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Ruffner Retreat House | Fenced Yard & Group Stay

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A modern living room with a fireplace, a sofa, a coffee table, and a lamp.
A spacious dining area with a wooden table and benches, a painting on the wall, and a view into the kitchen area.
A covered porch with a table and chairs, a view of the backyard, and a wooden fence.
A house with a teal front door, white trim, and a mailbox.
A modern kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a granite countertop, and a window with curtains.

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Entire home

4 bedrooms2 bathrooms

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Birmingham, AL
  • Place, Southern Museum of Flight
    ‪1 min drive‬
  • Place, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, New Bethel Baptist Church
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, Birmingham, AL (BHM-Birmingham Intl.)
    ‪5 min drive‬

Room options

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About this property

Entire place

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

Ruffner Retreat House | Fenced Yard & Group Stay

Welcome to Ruffner Retreat House—a historic home in Birmingham's Eastlake district designed for comfort, connection, and convenience. With 4 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, and space to accommodate up to 7 guests, this inviting retreat is perfect for families, friend groups, or anyone looking to enjoy a relaxing stay just minutes from Birmingham’s best attractions.

Inside, you’ll find high ceilings, spacious rooms, and thoughtful updates throughout, blending modern touches with the charm of a classic home. The open dining area greets you as you enter and flows seamlessly into the living room, creating a natural gathering space for meals, conversation, and downtime. The living room features a Smart TV, comfortable seating, and a queen sofa bed for additional sleeping space. While the decorative fireplace is not functional, it adds a cozy, character-filled focal point to the room.

The fully equipped kitchen is located just off the dining area and includes everything you need for preparing meals, including a dishwasher and ample essentials. Whether you're cooking a full dinner or just brewing your morning coffee, you’ll feel right at home.

This home offers a versatile sleeping setup to comfortably accommodate larger groups:

A spacious primary suite with a king bed, Smart TV, large closet, and private ensuite bathroom
Two additional bedrooms, each with a full bed (one includes a tucked-away washer and dryer for added convenience)
A bunk room featuring two twin-over-twin bunk beds—perfect for kids or group stays
A queen sofa bed in the living room for extra guests

Both bathrooms are updated and feature shower/tub combinations, offering convenience for both quick mornings and relaxing evenings.

Step outside to enjoy the backyard space, complete with a charcoal grill, a picnic table, and a cozy bistro set for two—ideal for casual outdoor meals or winding down after a day of exploring.

The home is conveniently located near Ruffner Mountain and East Lake Park, and just a short drive (about 15 minutes) from downtown Birmingham, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, and the Birmingham Zoo. Its location also makes it especially convenient for travelers coming through the nearby airport.

For ease of access, guests will park in the gated area behind the home, accessible via the alleyway. Entry is through the back door using a digital keypad, with your unique code provided prior to check-in. Once inside, you’ll have full, private access to the entire home.

Family-friendly and pet-friendly (with a fee), Ruffner Retreat House is designed to make your stay easy, comfortable, and memorable. A pack ’n play/travel crib is also available upon request for those traveling with little ones.

Make yourself at home—we’d love to host you!
During your stay at this cottage, you'll be within walking distance of Southern Museum of Flight. The cottage includes amenities such as free WiFi and a kitchen.
  • Air-conditioned cottage with kitchen, washing machine, and 2 bathrooms
  • Free WiFi
  • 10 minutes by car from University of Alabama at Birmingham and 9 minutes from Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex
This cottage offers its guests barbecue grills and a garden. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Birmingham cottage is smoke free.


Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Coin laundry
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In the mountains
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near an outlet shopping centre
  • On a river

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Rules

*Guest must sign Renter Agreement. *Minimum age to rent is 21* Welcome! We look forward to hosting you. We want everyone to have a pleasant experience
Depending on bedroom count a minimum of $200 and a maximum of $500 will be placed on hold 2 days before arrival as your security deposit.

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
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.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

Property is also known as

orp5b7502ex

Ruffner Retreat House | Fenced Yard & Group Stay Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 1 out of 2 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 2 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 2 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 2 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 2 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful stay I'll book this again great neighborhood police patrol was awesome i felt safe and comfortable felt like I was at home
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Charles G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
The home was impressive once we stepped inside. The décor was clean, modern, and spacious, making it perfect for our large family and the children.The backyard was a great bonus very spacious and ideal for gatherings. A little landscaping, a more secure gate, and a BBQ grill would make it even better.Overall, my family and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would gladly recommend this home.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026