Escape to Riverside Retreat, where the tranquil surroundings of a cabin await. With a sitting area and kitchen on the second floor, unwind in this peaceful retreat surrounded by nature. Enjoy access to four bedrooms, perfect for families or groups.
Reviews
9.49.4 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 1090 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Outdoor space
Parking available
Add dates for prices
About this property
Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly.
While the unit is advertised for a number of people, it is great for a couple as well. We bought a two bedroom log cabin in the 60's. In 1974 we built a two story addition to accommodate our six children. At the time we wired and plumbed one bedroom so it could someday be a kitchen. The downstairs of the addition consists of a double garage, sun room and dining room. The upstairs is where guests are welcome. It has four bedrooms, sitting area, kitchen and porch. We have rented it monthly for many years but this time it was vacated we decided to do it as a VRBO. We live in the cabin downstairs.
Also on the property is a cabin that the original owner built for his parents and a barn that we built for our children and converted to a house when they were grown. We did bed and breakfast in them in the 1990's. At the time we registered the name Riverside Retreat. After a few years we decided to rent them on a monthly basis to have more time to play and travel. We can no longer do some of the things we used to do so are doing VRBO in the cabin too. We enjoy marrying people. We also enjoy sharing the space we have taken for granted for so many years. It really is a special spot.
Property amenities
Ski
Cross-country skiing nearby
Snowboarding nearby
Internet
Available in the house: Internet access
Parking and transport
Car recommended
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Bedrooms
4 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Towels provided
Living spaces
Living room
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
Games
TV with cable/satellite channels
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Garden
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Suitability/Accessibility
Designated smoking areas
Note from host: We ask that people smoke outside.
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
Near a hospital
On the waterfront
Things to do
Kayak
Basketball nearby
Birdwatching nearby
Ecotours nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Hunting nearby
Ice skating nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Rafting nearby
Sledding nearby
Snowmobiling nearby
Swimming nearby
Water skiing nearby
Water tubing nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
General
Garden
Unit size: 970 square feet
Similar properties
'northern Bliss' Modern Mtn-view Home in Fairbanks
Hamilton Acres
'northern Bliss' Modern Mtn-view Home in Fairbanks
Flexible check-out available (contact host to arrange)
Special check-in instructions
The front desk hours vary at this property
Guests must contact the property for check-in information
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
Events allowed
Smoking
Smoking allowed: in designated areas
We ask that people smoke outside.
Important information
You need to know
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
Parties and events are allowed on site
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property
About the area
Located on the waterfront, this holiday home is in College, a neighbourhood in Fairbanks. Birch Hill Recreation Area and Chena River reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include University of Alaska Museum of the North and Alaska Centennial Center For The Arts. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Carlson Center Event Arena or Growden Memorial Park. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the ice skating and sledging. Visit our Fairbanks travel guide
Is Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly. pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking at Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
Where is Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly. located?
Located in College, this holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Chena River and University of Alaska-Fairbanks. University of Alaska Museum of the North and Georgeson Botanical Garden are also within 2 miles (3 km).
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly. Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
A very spacious, very Alaskan home away from home with all you need to self-cater and recreate. The location is special- a quiet neighborhood on the Chena River, with lovely birch trees all around. Cigarette smoke regularly comes up into the unit as the lower unit (where the host lives) is not fully divided. Ventilation is a challenge for guests if this is of concern. Although we didn't meet Mardee, she was responsive via messages and left some charming news clippings and local history articles in the unit to learn more about her family's history.
Checking in was super easy and Martha is just the nicest person. We actually got locked out and she let us in no problem. The rooms are cozy, the kitchen has all the gadgets we needed. The decor was great! Theres a polar bear coming out of the wall! We had an amazing trip! Thank you!
This was a fantastic stay. It has everything we needed and a beautiful view. My friends and I loved the cabin feel, as well as having many rooms to choose from. The kitchen also had everything we needed for cooking meals. Our only negative was the smell of cigarette smoke in the house. None of my friends are smokers, so we were not fans of that.
We had a great stay! Marge was very welcoming and the place had plenty of room for our family. The property was beautiful right on the river. Would stay again!
Host was fantastic. Great location, highly recommend if your coming into faibanks on a hunting trip. Host communicated well and accommodated our unique needs with alot of gear.
We really enjoyed our stay. Our host did an outstanding job making us feel welcome, and the property was exactly as described in the listing. The location was perfect with a huge lawn right on the Chena River! We enjoyed relaxing on the deck, our kids enjoyed paddleboarding on the river, and our dog enjoyed exploring the spacious yard. The home itself has a unique, old time Alaska feel to it, and the beds were very comfortable. I enjoyed reading some of the articles hanging up about the history of the area. Our kids also enjoyed the puzzles and games, a nice break from the screens. We would definitely like to stay again next time we are in Fairbanks. Thank you!
Visiting from Idaho to see my sister, we had an amazing stay. The Ice Sculptures were beautiful. We made the trek to Chena Hot Springs twice during our stay. It was quite a dream relaxing in that warm water and staring into a sky I feel like I have never seen before. On our last night, as we pulled in after a long soak in the Hot Springs, we saw a great show of green dancing lights. The space was just what we needed to rest at night and fuel up for another adventure.
Our third stay. Place is perfect for a family. Several bedrooms, kitchen and family room. Host is awesome. Always helpful and accommodating. Place is warm and cozy. Easy to find.
Property is old and outdated. But the beds are comfy. Quiet upstairs apartment right by the river. Easy access to lots of places. Hunters paradise with all the trophies on the walls. Would stay here again.
The listing is right on the river and plan on going back in the summer when the river is not froze over. It was close to every place we wanted to visit in Fairbanks. Saw the northern light at the hot springs and that was on my bucket list of life.
hilton m.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Michael
26 Mar 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
It was a nice quiet cabin experience. However, I was not aware the owners lived downstairs prior to renting, so that was a surprise. The place was very clean and had a really great vibe about it with all the wood paneling and taxidermy / mounted antlers and animal skins everywhere.
Enjoyed the ease of our stay. Easy check in process. Excellent location on the Chena River. Kitchen stocked with all cookware essentials was so helpful. Beautiful fire-pit with generous seating, wood and hot dog/marshmallow sticks. Four bedrooms gave us room to spread out and a desk to work from. Pet friendly and our dog loved hanging outside on the deck while I sat and read books about Alaska from the little library in the house. Exceptionally generous family. Great week at the Riverside Retreat.
Tracy M.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024
Verified
6/10 Okay
Verified traveller
3 Oct 2023
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
Great location on the Chena River!
Very quirky rental in a great location on the Chena River. Close to UAF and town. Everything is dated, which isn't an issue. It was tired and didn't feel sanitized. The smell of cigarette smoke wafted upstairs because the space is not fully separated. Not pleasant. On the plus side, we could see the Northern Lights from the house!
As soon as we entered the unit, all my family members experienced nostalgia from our past- whether it were the cabin or the lake, or our grandparents’ homes. The shag carpet, kitchen and decorations were from another fabulous era.
The hostess was so kind and shared stories of her family with us.
The view of the river is beautiful, and it is very close to so many things in town.
The unit had everything we needed to cook meals.
The only negative has been mentioned by other guests- there was a smell of smoke when ascending the stairs, however it didn’t follow us into the living area.
Overall an enjoyable stay for our family! Oh! And the pelts and stuffed animals- amazing!!!!
Rebecca K.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified
8/10 Good
Frana B.
6 Sept 2024
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
BEAUTIFUL river stay
Martha and Robert's property was absolutely gorgeous! We had our wedding in the backyard, and it was really dreamy; right along the river, beautiful grass, fire pit, benches, and privacy from the house and other rental properties due to the trees.
The house has older furniture so the beds are really worn in. There is no washer and dryer in the rental and Martha was willing to offer laundry via her home below this rental. There is no smoking in the unit, however the host smokes inside downstairs, so the unit often smelled of cigarettes. When people arrived, it seemed like the bathroom and sheets had not been cleaned.
The gem of this rental is definitely the outdoor space, including the yard and back deck.
Thanks for the hospitality, Martha
kdnddnjddreamy.
Place is old and has that esthetic to it, but with age keeping the place looking and smelling clean is harder and not kept up with. Upon arrival the bedding didn’t smell fresh and had dirty underwear in the closet. The place smelled like cigarettes and owner smokes inside downstairs even though the rules state no smoking inside. There aren’t many outlets throughout the place and the few aren’t conveniently located. There is no door between the front door and the rest of the upstairs so privacy feels limited. The location is in a nice area close to town and has good scenery, the deck is a nice addition and the heater works well. Overall for the price it’s a good spot to crash while spending most the day outside
Konstantin K.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Michael
11 Nov 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This is the second time we've stayed here and it is a great location. The view out of the "Master Bedroom" out at the river is beautiful. The ambiance is rustic with a lot of hides and trophies mounted and hung. It's nice and quiet and the hosts, who live below, are very accommodating. 10/10 from us. We'll definitely plan to stay here again next time we go to Fairbanks.
Michael
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Wenbo
5 Jan 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication