Zen River Retreat

(We head to the mountains for a quaint, private, and peaceful Thanksgiving - it’s our favorite! Also, our stay was Thurs Nov 27-Sun Nov 30, despite the dates at the top of this review).The Zen River Retreat - how do I begin to review the most perfect place in Virginia? Getting there was not difficult from the southeast part of the state. We found the driveway and were amazed at the natural surroundings - it felt like going off road / off-the-grid! The grounds are amazing and you can hear the little waterfalls from the river at the bottom of the property! Pure serenity!Our hosts were responsive and very easy to work with! I loved the deck, the unique cabin, and the spaciousness of the whole property! The kitchen was absolutely perfect for making our Thanksgiving dinner - had everything we needed. We found they had a French Press for coffee - we weren’t totally sure of that, being drip coffee fanatics. BUT that first cup of coffee the next morning and we were sold!! That’s the way to enjoy coffee with a serene Mountain View!The beds were very comfortable after our days hiking around the area, walking through Luray Caverns (about a 40 minute drive), and playing disc golf at one of several courses near by. The bathrooms were great - stocked with plenty of supplies. The highlights for us are the wood fire stove, NO TV, and the fresh air! We stargazed, walked across rocks in the river, and really thoroughly enjoyed everything! I’d recommend 10/10, hands down.

The property is amazing. Very private and beautiful

Very good place, clean and calm. Definitely wanna visit again with friends

So much of this trip was ideal. From attentive communication to easy check-in to a gorgeous setting, we appreciated it all. Take care with the driveway as rain has washed some small places away. Slow and steady. Location is ideal for a quick trip to Charlottesville or Shenendoah National Park. The restaurant on nearby Lydia mountain has solid offerings and rockstar patio views. Or go nowhere and settle in. The creek on site offers its own delights. We spotted a blue heron and a ground hog. The property is easily walkable. Wear hiking shoes as it's damp mornings and some evenings and bring that bug spray! We plan to return when we can!

What a special place! You can hardly get any closer to Shenandoah, which was our primary selling point, but the house, property, and creek were all amazing. Probably the best approach on VRBO, with the manicured lawn and rocky creek, and the house emerging in the distance. Quality cookware and appliances were a nice touch, and the hosts were responsive.