Nestled next to Shenandoah National Park and less than a mile from the Appalachian Trail, The Nest offers a true escape... breathtaking views along with an architecturally charming retreat. Enjoy smores at the fire pit... find a waterfall... overlook the mountains in your shower... grill out on the expansive deck... languish in the hot tub... just relax and enjoy the view! My place is good for couples, solo adventurers, families (with kids), and furry friends (pets on a case-by-case basis).
Do you like to visit wineries with your dog(s)?... check out https://www.corkhounds.com/ to see local wineries that welcome your furry friends. Search for Chester Gap, VA.
As a an added bonus, we are excited to offer our guests access to a local personal chef who will come to the home during your stay and prepare a lovely, locally curated dinner for two. Dates are subject to availability. Let me know if youre interested and ill be happy to connect you to your personal chef.
Property manager
Julie Gibson
Premier Host
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
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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
Long-term renters welcome
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 that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
About the area
Chester Gap
Located in Chester Gap, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. Front Royal Visitor's Center and Blue Ridge Arts Council and Gallery are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Chester Gap Cellars and Rappahannock Cellars. Fishing offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking, cave exploring and mountain biking nearby.
Chester Gap, VA
What's nearby
Shenandoah River - 13 min drive - 11.9 km
Front Royal Entrance Shenandoah National Park - 13 min drive - 11.6 km
Skyline Caverns - 14 min drive - 12.2 km
Dickey Ridge Visitor Center - 22 min drive - 18.3 km
Linden Vineyards - 23 min drive - 15.2 km
Restaurants
McDonald's - 10 min drive
Spelunker's - 11 min drive
Mom's Country Kitchen - 9 min drive
Taco Bell - 12 min drive
Chester Gap Cellars - 4 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is The Nest at Chester Gap pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at The Nest at Chester Gap?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The Nest at Chester Gap?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is The Nest at Chester Gap located?
Situated in the mountains, this holiday home is 1.6 mi (2.7 km) from Chester Gap Cellars and within 6 miles (10 km) of Rappahannock Cellars and Desert Rose Ranch & Winery. Shenandoah National Park and Front Royal Visitor's Center are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
First, Julie responded immediately to any need and was easy to reach. A few points on what this cabin is and is not. Access is easy, only the last 500' is gravel, no 4 wheel required. The neighborhood is not the best but being at the end of the lane and tree cover gives good privacy and screening. The cabin- a contemporary structure with a very rustic interior. The 2nd br is a loftwith bath on the 1st FL. Large master br and bath - very nice and a well equipped kitchen. Very large outdoor deck (all uncovered) on which to enjoy the view. Our best ventures were 1) The Ashby Inn (Paris) for a phenomenal meal and purchasing wagyu steaks at Ovoka farm for grilling, and 2) Dark Horse Pub (Flint Hill) for drinks, food, and live music only 11 minutes away. For one or two couples, this is a good find.
The property is beautiful, rustic, modern and cozy! We loved the fire pit, hot tub and amenities. Our pup loved it too! So many things to sniff during his walks. The communication with the owner was seamless and the place was incredibly clean. We plan to come back as often as possible!
*This property is an easy drive from the Northern Virginia area.
Fabulous stay at the cabin with large ceiling to floor windows overlooking the Shenandoah valley with close access to great food at Flint Hill and Little Washington. Cabin was well appointed and the check-in and -out process was easy and hassle free.
In brief: I'm on board with the other reviewers of this property. Amazing views, incredibly convenient location, and a property that really exceeds expectations. Communication with the host was great. Would love to go back!
The Nest is truly an experience to remember. The house is built with pieces from the original 100+ year old structure with cool architectural touches. Floor to ceiling windows with panoramic views. Easy to access, impeccably clean. Fire pit, plenty of wood.
I'm reluctant to leave a really good review to make this place any more popular, but I have to be honest. This is the best VRBO rental we've visited without exception. The view is spectacular, and the house is a model of creativity and clever design choices. It's rustic and modern at the same time, and there is so much to explore in the neighborhood, including an easy stretch of the Appalachian trail nearby. I liked it so much, I contributed a few photos including the one above this review.
We were disappointed. And upset.
None of the reviews had revealed the lack of privacy.
All of the Master bath area is in front of large window to hot tub and back deck.
No curtains or shades in front of window.
Kitchen floor is rotted in areas and outside pavers are loose and dangerous on patio and steps.
Kitchen had minimal supplies. Minimal.
Due to addition of hvac ( which is good) there is no storage space. Cleaning supplies are the first thing you see as you enter. Mops and brooms and vacuums.
Black garbage bags overhead in the master bedroom hold other supplies. Unsightly.
Door to back deck did not open
Definitely needed Lot of tlc and maintenance. Including yard and garden, choked with weeds.
Views were nice, but not worth the inconvenience of other aspects.
The rental was expensive for the product.
I have read that other people enjoyed this property,but I am so so sorry no one reported these flaws to us.
Would never have stayed there for 5 nights.
Positive: house is clean, and a unique and attractive rustic/ modern.
We were looking for a private relaxing weekend getaway, and The Nest didn't disappoint. We loved hanging in the house and around the property. The views were epic and the house cozy. The close proximity to Front Royal was great for groceries and dining options. We also ventured out to Skyline Drive and Luray Caverns during our stay. We highly recommend staying at The Nest, and plan to do so again in the future.
The most amazing 4 days at The Nest! Julie was an excellent host who was extremely prompt in responding to my numerous emails with questions/concerns regarding the cottage and area.
The photos and description are a 100% representation of the real thing. The cottage sits on top of the mountain overlooking the valley (including Rappahannock Cellars) and you can see eastward for miles and miles; and yes, that means you get to enjoy the sunrises from the comfort of your bed or deck while sitting on some coffee,
The house was a perfect size for my wife and I, two boys (8 and 14) and dog; the authentic wooden floors and lower ceilings gives The Nest so much charm. And the floor to ceiling windows provides endless sunlight; yes, there are no blinds/shades and yes the floors are the original but that is what makes this place so special. We used the firepit each night while staring over the mountains and the gas grill was perfect for dinners.
The location was close to numerous wineries (Chester Gap Cellars is at the bottom of the mountain that The Nest sits on and is amazing), skyline drive and a pleasant 40 mile drive to Luray Caverns (not to mention a gorgeous estate vineyard, Glen Manor Winery which we found on the way).
The wi-fi was good and the direct tv was fine but we hardly used those as being outside and taking in the views from multiple spots of the property was the point of being there.
Julie, thanks so much for sharing your cottage as truly found it to be a great escape from the norm. We certainly look forward to visiting again in the near future!!
A wonderful property with all the needed amenities for a quiet, relaxing and private weekend. Can't wait for our next visit.
Christopher M.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
6/10 Okay
Sean H.
12 September 2022
Liked: Communication, location, listing accuracy
Promising but disappointing
Overall the property has a lot of potential but fell short of our expectations based on the cost, pictures and previous reviews - we would not return as-is. The interior of the house is nicely renovated and unique. The exterior appears recently neglected with weeds over taking much of the flower beds, weeds growing up through the deck, deck lighting not working, and the outdoor furniture on the deck, except for one chair, was unusable due to the amount of dirt/droppings on it which prevented us from being able to enjoy the view fully. There are no curtains on the windows so you should expect to be woken up by the sunrise (especially if sleeping in the loft) - we had hoped to sleep in. The keurig coffee maker water reservoir had water left it in and there was an old pod still in the holder - both the water reservoir and pod holder were very dirty so we ended up having to clean everything on our first morning before we could have coffee. There were half dozen dried dead worms throughout the master bedroom and bathroom and fully developed spider web and spider in cabinet above the sink which made us feel like the cleaning fee isn’t being put to go use. Lastly, watch out for the metal candle holder embedded in the back of stone gas fireplace - the kitchen trash can was positioned below it and when reaching down to remove trash bag at check out I smacked my head on the jagged rusty edge of the holder and cut my head which was an awful way to end our stay.
We had a great stay at the Nest! Sadly, it rained the weekend we were there, so we didn’t get to enjoy the amazing view all the reviewers mention, however we still enjoyed our time. Great location. Close to so many places! Julie recommended some restaurants that we loved! We visited wineries, art galleries, and shops. It was truly a wonderful getaway.
The views were incredible. The home was incredible. So much to do within a short drive, whether winery’s, brewery’s, trail rides, Appalachian trails, restaurants or just staying inside writing, reading, doing puzzles and making amazing meals with amazing views. Doesn’t get much better. Host was great too.
We had a great stay! Amazing property and views. Will definitely be back!
Lisa L.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022
About the host
Hosted by Julie Gibson
I am a native Texan, but transplanted to the DC area for work. We created "The Nest" from a old, neglected property in 2015.
Why they chose this property
Close to Shenendoah National Park and within walking distance to the Appalachian Trail, The Nest offers tranquility and adventure to our family and now our guests.
What makes this property unique
The views and the rustic charm are truly unique!!
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests