Take a trip back in time and get a slice of small-town America at The Station, a former 1920 gas station Airbnb in Troy, Alabama. History, charm, and modern comforts come together in this vacation rental that was once a stop for Sinclair Gas.
Before we get into more details about this nostalgic retreat, go ahead and make a note you'll also want to plan a meal at Mossy Grove Schoolhouse Restaurant. An 1856 schoolhouse converted into a restaurant in 1978, it's a longtime local go-to for home cooking and another big bite of history in this small city.
Located just one block from the bustling town square, The Station has a prime location with convenient access to local shops and eateries.
While it's small, you won't feel confined thanks to an open floor plan. You'll notice a lot of attention to detail in the decor. The host has sprinkled fun nods to the building's history throughout the space.
While The Station is best suited for just two guests, there's plenty of room to unwind on the king-sized bed or cozy couch. And if you're a pet owner, fear not! Well-behaved pets are welcome to join you.
You will also have use of a well-equipped kitchenette with a coffee maker and microwave. The hosts also squeezed in a full and half bath to maximize the amenities.
Just off of the main living area, you'll find a sweet little screened porch. It has plenty of seating around a gas fire pit for added warmth and comfort when it's chilly out.
In addition to its downtown proximity, The Station serves as an excellent home base for exploring Troy University and the surrounding area. If you're a business traveler looking for a special stay that's authentic to the town, you will love this retro spot. Plus, WiFi and a Smart TV will keep you connected.
Whether traveling for business or just looking for a unique stay with an Americana twist, we think you'll love this cute gas station Airbnb in Troy, Alabama. Let us know if you book it! We'd love to hear about your time there.
The waning days of summer in the South mean balmy afternoons, subtle color changes in nature, and the building anticipation of all the fun of fall. Late blooming flowers give us a final show of their colors as the days grow shorter and early evenings glow with their golden light. This is the perfect time for end-of-summer retreats in Alabama to take advantage of all those visuals – and slightly more comfortable weather.
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With that in mind, we've rounded up five Alabama Airbnb vacation rentals throughout the state that cover a range of territory and preferences. We bet you'll find one that floats your boat if you're looking for a sweet solo escape, a romantic couple's retreat, or gathering the gang for one last big summer pool party and barbecue.
Planning a large group get-together that spares no luxury? Located in Northeast Alabama, this 135-acre family estate sleeps up to 21 guests with ease. You may want to spend most of your time outdoors around the large pool, sunning areas, fire pit, and covered outdoor kitchen. As you make your way to the indoor spaces, be sure to explore the more than 2,000 square feet of covered porches. And yes, of course there's a hot tub!
Inside, this spacious, handsomely appointed home has five bedrooms. There are two primary suites (one accessible), two junior suites, and a large, third-floor space that sleeps 10. (Hello, multi-family vaca where the kids can have a slumber party upstairs!) You will also have your run of a chef's kitchen and plenty of space to relax on large comfortable furnishings in the living spaces. While this property is very private, you're only five minutes to Lake Guntersville and about 10 minutes to local shops.
Escape to sweeping overlooks of Wilson Lake in Northwest Alabama at this spacious, four-bedroom home that accommodates up to eight guests. Watch sunsets and passing boats on the water from one of the four decks, then retreat downstairs to the basement game room to wind down for the evening.
The comfortable interiors bring in a lot of light and nature, with summery scenes and colors playing out in the home's decor. It's an ideal retreat to get away from it all and yet you can easily take your pick of golf, boating, sightseeing, dining and shopping nearby. The home is close to The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at The Shoals, Colbert Alloys boat ramp, and lively towns including Muscle Shoals and Florence.
3. Treehouse on Lake Martin in Coosa County, Alabama
This colorful and cozy treehouse in East Central Alabama is just right for couples or small families with its quirky, fun decor and lovely wooded lakeside views. Swing in a hammock or sunbathe on the wrap-around patio, fire up the outdoor grill, and take a short, leisurely walk just steps down to the sandy lake beach.
This sweet retreat accommodates up to four guests total, with a king bed and queen bed upstairs and a single sleeper on the first floor. Beside the sunny living room packed with games and bright colors, the first floor also has a full kitchen as well as a bathroom with a modern, marble shower. Your pets are allowed with permission and as long as you keep them downstairs.
Gather four or five of your favorites and head to this pastoral retreat with a fabulous pool in Central Alabama. Located just down the road from Birmingham in Montevallo, this property covers 32 gently rolling acres that include a main house, guest house, live-edge pool, two ponds, and a pasture. The retreat accommodates up to six guests in the main house and three more in the guest house, which is a separate vacation rental property operated by the same hosts. Relax on the porches, chat around the fire pit, listen for the gentle hoot of owls, and watch for hawks soaring across the skies. Later in the evening, watch the stars put on a real show.
Besides wild critters like turkey and deer, you can also visit with the farm's donkeys and sweet sheep, if you like. The property has a well-equipped kitchen and comfortable furnishings indoors and out, making it an ideal spot for larger groups. While quiet and feeling secluded, it's so easy to get to in just a 5-minute drive from Interstate 65.
While this raised cottage overlooking Mobile Bay may not look very big from the front, it's a full 1,650 square feet of thoughtfully and tastefully decorated spaces. A guest favorite is the screened porch that runs the length of the home on the side facing the bay. It's fully furnished with a bed swing, large dining table, and lounge chairs, just in case that view keeps you outdoors more so than not.
It's not a view you'd want to leave too soon. When you must spend time indoors, the home has everything you need: a well-equipped kitchen, two en-suite bathrooms, and plenty of space to sleep as many as six guests. If you want a closer look at the water (you will), a path leads you just steps to the beach where you can lounge a while in provided chairs. If you're up for some shopping and great food, Fairhope and Mobile aren't far away and have plenty of both.
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Feeling inspired yet to squeeze the best memories out of those last hours of sunlight? We hope you'll consider one of these excellent Airbnbs for your end-of-summer retreat in Alabama. Let us know where you go!
One of the easiest ways to recharge your spirit is to reconnect with nature, even if only a morning walk around a local park before starting your day. Sometimes it takes a little more, but that doesn't mean you have to plan an elaborate vacation to a distant locale. I know firsthand that a long weekend or even a one-night getaway to a natural retreat does the trick.
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With that in mind, we handpicked three secluded nature vacation rentals in Alabama that are perfect for getting away from it all and into a front-row seat to our state's great outdoors.
1. The Perch Treehouse Over Lake Mitchell, Coosa County, AL
Our first featured back-to-nature Alabama vacation rental is a one-of-a-kind treehouse located on Lake Mitchell in Coosa County, Alabama, near Clanton. You and as many as three other guests can escape to this perfect perch in the treetops. The main house of this whimsical retreat has one bedroom with a queen-sized bed, plus a sofa bed, one bath, and a full kitchen.
The second-floor porch is where you may want to spend most of your time, though. The fully retractable screens put you smack in the middle of the forest canopy to admire incredible sunsets over the lake. Outdoor spaces include a deck, a cozy bed swing, a TV, and an outdoor double shower. With no neighbors in sight, you get a true feeling of seclusion for just you and the views.
Our second featured nature vacation rental is a charming, secluded cabin with a private lake on a picturesque 35-acre property in Berry, Alabama. You can take the whole space to yourself or bring your family or small group because it accommodates up to seven guests with a variety of sleeping arrangements. There are two bedrooms and five beds in total, plus two baths.
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Imagine stepping out onto the porch early in the morning for a cup of coffee while gazing over the still, glass-like surface of a private 4-acre lake. The host provides a canoe, paddleboat, and John boat if you'd like to set out on the water during your stay. There's also a fully equipped kitchen with everything you need to prepare special meals. Despite its remote atmosphere, it's within a 30-minute drive from Tuscaloosa and The University of Alabama if you want to mix it up with more urban amenities at any point of your stay.
If your back-to-nature needs are of the off-grid, primitive camping variety, this luxury bell tent on the Little River offers everything you need to disconnect from civilization and reconnect with the wild. Far more than just a notch above basic tent camping, this cozy retreat is part of a three-acre property known as Folklore Forest, which has over 270 feet of riverfront. The tent has 120 square feet of space, which can accommodate as many as six guests with one queen bed and space for a twin mattress, if needed. It includes a wood camp stove, heater, kitchen essentials, and other camping gear, so you can pack light for an elevated outdoor camping experience.
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Immediately outside the tent are solar-powered lights, a combo fire pit and grill, lounge chairs, plus a camp toilet. In the Folklore Forest beyond, you can explore the riverbanks, fish, kayak, and watch for wildlife, like white-tailed deer, raccoons, and many bird species.
Depending on what your idea of "reconnecting to nature" looks like, at least one of these unique nature vacation rentals in Alabama should be just what you need to unplug from your devices and daily responsibilities, plug into the natural world, and recharge your mind. When you plug back in, do let us know about your stay! We'd love to hear about your experience.
