FAQs

It’s for everyone—seriously. While we’re geared towards group travel, we also welcome solo adventurers and couples. We offer rental of the whole neighborhood up to 18 months in advance and individual cabins up to 6 months ahead. We love the diversity of guests it brings—it keeps things interesting!

We’ve got four unique cabins in what we call “Songbird Neighborhood.” Each cabin—Chickadee, Whippoorwill, Goldfinch, and Blackbird—circles our central pavilion, where guests can socialize, share meals, and relax together. We’re thrilled with our setup for now, but who knows what the future holds!

A whippoorwill is a songbird. Not the greatest looker, but their song is a beauty. Sit outside in the late evening or early morning, and you might just hear them sing “whip-pooor-willlll” to each other.

Nope! It’s perfectly fine to stay reclusive. No need to meet anyone, and we ask all guests to respect each other’s boundaries. The pavilion is the best spot for meet-and-greets if you’re feeling social, but it’s totally up to you.

Nah. We’re a vacation rental with the ability to intermingle (check out our Group Stays page). We do host small gatherings in our pavilion, but this is on a per-case basis with existing guests. For weddings and receptions, we highly recommend our neighbor, Gardens in the Gorge.

In short, yes. We’re technically located in Chattanooga but in a different county than the rest of the city. It’s a bit confusing, but we’re just a 15-18 minute drive from downtown.

We operate on “fast time” (Eastern Standard Time) with the rest of Chattanooga, but we’re technically in Central Standard Time. We suggest locking the timezone on your phone during your stay, and we’ve programmed the wall clocks in each cabin to Eastern time.

We’re the Sonners and Suches—a family with a dream that turned into Talking Water. We’ve formed a formal business because, well, going in on this together is kind of a big deal. We hope to build a legacy that outlasts those of us who started it. (And check out our bio page for a peek at the kiddos who help us out!)

In short, eventually. Building Talking Water has been a labor of love, and we’re so proud of what we’ve done. But we need a little time to recover financially and socially. We expect to expand our construction past the bluffline within the next 5-10 years, but life is unpredictable, so who knows what’s coming next?

We try our best to be! We offer recycling and composting to all guests, and we’ve installed energy-efficient products in each cabin. We do our best to purchase earth-friendly products whenever possible. But we’re not here to preach. Nobody’s perfect, and perfection is the enemy of progress. As we say in our house rules, “Assume the Best Intent.” We all want to protect Mother Earth, and doing so is definitely a work in progress.

We’re building out our trail system! As of March 2024, we’ve got a winding descent (Billy Goat Trail) past the bluffline followed by a more leisurely walk down to the water. We recommend hiking shoes and water, and downloading the OnX app to orient yourself to the property lines. Our goal is to keep expanding our paths and create a true trail network, including one along the mile of creek on the property. We’re always adding!

Suck Creek is a fast-moving creek, and swimming can get risky. Please use common sense about whether or not to get in the water, and never do so without a partner and a working cell phone. We recommend admiring the creek without jumping in. There are numerous blue holes less than 5 minutes away in Prentice Cooper State Park, perfect for a refreshing dip.

Yes, with a few caveats. We allow dogs in Chickadee, Goldfinch, and Whippoorwill cabins with an $80 pet fee per dog (up to 2 per household). However, we do not allow dogs inside Blackbird at this time. Dogs should remain crated whenever not with their owners, and we’re happy to provide crates if needed.

Of course! We can’t imagine not having kids around the place. Our own children are frequently here, and we love seeing guest families bonding on-site. We do ask that guests supervise their children—being in nature means lots of jumping, climbing, and exploring, with the added risk of encountering snakes, spiders, and mosquitoes.

Smoking is allowed outdoors only, and we strictly require all cigarette butts to be disposed of in the bright yellow cigarette bins. Smoking indoors or littering cigarette butts will result in fines and removal from the property.

We occasionally get asked about taking professional photos at our retreat. We’re open to it! We just always want to screen photographers beforehand and make sure that our space and designs are respected during the process. In the past, we’ve accepted portrait, boudoir, and lifestyle photography. As long as the content isn’t for the adult-only industry, we’re willing to discuss options.

…everything! No joke, Chattanooga is a whole lot of personality in a small package. We have gorgeous natural scenery and countless outdoor activities (boating, climbing, caving, biking, hiking, swimming, ziplining, rafting, fishing, etc.), tons of fun local events, intriguing museums and history, and a thriving local bar and restaurant scene. We’re a city welcoming to people of all backgrounds and interests—you’ll love it here!

The easiest way to book your cabin is right here on our website. Just head over to our booking page, pick your dates, and you’re all set! If you need any help, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to assist.

Check-in is at 3:00 PM, and check-out is at 11:00 AM. If you’d like to sleep in a bit longer (who wouldn’t?), you can request a late check-out for an additional fee.

Yes! We’ve got you covered with Wi-Fi in each of our cabins. While we encourage you to disconnect and soak in the natural beauty around you, we understand the need to stay connected.

Think comfort and adventure! We suggest packing comfy clothes, sturdy shoes for exploring the trails, and anything you need for outdoor fun. Don’t forget your camera to capture the memories!

Absolutely! We welcome guests of all ages. Our cabins are equipped with everything you need for a family stay, and there’s plenty of space for kids to play and explore.

Of course! Each cabin has its own firepit, perfect for roasting marshmallows and sharing stories under the stars. We provide kiln-dried firewood, so all you need to bring is your campfire spirit!

We understand that plans can change. If you need to cancel, just let us know at least 14 days before your scheduled arrival for a full refund. Cancellations made within 14 days of arrival may be subject to a fee.

There’s plenty to do right here at Talking Water! From hiking and biking to tetherball and board games, we’ve got activities for every adventurer. Check out our Recreation page for more details.

If you didn’t find what you were looking for, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to make your stay as enjoyable as possible!