Peaceful garden retreat 4 BR, private & comfy

"Like walking into a hug!" GardenSpirit Guesthouse is a peaceful garden retreat with complete privacy, but with easy access to Duke, downtown Durham, interstates and shopping. Nestled into part of a 10-acre estate of towering pines and crystal blue skies, GardenSpirit is a light-filled, 2850 sf spacious cottage w/ 3 kings, 2 XL twins, sunroom, massage chair, meditation paths, gardens & hot tub. The house was originally designed as a women's garden retreat center so the furnishings are soft, pastel and charming - perfect for a girls' weekend, family reconnection, writing retreat and/or soul renewal. Great place to stay if you're in town for a wedding or graduation (and we would even consider hosting a very small wedding and reception with advanced approval). Even business travelers will feel at home here, with fast internet access and desks in each bedroom. The house is private but it is located within an established residential neighborhood. Folks are friendly (you'll see more people walking their dogs than cars) and the neighborhood is safe. To reassure you further, the house is protected by a monitored alarm system and external video surveillance (it helps us keep track of who's on site when no one has booked the house). There are four bedrooms, one on the main level and three upstairs. "Carolina on My Mind" (aka 'the yellow bedroom') is on the first floor and has a king sized bed, comfy quilts and antique dresser, updated for you. In the closet find extra pillows and blankets. Each room has an accurate atomic clock with USB charger. The first floor bath, next door to the bedroom, has an oversized vanity with one sink, lots of storage and a generous shower with a shelf for your shampoo. The shower is a step-in with safety grab bars. "Once in a Blue Room" is the master suite at the top of the stairs. Double the size of the other bedrooms, this oasis has a private bath with two sinks and vanities (in true 1980s style one of the vanities is just outside the bathroom (what were they thinking?). The colors are soft (periwinkle blue) and the comforter and blankets even softer. The room is accented by bright yellow awning stripes on the privacy curtain and shades. Brand new furniture in this room including a computer desk with convenient top side outlets, and nightstands with pull-out shelves. Behind the bookshelf divider is a lovely hand-painted garden themed armoire. The master bath has a shower/tub combo, loads of fluffy towels and cheerful yellow rugs. The "magical midnight" massage room also lives inside this room - we converted the master closet to a evening-like experience complete with stars. Recline in the chair and let yourself relax ....ahhhhh. "Tickled Pink" is the smallest bedroom, which faces the private back yard/forest. A wicker desk offers a place to jot down your thoughts. There are two brand new nightstands and a luggage rack. Overhead is a new ceiling fan operated from a wall switch. This room has a king bed with a firm mattress. If someone in your group needs a little extra back support, this is the bed for him or her. "In the Limelight" is a bright bedroom that overlooks the front gardens and has two XL twin beds dressed with Lauren Conrad comforters. There is a ceiling fan and a screen to provide privacy to occupants of both beds. Sit a spell at the rattan desk and gather your thoughts. "Tickled Pink" and "In the Limelight" are served by the hall bathroom, a mere 10 steps away. The bath has a brand new double vanity, new twinkly overhead lights and a tub/shower combo. Though the house and grounds are generous, GardenSpirit is not the place for a big party. Only registered guests are welcome to use the facilities (hot tub, massage chair, etc.). And the house is a non-smoking place to hang out - it's a medical necessity for the owners. We honor quiet hours from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am so that you sleep well and undisturbed. You might hear the hoot of an owl or the rustle of a squirrel (those darned rascals steal the birdseed!). And during the day, you'll be entertained by the antics of tiny hummingbirds, flashy cardinals and gorgeous bluebirds (we feed them all). Best of all is the frequent appearance of a momma deer and her fawn, frolicking in the woods or occasionally you’ll catch a glimpse of a red fox. There is a neighborhood unicyclist who rides by the house every day but he zips past in a flash so you might miss him. You might like to visit the Purple Treehouse with some very happy children. Next to it is a sturdy “airplane” teeter totter which has been known to accommodate big and little humans. And the hammock is just behind the treehouse, so you can take 10 and gaze into the leafy canopy of trees. There are park benches placed strategically throughout the forest for contemplation and relaxation. If you prefer to stay inside, the 60" flatscreen is full of delights - Netflix, Hulu, all cable channels and HBO. The Roku is already signed on to our account and the DVD player is simple to use. The internet is fast and dependable and we have VOiP phone service, but there aren't many phones - don't want to interrupt your reverie. Of course, it's always nice to curl up with with a good book/Kindle in the cozy living room or sun room - there are lots of regular books on the shelves, including a couple by the Rogglis. If you have children, you might want to rent the Creative Cottage during your stay for a small additional fee - art supplies galore and no worries about spills. All in all, GardenSpirit is a place to settle in and feel “at home away from home.”