Chattanooga Bed & Breakfasts

Continuing on the idea from my last post on prestigious Chattanooga Hotels, let’s take a look at the charming Chattanooga Bed & Breakfasts we have to offer. For about (or even less) than the cost of a nice hotel, you can get a personal, more friendly experience by staying in a B&B. Plus they feed you! That always adds points in my book.

And this is not only for those coming to visit Chattanooga. An area bed & breakfast is a fantastic way for local Chattanoogans to get away from the kids for a weekend, or to treat yourself.

MAYOR’S MANSION INN

When you think of a typical bed & breakfast, something like the Mayor’s Mansion Inn comes to mind. This Victorian Romanesque stone house was built in 1889 by Edmond G. Watkins, who later became a mayor of Chattanooga, giving rise to the Inn’s current name. Visitors can stay in one of 11 richly-decorated rooms and partake in a three-course breakfast in the Tiffany Room.

Rocking chairs on wide stone porches and a library/parlor provide places to relax and read or chat with other guests, and parking, wifi, and turndown services are free, all for about–or even less than–what you would pay for a hotel.

Rates start around $129, up to the honeymoon suite starting at $209. The inn is located in the historic Fort Wood district, so you aren’t far from everything downtown has to offer. Restaurants and attractions may not in be walking distance (unless you are a pretty robust walker) but the trade-off for such luxurious and interesting surroundings is more than worth it.

BLUFF VIEW INN

Located in the heart of the Bluff View Art District, the Bluff View Inn has 16 rooms scattered between three different historic homes. The main mansion of the Inn is the Maclellan House, built in 1889. Many original and period antiques fill the seven guestrooms, and this house contains the honeymoon suite and a bocce ball court on the bluff. Located right next to Rembrandt’s coffee shop is the T.C. Thompson House, built in 1908. This house contains four rooms and two apartment suites, plus a parlor and deep front porch for scenic views or people watching. The third home, the Martin House, was built in 1927 and has three more guestrooms and a lovely wide front porch.

In the immediate area, you will find Rembrandt’s for coffee, breakfast, and award-winning desserts, Tony’s Pasta, and the Back Inn Cafe for refined dinners, the Hunter Museum of Art, the River Art Gallery and a sculpture garden, wonderful views of the Tennessee river, and entrance to the 13-mile Riverwalk. Just a short walk past the museum brings you to the Tennessee Aquarium and everything else downtown.

Rates start at around $140, and around $200 for the apartments. It doesn’t look like breakfast is included, but you need to eat at Rembrandt’s anyway.

RIVER VIEW INN

I am not at all sure what to think of this place! For years this has been the lightly Bavarian-themed Sky Harbor Court, a seedy-looking motor court inn from 1935. Renovated in 2017 by the folks who own Rock City, it’s now the River View Inn, a 10-room bed & breakfast. And it looks really cute! Maybe a bit “cozy” in real estate terms (by which I mean “small.”) It looks like it’s now a great–if maybe quirky–home base for your Lookout Mountain and Chattanooga adventures.

The River View Inn is located partway up Lookout Mountain on Scenic Highway, the road that leads to Ruby Falls. From here, you can easily visit the classic Mountain attractions or head down South Broad Street towards downtown and everything there. Amenities include a continental breakfast in the “Sky Box” (itself a rentable venue), a firepit, and really fantastic views of Moccasin Bend and the Tennessee River.

Rates are $160 for eight of the rooms and $195 for two larger suites that sleep four each.

CHANTICLEER INN

For years, I have thought of the Chanticleer Inn as Chattanooga’s premier bed & breakfast. Located right across from Rock City Gardens on Lookout, the Chanticleer is perfectly situated for a visit to the classic Lookout attractions and is only 10 minutes away from downtown Chattanooga.

This B&B is decorated in a French country style, with 18 rooms scattered in buildings around an internal courtyard with plenty of free parking. A delicious breakfast is served daily in the main inn, and there’s a small pool and bocce court, firepit, a gift shop, and sweet snacks in the evenings. If you ever wanted to step into the pages of a Southern Living magazine, this is it. Rates start at $180 per night.

GARDEN WALK B&B

For a slightly more rustic experience, try the Garden Walk B&B, just down Lula Lake Rd on top of Lookout Mountain. Stay in one of 18 rooms with names inspired by the area, the surrounding gardens, and even certain movie references! Two suites contain jacuzzis. Breakfast is served every morning to guests, either in the gathering rooms or out in the garden. Take a walk around the grounds to view the flowers and see some wildlife.

Rates start at $129. The Garden Walk is located between Rock City and Point Park, so it is perfectly poised for exploring everything Lookout has to offer.

BATTLEVIEW B&B

The small Battleview Bed & Breakfast contains three suites, including an upstairs two-bedroom suite perfect for families. The history here is what is really fascinating. Located just outside the Chickamauga Battlefield in Fort Oglethorpe, GA, this area is known as “The Post” with 21 historic homes built between 1900-1906, forming the residential heart of the original fort. The home the B&B now occupies used to house the 6th Cavalry band members, and a 6th Cavalry museum is located nearby. Your admission to the museum is included in your stay.

A hearty breakfast is provided every morning, hot beverages are available all day, and they’ll even greet you with cheese, crackers, and a drink when you check in. The Battleview looks perfect for those interested in Civil War history and the nearby National Military Park. Rates start at $100, and every 5th night is free.

AIR B&B

Don’t forget about all the Chattanooga locals who are willing to host you in their home! Check out Airbnb for over 300 local apartments, campers, cabins, treehouses, tiny houses, and more, usually for much less than what you would pay for even a cheap hotel.

I love Airbnb! If you’ve never tried it before, check out this offer that will give you $40 off your first rental.