HEARTSTONE RETREAT STUDIOS
THE STUDIOS.
The 3 studios on the Heartstone Retreat side of South River Highlands farm are as unique as our other accommodations and facilities. Each space has a story. As with the old dairy barn, here too, many of the craftsmen found a ray of light. Folks who had not worked for many months were suddenly receiving other work offers (we kept them for a few years first :), workers who found employment with us on the way to their dream job, craftsmen who were arising from difficult times found a purpose with us – many beautiful life stories to share.
The Creamery Cottage Studio
This really was the creamery for the dairy barn complete with 2 ft thick cement walls connecting it to the barn. It was re-purposed as Barney's art studio as it was the first project that seemed manageable. After construction was completed on The Lodge so many people were asking to rent this studio that it transitioned to a vacation rental. This sweet space is one large room with a queen bed, a queen sleeper sofa, love seat, full bathroom with large shower and a very workable small full kitchen with a dining table for two. Coffee pot/'starter' coffee. The crowning glory is the beautiful parquet brick floor. Add the front sitting deck and the recently completed “Creamery Hideaway” with it's covered pergola, deck, sitting bench and gas grill for your own private space, especially if you are here during an event at the adjacent event facility. Ideal for 2 adults. No pets.
Rate: $135/night + tax single/double occupancy, $20/person over 2 people
2 night minimum (3 night minimum on holidays & college weekends)
Blue Ridge Studio
It seems as though Barney keeps looking for an art studio. Wonderful spaces are created only to be released to rentals. This is an adorable, peaceful hideaway in what we call the Bull Barn. While this barn is still in remodel transition, this little apartment is a “find”. Around the corner from the farm's equipment bays, atop of a flight of stairs will be a unique space you will not want to leave.
Lots of natural light with a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a queen bedroom, full bath with large shower, lovely full kitchen with counter eating area, cozy living room with 3 cushion sleeper sofa and a wing-back chair. Coffee pot/'starter' coffee. Paintings line the walls, of course. Ideal for 2 adults. No pets.
Rate: $135/night + tax single/double occupancy, $20/person over 2 people
2 night minimum (3 night minimum on holidays & college weekends)
Poplar Studio
This lovely accommodation started as the dirt floored garage for farm equipment in the old “calving barn”. For the first year or so under our stewardship it served as a rustic hobby woodworking shop. As renovation moved along on the calving barn, soon to become our farm home, the wood shop moved to the newly framed Bull Barn and this large space re-created itself into an often requested retreat and vacation overnight accommodation. A very comfortable queen bed, 3 cushioned sofa, a single sofa-chair pullout, a circular eating table for 4, full bathroom with large shower, full closet, mini-refrigerator, microwave. Coffee pot/'starter' coffee. Original art. Ideal for 2 adults. No pets.
Rate: $125/night + tax single/double occupancy, $20/person over 2 people
2 night minimum (3 night minimum on holidays & college weekends)
** As with all our retreat facility and accommodations, these studios are “self-catering”. This means our guests are asked to neaten the space: wash any dishes used & return them to their original places, return furniture, if moved, turn off any outdoor lights when retiring for the evening... to leave the space as they found it: clean, with used linens and towels gathered together.
Parking is approximately 100 feet away from studios. Bring a good flashlight and comfy shoes.
The property has feral cats, a domestic cat, lots of the usual country critters, some cows. Our guests need to be comfortable with the dark and the quiet of a country setting. On many nights the Milky Way can be seen & more stars that you may have seen in a very long time. Fireflies flicker and hover over the ground and in the trees on warm summer days.
If there is no event in The Lodge, our studio guests have use of the 65 ft vine covered pergola with a small fish pond and water fountain, 3 tiered meditation garden, The Cozy (small pergola), fire pit (with burnable wood), a chiminea (with burnable wood), the Stone Garden and large picnic tables.
This is not your hotel experience :)
Come enjoy this beautiful unique setting and you may never again choose a hotel!
Heartstone Lodge & Retreat Center
South River Highlands Country Retreat
Buena Vista, Virginia
540.463.2593
