Vacation Rentals by Owner

Comfortable and luxurious! Great girls' weekend!

Guest: Lisa (Berkeley, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/30/12 Review Submitted: 04/04/12

We just returned from a bachelorette weekend at Moon River, and I'd like to echo another reviewer by saying the house was even better than expected! The photos really don't do it justice. The house is beautifully decorated and spacious, with high ceilings and lots of windows and skylights and great views of the river. The house accommodated 10 women quite comfortably. The beds are SO comfortable (complete with bed warmers!), and there's plenty of closet and dresser space if you'd like to unpack. And the neatest touch--heated floors in the bathrooms! The kitchen was also very well-stocked with all the equipment we needed, including a waffle iron for brunch. We never took the time to watch TV in the living room (nice big flat screen), but I wish I could just spend more time relaxing at this home and enjoying it. It was so lovely to sit in the hot tub and enjoy the views of the river flowing by. I'd love to come back in the summer, when the river is safer to canoe & swim, to take advantage of Moon River's direct river access. Heidi, the owner, was incredibly helpful and responsive, before, during, and after our stay. She answered all my questions very promptly, including emails during the stay. And we got our deposit back in full the day after check-out! She uses PayPal, so the transactions are quick and easy. I'd highly recommend Moon River, and I hope I'll be back!

Recommended for:Girls getaway, sightseeing.

Even better than expected.

Guest: Billy (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 11/18/11 Review Submitted: 11/29/11

I just returned to San Francisco after a long weekend at this house with several friends. The photos don't do it justice -- we arrived to find the main room and deck even larger than they appeared, and all the rooms had comfy furniture and great beds. The kitchen is very well-stocked with all the pots, pans, and bowls you could possibly need, and we spent lots of time cooking on the grill and lazing in the hot tub. Heidi was very easy to work with and I'd happily go back. We all agreed the house was the perfect venue for our small get-together and we hope to return next year.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful House for a Group!

Guest: Betty (Reno)
Date of Stay: 11/04/11 Review Submitted: 11/14/11

A group of us stayed at the house for the Annual Food & Wine Affair a weekend ago and absolutely loved it! The floorplan feels big thanks to all the glass around the vaulted roof, making it feel like you're in a treehouse! All ten of us were able to sleep in beds and we had a great little dinner party one of the nights. The house felt very secluded and we never even saw a neighbor, so felt like we had a lot of privacy. The house was clean and organized and well thought out for a large group. Loved the cute lamps in each room and the glowing rock lights too! Would definitely stay again!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Delightful!

Guest: jl (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 10/07/11 Review Submitted: 10/21/11

The house was fantastic. Forget the idea of damp river rental with bad kitchen supplies and furniture. Moon River is not that.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Girlfriends weekend reunion!

Guest: Suellen (Pleasanton, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/13/11 Review Submitted: 05/18/11

Beautiful property...spacious, lots of windows, well-appointed kitchen, comfortable beds(even the sofas were comfortable) very user friendly and easy to get to. Seven other women and I enjoyed our weekend at Moon River, reminsicing and enjoying the amenties after 40 + years. Some of us had gone to high school together and others of us went back to elementary school in the 1950's! This was the perfect place to cook our meals, wine taste and enjoy the outdoors! Can't wait to go back! The owner, Heidi, was friendly and responsive and ALL the directions for use of the property, including directions were clear and precise. Easy to leave things in good order! Thanks for a GREAT weekend!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Best Rental Ever!!

Guest: Bryan (CT)
Date of Stay: 10/09/10 Review Submitted: 10/20/10

This place was fantastic. Three couples occupied the house for a week of wine tasting, and couldn't have been happier. The deck and views were perfect for morning coffee and afternoon sun, the canoes were a blast (protip: paddle upstream first), and the accommodations were top notch. I can't describe how COMFORTABLE this place is!! We certainly didn't want to leave.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Started well, ended in disappointment

Guest: Lukas (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 09/17/10 Review Submitted: 10/19/10

We rented this house in September for a 10 person, 3 dog weekend. Heidi was really accommodating in helping get everything set up and she was a great communicator when we were doing the payments, the contracts, and the boat waivers. I also appreciate that she was open to 3 dogs. The house itself is pretty, not all IKEA-ified, roomy, has an amazing kitchen, lovely view, and probably I would be raving way more if we had gotten a sunny weekend. Ours ended up overcast. Here's a tip if you rent this house - make sure everyone in your party gets together to read & understand how to use/maintain/store the hot tub. The settings on it are really tricky, a lot of people don't know anything about hot tubs, and you really really don't want to mess it up because if you do (and we did) you will be charged an additional $125 hot tub cleaning fee above the already non-refundable $150 cleaning fee that was part of our booking. We noticed the hot tub was getting murky but without instructions about what to do if this happened, we didn't have any idea what action to take. So we accepted having to pay this cleaning fee. However, there was an additional accusation after the rental that we had broken the hot tub cover (we didn't) and also a never-explained statement from Heidi that she was also going to deduct from our deposit for "extra laundry" that her housecleaner had to take home and bring back. In trying to close up the rental afterwards with Heidi her communication kept getting worse and worse, she took forever to get back to me, and never once answered what "extra laundry" there could be. Everything in the contract and user information binder stated to not do any house laundry. We used only 4 of the 5 beds and most of us brought our own towels. We didn't find a secret linens closet full of "extra" towels and bedding and mess it all up. So how come the normal usage of linens/towels (not even all the towels were used) by 10 people for a weekend house rental required taking more money from our deposit for imaginary laundry? I am really disappointed that things turned out this way. We kept the house clean, took out the garbage, locked everything, kept our dogs clean, put everything away, and did our best to be good renters and I feel very mistreated in the end. The lack of communication after the fact was the most frustrating. It's a nice enough house, and a good location, just don't assume you will get your entire deposit back.

Owner response:Lukas, I sincerely regret having to pass on the hot tub "scrub out" fee to you. However, the water was so dirty, my cleaner could not see the bottom. And to answer your question, no, we do NOT drain the water after every checkout. However, the hot tub is cleaned after every check out. I realize the spa is a little user-unfriendly, which is why there is an entire page of detailed instructions about it in the Guest Notebook at Moon River. I wish you had called when you noticed the water becoming cloudy. There are 2 reasons for cloudy hot tub water: being in the wrong setting (in which case the water gets cold,) or excessive exuberance/partying with the hot tub.Since you did not complain about the hot tub water being cold, I suspect the latter. In the rental agreement, (including yours) we ask that you let us know if something is not working properly, because "we cannot fix something if we don't know it is broken...we want everything working for you as best as possible." I WANT to be helpful...but I needed you to tell me you needed help. The long distance phone service at Moon River is free. And communication is a two-way street. I apologize about not getting back to you more quickly. I was in the middle of moving. The extra $15.00 dollars in cleaning fees deducted from your security deposit (on top of the scrub out fee) that you were contesting, seemed to not be worth arguing about. All in all, each member of your party had to pay an extra $14.00 each. Since you all seemed to have a great time, I hope it was worth it? Heidi

Recommended for:

Great vacation house

Guest: Kent (Berkeley CA)
Date of Stay: 07/19/10 Review Submitted: 07/29/10

Moon River is awesome. I rented the house for a family reunion with my two sisters and their five kids (ages 11-16) and every body had a great time. There is really something for everybody here. We spent hours and hours on the deck, in the two huge hammocks, on the dock, and in the river. Moon River has two canoes and a kayak so most of us could be on the river at the same time. It feels very peaceful and private and yet is close to town, including the Safeway. Every night we cooked dinner and then ate on the deck overlooking the river. Bring bikes because there is a really fun, easy ride from the house up to Armstrong Woods State Park (about 2 miles) where you can see 1300 year old redwoods. The house is beautiful and roomy, with comfortable beds and a great kitchen that is fun to cook in. A lot of thought has gone into the house and everything worked like a charm, including the internet and the hot tub and the BBQ. Heidi was super helpful and conscientious and knows the house very well. We will definitely be back!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Girl's Weekend at Moon River

Guest: South Bay Girls (Rancho Palos Verdes, California)
Date of Stay: 01/16/10 Review Submitted: 04/20/10

Moon River was so beautiful! 10 girls got together there for a much needed reunion. The vineyards were close by and there were several restaurants near the home. The house was clean and well stocked with everything we needed. I think our favorite part was the spa overlooking the Russian River. A little jacuzzi time with a glass of wine, good friends and a great view - you can't beat it! The owner Heidi was very friendly and welcoming. I would definitely recommend this property to a friend.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/17/09 Review Submitted: 10/17/09

I just returned from a long weekend at Moon River with 7 other women. Let me say, it was the perfect house for such a weekend. The house has a very open feel to it, lots of space and very comfortable sleeping arrangements. I highly recommend Moon River. Good location, directly on the Russian River, very accomodating owner. It was perfect!

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/01/09 Review Submitted: 09/01/09

We stayed at Moon River for a bachelorette party and found it to be extremely clean with a very well stocked kitchen. It housed 9 girls very comfortably. The deck has a fantastic view! The owners were very easy to deal with and refuded my damage deposit within 24 hours of us leaving the house. VERY organized! I highly recommend Moon River.

Recommended for:

Guest: Jennifer (San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/25/09 Review Submitted: 08/25/09

This is my return visit to Moon River. We again stayed for another week here. We were most fortunate to have lovely weather to enjoy the nearby sandy beach and the patio with picturesque river view (many of my family members spent lots of time reading on the patio or just watching the canoes pass by). The bedrooms are very cozy and comfortable and provide for a nice rest after a day spent canoeing, visiting wineries(which are very nearby), and swimming in the river. I also have two small boys (3 and 7), and they really enjoyed themselves. On our last night my 7 year old asked if we could stay a few more days, but I told him the next guests probably wouldn't agree... and on the morning we were leaving, my 3 year old said he was going to miss this house. This one week trip is a surprisingly relaxing, fun, and easy trip for us. We have now enjoyed it for two years in a row and will consider coming again to Moon River next year. Heidi is a joy to work with and takes all of your concerns and questions seriously and addresses them quickly.

Recommended for:

Wonderful Get-Away!

Guest: Cathy F. (Omaha)
Date of Stay: 04/24/09 Review Submitted: 04/30/09

Just returned from a 4-night stay at Moon River with a couple girl friends. We had a fabulous time and enjoyed the location so much. The house has everything you could ask for and more. It was very clean and comfortable. We ate dinner on the deck and relaxed in the hot tub a couple evenings. I loved how quiet the area was and slept better than I have in months! People in town were so friendly and helpful, and the drive to various vineyards and the towns of Napa and Sonoma was not far. I would highly recommend this location! (BTW, for a very upscale dinner, try out the Farmhouse Inn. It's only about 10 minutes from Moon River and, although pricey, worth every penny!)

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Rebecca34 (SF, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/20/09 Review Submitted: 04/20/09

Moon River is a fantastic vacation home. Tucked far enough away from the highway, yet close enough for a 5min drive to safeway, this is spacious home with many little touches which add to it's charm. One of the standout items for this house is it's well-equiped kitchen- seriously, I think it was better stocked than my house. Bottom Line: stay at moon river and you will not be disappointed!

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/20/09

I just got back from four gorgeous days at Moon River. This was my second stay there in just a few months, and is now my "go to" spot by the Russian River. The layout of the house is perfect for our group of friends. The furnishing are chic (especially for a rental) from the furniture to the heated bathroom floors to the fixtures to the serveware (plenty of stylish platters and wine glasses for entertaining). I'm in love with the large outdoor patio, complete with huge dinner table that easily seats a large party and overlooks the river. Each morning we would have our coffee on the patio while checking email on the free wi-fi or watching birds and river otters. We spent each day canoeing (thanks to the on-site canoes and backyard dock) and wading in the river while the dog played on the beach. What is also supreme about Moon River is that it is secluded enough to be away from it all but only a 5 minute drive to town for groceries. Moon River can't be beat (the owner a joy to work with) and I no longer need to keep trying to find a space that satisfies all my getaway requirements.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/09/09

I stayed at Moon River with 6 friends and we had a fabulous time! The pictures truly do not do the house justice. It is really a work of art, and is quiet and out of the way- affording for some quality relaxation. We loved the open kitchen and spacious living area and the view of the river from the porch. I can't wait to go back sometime in the summer!

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/01/09 Review Submitted: 02/01/09

Photogenic as Moon River is, it is even more beautiful than advertised. Heidi and James made sure guests would enjoy the finest amenities --from the dinnerware to the linens. Everything is top notch. The house is swank yet inviting and comfortable. We wanted to live there forever but alas had to leave after 4 blissful days. Spending my 40th birthday weekend here was just what my spirit needed. Thank you for sharing this beautiful and tranquil home with us, Heidi and James. Expect to hear from us very soon for a return visit.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/01/08 Review Submitted: 09/10/08

My family came to Moon River for a week in August with my in-laws. We all had an amazing time! The house was even more spectacular than I expected! You never know what you are getting when you rent a house, and the house was exactly as represented online (and if possible, a bit better!). In fact, my husband and I were marveling over how much work they had put into the house and how it was much more updated than our own! The house instantly makes you feel at home and comfortable. We only came from an hour away but felt a world away from home! The surroudings are very serene with the amazing river views and wonderful deck! We used the boats quite a bit and found the beach access to be easy and fun. I have a 2 year old and a 6 year old and I never felt worried about their safety there. On our last day there, my 6 year old asked if we could come back to the same house next year and I said I had hoped to!

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/08 Review Submitted: 08/08/08

It doesn't get much better than this. My husband and I stayed for 4 days in Aug with my husband's teenage niece and nephew from New Jersey. We didn't want them to get bored hanging around two older adults so we planned lots of activities. Well, we needn't have bothered. They took one look at the house and their jaws dropped. Rebecca whipped out her cell phone and text-messaged her Mother that it was the most fantastic house she had ever seen. In four days the only time we left the place was to get groceries or paddle on the river. The house is as gorgeous as described by others but the real luxury was walking the few feet to the dock and slipping into the warm water whenever we felt like it. The kids hung out in the hot tub and the only occasional conflict was who got the shade hammock. I felt like a kid again enjoying the lazy days of summer. Even our ancient dog was rejuvenated. Heidi was a pleasure to deal with. Her focus was on our getting the maximum enjoyment out of the place. I've rented houses for 30 years and this was one of the best experiences I've ever had.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/08 Review Submitted: 07/02/08

My family, friends and I had a lovely weekend getaway at Moon River! The view was spectacular from the hot tub. The house was beautifully maintained and decorated. Swimming at the river was fun too!

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/08 Review Submitted: 04/01/08

A wonderful house with beautiful view, lovely rooms and a feeling of peace. I would go back in a heartbeat.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/08 Review Submitted: 01/28/08

I celebrated my 35th birthday at Moon River, and it was enchanting! The location is beautiful and convenient to town, and the house decor is modern and luxurious. We loved mornings in the hot tub, looking out over the Russian River. At 10 guests, we maxed out the sleeping surfaces and everyone was comfortable. Thank you for a great stay!

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/07 Review Submitted: 11/19/07

I can't tell you how wonderful the place was - we could barely force ourselves to leave. I must say also, that the pictures simply don't do it justice. Many places that a person rents online are either on par with the pictures...or far less attractive. Not this place. It would be impossible to capture the harmony of the space, the flow of light and air, and all the gorgeous little details. We did very little but lounge around either on the deck or the living area, but still - we enjoyed it. There was so much to love, and almost nothing that didn't really make us glad to be there every day.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/01/07 Review Submitted: 09/09/07

Moon River is spectacular! My family of 10 celebrated my father's bday there over Labor Day weekend and everything surpassed our expectations - hard to say whether adults or kids had more fun. The house has been breathtakingly remodeled, the river is right below, and we had an amazing time. The house owners are a pleasure to deal with. We plan to return next summer. My family has done several rentals through VRBO and this one was the best! I'd recommend Moon River very highly.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/07 Review Submitted: 08/13/07

Owner was wonderful to deal with and property was just as represented. Great floor plan with a well executed remodel. We were five big men and all where comfortable even the one who slept on the sleeper sofa! We often had people who where paddling the river yell out how great the house was. I wish I could wake up everyday w/coffee on that fabulous deck! If I could think of any negatives, it was that only one room faced the river (that was my room however!) As a Realtor, I thought the owners did a splendid job with the home and the entire transaction. We would certainly come again! Location from town was perfect and many guests found the walk very pleasant, even at night. If you dont want to do the walk, park your car at the Pee Wee Golf and at least walk over the historic suspension bridge into town. That is the most fun! The most amazing part was that we all came to Guerneville for large week long event in town (Lazy Bear), but we all simply liked hanging out at the house best!

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/07 Review Submitted: 08/02/07

Moon River is a beautiful house with amazing views of the river. We had initial concerns with the deck and stairs with regards to the safety for small children. Heidi has ensured all of the potential problem spots are protected by locking gates. We had no issues whatsoever (disclaimer - safety gates are no replacement for parental supervision). We had 3 couples and 3 small children and we were very comfortable. Heidi made the entire process easy and enjoyable. She was always very prompt and helpful with my laundry list of questions. The security deposit was returned promptly. She definitely gives VRBO a good name. Rent this place, you'll love it!

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/07 Review Submitted: 07/16/07

We rented Moon River for a womens weekend and had such a wonderful time. The setting was stunning. The home was immaculate, comfortable and well stocked. Heidi was easy to work with. It was perfect and I wouldn't hesitate to return. Thanks!

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/07 Review Submitted: 07/09/07

This house is truly a gem and the owners could not be more gracious and accomodating. We had a group of 8 people at the house for the weekend and it was absolutely fantastic. The bedrooms are great and the location of the house is perfect. The kitchen, deck, common areas are so perfect for groups of friends. And there's a hot tub...what can beat that!!! We will definitely be going back again next year.

Owner response:Cristen, Arif and their friends were wonderful guests. Even the neighbors thought so! Thanks for leaving the house in such excellent condition!

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/07 Review Submitted: 07/09/07

Fantastic and well kept house on the river close enough to, but far enough from, downtown. Wonderful deck with river views equipped with sizeable gas BBQ, eight person teak dining table and hot tub. Sleeps three couples comfortably in their owns rooms. Could have a forth couple in the common area if they don't mind being on a pull-out in the living room (a good place for kids, perhaps). Would definitely come back!

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/01/07 Review Submitted: 06/29/07

What a beautiful home. Chic and modern, wonderful view of river, lots to do in the area. This home is better than advertised.

Owner response:Wonderful guests! Please come again!

Recommended for: