Vacation Rentals by Owner

Charming Abode by the River

Guest: Greg (Louisiana)
Date of Stay: 07/16/10 Review Submitted: 08/04/10

My family immensely enjoyed our stay at this property, which is well-maintained and clean. It is ideally located for walking to the storefronts of downtown Estes Park. Plenty of restaurants are within a 10-minute walk. Each evening we sat by the Big Thompson River and soaked in views of Longs Peak. The setting is on a cul-de-sac and there are businesses around it. Problem? Absolutely not. There was little noise - an occasional bark from the vet's office a couple of doors down, some traffic noise from across the river - but best of all, no nosy/noisy neighbors. The house is very well built and soundproofed. One caveat: you must climb stairs. It was extremely comfortable and homey. The washer/dryer are conveniently located, the kitchen well-equipped, large full bath. In short, we'll return to watch the elk graze in the yard, deer wading the BT River, and the hovering hummingbirds. The owner was very accomodating and helpful. It was convenient having her on the property daily - downstairs at the Spa - to ask questions or make requests. A nice property.

Owner response:Thanks for your kind words Greg, it was a pleasure having you and your family- save Long's Peak for next time.. Ravit and Monte Michener

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Charlie and Linda Piper (Iron Mountain, Michigan)
Date of Stay: 01/10/10 Review Submitted: 01/10/10

We spent a long Thanksgiving weekend here with our two adult sons who both live in the Denver area. It was a vacation for them as well as for us, as we relaxed in such elegant comfort. The house was welcoming, very clean, and well equipped - so well equipped that we prepared most of our meals in the wonderful kitchen overlooking the river - not good for the local resturant business but wonderful for family conversations and togetherness. We enjoyed our time enormously. The elk in the yard and crossing the river behind the house were a delightful morning treat. The location within walking distance of downtown yet only minutes away from Rocky Mountain National Park was perfect. We had a relaxing, refreshing visit with our sons in the comfort of this lovely home.

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Guest: Rebecca Draves (Fort Collins, CO)
Date of Stay: 10/09/09 Review Submitted: 10/09/09

What a well-appointed and nicely maintained space, indoors and out; loved the rushing river at the edge of the yard! We breathed more deeply than usual, felt uncommonly serene, and completely at home. We appreciate your hospitality and hope to return soon, perhaps with other family members as well. Excellent! Rebecca Draves, Fort Collins, CO

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/09/09 Review Submitted: 05/09/09

What a great place to stay. The location, the service and the accommodation. Iis very relaxing had a good night sleep the surrounding is quite. There is a river behind the house. What nice people a delightful visit. Ravit and Monte Michener were Very helpful. We used the spa and massage was terrific. They helped us find our way around. Pointed out the happening in town and fun places to go. We would recommend this place to others and plan on coming back. Thank for for a great week end. Dalya and Manuel Lopez

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Guest: Sonja 1 (Littleton Colorado)
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/01/09

Had a wonderful stay. The home is absolutely beautiful, charming and immaculate. We felt so pampered and so enjoyed watching the birds and elk camped out right outside our window. We will definitely return and we've recommended you to many friends!

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Guest: Alice13 (St.Louis, MO)
Date of Stay: 03/17/09 Review Submitted: 03/17/09

What a delightful stay. We loved the river and the mountains we could see from the deck. In addition, we got the biggest kick out of, what we learned is locally called the elk jams, on the road just above the river; guess we don't find traffic noise obtrusive. The owners are helpful, fun, willing to share any and all information of where to, how to get wherever. And how nice to walk into what was tantamount to a luxury hotel suite and know I could just turn the lights out and leave when it was time to return home. We most certainly will return - feeling as though we made new friends and found a new home away from home. Thanks Ravit and Monte!! for all the ammenities and everthing else.

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Guest: Wendy Hutchinson (Denver)
Date of Stay: 02/17/09 Review Submitted: 02/17/09

Hi, I am a happy customer of this place- and have been to ERR several times over the past few years. My mom is in an Assisted Living facility nearby and I come up from Denver to visit several times a year and enjoy staying here everytime. I was a bit surprised to read the comments from the last two guests. The owners are very accommodating and professional and great to deal with. There is absolutely no policy about washing sheets, everything is taken care of. That is not a policy and never has been. In terms of the noise, sure there is some noise, it is not by any means a nuisance, its expected because there is a road. There also may be more traffic in the summer because there are so many people visiting the town. This place is a gem, with the massage and spa services, Elements of Touch in the same facility,for me its the best trip.I would highly recommend it to anybody traveling in this area.

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Guest: Matt & Nancy Borg
Date of Stay: 02/02/09 Review Submitted: 02/02/09

My wife and I stayed at ERR for our honeymoon in August. I have to say that there were some great aspects to the stay, but also some negative things that would probably prevent us from rebooking there. The very busy highway right across the river was a huge detractor from the beauty of the setting. We couldn't really enjoy a private nap in the hammock, as cars were constantly going by. We were a little disappointed too by the lack of a real mountain view from the house. You can kind of see a mountain over the top of the greenhouses. It's not much of a view though. We were also asked to store our trash on the deck because the owners weren't willing to call the authorities about a bear that had been getting into the trash. Lastly, we were disappointed and confused as to why we were expected to wash our own sheets and towels prior to checking out. We did pay a nice cleaning fee. The house was impeccably clean, which we very much appreciated. The amenities were comfortable and nice. This would probably be a nice place for someone that wasn't looking for/expecting a more private and secluded place with a nice mountain view. The proximity to downtown was nice as well; it provided us with many opportunities for nice walks into town. Overall, and given the other possibilities and prices in the area, we feel it was overpriced and didn't live up to its self-advertising.

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Guest: the McEacherns
Date of Stay: 01/02/09 Review Submitted: 01/01/09

From the guest book... When we booked this house I thought we might run out of things to do with so much time on our hands. Boy, was I wrong! We've had SO much fun. Ravit is a wonderful host- helpful, caring, and conscientious about her tenants. She was quick to offer help and gave great advice on what to do & see around Estes. The house is great perfect for our family of 5. The kids had ample room to spread out and we all enjoyed the special little touches like the towel warmer, Zen bath, etc.. The views are great, and waking up to see elk in our own back yard was totally awesome. We've enjoyed every minute of our stay- in fact, we are already planning our return trip to Estes River Retreat this summer

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Guest: Matt B
Date of Stay: 01/01/09 Review Submitted: 01/01/09

I would like to make sure that future renters considering this property know all the issues that concerned us during our stay in September. Although the property is located directly on the river, it is also located within a business district. This includes a very new Vet Clinic only a few doors away, so don't plan on sleeping late without hearing the morning dog songs. In fact the owner operates a business herself out of the lower floor of the property during the days. Also, the property is directly across from one of the busiest roads in and out of the park. On several nights loud traffic noise continued until well past midnight. These items may not matter to many renters, but to those that want a bit more quite or isolation from businesses or traffic, you'll want to consider something else. The property does offer some ideal attributes of being close to town and roomy accomidations, but for us, the issue items described are a deal breaker. The owners were very very nice and the place was extremely clean. So this wasn't the easist review to post. Just thought these items should be disclosed to potential renters.

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Guest: THe Mahnken, Walffs, Morres
Date of Stay: 12/27/08 Review Submitted: 12/26/08

From the guestbook... Six of us, Mom Dad our adult daughter & husband/ significant others, made the long trek from Denver to have a white Christmas in the winter wonderland in our own back yard. The house was warm, inviting and a lovely place to spend the holiday. We had a lovely time and enjoyed ourselves very much. We really loved the elk in the yard and the wind chimes out back- we will be back!

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Guest: Tom/Donna Bennett (Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 07/25/08 Review Submitted: 07/25/08

WE STAYED HERE FOR 3 NIGHTS IN JULY. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE. WE HAVE A FAMILY OF 5 AND THERE WAS PLENTY OF SPACE FOR ALL OF US.THE HOME IS CLEAN, SPACIOUS AND TASTEFULY DECORATED. WE ENJOYED EATING SUPPER ON THE UPPER PATIO EVERY NIGHT, IT IS MINUTES AWAY FROM THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATL. PARK AND ALSO MINUTES AWAY FROM TOWN.IT WAS VERY RELAXING AT NIGHT TO HEAR THE RIVER. THE VIEWS OF THE MOUNTAINS FROM THE DECK WERE BEAUTIFUL. LOCATION IS EVERYTHING AND THIS HOME HAS IT..THE HOME OWNER IS VERY NICE AND IS VERY HELPFUL AND EASY TO WORK WITH.RAVIT THANKS FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS ON THE HOT SPRINGS.I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS HOME TO ANY ONE WHO STAYS IN ESTES PARK YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.ONCE AGAIN THANKS FOR LETTING US STAY AT YOUR HOME JULY 12-15 WE HAVE WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF OUR VAC. TO ESTES PARK. TOM/DONNA BENNETT

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Guest: from our guest book...
Date of Stay: 06/20/08 Review Submitted: 06/19/08

Thank you very much for the wonderful week we spent at your house. We woke up the first morning with 2 elk crossing the stream outside the house. It only got better - the scenery, horseback riding (Aspen lodge), fishing, hiking, tram ride, whitewater rafting and the final dinner at Mary's Lake Lodge - what a great vacation! We enjoyed staying at your retreat. The house was so well stocked! We will definitely recommend it to anyone we know who might be vacationing in the Estes Park area. Thanks for helping make a very memorable vacation for the Zaceks! Mike and Penny Zacek (June 5 - 11)

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Guest: Primetime walker (Hollywood, California)
Date of Stay: 09/17/07 Review Submitted: 09/17/07

We stayed at your place this summer and it was wonderful. The home is so clean attention to detail is given.We loved the original art on the walls the huge TV and sterio in your awsome livingroom and your helpful advice about hiking and dining and locals favorite places. The river was so relaxing and my husband loved the fishing. The highlight of the trip I have to say was barely awake in our robes we tumble down the stairs to the spa to be salted scrubed mudded showered and smoothed with exotic butters and oils and massaged every inch until we simply cannot be any smoother, more flexible or revitilized. We simply throw our robes back on even more sleepy and with great effort make it back up the stairs, where he passes out on the couch and I partake in a wonderful aromatherapy bath- what a day! May all your guests have such a great experience!

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Guest: Twanda Fishburn (Bowling Green, KY)
Date of Stay: 07/11/07 Review Submitted: 07/11/07

Ravit, We loved staying at the house. It was more than we expected, lots of extra's, and right on the river which was beautiful. Very close to town, which the kids enjoyed. When we come back to Estes Park we will be staying at your house again. Thanks for all your hospitality. Keith & Twanda Fishburn

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Guest: Gina and JIm Payne
Date of Stay: 10/03/06 Review Submitted: 10/02/06

We truely enjoyed our stay. We plan on returning here for our next trip!!

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Guest: Pam & Bill Uhlig
Date of Stay: 09/27/06 Review Submitted: 09/26/06

Ravit Maya & Monte, Thanks for your hospitality . We did take your recomendation & hiked Bridal Vail Falls yesterday. We loved it! The house is terrific.

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Guest: Amee Alonso
Date of Stay: 08/12/06 Review Submitted: 08/11/06

A great time was had by all! Great house! Great location ! We will definatly try to make it back ! Thanks!

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Guest: Jeff & Lisa Green
Date of Stay: 08/06/06 Review Submitted: 08/05/06

Dear Ravit and Family, We truely enjoyed our stay . We caught 3 trout ( catch and release) explored Rocky Mountain Park and had many fun hours in Estes. The house was very nice and comfortable. We had a wonderful time here at Estes River Retreat and will be back ! Save us some more time on the massage table Ravit! Thank You, The greens

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Guest: Kate & Ed Wilkinson
Date of Stay: 08/02/06 Review Submitted: 08/01/06

The house is homey and comfortable, generously supplied with thaughtful extras from bathrobes to books. Suggested improvements- add mirrors and dressing areas in the bedrooms.The heard of elk moving through on our first night, yearlings and all, made up for that

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Guest: Janet & William McNece
Date of Stay: 07/29/06 Review Submitted: 07/28/06

The House was lovely -beautiful, calming decor. Most comfortable vacation yet- Your home is beautiful! It was very convenient to Downtown & activities for the kids! We hope to visit again!

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Guest: Erin & Eric McHargue
Date of Stay: 07/25/06 Review Submitted: 07/24/06

You really have the perfect spot in Estes, a scenic property with a beautiful river right outside the door. And within walking distance from town! It fulfilled our expectations for a getaway retreat in every way. The accommodation could not have been better. We had everything we needed from a fully stocked kitchen, comfortable beds, an immaculate bathroom, a romantic fireplace and plenty of space and light. We loved hanging out on the deck in the mornings and evenings - it is a great spot for grilling. We were impressed with how new and clean everything was. The cherry on top is having the best massage therapist in Estes Park right next door! We will definitely be back and we will bring the whole family next time. Thank you for your gracious hospitality! Erin and Eric McHargue Chicago, Illinois

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