River House Bed & Breakfast Getaway Retreat

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Happy Travels

Joined 2 years ago

Back Again...Got married here!. We got married here in 2009 under a big shade tree with the sun sparkled river in the background...It was a wonderful experience, great service and hospitality from the innkeeper. Now we are back again celebrating Valentine's Day and thinking we should have returned sooner...This place is just so great for relaxing and romancing. We recommend this place to our friends, several of whom have come for getaways, and they all come back happy and full of compliments for the B&B.

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jv3681

Joined 2 years ago

Great Spot. My husband and I stayed at the River House Bed & Breakfast this last September for our 2nd wedding anniversary and loved it! Saturday we checked in and relaxed in our room for a bit. Patty, the owner, suggested a cute little restaurant not far from the B&B for us to get dinner. Later we enjoyed the hot tub and had a quiet night to ourselves. Sunday we had an AMAZING breakfast, and after that Patty and her husband offered to take us for a pontoon ride up the river! It was a great way to celebrate our anniversary - we'll be back!

Doesn't Recommend

steve8091

Joined 3 years ago

Disastrous stay with no concessions. We rented the full Time-Away lodge as a central place for my family to gather, as we live all across the country. Unfortunately, several weeks prior to our trip, my grandfather took seriously ill, and as a result half of our party (5/11 people) could not make it.

The owners were inflexible, and their best offer was to refund 50% of the full rental price toward a future visit, defending that position by stating that it was “their policy”. The owners of the property consist of a middle-aged couple that live in the house next door. I could understand if our visit was preventing them from alternately booking the place, but they later told us that they are typically only full about 30% of the time, and that most of that is in the winter. In any case, given the stiff cancellation charge, we decided to continue with our party of 6, and to try to make the most of a bad situation.

And then there was the flood.

The water level began about 6" higher than usual and continued to rise, causing us a great deal of anxiety as to whether we’d be able to get back into the property if we left. By the fourth and final day of our stay, the water level was about 6” deep all around the house, and still rising. We called the owner that morning (whose house was now an island in the river), who told us that the news stations (who were predicting an additional 24” of water) were “exaggerating”, and that we should sit tight and think of our trip as an “adventure”! We went out that day for lunch and to see what downtown Rockford had to offer, and when we returned to the house, it too was an island, with a walk through 8” deep water needed to get to the door. Myself, my wife, and kids all took off our shoes and trudged through the water. My elderly mother, pregnant sister, and her husband arrived soon after, and it was then that the owners came wading through the 3 feet of water over to the house we were renting. They said that they could not “in good conscience” allow us to stay there, and asked that we immediately pack our things and leave. They waited outside, and we noticed that many young men began waiting with them as well. We later realized that the only reason they asked us to leave was the same reason that those young men came by – to clear out the lower level of the house to avoid water damage.

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P M

Joined 4 years ago

What a relaxing place to be.... What a fabulous B&B treasure! Peaceful and relaxing- Just what the doctor (OB/GYN) ordered before the imminent birth of our son! We will definitely recommend to friends & family.

(Review copied from River House Guestbook and submitted by innkeeper)

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restandrelax

Joined 5 years ago

Perfect spot for our group retreat..... River House B&B is a wonderful getaway spot right on the bank of the Rock River with water views from most every window. There are two guesthouses, the Getaway Lodge for couples and romance and the Timeaway Lodge for families and retreats. My group of scrapbooking friends found the large Gathering Room in the Timeaway Lodge with its multifunctional setup perfect for our needs with plenty of space, good lighting, and large kitchen to use for our meal preparation. We had rented the entire house and had no complaints. The innkeeper was friendly and helpful attending to our requests in a prompt and satisfactory manner. We're already planning for next year's scrapbooking getaway at River House! A couple of the girls were even talking about what a great place it'd be for their upcoming family events....

Doesn't Recommend

smccause

Joined 6 years ago

Don't touch that thermostat!. We've stayed in many B&B's, vacation homes, and hotels. This is the first where the temperature controls are locked, even despite the fact that we had rented the entire facility for a long weekend.

Despite the many positives, we'll never stay there again.

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It is recently remodeled, well constructed, and beautifully situated just feet from the Rock River, (allowing glimpses of a bald eagle flying down the river.) The Indian decor is understated and tastefully executed. The bathrooms are modern and easily accessible from any part of the facility, (though some lack towel bars.) The inkeeper was helpful with directions and ticket resources. The mattresses are comfortable. The kitchen is large, attractive, and adequately equipped, though barely. And the gracious entry room suggests a comfortable stay.

It is a misleading appearance. The entry contains the only public t.v. and comfortable chairs (2). But its limited seating, brick floor, and large bare windows prevent one from wanting to settle, relax, and visit. No other room comes close.

The large public room has a great view and an attractive fireplace (which was not made available to us.) The room might be appropriate for seminars or meetings, with its many stacking wire chairs and 3' tables ? but it is not a welcoming living space. The lovely bare wood floors and large windows create a cold room. Thank heavens for the many vellux blankets ? one could wrap up and make minimal, though not comfortable, use of the public areas. To be usable, the main room needs a sitting area with a cozy couch and comfy chairs around a large rug, and with pressed fire logs ready to burn in the fireplace.



This facility appears to be run for minimal cost and ease of maintenance only ? guest comfort does not appear to be a consideration. It might work for an outdoor gathering or a small banquet or a conference, but it is completely uncomfortable for a family gathering or for a weekend getaway.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Quirky lodgings in an intimate atmosphere.. The Scene
This is not your typical B&B. It is not often that one encounters a Bordello Suite in their travels. Or an authentic TeePee Lodge. The latter is available spring, summer and autumn and is furnished with such unique pieces as a log chair and settee. While its facilities are primitive, guests "camping" here are welcome to use the bathroom and shower in the main house.

The Details
Along with the TeePee, there are three suites located in the house. They include the nature lover's Timber Suite and the western-style Frontier Suite. While the decor focuses on Americana and the past, this property remains firmly in the present with fax services and Internet access. There is also a heated outdoor swimming pool. Cat lovers will be happy to learn that there are felines in residence; those with allergies should keep this in mind and either pack their medicine or check in elsewhere.