Firefly Garden
Guest rating: 4.9 / 5
Overview
Firefly Garden is a restored 1920s farmhouse tucked into a wooded, garden-filled lot just off Hargrove Road, a short mile from Midtown Mall in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The owner-occupied property vacates fully for guests and blends historic character, including a formal entry with a crystal chandelier and oriental carpets, with the comforts of a full home rental. Handcrafted garden features, including a greenhouse and koi pond, set it apart from typical lodging.
Rooms & Layout
The main floor holds three bedrooms: a primary suite with a four-poster queen bed and en-suite bath featuring a Jacuzzi tub and shower, a second bedroom with a brass queen bed near a half bath, and a third four-poster queen room sharing a hall bathroom with a tub/shower combo. Upstairs, a fourth bedroom offers a Jenny Lind bed plus a queen bed, garden views, a private bath with a stand-up shower, and an adjoining sitting room/library. In total the home comfortably sleeps up to 8 adults and up to 10 guests including children.
Amenities & Outdoor Space
The open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area is fully equipped with a stove/oven, microwave, and comfortable seating around the TV, while extras like air conditioning, heating, a washer, and an ironing board support longer stays. Outside, guests can gather on the large covered porch strung with party lights or head to the patio for the fire pit and outdoor grill. A fitness center, free parking, and free Wi-Fi round out the practical amenities, and the home is pet-friendly and smoke-free.
Dining & Location
The property sits within about two miles of a wide range of restaurants, including The Juicy Crab, The Curry Kitchen, Hokkaido, El Agave Mexican Grill & Bar, and Catch a Taste, with Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux, 20/59 Restaurant & Bar, The Rabbit Hole, Crimson Tap House, and The Sanctuary on 25th slightly further afield. Tuscaloosa train station is roughly 4.7 km away, and Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is about 82 km away for those flying in.
Best for
Firefly Garden suits families or groups of friends traveling together who want a spacious, private home rather than separate hotel rooms, thanks to its four bedrooms sleeping up to 10 and its fully equipped kitchen. It also appeals to guests seeking a distinctive, character-filled stay, given the restored 1920s farmhouse setting, garden, koi pond, and greenhouse, and it works well for pet owners since the property is pet-friendly for up to two pets.
Travel tips
Check-in is at 4:00pm CST, and early check-in can be requested for a $50-per-hour fee but is only confirmed 24-48 hours before arrival, so plan arrival timing accordingly. Guests must be 25 or older to book, and reservations made within two weeks of arrival require in-person, government-issued ID verification. With free on-site parking and a cluster of restaurants within about two miles, a car is the most practical way to explore Tuscaloosa, while the train station is under 5 km away for regional connections.
What guests say
Guests consistently highlight the home's charm and character, describing it as a well-maintained older property with distinctive historic details. Reviewers also mention that the booking and stay process went smoothly, and several note enjoying their time exploring Tuscaloosa from this location. No recurring negative themes are evident in the available review excerpts.
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