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The Retro Haven: A Private 1953 Sanctuary Near NCSU & Lake Johnson

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Interior
Terrace/patio
TV
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Interior

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroom

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

View in a map
Raleigh, NC
  • Place, North Carolina State University
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • Place, WRAL Azalea Gardens
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Dorothea Dix Park
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Raleigh, NC (RDU-Raleigh - Durham Intl.)
    ‪16 min drive‬

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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.

The Retro Haven: A Private 1953 Sanctuary Near NCSU & Lake Johnson

Welcome to The Retro Haven, where soulful mid-century character meets the modern convenience of Raleigh’s most strategic location. This home is more than a rental; it is a labor of love. As your host, my goal is to provide a "restorative home base"—a place where the linens are high-end, the Wi-Fi is professional-grade, and the atmosphere encourages you to truly exhale.

Built in 1953 and thoughtfully curated with a "Retro-Modern" aesthetic, this property offers a level of personality and privacy that hotels simply cannot match. Whether you are here to support a family member at a nearby hospital, attending a high-stakes meeting at Research Triangle Park, or cheering on the Wolfpack at NC State, you’ve found your sanctuary.

The Bedrooms: Symmetrical Comfort (Two Queens)
Unlike many homes where guests have to "compete" for the better room, The Retro Haven offers equal luxury for everyone.

- Dual Queen Suites: Both bedrooms feature high-end Queen-sized beds, premium cotton linens, and plush pillows designed for deep, restorative sleep.
- Thoughtful Details: Each room includes bedside charging stations, luggage racks, and blackout options to ensure you wake up on your own schedule.
- The Aesthetic: Expect original hardwood floors, soft lighting, and curated vintage touches that honor the home’s 1950s heritage.

Work From Home & Tech (Fiber Powered)
We host many relocating professionals and remote workers who need "office-grade" reliability.
- The Connection: Stay connected with Ultra-Fast Fiber Internet. Whether you are leading a Zoom call or streaming 4K movies, the bandwidth is seamless.
- The Workspace: A dedicated, sun-filled desk area is positioned in a quiet corner of the home, providing a professional and stylish backdrop for your virtual meetings.

The Living Experience: Soulful & Private
The Living Room: Step into a space designed for conversation and comfort. Features include mid-mod inspired seating, local artwork, and a large 4K Smart TV.
- The Kitchen: This is a "real" kitchen, not an efficiency. It’s fully stocked with stainless appliances, a dishwasher, and a dedicated Coffee Station (Keurig, French Press, and complimentary coffee).
- Our Hosting Touch: You’ll find the home stocked with the small things that matter—from pantry staples like olive oil and spices to high-quality laundry pods.

Outdoor Peace: Your Private Nature Escape
- The Porch Swing: There is no better way to start a North Carolina morning than with a coffee on our classic front porch swing.
- Walk to Lake Johnson: One of the home’s best features is its proximity to Lake Johnson Park (less than 1 mile away). Guests love walking to the lake to enjoy the 3-mile paved loop, natural hiking trails, or sunset boat rentals.
- Wooded Seclusion: The property is surrounded by mature trees, creating a natural privacy screen that makes you forget you are in the heart of the city.

Strategic Location (The "10-Minute" Rule)
The Retro Haven puts you at the "center of gravity" for the Triangle:
- NC State University (NCSU): < 5 minutes. Ideal for campus visits and Wolfpack game days.
- Lenovo Center (formerly PNC Arena): ~4 miles. Catch a Hurricanes game or a world-class concert with an stress-free commute.
- Downtown Raleigh & Cary: 10 minutes to the best dining and nightlife in both cities.
- Medical Travel: Minutes to WakeMed Cary and UNC Rex Hospital. We pride ourselves on providing a quiet environment for recovery or medical staff.
- Corporate Hubs: 10–15 minutes to SAS, Epic Games, and RTP via easy I-40 access.

Why I Host: My Commitment to You
I believe that a great stay is about more than just a roof over your head; it’s about the peace of mind that comes from a host who cares. Every corner of The Retro Haven has been prepared with the guest experience in mind.

Pet-Friendly: Well-behaved companions are welcome! The neighborhood is incredibly walkable and dog-friendly.

Easy Logistics: Large private driveway for multiple cars and seamless Smart-Lock self-check-in.

Book your stay at The Retro Haven today and experience the perfect blend of 1950s charm and 21st-century comfort.

Zoning Permit: ZSTR-000455-2024
During your stay at this vacation home, you'll be within walking distance of North Carolina State University. You'll find features like laundry facilities. Enjoy your stay with amenities like free WiFi and a kitchen in the vacation home.
  • Air-conditioned home with kitchen, washing machine, and balcony
  • Free WiFi (speed: 500+ Mbps (good for 6+ people or 10+ devices))
  • Amenities include laundry facilities
  • Just a 3-minute drive from North Carolina State University and a few minutes from North Carolina State Fairgrounds
This vacation home offers its guests laundry facilities. The front desk is open around the clock.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming cats and dogs only
  • Up to 9 kg per pet

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 2 accessible parking spaces
  • No lift (single-level property)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 22

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 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

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds, gather used towels, and store extra beds
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
- Log out of any streaming services you used. - Remove any dog waste from the yard and place it in the outside trash cart.
- Let us know about any minor or accidental damage that may have occurred during your stay.
- Send us a quick message so we can notify our cleaning team.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs and cats are allowed
  • Maximum 2 (weight limit: 20 lbs per pet)
  • 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 private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
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.

The Retro Haven: A Private 1953 Sanctuary Near NCSU & Lake Johnson Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 3 out of 4 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 4 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 4 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 4 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 4 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Beth G., Richlands, NC

Liked: Cleanliness
Just what I needed for my medical appointments in Raleigh.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026

8/10 Good

Suzanne N.

Liked: Cleanliness
House was great! Suggested to leave a couple more towels especially for longer stays. The neighborhood was quiet. Also suggest possibly more outdoor seating especially in the back on the deck and spruce that area up. House was clean and perfectly roomy enough for my party of 2 and it is located in a great section to access a walking lake trail or downtown! I would definitely rent again!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2026

10/10 Excellent

Jessica D.

Liked: Cleanliness
The Retro Haven was a great place to stay for a quick visit to NC State! It was clean and cute, it had everything we could need. The beds were comfy and the home was convenient to campus.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026

10/10 Excellent

Priscilla S.

Liked: Cleanliness
This is a great little find. First it’s super clean and well decorated. Everything is really cozy and comfortable from the beds and linens to all of the provided coffees and teas. Even the checkout directions are written thoughtfully - showing what needs to be done (which was minimal) and what they would like done if you have time. I would definitely stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026