Entire home

Escape to nature, unwind and relax

Photo gallery for Escape to nature, unwind and relax

Outdoor dining
Smart TV, books, stereo
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Property grounds
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Pet friendly
    Pet friendly
  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning

About this property

Entire place

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

Escape to nature, unwind and relax

Unwind among the serenity of this ultra-private natural paradise just 3 miles from the heart of downtown Chapel Hill, 15 minutes from Duke, and 30 minutes from RDU Airport and NCSU--with groceries and restaurants under a mile away!

Acres of sprawling meadow, walking trails, swimming pond, fenced backyard, compact chef's kitchen+Big Green Egg & propane grill, wide open skies, seasonal thunderstorms, wildlife sightings & more.

All queen beds, primary bedroom with full bath ensuite

Dovefield Cottage is picturesque country living meets modern convenience in a premium location to UNC/downtown Chapel Hill, Carrboro and more. Wake up to your own private viewshed over field, pond, and forests as you escape from stresses to find a slower pace. The 1970s home (boasting all-new-everything as of spring '22) is situated in the heart of a carefully-restored historic homestead in the 'rural buffer zone' of the town of Chapel Hill, with full guest access to dozens of acres of open meadow and private forested walking trails-- making this space truly one of a kind. Dogs of course love it here, too!

We are situated in the south of Chapel Hill....

1.4 miles (3 mins) to Carolina Meadows Retirement Community
3.2 miles (6 mins) to UNC
13.5 miles (20 mins) to Duke
19.2 miles (23 mins) to RDU International Airport
27.8 miles (30 mins) to NCSU
53.8 miles (57 mins) to Greensboro Coliseum

Guests enjoy full use of the cottage and surrounding property, including porch, front & back patio, propane grill & Big Green Egg, plus fields, .5 mile walking trail loop, pond and dock.**

Owners live in separate dwelling on-property not visible from the cottage, so the space is very private. The cottage is on a secluded private drive with any visible traffic or activity limited to occasional yard maintainence and delivery vehicles.

(Guest access does not include green-roofed storage barn, or other outbuildings. These are not living spaces).

**E-SIGN WAIVER REQUIRED FOR POND USE, contact host for info**

Owners reside on site and may be encountered walking or completing yard work and other maintenance, though we value the privacy of our guests and limit interaction unless needed.

Just 3 miles from downtown Chapel Hill/UNC campus and ten minutes to I-40, the cottage is tucked into a verdant natural setting that disguises any awareness* of surrounding development and commercial conveniences nearby (*beyond occasional traffic sounds from road 1/2 mi through woods, and helicopter flights headed to/from nearby UNC hospital). There is a shopping center approximately 1 mile away that includes several (excellent!) dining options, groceries and more. Also sited conveniently to Governor's Club, Southern Village, Fearrington Village, Briar Chapel community, and Meadowmont neighborhoods.

Rideshare platforms (Uber, Lyft, etc) are a convenient option and used often from the cottage. There are also park-and-ride opportunities within five miles for sporting events at UNC. For scheduled airport pickup/dropoff, we recommend Townie Transportation.

Our kitchenette includes compact fridge and freezer drawers, which allows maximized use of countertop space for shorter stays and smaller groups. Please be advised there is no full-sized fridge available when shopping and packing groceries. We are happy to supply an additional drink cooler if needed.
Maximum of two dogs (No cats, please). No pets on furniture. Please note our fence is *not* secure for smallest pups.

Property amenities

Internet

  • WiFi available, with speed of 250+ Mbps (good for 3–5 people or up to 10 devices)

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking
  • Car recommended

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Ice maker
  • Toaster
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 1.5 bathrooms
  • Towels provided
  • Hair dryer

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV
  • Stereo
  • Games
  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Fenced yard
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Firepit

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near laundromat

Work spaces

  • Desk

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 2 total pets
  • Welcoming dogs only

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • On the lake
  • On the waterfront
  • In a rural location
  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Fishing nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Power boating nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

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

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total pets

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Parties and events are allowed on site
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, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

192962
Escape it All! Private Retreat w/ Ponds & Trails Chapel Hill

About the neighborhood

Map
Chapel Hill, NC

What's nearby

  • University of North Carolina - 6 min drive - 4.4 km
  • UNC Medical Center - 8 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Dean Smith Center - 8 min drive - 6.9 km
  • Kenan Stadium - 9 min drive - 6.5 km
  • Franklin Street - 9 min drive - 6.6 km

Getting around

  • Durham Station - 30 min drive
  • Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) - 27 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Friends Cafe - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Merritt's Store & Grill - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Coco - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Escape to nature, unwind and relax pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Escape to nature, unwind and relax?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Escape to nature, unwind and relax?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Escape to nature, unwind and relax located?

This family-friendly Chapel Hill vacation home is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of University of North Carolina, Southern Community Park and Governor's Club. The Carolina Basketball Museum and Morehead Planetarium are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Escape to nature, unwind and relax Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 13 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 13 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Michael T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Chapel Hill Cottage
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Erin and Evan have done a wonderful job making this cottage a comfortable stay. It is clean, well decorated, well appointed, and is located in a peaceful and quiet setting. Communications with the hosts was easily accessible.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Liz C., United States

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rebecah S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxed and renewed
We had a wonderful stay at Dovefield - the cottage was spotlessly clean on arrival and so cozy. Kitchen was fully stocked with anything we needed - the fridge and freezer drawers were the perfect size for our needs. Both bedrooms were comfortable with plenty of space. We were able to enjoy the beautiful porch and patio with view of the field and pond - it was quiet and serene. Wonderful communication with the owners throughout the booking. We will certainly return any time we are in the area as we left relaxed and renewed after a busy summer. Highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cabin getaway near Chapel Hill
This was a terrific spot, in a surprisingly undeveloped area just a few minutes outside Chapel Hill. Property description was accurate, but I think still undersells just how nice the meadow and lake are for the house. We're definitely rebooking next time we come back to the area.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristin T., Lookout Mtn, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Picturesque weekend
Beautiful property and outdoor space. The owners are delightful and helpful at every turn. Accessible to UNC, Chapel Hill which made for ease on a busy weekend. Highly recommend for a relaxing getaway or college weekend stay!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Philip K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful setting
In a wooded natural setting, yet close to restaurants, etc. Peaceful and beautiful. Excellent caretakers. Would definitely stay when we visit our daughter, who lives ten minutes away.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

kevin w., Cypress,TX

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful stay
We have stayed at many places over the 2 years of traveling for work and the wife and I loved this one the most. Caught 2 bass in the pond and enjoyed several evenings on the porch overlooking the grounds great place to stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kim K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Loved it!
We spent 4 nights with our 2 dogs and had a lovely vacation to see our daughter who starts post-grad studies at UNC Chapel Hill. Grocery store close by and downtown was only 3 miles away. The home was well equipped with everything we needed; bed was comfy; and Wi-Fi worked well to watch movies on cold nights. But the property was tremendous for our 2 dogs! We loved walking the lower pond trail and enjoyed the fire pit. The owner even supplied the firewood! There is a nice fenced in area for the dogs to go out at night and a large field in the back with a pond that the dogs loved running around. Erin was responsive to communications and check in-out was a breeze. I would definitely recommend this property!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

david g., Houston, TX

Liked: Cleanliness
Great little cottage getaway
This home is perfect to enjoy being out in the country while being close to chapel hill and Durham. Great hosts and very clean property. The lake and trail was perfect for our pup to enjoy some outdoor time.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Eric M.

Liked: Cleanliness
December Visit
Wonderful place. Beautiful setting
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rhonda W., Greensboro, NC USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location and very dog-friendly
We enjoyed our recent three night stay! The location is convenient to Chapel Hill/Carrboro, Fearrington and Pittsboro. Check-in was a simple process. The rustic-but-updated cottage is as pictured/described, very clean and the bedding was quite comfortable. The porch is a wonderfully cozy spot to enjoy the quiet views and wildlife; the easy walking trails around the pond and lake are well-trod and serene. We appreciated the farm fresh eggs for breakfast! The friendly hosts are responsive, but your stay will be secluded and private. Additionally, it was convenient to have EV charging as well as a large fenced area for our dogs. The only dog-friendly things I would suggest adding are a dog water bowl, dog waste pick-up bags and a way to close off the porch entry. Thanks for an enjoyable stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeanne M.

Liked: Cleanliness
North Carolina getaway
Cottage was quaint and perfect for a nice relaxing getaway. Easy to get to, and close to restaurants and downtown. Property was picturesque and excellent fenced in yard for the pups. Kitchen was on the sm side, would suggest an extra fridge in the laundry room.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Francie H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beyond lovely stay
Great location and lovely accommodations. We will return.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023