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Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home!

Family-friendly stay with water park in Louisville

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Photo gallery for Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home!

Interior
Exterior
Property grounds
Outdoor dining
Smart TV, fireplace, offices

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

8 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 258500 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Gym

Explore the area

View in a map
Louisville, KY
  • Place, Norton Children's Medical Center
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Place, Springhurst Towne Center Shopping Center
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, Louisville, KY (SDF-Louisville Intl.)
    ‪25 min drive‬

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About the neighborhood

Louisville

City center stay.You'll find Norton Children's Medical Center and Springhurst Towne Center Shopping Center within 2 miles (3 km) of this vacation home. E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park and Chamberlain Pointe Shopping Center are also within 3 miles (5 km).
View more Vacation Homes in LouisvilleOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Norton Children's Medical Center - 12 min walk - 0.7 miles
  • Springhurst Towne Center Shopping Center - 3 min drive - 1.5 miles
  • Paddock Shops - 4 min drive - 2.4 miles
  • E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park - 4 min drive - 2.4 miles
  • Norton Brownsboro Hospital - 5 min drive - 3.3 miles

Getting around

  • Louisville, KY (LOU-Bowman Field) - 16 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Lorenzo Corner Pizza & Pub - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Jaggers - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Roosters - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Panda Express - ‬3 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home!

Stay in a Landmark Historic Mansion – The Abraham L. Williams House in Derby City, Louisville, KY!
This stunning 8-bedroom, 6-bath mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and recognized by the Kentucky Heritage Council for its architectural and historical significance. Perfect for families, large groups, reunions, or anyone seeking extra space indoors and out!

Enjoy modern upgrades while surrounded by rich history. Each bedroom features its own HVAC system and thermostat for personalized comfort. The property sits on 7 serene acres with a private entrance, a small pond, and expansive outdoor entertainment areas — all while maintaining convenient city access.

Located just 20 minutes from Louisville Airport and Churchill Downs, and close to shopping, dining, malls, and major highways. Experience a unique blend of history, comfort, and convenience at this iconic mansion!

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Kitchenette
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 8 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Office

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In the city center
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near an outlet shopping mall
  • Near the marina
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Gym
  • Kayak
  • Water park
  • Water sports equipment
  • Basketball nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 8,500 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Express check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Rules

EVENTS/PARTIES allow with prior permission only.Additional fees will be applied Smoking is not allowed Guests to adhere to local laws and regulations

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Extra event charges will be applied.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

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
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 95
Note from host: Extra event charges will be applied.
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 95. Note from host: Extra event charges will be applied. Long-term renters welcome. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

Frequently asked questions

How close is Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home! to the airport?

This vacation home is 10.6 mi (16-min drive) away from the Louisville, KY (LOU-Bowman Field) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home! have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

Does Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home! offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home!?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home.

What time is check-in at Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home!?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home! have a pool?

This vacation home does not have a pool.

Does Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home! have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this vacation home.

How close is Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home! to downtown Louisville?

This vacation home is 12.4 mi away from Louisville.

Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home! Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 64 out of 74 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 74 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 74 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 74 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 74 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

9.0/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Teresa H.

Liked: Cleanliness
The house was very clean and spacious. My family and I came to town for a wedding and it was plenty of room for everyone. The owners were wonderful. They answered any question that I had right away.They were amazing!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

James C.

Liked: Cleanliness
The property was a perfect fit for our group of 8 guys in town for Bourbon & Beyond - it was a bit off the beaten track but great for relaxing and reconnecting for a group of 65 year old high school buddies.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Christian S.

Liked: Cleanliness
The initial impression of this home was that it's large, fun to explore, and historical. The home was built in the 1850's and today it needs a little TLC, some cleaning up, and organization. The age of the home clearly shows. The house itself is huge with three large bedrooms on one half of the second floor, two more bedrooms on another part of the second floor, a back bedroom behind the kitchen, and two bunk beds in the front room along with multiple sitting areas, a giant living room with tons of windows, a cozy library room, a dining room, and a large kitchen. There was a lot of clutter around the house with books, knick knacks, linens, personal items, and what not on every shelf and in just about every drawer. In some places there was peeling wallpaper or paint, some things were broken or in disrepair, the primary shower had a leak at the nozzle and no shower curtain. Outside, there was plenty of space to hang out and a good cleaning of the outdoor furniture was needed as well as some yard-keeping. We found an abandoned mini-van out back and later realized that someone was staying in another portion of the house. We had not been told about this prior to our visit. All-in-all for the price we expected a little more from this property. It worked for us fine and could use some upgrades going forward.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Donald R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Interesting property!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed for my friend’s bachelor party and had 14 guys. Had enough beds where no one had to share and plenty of space for different activities throughout the house.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nick S.

Liked: Cleanliness
The property was exactly what we were looking for to host a large group of 10 people. The host’s communication was excellent and very accommodating. I would stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Sheila M., Corinth, MS

2025 Howard cousins reunion in Louisville

We needed a large space to hold us all so we thought a cheerful 8 bedroom mansion would be perfect. And it was large enough but it needs a lot of TLC. Cheerful isn’t how I would describe it but I’m sure it has a lot of history. It could be a great property. The host is quick to respond to problems. The kitchen was well stocked with things we needed for cooking but had to wash everything before we used it. The gas grill was awesome. The top oven not great. Kitchen fridge didn’t get cold enough but the laundry room fridge was spot on. Lots of problems with house but it’s a house from the 1800’s so that’s to be expected. We did have a good time but the beds in house are terrible so don’t expect a good nights sleep. The youngest cousin had to sleep in a room with no AC. The window unit wouldn’t blow cold air in that room. Like I said we had a good time but I would find something worth 3K for 2 days next time.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karen M.

Liked: Cleanliness
This house was prettier and more special than the pictures display. What a gem! We came in for my son’s wedding- family of the groom and it was perfect for my extended family to hang out, including my 92 yr dad. We relaxed in between activities- it is extremely convenient to Louisville and any nearby stores for last minute needs for events. Each room and patio gave a feeling of zen, peace, beauty, a wonderful way to quietly start and end the day plus also entertain in with brunches and family gatherings. It was perfect for our 1st time in Kentucky, and we hope to come back. Beena was extremely easy to work with and very quick with responses to any questions. The house felt like home although it was an absolute treat with how grand , historic, and beautiful each area inside and out was. This definitely made our trip extra special and will stay in our hearts forever.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kyle F.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great for a bachelor party

Lots of space and outdoor areas for games and events, yet not overly far from downtown Louisville
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shari M., Kentucky USA

Liked: Cleanliness

Thunder over Louisville family weekend

We needed a property with both indoor and outdoor space to hold our group of 13. This place was perfect! They were responsive to my revisit questions, the checkin and out process was easy and the home was amazing! We hope to book it again next year.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alex W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Stay!

This place was a perfect stay for my bachelor party! There was a ton of room, the host was very responsive with any questions and it had everything we needed. Highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Theresa N.

Liked: Cleanliness

wonderfully comfortable

Very neat place. Very satisfying for all of us.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mindy H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Sorority Friends weekend

My sorority sisters and I booked this property for a weekend together - we had a lovely time, even though weather caused us to cut the trip short. The host was very responsive and understanding of our leaving ahead of schedule. The property was a great size for our group and we had plenty of space to spread out but still be together.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alec E.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great place to stay!

Really enjoyed the house, very spacious. Great host as well, would recommend staying here!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family Thanksgiving - 25+ people with young kids

We stayed at the Cheerful Historical Mansion for a total of 6 days and it was absolutely perfect for our family needs. The rooms were spacious and cozy, the upstairs bedrooms were perfect for the families with kiddos, and the shared spaced were lovely to spend time in and have quality conversation. JD and co were so incredibly welcoming and kind. It was absolutely seamless to work with them. Thank you again for hosting us!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Garrett H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jim S.

M

Full of cobwebs and dust. Lack of pots and pans, the few there were dirty like burned food in it. Rooms nice. Yard superb Parking very nice
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Max M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Kentucky Derby

I reserved this property for a bachelor party with my closest friends and family. The property was described perfectly and accommodated us well. I would definitely recommend visiting this beautiful property, especially if you need something for a large group.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tikam

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Property owners are helpful and reachable
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Suzan D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect stay for catered garden party!

For the wedding rehearsal party, instead of a restaurant, we decided to cater a large party for all the bride’s and groom’s close family and friends to meet night before the wedding. This propery was perfect! There is large grounds front and back with lawn furniture, a small fountain, e tables, and plenty of sitting spots to sit and visit. The house has large living room, sun room, dining room, and big kitchen for food prep with two sinks. We couldn’t figure out how to turn on the overhead twinkle lights and the fountain and the hosts came over within the hour to do it and show us. Texts were promptly responded to unlike other rentals we’ve had. This large home was a blessing to our family and friends and we will be using it again because there are 4 more weddings to have in Louisville over the next years! The grounds are well kept but because of the big storms week before, it wasn’t as manicured as some might prefer. So if you want the hedges and the flowers and sidewalks (gorgeous old stone!) blown and trimmed and edged, you may want to let the hosts know so they can send out a garden crew a day or two before your outdoor party. Otherwise, the house and bathrooms were immaculate and plenty of bedding for all beds with extra pillows, blankets, and table top fans for those who sleep with them like me. Highly recommend! P.s. if you have small children there is river and pond close on the propery so be aware young children need to be watched for that. 👍
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jerry S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Golf trip

Absolutely the best accommodations
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great place for a big group

My group of 8 had an excellent time time at the house. There were ample beds for all to have their own private room and many additional beds to spare. The space is a wonderful historical mansion, with clearly several additions over the years. The outdoor spaces are sensational! Great destination for a big group!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Laure G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Derby weekend

The house was a good fit for the amount of people we had. Definitely an older home with a lot of history. We enjoyed ourselves. Thank you
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Amy Z.

Liked: Cleanliness

Conference

This was a roomy house for a group of friends staying together to attend a conference in Shelbyville. The property was private and the grounds were lovely. The house has a lot of charm. It suited our purposes well. Some of the beds were in spaces that were living areas. That would be fine for kids or younger people- just be aware that a couple rooms are not truly bedrooms.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Matthew B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Visitor

Good stay, quiet location. Easy access to local places
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023