a load. Also, a laundry basket might be helpful. The house had enough towels and washcloths for our family of 8 but no extras to be found. Combine that with the laundry situation and it was challenging if we needed to wash a towel. I think some of these issues could easily be resolved or might not matter to other guests. Overall, it is a nice house.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

jennifer b.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic Birthday getaway with my husband and one of our favorite couples and their furr babies
We had a great stay at the Wren retreat. The place was spacious enough for the four of us and their dogs to not feel cramped. The deck was great, it’s closed in so we were able to have the dogs outside without worry. We all really enjoyed the beautiful wood burning indoor fireplace. They left us plenty of wood I did buy some at Kroger as well just so we could keep the fire going all day on our rainy day. I wish it wouldn’t have rained because the outdoor fire pit we would have used. My husband and I stayed on the main floor the king sized bed it was super comfy and I found the same blanket I have at home in the closet so that was nice to keep cozy with . The shower was nice and hot . The upstairs was great for our friends and their dogs. It’s huge upstairs and I was thankful it looks misleading in the photos but it’s closed off by a door. There is a bathroom upstairs as well. It’s about an hour drive from Hocking Hills but the drive is nice. If you haven’t been in the area Chillicothe is bigger than I expected and only a 15 minute drive. We ended up going to the flea market then hiked Old Mans Cave. Gorgeous scenery. I just wish we had another day to explore . We used their charcoal grill on Sunday and made a shmorgasborg of food , played cards, learned dominos, played with a vintage set of circus old maid cards and the men played cribbage. They have everything you need here. I would recommend bringing Tupperware or zip locks because there wasn’t a ton of things to store leftovers, but I always make too much food . Also if you have dogs or your walking on the property bring tick spray . We found one on our buddy but was able to get him off with no problem. One thing to mention if stink bugs freak you out there were a ton in the house. Just keep the lights off in the areas where you are at and they will do their own thing . It’s to be expected of some sort of critters or bugs in the woods though . Overall I would definitely recommend this place, no neighbors or worries just beautiful trees and peace. Thank you to the owners for having us so I could get away for my 41st birthday since the big 40 was when the whole pandemic started and we couldn’t go anywhere. We had an amazing time!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mary M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy hideaway
This was a nice quiet woodsy spot, perfect for a family gathering place and meal. House was cozy with a nice view of the valley from the deck. I really appreciated being able to find a clean place to stay with my dog, since that is always difficult to do. My family members loved it and my dog loved walking through the woods! The owner was extremely responsive and gave detailed instructions so that we had no problems finding anything. Would come back again.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Ellen S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Forest home
Peaceful! Totally quiet and relaxing. Amazing deck. We loved the woods and the walks over lightly treaded paths. One of the few VRBO rentals I have experienced with a nicely apppinted kitchen. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Joshua T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely home in beautiful location.
We truly enjoyed our 2-week stay at Wren Eagle Retreat in early June 2019. It was comfortable and pleasant. The surrounding nature and sound of birds was relaxing. Home is well-kept, stocked and furnished. We think the owner made every effort to make sure our stay was above expectations (and it was.) Would recommend for anyone.
Stayed 13 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Amanda R W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Joyfully Peaceful & Quiet
Property entrance was a bit intimidating at first, but once we made it to the house, all was well. The house was so homey and very well stocked. Every need had been anticipated. We stayed 8 days/10 nights and did not run out of anything - except time. I would have loved another week. The house is so quiet - nothing to disturb a peaceful sleep. We spent most of our time on the deck with only the sounds of nature (and a few dogs in the distance). We found the back road to Chillicothe and it only took about 10 minutes to be in the Capital District or on Bridge street for shopping. We spent several days at Hocking Hills Parks - which we loved. The hour drive there was so beautiful. We loved the country. Yoctangee Park in Chillicothe makes for a perfect morning walk. Thank you, Diana, for allowing us this special time in your rental.
Stayed 10 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Michael U.

Fantastic Retreat to wash away your stress!
My family was absolutely thrilled with the scenic views, beautiful home, and the many amenities the owner made available...it made our weekend retreat a lifetime memory. Definitely bookmarked this property as a future destination for many return trips to come!!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Gary H.

Great Stay At Wren Eagle Retreat
My wife and I just completed a seven day stay at Wren Eagle Retreat. We had such a great time we were sorry we had to leave. You truly do feel "at home in the forest". We look forward to the possibility of staying there again in the future.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Laura D., Rochester

Great Location, Owner very accomodating!
We had a very nice stay. Great location, outstanding views. Wood burning fireplace is a perfect way to settle in for the evening. Had a few questions throughout our stay, owner was very quick to reply and even went out of her way to offer up various amenities for us. Defiantly would book again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2019

6/10 Okay

Jacqueline S.

not as close to hocking hills as expected
Overall we had a nice stay but it was a little further than we had anticipated for wanting to spend time hiking. also there were incredibly detailed instructions for everything which was a little off putting. there were no dish brushes or dish soap when we were told to wash the dishes. The TV was also extremely hard to use & the given directions didn’t work.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

8/10 Good

jessica r.

Thankful for a nice clean place to lay my head
The owner of this property was very kind to my family. We were evacuating from hurricane Florence. She allowed us to rent with very little notice. The place was very clean and in great order. She was meticulous with her instructions and description of the house and area. I would recommend staying here and enjoy the wildlife and awesome porch.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2018

8/10 Good

Andrew B., North Lewisburg

Comfy Cozy!
A quaint, cute little place that gives the feeling of being in a home. It may be a rented place, but it's got its wear and tear in areas. I actually like that, as it feels like you're moving into a home, not staying in a hotel. Sometimes you see the nooks and crannies and feel that it gives the house some charm as you learn to get to know it. The upstairs bed was super comfy and my wife and I had a cozy time just sleeping in up there. We loved the couch as we played Hyrule Warriors and the kitchen was sublime to cook in! We had several new recipes to try and that kitchen will forever be the birthplace of new foods we'll enjoy from here on out! We had a couple of issues, like the AC going out, but Diana was quick to be responsive and helpful, getting everything sorted out as soon as possible! We also enjoyed the location as it was secluded yet not far from the main shopping centers and going out to eat (Golden Corral for the win!) so all is reasonably distanced and when we were done, we could hide away in the forest, never having to deal with even the sound of traffic. It was wonderful! We were very sad to leave after our two weeks. The only two main downsides were - firstly - the setup of the TV. It was a bit confusing even with instructions, mostly because of the separate speaker that worked when the TV wouldn't and the TV would when the speaker didn't. We didn't really use the TV for programs, though, we just used it to play our Nintendo Switch (Which took an HDMI cable, not the traditional input cables). Secondly, the driveway is rather tight and long and hard to turn around even in a sedan. But that just needs getting used to. By the end of the first week there, I had the hang of it. Great place, would stay again!
Stayed 13 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jessica C.

Awesome time
We had a great time. Beautiful property. Lots of room for all of us. Very clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2017

6/10 Okay

angie c., Beavercreek ohio

A little disapointed for the price
To be honest we were disappointed, a fairly expensive night rental for the condition of the rental. Two days prior to our stay I received a note stating they were remodeling the master bath but it would be operating. It was operating but was completely a mess, drywall stacked outside front door, boards leaning in an unusable closet that lead into a bathroom with holes in drywall and mudding incomplete and unpainted. This condition may have been okay if it were at a discounted rate not full price. A second concern was the basement area, on our finial day we realized there was an occupant below us. There was no prior indication another person would be around, but we discovered this was not the case when we smelt smoke and happened to see lights late at night from what seemed to be a television glowing from below. This creeped us out! It was a nice retreat in all, but we were uncomfortable with the current accommodations.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017