Perched on the Russian River, Idle Hours is a charming retreat designed for ease and functionality. With its spacious living room, cozy gas fireplace, and large back deck with outdoor dining and river views, this vacation home offers a relaxing atmosphere perfect for any season.
Reviews
9.89.8 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Outdoor space
Parking available
Add dates for prices
About this property
Idle Hours ~ Fantastic River Views & Walk to Downtown! Classic Russian River!
Idle Hours is a beloved Russian River vacation home. Owned by the same family for generations, it was designed for ease and functionality. The care that goes into maintaining this comfortable, easy-going river retreat is evident in every detail. Tastefully adorned with family keepsakes and perfect river cabin kitsch, Idle Hours has gained every benefit from the recent remodel. Cozy and warm in the winter, relaxing and inviting in the summer--once you get here you will not want to go home!
Once up the flight of front stairs, the entryway opens to a spacious living room with ample comfy seating, high ceilings, attractive accent lighting, Cable TV with DVD player and, at its heart, a large gas fireplace. Through the living room's large open doorway, you'll find a large kitchen and dining room. With various places to hang, this area has a long list of uses: surf the web or get some last-minute work done at the corner desk; listen to tunes on the boom box; lounge or read on the single futon (which can be unfolded to a single bed); eat together, play a board game or a game of cards at the large dining table; or our favorite--sit on a tall stool at the kitchen counter and harass the cook for a snack or glass of wine.
The large back deck, accessed from the dining room, has outdoor dining, a gas grill, views of the river and a back set of stairs (with a latching gate) leading down to the riverfront lawn and river. There is enough room to picnic and lounge right on the river on the large river dock* for paddling up and down our lazy river.
Know Before You Book:
Maximum Occupancy and Quiet Hours: The maximum occupancy at Idle Hours is 8. Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. Outdoor amplified sound is prohibited at any time.
Parking: On-site parking is permitted for a maximum of 3 vehicles. RVs, trailers and campers are prohibited, per the Sonoma County Vacation Rental Ordinance.
Bed Sizes: Master bedroom: King bed; Second bedroom: Queen bed; Third bedroom: Double bed and Twin bunk beds; Dining room: Single futon
Heat Source: Central heat and gas fireplace in living room
A/C: The house does not have air conditioning. Being near the coast, the night time temps drop and just opening some windows is usually enough to cool the house.
Docks & Boats: Docks and beaches are seasonal only and available from mid-June to mid-September providing the summer dams are in. Canoes, kayaks, paddleboats and rowboats that are provided in some of our homes are also available from mid-June to mid-September only. The river is usually too swift for boating in the winter and many docks and beaches are under water until late spring.
Location: Riverfront less than a mile from downtown Guerneville
Sonoma County TOT #: 1511N Sonoma County Vacation Rental Permit #:ZPE15-0543
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the house: WiFi
Parking and transport
Limited on-site parking (max 3 spaces)
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Hob
Microwave
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
3 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
2 bathrooms
Hair dryer
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Entertainment
DVD player
Stereo
TV with cable/satellite channels
Outdoor areas
Gas grill
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Work spaces
Desk
Comfort
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Phone
Location highlights
On the waterfront
Things to do
Kayak
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
An adult aged 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
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
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
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
About the area
Located in Guerneville, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Potter Schoolhouse and Children's Bell Tower are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Russian River and Armstrong Redwoods State Park. Pee Wee Golf and Arcade and Rubicon Adventures are also worth visiting. Visit our Guerneville travel guide
Is Idle Hours ~ Fantastic River Views & Walk to Downtown! Classic Russian River! 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 Idle Hours ~ Fantastic River Views & Walk to Downtown! Classic Russian River!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Idle Hours ~ Fantastic River Views & Walk to Downtown! Classic Russian River!?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Idle Hours ~ Fantastic River Views & Walk to Downtown! Classic Russian River!?
Checkout is at 12:00 PM.
Where is Idle Hours ~ Fantastic River Views & Walk to Downtown! Classic Russian River! located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Russian River, Johnson's Beach and Pee Wee Golf and Arcade. Korbel Winery is 2.4 mi (3.9 km) away.
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Idle Hours ~ Fantastic River Views & Walk to Downtown! Classic Russian River! 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.
We really loved the house. Very clean and nicely decorated! The patio is beautiful, with very nice furniture and plenty of space. The view of the river is perfect! Brand new BBQ on the patio (need to update house info in binder). Only a couple of things to note, the house is just off of a busy road, so you hear car traffic in the morning, and sadly the next door neighbor has construction going, so 7am each morning there was a lot of noise. But once that is done, highly recommend!
We are longtime Russian River visitors but this was our first time staying in this neighborhood between Downtowb Guerneville and Rio Nido. The river is especially great here - deeper than most parts and less likely to have algae. The dock at this house was large and steady, good for diving off or setting out in one of the provided kayaks or canoe. The house was clean and well stocked, and the deck was lovely for grilling and eating.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Home was spotless and fully stocked. Quiet location on river and a perfect spot to base for day trips to cost or wineries. Smooth process from start to finish.
Amazing property. Very comfortable and well equipped, has everything you need. The dock and waterfront access was great. Water levels really high and perfect for paddle boards or floating. Lots of stairs in to house and down to dock.
This house has a terrific location on the Russian River and the views are lovely from both the house and the dock. The house is well equipped and everything is labeled. It was perfect for our group and exceeded expectations.
It seemed misleading though that with all the extra fees, the final price was almost double the listing price; I could have reserved three nice hotel rooms for the same price and not been asked to take out the trash...
This was our first time on the river after years of staying in and around Sonoma county. If you’re looking to spend most of your time on the river then this is the place! It’s about a 30 min drive to Healdsburg, Santa Rosa and wineries. There are plenty of restaurants and places to pick up gear and food. Plan on driving everywhere because the main drag is busy and without sidewalks.
Idle hours was perfect for our group of six! Having the dock with direct lake access and kayaks was just perfect. The large table was perfect for late night card games. My dog thoroughly enjoyed her stay as well :)
The description is accurate except for the impression you get of the back deck from the description. Access to the river is totally overgrown. In fact you can see very little of the river from the back deck.
The neighbors (whether renters or residents) were somewhat noisy during the day but not at night. The place is a bit difficult to locate. It is directly across the street from the ACE hardware although there is a hedge row separating the street the property is on from the road and the hardware store.
Our family and extended family stayed for two nights in October. The river was too low to get a kayak in the water but nice to sit on the dock and fish/read/drink coffee/bird watch. We enjoyed the deck as well. House was very clean. Kitchen is super organized/labeled. Everyone was comfortable. Could use a new double mattress and pillows in the bunk room but sleepable. We actually had four in the bunk room. Two adults in the double and large teens in each bunk and it worked out fine. The home is cuter than in the pictures and we would stay again. Guernville itself is tiny and adorable. On a Saturday in October it was great. Such a bonus that the dogs could come and the floors were worry-proof for kids, dogs and adults. We walked to town once but would not recommend it as there is a stretch that has no shoulder. Super easy drive. There is no fence. There is small grass area along with a huge flat concrete area above the dock. Littles could even rides trikes/bikes around.
We've stayed here a couple of times and love it. The river access is beautiful and the indoors and charmingly decorated and a well stocked kitchen. If it is really hot, there isn't air, so it can get stuffy, but that's why you jump in the river.
Michael S.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Yael C.
6 Mar 2019
Great long weekend!
We went to Idle Hours with two other couples for President's Day. The house is super spacious - you can hang out in the living room to watch a movie or play a game, or gather around the large dining table with beautiful and comfortable dining chairs. The rooms are cozy, the showers are great and the deck is spacious and great for bbq'ing. It's a 6-minute drive to Armstrong Woods. We definitely want to go back!
Yael C.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jose O.
13 Nov 2018
A Great Escape
This place is fantastic and conveniently located. We had a friends weekend. We all loved it. The house is stocked with everything one could ever want. We cooked meals throughout our stay. The kitchen is stocked quite well. We walked into town (about a 10 minute walk). It was perfect. The river provides the perfect setting whether you're looking out from the dining, the master bedroom, or the spacious patio.
Jose O.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Matthew D.
15 Dec 2017
Charming, inviting, and warm
Throughly enjoyed staying at Idle Hours over the Thanksgiving holiday. The warm fireplace provided a cozy feeling when sitting in the living room and the kitchen is well stocked with appliances and gadgets that make cooking very easy. When staying here, be sure to sit on the dock along the river at sunset. The central location made it easy to get into town, head into the woods for a hike, or drive to the beach.
Matthew D.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2017
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Sky E.
20 Nov 2017
Great location
Very nice place right next to the River
Everything you need is in Town
Loved it will stay there again
Sky E.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2017
Archival
10/10 Excellent
8 July 2017
Perfect getaway with family on RR
We stayed here w/ the max amount of people allowed and it was still very spacious and perfect fro everyone. This house is the most well-stocked vacation rental i've ever experienced and they go above and beyond w/ the amenities like their ping pong table, THE DOCK, board games, etc.
I will definitely be staying here again.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Sara B.
8 July 2016
A perfect weekend
We loved this house. Gorgeous views of the trees and the river as you have your morning coffee on the deck with the fog lifting off the river. A really fun canoe and kayak. Every day the kids took off exploring down the river to find the sandy beaches or rope swings. The house also stocked a ton of fun water toys - super soakers, air-matressess, kiddy pools, etc. It was really comfortable for our family (with a six year old and a two year old). We didn't worry about rescuing knick-knacks from the toddler or spilling juice on a white carpet. :--) The kitchen was well stocked and very easy to work in. We cooked a birthday dinner and baked a cake. Fantastic! We had a really great time.
Sara B.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2016
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Erica C.
5 Dec 2015
Charming and comfortable
A well appointed and well located house. Perfect for three couples and a few kids. Easy walk into town (although no sidewalks). Comfortable living space with nice open kitchen/dining/relaxation area for the group to gather.
Erica C.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
jeff S.
20 Sept 2015
On the river
We had a great time at Idle Hours. The house was modern, clean and comfortable. Three couples shared the house and we were never on top of each other. The kitchen had modern appliances and all the accessories we needed and then some. The dock on the river was on deep water making our swimming all the more enjoyable.
Sitting on the dock and watching the river was delightful.
This is not a property for anyone with disabilities. There are many stairs to conquer.
I would whole heartedly recomend Idle Hours.