Whimsical Gatehouse at Dark Horse Estate | Apartment in Franklin

10.0 (64 Reviews) |   Pet Friendly   1 Bedroom  1 Bathroom  3 Guests
Franklin Apartment | Whimsical Gatehouse at Dark Horse Estate

1 Bedroom Apartment in Franklin

Welcome to The Gatehouse, and the private world of Dark Horse Estate. This legendary property offers a one-of-a-kind experience. A perfect setting for friends and families to unplug and reconnect.
This residence can accommodate three overnight guests. The Gatehouse features a
queen bed and a day bed. It boasts a fully equipped kitchen, private bathroom
and a huge, covered porch looking out over the countryside. The Gatehouse is
exclusively yours and can be accessed with an outside entrance. This romantic one-of-a-kind get-away will exceed your expectations.
Your Property
Dark Horse Estate is gracefully set in the rolling hills of Tennessee, just 5 miles north
from Franklin’s historic town square and 25 minutes from downtown Nashville. Beautiful sunsets and lush mystic landscapes make this private sanctuary an exclusive destination. As you stroll down to the river, you’ll find yourself breathing more deeply as though you’ve been transported to a simpler time.
Guest Access
You’ll be staying on the first level of a 9000 sq. ft. hand crafted post and beam structure housing three recording studios which have become home to many of the most celebrated artists in the world. Shawn Mendes, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Alice in Chains, Tim McGraw, Korn, Matchbox 20, Carrie Underwood, and Neil Diamond are just a few of the artists who frequent Dark Horse estate. In fact, you’ll be sleeping in the same bed as many of your favorite stars. So… during your stay, you’ll find yourself among very good company!
You will have access to the lower kitchen just down the hall as well as the entire
grounds. Tours of the studios are available almost every day based on the recording
schedules. Whether you’re in town on business, a vacationer seeking an unforgettable experience, or a platinum selling artist working on your next hit, The Gatehouse is the perfect destination for your secluded getaway.
Interaction with Guests
At Dark Horse Estate your privacy is top priority. Having said that, you might bump into other guests as you explore the grounds. Every day is different with activity such as film shoots, interviews and, of course, recording sessions. Sometimes you may be able to hear "the creative process" from these sessions inside the apartment. And while late night and early morning sessions are rare, (you know musicians)... it does happen occasionally. Please read our reviews and you’ll see that our guests are delighted with both the atmosphere and privacy.
Other details to note
Note: Once again please know that the Bunkhouse is located on the first level of our
9,000 sq. ft. (three level) studio building. During some private recording sessions,
certain areas of the studio building may be closed off to guests.
Please carefully review HOUSE RULES below. This includes pet policies, property
policies, etc. And please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
HOUSE RULES:
- SMOKING: Smoking is not permitted in any buildings. Smoking is allowed only
outside, in designated areas.
- PARTIES/EVENTS/NOISE: All parties are prohibited. Our goal at Dark Horse is to
provide a private and relaxing environment. We are also an active recording facility.
Because of these factors, guests may not create a disruptive level of noise. Dark Horse is simply not the place for boisterous groups.
PET POLICY:
We love dogs! We strive to keep our pet friendly homes just that, pet friendly!... by asking our guests to be conscientious about the impact their four-legged friend is having on the home, the property, and the neighbors.
OF PET OWNERS, WE ASK:
A one-time, non-refundable $75 fee per pet for four legged guests. This fee goes toward helping homeowners with the inevitable repairs needed for cumulative pet-wear-and-tear on their home. This is a cash fee, payable upon arrival.
We accept guests of the canine persuasion only ~ sorry, no feline friends, zebras, ferrets, parakeets, camels, etc.
In the home, dogs are not permitted on the beds, chairs, couches, or blankets. If you are unable to prevent this, please bring (clean!) sheets or blankets from home to put over the couches, bedding, and pillows.
If it’s rainy or muddy outside, please throw a dog towel that you provide on the floor by the doors. While some dog- friendly properties provide these towels, please bring your own. Please do not use the towels provided at the property to clean or dry your pets.
Additional cleaning charges will apply for yard clean-up, excessive pet hair, or messes requiring additional carpet, upholstery, or linen cleaning.
Pets may not be left alone in the home unless you have them kenneled or are 110% certain there will be no disturbing barking, scratched doors, or stained carpets. If needed, local pet boarding is available at Waggy Tails Pet Center.
Please understand that we are an active recording studio. Both the studio clients and other visiting guests are looking for privacy and relaxation, and the engineers and musicians are looking for a quiet place to work. We ask that you ensure there is no excessive barking. If you leave your dog unattended in the room and your dog’s barking causes a disturbance amongst other guests, we reserve the right to enter the room and try to calm the dog down. If the barking noise cannot be brought under control, we reserve the right to ask you to vacate the property without refund.
- PLEASE NOTE: All accommodations are to be used as vacation rentals only. If you
wish to conduct a business or personal photo shoot, a video shoot, a songwriting or
recording session, or any other activity beyond a typical guest vacation rental, please reach out at Dark Horse Recording Online. If you are interested in filming, recording, podcasting etc, we will be happy to discuss, and then give you an appropriate price quote.
Our staff is on call 24/7 to assist with any questions or help you in any way! Please don't hesitate to message us, we want to make your stay perfect!

Whimsical Gatehouse at Dark Horse Estate is located in Franklin. Whimsical Gatehouse at Dark Horse Estate provides accommodation, featuring Parking, Pet Friendly, TV, among other amenities. This Apartment features Parking, Pet Friendly, TV, to make your stay a comfortable one.

Whimsical Gatehouse at Dark Horse Estate has 1 Bedroom , 1 Bathroom, and max occupancy of 3 people. The minimum rental for this property is 1 nights, but this can change depending on the season you plan on staying. Previous guests have given good rated it, and VRBO labeled it a top-rated Apartment because of the excellent services rendered by the owner or manager of this Apartment, and has consistently provided great experiences for their guests. Most families or guests that use it recommend it to their friends and some of them are repeat guests. Apartment has a friendly neighborhood, and the Franklin has interesting places to visit. If you want to learn more about the Apartment in Franklin, such as places to visit and things to do nearby, you can check below to learn more.

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Amenities

Air Conditioner
Parking
Pet Friendly
TV
Balcony/Terrace
Security/Safety
Bedding/Linens
Wellness Facilities
Fireplace/Heating
Child Friendly
Internet
Kitchen
Laundry

Policies

Check-in
Check-in time starts at 3:00 pm minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 am
Child Policy
Children are welcome.
Pet Policy
2 total pets pets allowed service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees welcoming dogs only

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 host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property long-term renters welcome onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed this property accepts cash 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

Reviews

Kim B.
Aug 15, 2025 06:19:15 PM
Review Score:   10
Summary: We had a wonderful stay at the Whimsical Gatehouse! Austin and Robin greeted us warmly, and our private, beautifully appointed room overlooked a peaceful view. The bed was very comfortable and the room overall was perfect for us during our short stay. We loved relaxing in the rocking chairs with a glass of wine, and our dog Stella was welcomed too. The highlight was an incredible tour of the Studio and Manor—Christian and the interns made it so fun and fascinating. A truly memorable trip, and we can’t wait to return!
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