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The Tulip Tree Bay Lodge

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Midcentury home built of California Redwood, nestled atop a hill.
View of Center Hill Lake from the deck.
View from Kitchen
Chef's kitchen
Kitchen

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms4+ bathroomsSleeps 14297.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Hot tub
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
Sparta, TN
  • Center Hill Lake
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Hurricane Bridge Recreation Area
    ‪29 min drive‬
  • Burgess Falls State Park
    ‪49 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 4

2 Single Beds and 1 Double Bed

Common Space

1 Double Futon

4 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 5

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Tulip Tree Bay Lodge

A unique opportunity to stay in an architectural gem on Center Hill Lake! The Tulip Tree Bay Lodge is a 3200 square foot 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath house situated on 5 acres of mostly wooded land overlooking beautiful Center Hill Lake. The house comfortably sleeps and entertains 14 people. Enjoy your morning coffee or afternoon glass of wine on the gorgeous deck with views of center hill lake with no other homes in view.

Hot tub! Dish TV (two television screens throughout the house), Satellite Internet. Fire pit. Ping pong table, basketball goal, tree swing, and corn hole! Board games, movies, and many books for the entertainment and enjoyment of you and your loved ones.

Do you like to cook? The chef's kitchen at The Tulip Tree Bay Lodge will thrill you! Double ovens, cooktop, type of fridge, ice maker and dishwasher. For coffee lovers, choose from a traditional coffeemaker, Bodum French Press, Hario Pour over, or Keurig coffee for your morning wake up. Weber grill on the wrap-around deck. Leave your cookbooks at home! The house is stocked with over 20 cookbooks, with a focus on Southern cooking, but certainly not limited to it. Titles include many Southern Living annual cookbooks, Ms. Daisy's Teahouse (Nashville, TN), Williams and Sonoma, Prune (famed New York City Restaurant), Braise (Chef Daniel Bolud of NY, NY), Alice Waters (Chez Panisse fame in Berkeley, CA), Smitten Kitchen, Ottolenghi (London, UK), and many more. Plenty of dining seating inside as well as outside on the deck.


Designed by renowned Lake Tahoe architect James Morton in 1978, this house is unlike any other on Center Hill Lake! The house is constructed entirely of California Redwood, Western Cedar, and Mahogany.




SLEEPING ACCOMODATIONS
Master Bedroom- King size bed, Woods/lake views, desk, loveseat, two full baths en suite (main level)

Bedroom 2- King-size bed and twin-size bunk beds (upper bunk weight limit of 165ibs, intended for kids/teens), fireplace, loveseat- direct access to hot tub patio (downstairs)

Bedroom 3- Twin beds, direct access to hot tub patio (downstairs)

Bedroom 4- Twin bed and set of bunk beds with full bed on bottom and a twin on top (upper bunk weight limit of 165ibs, intended for kids/teens) with en suite full bathroom (downstairs)

Small sitting room- Full Sofa bed (main level)

FOOD: Griffin's Produce Stand, Smithville Farmer's Market, Food Lion and Walmart are 15 minutes away in Smithville as well as some excellent options for dining out, like Los Lobos (Mexican), Foglight Woodhouse (Walling, TN, cajun food with a view), Smithville Donuts (Breakfast and Lunch), Kilgore's (meat and three), Sundance (cafe on the town square), and the new Webb & Sons Soda Fountain.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS: Access Center Hill Lake at Sligo Marina (4 miles) and Ragland Bottom State Park (3 miles). Burgess Falls. Appalachian Center for Craft. Short Mountain Distillery. Canoe the Caney. Riverview Golf Course, Harmony Lane Farm and Dairy (goat farm).


Need more space? Consider also renting The Cottage at The Tulip Tree Bay Lodge. Also available on VRBO, it is on the same 6-acre property and is just down the hill from the The Tulip Tree Bay Lodge. The Cottage is a three bedroom/two bath house that sleep 6-8. It will become available for rent in Summer 2018.

Property manager

Ashley French
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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9.0 out of 10, (68 reviews)
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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 22
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Bring your own child-proofing items.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking at all on premises.

Important information

You need to know

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Sparta

Located in Sparta, this holiday home is in a rural area. Smithville Golf Club and Southern Hills Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Hurricane Bridge Recreation Area and Window Cliffs State Natural Area - Burgess Falls State Park. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Sparta, TN

What's nearby

  • Center Hill Lake - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Hurricane Bridge Recreation Area - 29 min drive - 27.9 km
  • Rock Island State Park - 46 min drive - 44.9 km
  • Burgess Falls State Park - 49 min drive - 40.0 km
  • Edgar Evins State Park - 55 min drive - 49.4 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Hillcrest Restaurant - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Blue Water Grille - ‬36 min drive
  • ‪Blue Water Grille On The Hill - ‬33 min drive
  • ‪Redbud Cafe - ‬33 min drive
  • ‪Center Hill Restaurant & Motel - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Tulip Tree Bay Lodge pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Tulip Tree Bay Lodge?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Tulip Tree Bay Lodge?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Tulip Tree Bay Lodge located?

This family-friendly Sparta holiday home is located in a rural location, within a 10-minute walk of Center Hill Lake and Caney Fork River. Joe L Evins Park and Burgess Falls Lake are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 48 out of 57 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 57 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 57 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 57 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 57 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Christy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Weekend

Beautiful home on the lake! Very Spacious for a large group; about 35 minutes from TN Tech!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

Kevin M.

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy

Large home with lots of beds.

Overall, house could use a good cleaning and updated lighting.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Orlando H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

It was the perfect place to have a bunch of friends for my best friends bachelor party

Amazing
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family reunion

My family and I gathered here from states in every direction. We had a wonderful time. It was the perfect space for our five families. There is plenty of room to spread out and have some time to yourself or to all join at the table for some card games and dominos. The scenery is beautiful. The boat and beach access were just down the road and very convenient. Ashley was very responsive to any needs we had although there weren’t many at all. The home provided all of our needs for linen, bathing, cooking, and fun. The garage has several games to play for outdoor fun as well. Thanks again for having us at your lodge!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

DANIEL S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good home for a group or family

Stayed here because it offered plenty of space for four friends who hold an annual golf trip. We all had our own room and bathroom and it was very comfortable. House was clean and spacious.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cathy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great views

This was a great place for our group. It is quiet and spacious with nice amenities. The location is also reasonably convenient.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024

6/10 Okay

Albert G.

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy

Time Out to Refresh and Relax

Five senior women came to relax and enjoy the fall weather and view of the lake. There's not much of a view because of the overgrown trees.The outside looks uncared for. Not particularly welcoming. The house is very dark inside. Lighting needs attention. Hard to find wall switches and many don't work. Bad hall connection near upstairs bedroom. Kitchen is well stocked, and spacious. However, ceiling fan is coated with caked on dust. Certainly hasn't been cleaned in a long time. The house has a moldy or musty smell as though it hasn't been used or occupied in quite some time. One guest was congested by the smell. The back deck railing is in poor repair with rotting wood making it dangerous.There was no notification as to where we could find cushions for the outdoor chairs. We followed the check out rules but there was certainly plenty of old items in the pantry. And there was no trash can outside so we carried it home to be disposed of. When I was there 6 years ago it was a new listing and lovely. The owner needs to do some work to make it inviting to the guests. We had a good time because we were there for a quiet getaway but it would have been nicer if it were fresher and more inviting.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeff M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend getaway.

We love this property. We've stayed several times! Ashley is great and so is her beautiful home. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gerianne C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great for large groups

We had a wonderful time and rented both the main house and the cottage and it's a great place to accommodate many "sleepers" Nice to have the basketball net for the teens and the ping pong, etc. Used the floats for the water too! Plenty of supplies in the house so you don't need anything like paper products, etc. Owner is easy to reach and responsive to things you need! Love seeing all the deer feeding on the lawn and the trees too!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Time

We enjoyed our stay. Host was very nice and quick to answer any questions.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Pat K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

18th Annual Friendsgiving Trip

This is the ideal place for our annual fall trip. This is our 4th visit, so that says how much we love this place. Plenty of room & amenities especially for cooking a big Thanksgiving meal. The weather, the fall foliage & the view from that deck were spectacular!! We love the additional ice maker & double ovens. We visited the Twisted Oaks for our 1st dinner (great service & food) and really enjoyed Smithville's 3rd Annual Pumpkin Festival on the town square. We met friends in Sparta for shopping and we highly recommend The Coffee Collective for a great caffeine break!! We can't say enough good things about the owner, Ashley. She's a fabulous host and makes our trips the BEST here!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Margie N.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Jr High school friends

Our second year staying here. Love the cabin feel. Plenty of room Well stocked with Kitchen ultensils. games , ping pong loved the corn hole game..
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay at a wonderful property.

Great stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kelley S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Guys motorcycle trip

This house was everything and more than we anticipated. 3 men on motorcycles enjoying the beauty of the area and meeting local residents. This property is very quiet and peaceful. Enjoyed the view from the deck. Hot tub and grill got used also. We are already planning next years trip and hope to be able to return to this property. The inside decor and all of the books, cooking equipment and the stereo truly made this a very enjoyable stay. Also the large garage was great to park the bikes out of the rain
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

6/10 Okay

JENNIFER H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Good but not for everyone

This place is spacious and has a great view and amenities (except expecting you to drive your own trash to a landfill 3 mi away). I cannot dispute that. However I cannot fully convey how off-kilter the place feels and functions - to the point that for us the place felt creepy. The creepily lit giant caribou head did not improve this, nor did the remnants of the witches' ritual we found when gathering kindling for the fire pit. If I were I little kid in this house, I'd be terrified. I'm not saying the house is bad. It wasn't our cup of tea. If you like hidden oddities it might be for you.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lindsay V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

spacious house with great energy!

I love staying here! It was my fourth time. The house is roomy, the kitchen is well stocked, the views are gorgeous, the setting is so beautiful, and the house just feels good. You know those spaces where you just walk in and it feels warm and fuzzy - this is that house. We enjoyed having the fire pit, too, and it was a great place to unwind and relax. Thanks, Ashley, for your communication and for being a great host! Will definitely be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Allison Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great reunion spot

My cousins and I all stayed here for an annual getaway. The set up is beyond perfect with so much space for everyone. The view is amazing, there is great hiking nearby, and the cabin is stocked with anything you might need. Perfect place and we all voted to come again soon!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Deandra M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place for a large group

We were in town for our daughter's wedding. The cabin was wonderful with beautiful views.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Loni C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Memorial day visit

there was a miscommunication on check out times, so we had to rush out, but everything else was great, the house is huge, and very unique.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Carla T., Corydon

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family gathering for funeral needs

A house that allowed us all to spread out and gather. All of us traveled from out of state during a pandemic. This place gave us a safe haven.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Gina M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Place

The view was wonderful! The house was bigger than expected. It was well stocked and very enjoyable. We will stay there again. It would be wonderful for a huge family get together.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

tamara p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Tulip Tree

Had a great time at the house. Size was perfect for our group. Loved the views. Was a little disappointed in the maintenance of the house. There were tiles that had come off of the kitchen counter, lightbulbs out in several rooms, shades that were broken or torn. A lot of general maintenance and housekeeping issues. It is a great house but could really use some TLC. Overall we enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Maragaret M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice place

Very well equipped with things you might have forgotten. Beds are very comfortable extra baths was a plus Plan on going back next year
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Carol D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family gathering

After two years apart due to covid we all gathered. Three generations celebrated 2 - tenth anniversaries and a fiftieth anniversary that occurred during 2021 and a seventh birthday while we were there. The layout of the house worked well and the view was spectacular any time of day. There was ample parking and many a scooter loop was made around the driveway. We hope to be back!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jeff M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Getaway with old friends. Great spot.

We had a great stay at the lodge with old friends. Plenty of space to spread out. Great gathering spaces, spacious kitchen, plenty of bedrooms/bathrooms, a porch with a beautiful view! It was the perfect spot for a weekend away.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

About the host

Hosted by Ashley French

Host profile image
A native Nashvillian who moved to New York City after college and worked in higher education consulting for over 10 years before relocating with her husband and family to Florida where she now moms three kids, works on a PhD in Sociology, teaches at a local liberal arts college, and is always dreaming of getting back to the lake house in Tennessee for some R&R!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests