MidTown Retro Riverfront Cabin- !HOT TUB, Riverview Deck PET
This is an authentic log cabin that has survived the years right in the heart of Mid-town Ruidoso! Don't choose this if you want to be alone in the middle of the woods. Choose this cabin if you want the ultimate in convenience to all the shops, bars and restaurants of Mid-town Ruidoso while being able to go out your back door and play in the river and enjoy the fascinating parade of wildlife going by. We understand that things are a little more difficult during these times than normal so we have instituted: - A flexible cancellation policy - Coupons and discounts for future bookings - Reduced minimum stay requirements - Reduced daily rates - Increased discounts for longer stays - Employing stringent cleaning procedures - Self check-in tools for no contact check in / out - Quality work areas and internet for “workcations” Brand new hot tub is here along with an expanded deck area for you to enjoy it! Please take advantage of our special. This is a new property that I have just purchased. Come on out while this introductory special is in effect. All I ask is that you provide me with some constructive feedback so we can make this property even more wonderful than it already is. We just added ROKU TV with all the apps you can imagine. Just enter your check out date and you can use your subscription information to watch whatever you want. The system will sign you out automatically on the day that you leave. THE CABIN: I have tried to determine when this cabin was built, but have not yet been successful. When you drive up to this cabin, you can imagine how Ruidoso was in the ‘50s and ‘60s when it became known as “The Playground of the Southwest”. If these walls could talk, oh, the stories they could tell. Over the years this cabin has undergone numerous repairs and remodels and today it stands as a reminder of the past while also showing off as a gem of modern technology. The windows have been there for a while and most are stuck from all the coats of paint, but they are reflective of the period. When you enter the cabin the living room and the kitchen greet you with lovely colors and a décor that is reminiscent of the period during which the cabin was built. The fireplace is decorative only. We have a flat screen TV. Maybe one day I will figure out how to integrate a dishwasher in the mix, but until then please enjoy the charm of the 1950s. The path from this area to the master bedroom is either through the kitchen or the bathroom. The floor plan is really simple. That’s how they built ‘em back then. The bedroom is comfy and warm. The knotty pine paneling provides a authentic log cabin feel. Just relax in the comfy king bed with the retro quilt and if the temperature is right, open the window and let the sound of the Rio Ruidoso lull you to sleep. Oh did somebody say AIR CONDITIONING? The main floor of the cabin has complete climate control provided by two window units. One in the master bedroom and one in the living room. They are capable of providing heat as well as air conditioning that will flat freeze you out of there if you want it to! Next we go back out the front door and to the BUNK HOUSE basement which is under the north end (furthest from the street) of the house. As you enter the basement door you find the bunkhouse. The two twin beds are really comfy and the décor is right off the ranch! This recently remodeled area of the house also contains the washer / dryer. The BUNK HOUSE is a unique and fantastic area which will create lasting memories of adventure and independence for your children. Please understand this is not a place for children that need to be in a bedroom next to yours or senior citizens who are adverse to stairs or need to use the restroom in the middle of the night. Between the main front door and the BUNK HOUSE there are 9 steps outside. It has its own “front door” and no bathroom. In my personal opinion I think this is a great space for "tweens", teens and young folks. THE PARKING: Oh this is the secret sauce. 95% of the time parking is not a problem. You can park in the public lot anytime night or day. It is just to the west of the cabin. I will put a parking pass in the form of a postcard in the cabin for you. With that you can park one vehicle in front of 221 Rio which is right next door (east side). You see most times in Ruidoso the public parking lot is not quite full, but during holidays and special events, parking is indeed at a premium, so it’s really nice to have that private parking space. MID-TOWN: This is where the action is. Restaurants, bars, shops, it is all within a short walk of your front door. No DUI’s while staying here. You can Rock and Roll at Quarters or Country and Western dance at WPS (Win Place or Show). You can close the place down and walk home. If late night is not your thing, you have a choice of five of the best restaurants in Ruidoso within a two block walk. If you don’t like to go to restaurants, you have some of the most amazing clothes shops within two blocks. If you don’t like any of the above, then there’s always wine and desert! Yes within one block there is an amazing cupcake shop and a lovely selection of wine to taste and take home. I can go into more detail later! THE BACKDOOR: Every coin has two sides and this is no exception. You have all the fun and excitement of Mid-town out your front door, and all the peace and quiet of nature out your back door. Yes, there is a little grey area in the middle, the rest of the tourists that are parking in the public lot can look at you in the yard relaxing – just remember that they are just jealous. We put a nice curtain on the hot tub to afford you some needed privacy! Back to Nature awaits you out the back door. We have a lovely porch with a great view of the river and plenty of comfy furniture to sit on and relax while enjoying the wonderful climate. There is also a gas grill there for your outdoor cooking pleasure. There are some wonderful new steps leading down to a new porch that is just feet from the river. I am trying to get some trout to come hang out there. We’ll see how that goes in future years. We have a great fenced yard for the kids and the dogs to run around in and play and there is a brand new hot tub to soak the soreness out of those muscles after a hard day of hiking, skiing, riding, or shopping. If you do bring a pet there will be a $85 pet fee charged for doing so. We certainly hope that you will choose our little RETRO ON THE RIVER when you plan your vacation to Ruidoso. We have done what we can to make it a wonderful experience for you. Thanks again. We hope to see you soon. - Reed Entire property I'm usually not on site, but am easy to get a hold of if you need anything. Hustle bustle during the day when the shops are open and then nice and quiet and peaceful at night. Walking is great from this location! Other alternatives include driving your car or calling Lincoln Co. Transit service. Pets – yes, your pets are welcome, just please when you leave the property make it look as though there was no pet there. Pick up the waste and clean up any excess fur. We do charge a pet fee ($85/stay for up to 2 pets and $150/stay for up to 4 pets) because they do cause some wear and tear, but we know they are important to you, and we want to accommodate your whole family! Vrbo does not add the pet fee automatically to my reservation software. It will be a separate transaction after your booking is completed. Just let me know if you have a pet with you. Safety: Property has 2 cameras: 1 located over the front door pointed at the front yard. 1 located over the downstairs basement door and pointed at the yard and hot tub area. These cameras will be recording during your stay. Explanation about the damage deposit: Your reservation may require a damage deposit. If you book via Airbnb, there is no up front deposit, however if there is damage, you will be charged after your stay. If you are booking on my website, the checkout process will be easy. However, if you are booking on VRBO, they will show it as a "Refundable deposit paid at property". That is not accurate. The deposit is simply a credit card hold which is authorized on the day that you arrive and then automatically drops off 7 days after you leave. If you leave with no damage, you will never notice it. If there is damage, I will notify you of what I have found prior to making any type of claim against that hold. I'm sorry that VRBO describes it that way, but I have brought it to their attention, and they say it is the only thing that can be done with their system. I think they are just putting the square peg in the round hole. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Property # 557753
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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
About the neighborhood
Ruidoso
Located in Ruidoso, this cabin is in the city center and on the waterfront. Cree Medows Public Golf Course and The Links at Sierra Blanca are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Fort Stanton-Snowy River National Conservation Area and Wingfield Park. Pillow's Funtrackers and Free Spirits at Noisy Water are also worth visiting.
Cree Medows Public Golf Course - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
Pillow's Funtrackers - 1 min drive - 1.9 km
Grindstone Lake - 3 min drive - 2.7 km
The Links at Sierra Blanca - 3 min drive - 4.6 km
Getting around
Ruidoso, NM (RUI-Sierra Blanca Regional) - 24 min drive
Restaurants
Downshift Brewing Company - 9 min walk
Starbucks - 13 min walk
Schlotzsky's - 16 min walk
Lost Hiker Brewing Company - 4 min walk
Cattle Baron - 2 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does MidTown Retro Riverfront Cabin- !HOT TUB, Riverview Deck PET have a pool?
Yes, this property has a pool. Pool types include heated pools.
How much does it cost to stay at MidTown Retro Riverfront Cabin- !HOT TUB, Riverview Deck PET?
As of May 11, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at MidTown Retro Riverfront Cabin- !HOT TUB, Riverview Deck PET on Sep 7, 2026 start from $369, 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.
Is MidTown Retro Riverfront Cabin- !HOT TUB, Riverview Deck PET pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lbs per pet.
How much is parking?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at MidTown Retro Riverfront Cabin- !HOT TUB, Riverview Deck PET?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at MidTown Retro Riverfront Cabin- !HOT TUB, Riverview Deck PET?
Check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Where is MidTown Retro Riverfront Cabin- !HOT TUB, Riverview Deck PET located?
Located in the heart of Ruidoso, this cabin is within 1 mi (2 km) of Wingfield Park, Cree Medows Public Golf Course, and Pillow's Funtrackers. Grindstone Lake and The Links at Sierra Blanca are also within 3 mi (5 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Our stay was wonderful. The location next to the public parking lot was a bit of a surprise but it did not prove to be an issue. The location was quite convenient and enjoyable. The hot tub was a great addition to complete the relaxing getaway. You need to be prepared for the separate sleeping quarters if sleeping more guests than the king bed, but it was fine with our family. The back porch was beautiful and peaceful.
We enjoyed our stay. It is a great location very close to the middle of midtown. Communication with the host was easy with quick responses. We enjoyed the hot tub.
Really cool location and as close as it is in midtown it's still stays pretty quiet. Interesting property layout which I enjoyed very much. Can't wait to stay at this location again.
The vintage décor made us feel like we’d stepped back in time. The location was five-star—close enough to walk to all the shops, yet tucked away with a peaceful creek in the back.
Reed was very on point with his communication and timely responses. Check-in was easy, and the property was clean, in an excellent location, and was exactly as described. The beds were super comfortable which was appreciated. Enjoyed the patio and hot tub. Excellent location for a home base to Roswell, walking to shopping in Ruidoso, white sands and for Carls Bad Caverns. We would happily stay again. It was 2 adults and our 13 yr old daughter. I was a little hesitant at first about the entrance to the basement bunk beds being an outside entrance but honestly, at night she kept her door locked although we never felt concerned or worried at all on the trip. It is very quiet and peaceful and we felt safe. She loved having a little enclave for to visit on the phone with friends and read on the porch. Thank you for a fabulous stay!
This was our first time visiting Ruidoso, and our stay was absolutely perfect! The cabin was very clean and cozy, and we loved watching all the wildlife in the backyard (birds, deer, elk, chipmunks, and more). The view of the river and trees was beautiful, and the location couldn’t have been better—just around the corner from midtown with plenty of shops and restaurants to explore. The host was very responsive and made sure everything was just right for our stay.
Nick C.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Tara
Jul 23, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
We enjoyed this being in town but still had wild life every night. We absolutely loved the deck and ate all our meals outside. Fabulous place for small families.
Our stay was wonderfull the cabin is cozy has everything you need for a small getaway from reality. All the mid town shops are a few steps away from the cabin. The neighborhood is pretty quiet for it being right next to the bussy street.
I took my kids over spring break and my kids loved the house. the location is wonderful, its right in the middle of midtown. The property owner was great and reached out if we needed anything. The bathroom was recently remodeled and it looks great. I cant say enough good things about this place and the property owner.
Great location in the middle of Midtown within walking distance to shops and restaurants. Quiet location even though it is close to town. Enjoyed listening to the river running behind the cabin. Even had elk, deer and wild horses visit behind cabin.
Enjoyed the cooler weather. And all the things to do in the area retro river was nice we sleep with the doors open. Is was quite even being rite in the middle of town lots of thing within walking distance ! Thank you reed
We had a wonderful time at this retro cabin. The hot tub was nice and it was very nice to be able to walk everywhere! It was very clean and had everything we needed. Reed (the owner) was helpful and responsive to me. I would definitely recommend staying here if you are in the Ruidoso area!
This cozy (pet-friendly) cabin was the perfect place for a weekend retreat. It is nestled next to the river where we admired elk and deer in the mornings and evenings from the balcony. It is also conveniently located in the heart of midtown walking distance to nearby shopping and restaurants. Communication from the host was excellent, we will definitely be back.
This is the most ideal rustic cabin in Ruidoso. It is centrally located right off the river, perfect for shopping quite enough for relaxation, beautiful views. The rustic country cabin lets you know you’re in the mountains with all the amenities at your fingertips.
Travis C.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
About the host
Hosted by Reed Helmly
I LOVE THE MOUNTAINS. They are a little hard to get to from Austin, Texas. Having a cabin in the mountains is a great way to get away! It is my pleasure to share this cute little gem with you.
Why they chose this property
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION - It may not be big, but it offers a real authentic experience with all the conveniences of being in town steps away from your front door.
What makes this property unique
This cabin has survived the years. It has been updated quite a bit since it was built, but the décor reflects the charm of a simpler time in our history.
Languages:
English, Spanish
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests