River View Garden Resort

Category cheep hotel– I give this 5 because it is perfect for me. I don’t need high brow place. So here is what you get.- best customer service, quaint (meaning open space without pretense), semi-​private areas. Situated on Russian river so fun to watch floating in the waterfront. Motorcycle friendly Will be back again!!!

I just spend the night at this wonderful inn. I stayed in this room alone and felt very very safe. If you are looking for fancy this is not your place but if you are looking for relaxing and peaceful this is perfect! River view is charming, quiet, peaceful and secluded. I had lunch and breakast on the little porch off my room looking out to the river. The rooms have kitchenettes with everything you need. Jay is the nicest person and keeps the place clean. If you need anything he will be there for you! He is A+ I highly recommend this place and I will be coming back!

Jay is indeed a great host but our experience of this place is horrible. First time we were there it was nice but the second time it was disaster. As we drove in after dinner, the lady who owns the place was quarreling with Jay in very loud voice. She was extremely rude and badmouthed in a ‘cheap’ way. After watching it for sometime we decided to change our stay at 11:00 pm to Jenner. Last this you want on vacation rental is to get into middle of landlord’s temper problems so never going again.

9÷1÷14 we just checked out of this quaint little Inn. Jay was very nice and they allow pets which as you know is sometimes hard to find. We found this place last minute holiday weekend and we’re very happy. Right on your own beach, the other guests were very nice and friendly. Bring some wine and kick back at the beach, take out the canoe/​kayak provided by the Inn. Water was perfect as was the days. You’ll enjoy your stay. Bring something to BBQ and some food snacks, you literally don’t have to leave. Theres a little store 50 yards away, but no restaurants open after 5pm, hence bring some BBQ
Like I said, great host, clean rooms, very beautiful flowered gardens.
We’ll definitely stay again. But we’ll stock a little more good eats. Cheers Joel

Welcome to Eden! Beautiful setting right on the water, grassy lawn (watered by the river), quiet, relaxing, wonderfully safe feeling. Great hospitality. Rooms are modest but comfortable, all have outside seating and views. BBQ facilities, badminton, kayak for guests to use. Very clean. Conveniently close to wineries and to beach.

Our group had a great weekend here. Multiple decks for hanging out, picnic tables and lounge chairs on the lawn for meals and a private beach with an umbrella on the Russian River. Kayak for use by guests. Beautiful scenery, lovely gardens, comfortable rooms. Indeed, a most gracious host. I enjoyed sleeping-​in and letting the sun stream in the sliding glass doors to my private deck. At the height of summer we had no problem with traffic noise. This place suited our group of 11 adults perfectly. Good value. Not posh or fancy, but certainly comfortable. In a very busy tourist town, we relaxed in privacy and felt like we had the place to ourselves. We already reserved for next year. We agreed they need to upgrade their website, since it doesn’t reflect the place accurately. It’s much better than the website shows.

My sister and I stumbled upon this little piece of paradise in late March. In all of our escapades (2 – 3 a year) we have never come across such a wonderful, restful location. The property is absolutely beautiful and the accommodations are very, very private and comfortable. Jay, the proprietor, is the determining factor in my review. I have never met a gentleman so genuinely concerned with the comfort, privacy and enjoyment of his guests. This is the first trip we have taken where we spent more time on the property just relaxing than exploring. Are already planning our next visit — which we have pledged to make an annual affair.

Don’t think I’ve met anyone as genuine, kind, sincere, and willing to go the extra-​mile as the owners of River View Garden Resort.
From the initial phone call to make a reservation, until the time we checked out, we were absolutely pampered and spoiled. Nothing was too much trouble. In this day and age, people like this are far and few between.
The resort is perfectly situated on the river, has beautiful, well-​kept grounds, spacious wrap-​around decks on which to lounge, and management is happy to provide almost any amenity one could think of.
I honestly cannot say thank you enough or recommend more highly.

This place is awesome we got good food and got a room with cool stairs. I got to meet jays three little cute dogs. His wife made me Chinese fish I love this place. I would highly recommend this place.

If you are a minimalist, and simply would like somewhere to crash that is is close to the river, has nice sheets, pretty landscape and is run by a clearly respectable hard working man, you will be happy here.
SCENE
If you don’t plan to do more than sleep, and you are not a light sleeper, or the sound of the road doesn’t bother you; or you sleep with earplugs, this place may be appropriate for you. If you plan to party somewhere else and literally just need a place decent enough to pass out in that is somewhat reminiscent of a motel by the river, this place is for you.
DRAWBACKS
Now, if you are a creature of comfort and require bright lights and sterile countertops, this place is not for you. If flat screen TVs and fresh ground coffee are a minimum requirement, then this place is not for you. If you can’t deal with the sound of ducks at 6:30am or feeling like you are sleeping on the freeway because the walls are so thin, this place is not for you.
MY EXPERIENCE
I’m not a minimalist by any stretch of the imagination, but I’ve also traveled enough to not have high expectations when making last minute reservations in a high peak time so close to the «beach.» I wanted a place walking distance to the yellow house and my friends hot tub at their cabin, but also privacy of my own amenities. I did not utilize any amenities, even though I paid $ 160ish for one night… generally not ok but given the season and nature of my last minute visit, I can’t complain.
BOTTOM LINE
I stayed at the highland dell last time and assumed this was like that — I was wrong. If you rent here, you are getting a superior view but inferior amenities.
For one or two who just want to beach bum it then bunk it, I think you’ll be happy. If you’re humble, you’ll be happy. I stayed in A16 and the view was nice.
TIP
Book early and try to get their nicest room. I’m positive not all of the rooms are of the same quality — hence the mixed reviews.

We have stayed here twice this summer and are already planning our next stay!!! The grounds are spacious with benches, hammocks, chairs and umbrella’s and lots of beautiful flowers, that makes sitting with the river view, very peaceful and refreshing. It also has it’s own private beach and kayak to use. The rooms are equipped with everything one would need, clean and decorated nicely. Jay, the Manager is ever so friendly and very accommodating, he makes sure you have everything you need and you feel like you’ve made a new friend. Each room has it’s own balcony facing the river. I just love it here.

First star– as mentioned in previous reviews, Jay was really nice.
Second star– the grounds are undeniably pretty.
I stayed here last minute after calling every place else in the area and while I was glad there was a vacancy on a weekend, I actually considered sleeping in my car for a full minute.
For the record, I was in room A3. I felt compelled to write this review for any other women traveling alone, since this was actually the first time that Unilocal has ever steered me wrong.
SAFETY:
–The room’s dead bolt didn’t work– Jay did fix it for me while I was at dinner after I made a stink.
–There were NO LIGHTS outside my door, so when I came home from dinner in the dark and tried to get the key in the door, I felt VERY unsafe, especially since the door was off a weird space with old BBQs, an ironing board left out to weather, and a seemingly abandoned dog house, among other detritus.
–Sliding door that had NO LOCK– a rod to put in the track to keep it closed was provided though.
DECOR:
–The room smelled like it had never seen the light of day.
–Weird half windows on one side of room with curtains that were in need of a good bleaching.
–Holes in sofa.
PAPER THIN WALLS– I can tell you without a doubt that the couple next door to me was having sex until 5:30a.m. and that Jay (or his wife) snores.
Since, clearly, I had an outlier experience based on others’ reviews, I’m not saying don’t stay here– just know which rooms to ask for I guess. For me, next time I’ll definitely make a rez ahead of time at the Highland Dell just across the river.

Jay runs a great little inn. The River View reminds me of many inns I’ve stayed at abroad — homely, unique, communal feeling, and very relaxing. It has a very big yard and peaceful front on the river — much quieter than the beach in town. Our room had a balcony. Jay was a great host and we enjoyed.

My husband and I have been going here for five years and my husband prior to meeting me went here and recommended it highly to me we love this place. Jay treats you as his own family with kindness and makes you feel very welcomed. River View Gardens is very relaxing with beautiful gardens and lawn and private beach to the river to enjoy rafting, kayaking etc. We feel so relaxed everytime we go and Jay is so wonderful to every guest. The rooms are perfect for that relaxing weekend or mid week break to the River. Thank You Jay and his wife for such a awesome experience. Gil and Mary Pareisa

I stayed here last year on Father’s Day and it was the best. Jay is the best caretaker I have ever met. Friendly atmosphere. I stayed again this Father’s Day and it was even better. I stayed with a friend and our five dogs. We stayed on the bottom. Jay took care of us.

«We just love this place! The setting is beautiful and the proprietor (Jay) is very friendly and accommodating. Absolutely the best place to stay in the area. Enjoy.»

we found this lovely place just in time for Labor Day weekend. Perfect setting right on the river, lots of relaxed space, grills available – pets welcome. absolutely charming – as was the manager Jay, who btw, was kind enough to mail my phone charger left behind.

I agree with other reviewers. The rooms are rustic and simple and most importantly clean. The owner manager Jay made our family’s stay even better. He was always helpful and willing to suggest places to go and eat. The private beach was perfect for the kids. Getting a tube and canoe nearby was fun and convenient. We will definitely return.

This place is a great find! REALLY REALLY friendly service. The grounds are a great place to hang out by the river. There’s a big lawn with fruit trees and flowers that gets sun all day. You can swim or launch a kayak from their private beach. The rooms are simple and clean, nothing fancy… but very reasonably price. The location is great with walking distance to a movie theater, a café, a corner store and short drive to downtown Guerneville. I prefer staying in Monte Rio, the beaches are less crowded and it’s a beautiful area.
Overall, I recommend staying here.

Our stay at RVGR was nothing but wonderful, welcoming and most importantly right on its own private river! It’s such a peaceful place that we ended up staying an extra night. It’s also a great place b/​c some rooms have kitchenettes so we were able to get up and make breakfast and leisurely plan our day. Also, If one of us wanted to go on a hike and the other just wanted to stay at the room and go into the river, staying behind was never boring, it was relaxing. The rooms are rustic, but clean and actually comfortable. When we were there — it appeared that there were many returning guests which is always a good sign. Finally, the owner Jay was friendly and helpful. If you’re in the area you should give it a try. Thanks Jay for a great stay — we’ll be back!!!
R & C