If happiness could be described in two words, they would be Riverstone Ranch.
My girlfriends and I embarked on a much needed wine country escape. We were drawn to the property based on the beautiful pictures posted on VRBO. I can say with all certainty, the photos do not do the estate the justice it deserves. Located just minutes from the charm of downtown Healdsburg, Riverstone Ranch is tucked away, in its own private sanctuary, surrounded by oak, fruit and palm trees, impeccably manicured landscaping, and the most charming houses - all nestled up above the Russian River.
The entire property was recently renovated - from our estimation, nothing was spared. While maintaining the integrity and the charm of the historic buildings, the owner was able to add modern conveniences and state of the art technology without interrupting the soul of the property. In addition, the decoration was charming and understated. The amenities provided - chef's kitchen, washer and dryer, outdoor games (ping pong, cornhole), wireless internet, bbq, ample parking - had all the conveniences of home.
Since there were only a few of us, we made the Queen Anne base camp. I was fortunate enough to snag the master bedroom - waking up to the sound of the fountain and the birds was magical. Each bedroom/bathroom throughout the property was adorned with plush linens and high end bath products. Two of the girls stayed in the Coop and said the sound of the river lulled them to sleep each night. Although we didn't have any children with us, I was impressed by the amenities provided - pack n play, inflatable kids pool, etc.
We found ourselves torn between exploring wine county and exploring the property. Seeing as we weren't expecting such an magnificent estate, we made plans to wine taste most of each day with lunch and dinner reservations on each end. After the first night, we ended up scrapping most of our plans so we could enjoy all amenities of Riverstone Ranch. In fact, each night after dinner, we rushed back to the house to sit around the fire pit to make s'mores and use the hot tub. In addition, we nixed brunch plans, twice, to instead make breakfast and enjoy sitting on the patio, and sunbathe on the lawn. Our only mistake was only staying for four days.
I highly recommend Riverstone Ranch to anyone looking to escape reality for a bit. Due to its size, it's perfect for multiple families, reunions, retreats, etc. We've committed to coming back annually, if not more. I'm looking forward to social opportunities that would allow us to rent Riverstone in the near future. read more