Entire home

Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly.

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A rustic wooden house with a balcony, surrounded by trees and a fenced yard. - Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly. (Fairbanks)
A wooden interior with a zebra-patterned wall, a deer head mounted on the wall, and a wooden chair. - Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly. (Fairbanks)
A lakeside bench and picnic table by a calm body of water, surrounded by trees and distant buildings. - Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly. (Fairbanks)
A wooden cabin interior with a dining table, chairs, a window with a view of a snowy landscape, and a shelf with a toaster. - Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly. (Fairbanks)
A garden with various vegetable plots and flowering plants. - Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly. (Fairbanks)
Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly. provides amenities, such as a garden and laundry facilities.

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Entire home

4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 1090 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • 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

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

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Policies

Check-out

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 Alaska Railroad and University of Alaska Museum of the North. 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 sledging and ice skating. Visit our Fairbanks travel guide
View more Holiday homes in Fairbanks
Map
Fairbanks, AK

What's nearby

  • A modern architectural building with a curved facade and a glass entrance.
    University of Alaska-Fairbanks
    15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • A historic film inside cabin with a red light arts sign, a lil' bird designs sign, and a The Last Will & Kettle sign.
    Pioneer Park
    9 min drive - 5.5 km
  • An igloo with a wooden door under a starry night sky.
    Fairbanks Ice Museum
    12 min drive - 7.5 km
  • Chena River
    1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Fort Wainwright
    13 min drive - 15.5 km

Getting around

  • Fairbanks, AK (FAI-Fairbanks Intl.)
    8 min drive

Restaurants

  • Starbucks
    4 min drive
  • Fred Meyer Fuel Center
    4 min drive
  • Taco Bell
    4 min drive
  • Sunrise Bagel & Espresso
    18 min walk
  • Alaska Coffee Roasting Company
    16 min walk

Frequently asked questions

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. Alaska Railroad and University of Alaska Museum of the North are also within 2 miles (3 km).

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Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly. Reviews

Reviews

Wonderful

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.
More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 174 out of 237 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 41 out of 237 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 12 out of 237 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 237 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 5 out of 237 reviews

8.6

Cleanliness

9.8

Location

8.6

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Disliked: Cleanliness, communication, listing accuracy
Lovely from outside and rivers edge. Dirty, smelled like smoke, beds not clean and extremely uncomfortable and old. The basement where washer/dryer were was so scary and cluttered and dirty. We would not recommend this place. It needs all the carpets removed and all the beds replaced
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great vintage Alaska Lodge vibe with knotty pine walls and shag carpeting, right on the river. Good sized bedrooms, common areas are a little cozy. Saw the Aurora from the yard in every direction. If you're sensitive to cigarette smoke, hunting trophies, or stairs, this may not be the best for for you
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A comfortable and peaceful setting. I’ve stayed here a few times now and enjoy the setting and location.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy
The property was listed as no smoking but the smoke smell was terrible. One of the sheets had a small crusty substance that you could scratch off with your fingernail. The pillows and blinds were yellowed from nicotine. Under the toilet seat was crusty old gross. The location is beautiful and convenient. The view from the deck is great. I wouldn't recommend staying here if you're a non smoker
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place

This was a great place for my family to stay at. Great views from the windows and has a lot of character.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful location, nice hosts

Well placed weekend vacation house for a family, host was accommodating and everything was available just as advertised!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great!

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!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful place in front of the river. Location is good. I would recommend this place to anyone.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent location in Fairbanks.

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.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful home with Fairbanks history! Would definitely return. Loved the wood-paneling, decor, history shared via newspaper clippings on the fridge, and the family-friendly atmosphere. The rental has the warmth of a home where children happily grew up. The kitchen has everything you need. My kids loved the games, we all loved the books on the bookshelf, the river view from the bedroom and kitchen, and large grassy area for the kids to play outside. We would have loved to use the fire pit by the river but didn't end up having time. Mardee was a very welcoming host and communication was smooth. Reminded me of staying where my aunts and uncles grew up in in my grandmother's old house (shag carpet and all!). Note that the furniture, carpet, bedding is all kept clean but well-worn. Could use a carpet shampoo or some dusting here and there. As other reviews noted, some cigarette smoke drifts upstairs. It wasn't much and was fine for my family after opening some windows.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful

Beautiful views! Owner is the nicest! Very log cabin vibe and loved every minute. Right on the river with a beautiful deck overlooking it.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house great price

It's a beautiful older house on the river. It's well maintained and clean. It was warm and comfortable. Just awesome
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family visit

Beautiful property on the river host was welcoming. House was clean and comfortable. I highly recommend it.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Christmas 23

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.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay with family

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.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Northern Lights

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.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family fun

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.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful Family Getaway

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!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Welcome to Fairbanks

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.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

6/10 Okay

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!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023