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Fern Grove Cottages
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9 reviews for Fern Grove Cottages
Lorrie and I loved this place.
We'd been in Walnut Creek visiting Lorrie's grandmother, and as the time approached to head back down to LA, decided we just didn't feel like jumping right back into work yet, so I pulled out the trusty lappy, sent a few IM's, and started hunting down places to stay in Napa, Sonoma or Russian River. Found Fern Grove on a few online lists, and liked the thought of a little cottage in the woods far better than yet another generic hotel room. Checked in with the Yelpers, and found universally good reviews, which pretty much tipped the balance for me. (The Yelpers have yet to steer us wrong.) So we took the plunge. I called up Randy at the front desk Monday morning, asking what they had available that afternoon. As luck would have it, since we were only staying until Friday, there were a few openings, and we decided on a spa studio cabin which wound up costing pretty much exactly what a generic hotel room anywhere else in Sonoma county would've run us.
Driving up through the gorgeous scenery toward Gurneville, I wondered what we were going to find. We arrived to find a little clutch of cabins nestled in among the trees, with winding driveways and flowers leading up to the individual front doors. I loved it already. We checked in and chatted with Randy for a while, getting recommendations for good places to eat and explore in the area (all of which turned out to be good), then headed up to load into the room.
Cute bed with a rough-hewn wooden headboard, with lit stained-glass, and fixtures and cozy blankets that reminded me of my grandmother's place on Lake Winnipesaukee (in a good way), but best of all was the tub. Giant spa tub, with new fixtures, jets, and supplied aromatic oils. We would spend a good three hours in that tub later that evening, and somewhere over sixteen hours tub-bound over the following week. It turns out that there really isn't much more you need in life than a place to sleep, some good wine, and a tub like that.
Showering, the following morning, is handled European-style, in this same tub, which turns out to be surprisingly relaxing in its own way, like having a mini-bath to start out your day. We tried the breakfast the first morning - fruit and cream, bagels, danish, good coffee, but never again managed to be up and mobile before ten, so that was our only experience with it.
We had to move to another room the following day, since we'd booked on such short notice and were taking what they had left, and didn't mind at all. This new room was Butterfly-themed. Butterfly pillows, bedspread, pictures, cute bedside lamps, and a skylight over the spa tub. Even better than the first. Only adjustment we made, the following day, was to replace the compact-fluorescent bulbs on the stained-glass bedside lamps with proper incandescents (green-ness aside, I loathe CF bulbs), but that's a pretty small adjustment for an otherwise thoroughly wonderful place.
By the end of the week, coming back to the cabins after a day's adventure felt like coming home. I can easily see us forming future vacation plans around this place. We'll be back.
On a complete whim Saturday night I decided to do a quick trip up to the Russian River Valley on Sunday/Monday. (Okay, so it wasn't purely a whim, there might have been some Fernet involved). The Russian River is possibly my favorite California AVA...certainly the only appellation making consistently good Pinots.
So at around 1 AM, I find myself back at my potential companion's place trying to find accommodations for the following night using her incredibly weak, pirated wifi signal.
She works at google, so in an attempt to get her options back above water I followed a sponsored link to http://russianriverinn... which featured the Fern Grove Cottages. The photos seemed OK, and the prices were reasonable so I took a leap of faith and booked it without any research into other options...like I said, a very weak wifi signal.
Besides, I'm at a smart, sarcastic and super hot girl's house after a night of moderate drinking, and I'm well aware that the effects of alcohol wear off...there's only so much time I'm going to spend on the interweb, right?
So we roll up to the RRV on Sunday afternoon, and the closer I get to Guerneville the more apprehensive I become about my lack of research. To further delay the moment of truth, we stop at the Safeway for some wine trip essentials: bread, cheese, sparkling water and Ben & Jerry's.
My apprehension is now approaching outright fear that I've managed to find ANOTHER remodeled Travelodge with cute Internet pictures (like I did my first trip to Paso Robles). Upon making the left out of the Safeway I see it: a great big gaudy sign with an arrow saying "Fern Grove Cottages," complete with the neon vacancy sign underneath and the mention of the AAA discount. While I don't actually throw up in my mouth a little, I do have to fight the urge.
Another object lesson in not judging a book by it's cover. This place is really pretty great. Close to the river, close to the redwoods, close to the coast...really an ideal location.
The staff was incredibly helpful with restaurant recommendations and the breakfast spread was solid.
Now I had made a conscious decision to not get the room with the spa tub for two (I've generally found that they aren't as enticing in reality as they seem when booking). So rather than the western themed place we were in a room with a HEAVY wine/grape decor motif...not really surprising, but a little overdone. Now that I know, next time I'm going for the room with the saddle!
Another major plus is that Fern Grove is dog friendly. While I had originally planned on bringing Sonny along I decided at the last moment not to make this trip a threesome. Sometimes *I* find it a little disconcerting to wake up in the middle of the night to find him staring at me...not sure how someone else might take it.
But my next trip he'll be coming along which makes Fern Grove the odds on favorite for my lodging.
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Great little kitchy place in good 'ole Guerneville!
There were a lot off "pluses" to these little cabins: big, spacious floor plans, a delicious homemade breakfast, and free Internet (which came in QUITE handy when I challenged my roommate to a bet about Gin Rummy rules at 1 am).
The BEST part though, was the decor. OH, the decor! We were in a western/cowboy themed room (Lazy Bear Weekend anyone?). The walls were covered in spurs, belts and other goodies which we promptly removed from the walls and proceeded to have a fashion show and photo op with.
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I've stayed here a few times now. This place is super awesome and very cozy. I've stayed at a few other places in this area for vacation, and I can say Fern Grove is very fairly priced and for a weekend on the Russian River, this place is close to it all! It's right off the high way and in walking distance to the downtown area. It also won't break your budget. Some nights require a 2 night stay, but talking to the proprietor and finding out about last minute cancellations, it's possible to only do a one night stay, especially if you just want to experience Sonoma and want to travel around from area to area.
Great B&B all around.
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Cozy little place. The sign makes it look more scandalous and cheesy than it really is (which was a little disappointing to me). But, there's still the light up stained glass duck that's built into the headboard, so that added some kitsch factor for me.
We got the room with the private spa. AWESOME! It was so nice to open some wine and relax with it in the bubbles...I'll stop there, the rest is my b'ness.
The breakfast was delicious-lots of yummy granola, scones, and danishes. It didn't seem like they replenished, however, as breakfast hours went on, so get there early for best selection. The garden is beautiful and everything smells delicious out there.
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Yum. Start your day with homemade scones and granola, spend the afternoon winetasting, hiking, kayaking or beachcombing, and come home at night with your alcoholic treasures to sip in your in-room spa tub. Could life possibly be any better?! They've even provided the corkscrew and the plastic wineglasses (glass in the tub being a no-no).
Previous reviewers who were upset by the decor will be happy to know that they're renovating all the cabins one by one. Those of us who like kitsch and anticonsumerism, well, I guess we're outvoted.
My Girlfriend Cheryl & I have visited Fern Grove twice.
1st time) We had a studio with a spa Tub.
2nd time) The cowboy theme cabin with a living room with a gas Fire Place, and the spa tub.
The Saddle in the living room make a great prop for naughty pictures ;)
It is truly a romantic getaway. Nice little "love shack's"
Free wine tasting on Sat., great wine from local wineries, got generous pours, and we got to finish our favorite bottle. Great snacks too.
It is always interesting meeting the people for wine tasting or breakfast.
Margaret knows her wine and will, with passion tell you what is good!
I like it because we could get it for 1 night; many places want a 2 night minimum.
This place is a "Trip"
Strongly Recommended
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More of a 3 and 1/2, but I'll give them the bennie of the doubt.
We rented the one-bedroom cottage with spa tub, western theme. Overall, the grounds and cabins remind me of photos my parents have of their honeymoon in the Adirondacks in 1963. So if you go for that kind of kitsch, this is your place.
Really, it is quite pleasant, tucked away in the redwoods off the highway. I really enjoyed filling up a breakfast tray in the morning and eating back at the cabin in the fresh air. Pluses of this place include the privacy, the quiet, the smell of the trees, and the amount of space in the 1-bedroom. During off-season, the cabins seem like a good deal.
Before November, however, prices are higher, and at $209 for one night, it would be nice to have more comfortable pillows and softer bath towels. Just those little touches that make it seem worth the money. And the vintage ad for Colt revolvers in the bathroom is just plain creepy.
I'd love to see what the other cabins look like. If they just got a handle on the decor and the linens, I'd recommend without hesitation.
Built in the 1920s, this lovingly restored resort is one of the few in Guerneville to cater to guests of all sexual persuasions; in fact, their largest units are well-suited for families. Scattered throughout a grove of redwoods and surrounded by lush gardens, the cottages - renovated but still retaining their original knotty-pine decor - vary in size and amenities offered. Accommodations, all with private facilities, range from a standard room with queen bed and cable TV to two-bedroom cottages with gas log stove and cable TV in the living room, a full kitchen and dining area, and two private decks. A substantial continental breakfast - including homemade scones and granola, fresh fruit and melon, pastries, a variety of breads, preserves, yogurt, juice, coffee, and tea - is served each morning in the main lodge. The grounds feature a pool and a picnic area with barbecue. Pets are welcome by prior arrangement. Rates range from $79 to $219.00.
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