Step into the historic Abraham L. Williams House, nestled in Derby city Louisville, Kentucky. This beautifully restored landmark offers ample space for family gatherings and features 7 acres of outdoor entertaining space with a small pond and private entrance.
Reviews
9.89.8 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
8 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 25790 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free Wi-Fi
Gym
The current price is AU$1,684
AU$1,684
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
Add dates for prices
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!
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Parking on site
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee grinder
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Hob
Ice maker
Kitchen island
Kitchenette
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
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
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
In the city centre
Near a health/beauty spa
Near a hospital
Near a zoo
Near an outlet shopping centre
Near the marina
On a river
On the waterfront
Things to do
Gym
Kayak
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)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
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
Pets not 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 that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
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
About the area
Located in Louisville, this holiday home is in the city centre and on the waterfront. Kentucky Artisan Distillery and Douglass Hills Tennis Center are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Springhurst Towne Center Shopping Center and Chamberlain Pointe Shopping Center. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at IceLand Sports Complex or Plainview Tennis Center. Jet skiing and power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and horse riding nearby. Visit our Louisville travel guide
Is Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home! pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home!?
As of 13 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home! on 16 Mar 2026 start from AU$1,684, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
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.
What time is check-out at Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home!?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home! located?
Located in the heart of Louisville, this holiday home is 0.9 mi (1.4 km) from Norton Children's Medical Center and within 3 miles (5 km) of Springhurst Towne Center Shopping Center and E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park. Chamberlain Pointe Shopping Center and Paddock Shops are also within 3 miles (5 km).
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Cheerful 8-Bedroom, 6-Bath Historic Mansion in Derby City – Ideal Vacation Home! Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
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!
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!
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.
The charm of this house is just so cool. It was the perfect size for our group and it was very interesting exploring the rooms. The host is awesome and so helpful if you have questions!
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.
The house is really really cool. You have plenty of privacy, great for large gatherings. You’ll spend the first hour or two just walking and exploring the home. Had a blast here and would recommend anyone to stay here!
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!
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!
Awesome place!!! Bedrooms are spread out to give extended family or friends privacy. Also a nice mix of seating in library, sunroom, dining and outdoor space. The outdoor space was especially nice with several large patios with lighting and grassy aress with large beautiful trees. Location was perfect, close to interstate and lots of nearby stores but yet somewhat secluded! Enrire place was very clean and kept..and the owner responded immediately to texts.. Highly recommend for extended family visits.
This place is amazing! The host was so accommodating, making sure we had enough space for the 24 people who stayed with us and the extra 20 or so people who joined us for our rehearsal dinner. It allowed us to have everyone together at an affordable price in a beautiful place. It was close enough to downtown Louisville without being in downtown Louisville, and there are many fast food restaurants around as well as a Walmart right up the street that allowed us to go get things here and there as we needed them without driving all over the place to find a store! We truly had an amazing time here and can’t recommend it enough for large family/friend stays! Our stay was in winter, and we got really lucky with the weather, but I can only imagine how much more beautiful it is in the summer!
We had 8 cousins stay the weekend for our annual reunion. There was room for everyone to have their own bed. This house is fabulous. The historical architecture is beautiful and the modern kitchen is amazing. If you need anything Walmart is minutes away. The host was very helpful and responsive. We had trouble with some of the smoke alarms (just dead batteries) and they were fixed right away. He even brought us a load of firewood to have a bonfire in the fire pit. Would give this house 6 stars if I could.
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.
We stayed at this property with a couple of other families for a nearby event. The first night we had some issue's with the garbage disposal, and couldn't figure out how to turn on one of the showers. The owner was very responsive and had the garbage disposal fixed the next morning, and even came by to show us how to use the shower. He even provided some soccer balls and racquets for the kids.
On the last day, we had a later flight, and he adjusted the cleaning crew scheduling to come a bit later so we could check-out a bit later and wouldn't need to wait for hours in the airport.
Between the very cool property, and the owner being so accommodating, made the weekend very memorable, and would definitely stay at this amazing property again! Thank you!
This house is 168 years old! The photos don't really tell the age story. There are not really 8 bedrooms. There are 5 with other converted rooms. A/C worked well. Quiet to sleep. The property is huge and private. Our group had a great time and the house served us well.
The only place it really needs help is the kitchen. The ovens and stovetop are very old but functional. The cooking utensils, pots and pans need to be updated. The pans are too large for the oven and the pots and skillets are completely worn out, both in short supply. No light over the cooktop. Some cabinet drawers are broken. The BBQ grill is completely worn out. The glasses and silverware look to be random garage sale items. Most VRBOs that I have rented come with basic cooking supplies like salt, pepper, oil, spices. There were almost none of these and we had to make a trip to purchase.
Great patio space, quiet. This place would make a great Halloween haunted house.
Larry G.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
8/10 Good
Tracy W.
28 Nov 2023
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Place in Time
This historical house was designed for what I was looking for. The architecture and the layout was pretty cool to be able to see the original house and what was added on the property over the years. The kitchen and the large dining area was perfect and our needs for meal preparation and dinners.
A couple areas I was disappointed in was the cleanliness and supplies in organization in the kitchen. This old house could use a lot of TLC as you can see water damage along several walls within the home. We also noticed a lot of bugs and cobwebs, along with some water bottles and lids Behind the beds which told us had not been cleaned thoroughly. The kitchen had ample pots and pans, but it truly appeared that whoever was living here at the time, just walked out and left everything in Desiree. The kitchen could use some organization and purge a lot of the unnecessary items being stored there.
The extra refrigerator was nice since there were eight of us. Plenty of extra towels and bedding throughout home. The property was listed as an eight bedroom home. However, that included a sofa, bed in the living room and bunkbeds and a piano room. I don’t necessarily call that a bedroom.
Very cool and unique stay at a historic home. Lots of space and rooms for our large party with plenty of parking.
Outdoor area with the string lights for sitting out in the evening was great(lightswitch located behind the fridge in the kitchen). Much quieter at night than our previous stays in the city.
Most all of the rooms have some sort of AC or mini split unit to control the temperatures which is super nice for a large space like this. Large kitchen worked well for setting out all the meals and big dinning room table sat us all.
There are multiple bathrooms downstairs but all the bathrooms with showers and not just toilets are located upstairs just as an FYI so if you have many groups of people you will have to figure out your shower schedule.
The location is nice only being 15-20mins from downtown Louisville and a little over 1 hr from Lexington. There are plenty of distilleries and other local things to visit all within a pretty short drive.
There is a second addressed building attached to the property and has a locked and alarmed door located in the living. We never saw anyone there but it would be good to add to the listing so guests are aware.
There was a great looking workshop/barn located in the backyard but was locked. It would make a great banquet hall location if there are not already future plans from the owners to do something with it.
Overall we really enjoyed our stay and would recommend this for large gatherings.
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. 👍
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.
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.