You begin to feel it from the moment you turn down the driveway and meander through the canopy of trees, shot through with shafts of sunlight. Subconsciously at first, you inhale a little deeper and then exhale just a little slower than usual. The bustle of life fades quickly as natures envelopes you. The Keep appears across a quiet pasture, nestled at the edge of the woods. The driveway makes its final bend, and Sylvan Keep unfolds. The corners of your mouth tip upward. Your shoulders rise an inch. Do they seem lighter already? Can’t be….
But then you get out of the car and step into the magic of Sylvan Keep. You’re on vacation, and yet somehow you’ve come home. You were meant to be here. Before you know it, you are under her spell.
Why do we call it Sylvan Keep? It’s the place to keep dreams and memories; the place to keep family and love; the place to get your balance. Medieval Europe was dotted with castles. They were the center of village life, the fortress of defense, and the home of the landowner. The castle keep was at the center; the innermost and strongest structure. It served as both a home and the last line of defense in case of attack. Sylvan is the Latin word for woods. This beautiful forest retreat is the perfect spot to escape the world and recharge your spirit.
Sylvan Keep is the place to clear the mind, restore the soul, and inspire the heart. Find your strength and your center again. Regroup and recharge. Sylvan Keep beckons.
About Sylvan Keep…..
Sylvan Keep is an authentic log home on nearly 18 acres in beautiful Bath County, Virginia. A wet-weather stream runs beside the house, with many small pools and waterfalls in season. A small foot bridge crosses the stream, and a walking trail leads to the national forest and a world of exploration.
The house has excellent outdoor living spaces that bring nature up close. A covered stone front porch adjoins a full-length side deck on the shady side of the house that overlooks the stream. Next, a screened porch with dining option opens to a smaller rear grilling deck. A small waterfall trickles into the rock-lined goldfish pond in front of the house.
Inside offers surprising space and luxury. The front door opens to a vaulted great room with beautiful cherry floors, tongue-in-groove wood ceiling, exposed beams, and a wall of windows that displays the sylvan beauty outside. The centerpiece of the great room is a two-story, semi-round, stone fireplace equipped with remote-controlled gas logs.
The kitchen at Sylvan Keep is ready for real cooking. It is fully stocked with quality pots and pans, bakeware, cookie sheets, serving dishes, plates, utensils, wine glasses, etc. The pantry has a fairly extensive spice selection and basic staples like flour and sugar. Other amenities include granite countertops, an island with breakfast bar, gas range/oven, coffee maker and filters, side-by-side refrigerator with ice maker and ice crusher, mixer, picnic supplies, microwave, toaster, griddle, measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, and food storage containers.
The main floor master suite at Sylvan Keep is warm and inviting. It features cherry floors, a walk-in closet, an oak bedroom suite with queen bed and plush memory foam mattress, and a spacious private bath with jetted tub and separate shower.
The first floor also has a cozy den with TV, DVD player, and sofa that makes into a double bed. Sheets and mattress topper for extra comfort are stored in the master bedroom walk-in closet. There is a half bath adjacent to the den for convenient use as an overflow bedroom.
The second floor has two additional bedrooms, a full bath, and a large loft with 70” HD TV and DVD player. The Keep also has a record player, CD player, and radio. Bring your own, or check out something from our collection of DVDs, CDs, and records. Roku set up with the flat screen HDTV allows guests to stream free music and movies, or choose moves to watch through their own Hulu or Netflix accounts.
The second floor front bedroom overlooks the fish pond. It features a vaulted, tongue-in-groove wood ceiling with exposed beams and a king-sized bed with medium-firm memory foam mattress. A vintage Victorian door forms the headboard, and a deacon’s bench provides sitting area. A wicker sleigh and a bentwood rocker round out the eclectic appeal of this room. Open the windows in the summer, and fall asleep to the trickle of the waterfall and the occasional croak of the frogs.
The third bedroom is perfect for the kids. It has a custom bunk bed set with wrought-iron hardware and wood rung ladder. The only problem is deciding whether the top bunk or the bottom bunk is cooler.
We want your stay at Sylvan Keep to be as relaxing as possible. That starts with eliminating things to pack. The Keep is thoroughly stocked with bath towels, hand towels, wash cloths, bar soap, body soap, shampoo, conditioner, hair dryers, toilet paper, paper towels, first aid kit, dishwasher detergent, etc. Beds always have freshly laundered sheets, and there are varieties of pillows, blankets, and quilts to satisfy various preferences stored in the closets.
Sylvan Keep is a rare blend of rural tranquility with pampered luxury. It offers all the privacy and solitude of a mountain retreat without giving up any of the comforts of home. We invite you to come and experience her charm.
Normal check in is at 4pm and check out is at 11am. We will advise if late check out or early check in is available based on other reservations. We also prefer bookings be made a minimum of 72 hours prior to check in please.
