Entire home

The River Garden Retreat, 7 bedrooms all with private baths, 15 minutes to town.

Photo gallery for The River Garden Retreat, 7 bedrooms all with private baths, 15 minutes to town.

lower deck over river outside 3 bedrooms
A living room with a large flat-screen TV, leather sofas, a coffee table, and a bookshelf.
A pool table with a neon sign, a projector, and a seating area with a screen.
A spacious dining area with a wooden table and chairs, a stone fireplace, and large windows offering a view of the outdoors.
An outdoor seating area with a fire pit surrounded by chairs, set against a backdrop of trees and a sunset sky.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Beach equipment
    A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.

Popular amenities

  • Porch or veranda
  • On-site fitness centre
  • Arcade/game room
  • Barbecue
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View map
Abingdon, VA
  • Place, Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Area
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Place, White's Mill
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Place, The Channels State Forest
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Airport, Tri-Cities, TN (TRI-Tri-Cities Regional)
    ‪56 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

7 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 5

1 King Bed

Bedroom 6

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 7

1 Double Bed

6 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 5

Toilet

Bathroom 6

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer

Bathroom 7

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden

Add dates for prices

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  • Air-conditioning
  • Laundry room
  • Microwave
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (139 reviews)
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About the area

Abingdon

Located in Abingdon, this holiday home is in the mountains and on the waterfront. Lynch Links Golf Course of Emory & Henry College and Clear Creek Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace and Wolf Hill Shopping Center. The Arts Depot and Harry L. Coomes Recreation Center are also worth visiting. Kayaking and water tubing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and rock climbing nearby.
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Map
Abingdon, VA

What's nearby

  • Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Area - 12 min drive - 9.8 km
  • White's Mill - 13 min drive - 10.5 km
  • The Channels State Forest - 15 min drive - 12.8 km
  • Barter Theatre - 21 min drive - 22.6 km
  • Virginia Creeper Trail Abingdon - 21 min drive - 23.2 km

Getting around

  • Abingdon, VA (VJI-Virginia Highlands) - 23 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Tokyo Steak House - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Pizza Inn - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪JJ's Restaurant & Sports Bar - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Feel Good Berry Bowls Cafe - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The River Garden Retreat, 7 bedrooms with private baths, 15 minutes from town. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at The River Garden Retreat, 7 bedrooms with private baths, 15 minutes from town.?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The River Garden Retreat, 7 bedrooms with private baths, 15 minutes from town.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The River Garden Retreat, 7 bedrooms with private baths, 15 minutes from town.?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The River Garden Retreat, 7 bedrooms with private baths, 15 minutes from town. located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 2.2 mi (3.5 km) from Jefferson National Forest and within 6 miles (10 km) of Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Area and Historic Whites Mill. White's Mill and The Channels State Forest are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 70 out of 73 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 73 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 73 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 73 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 73 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

As advertised

Enjoyed our stay at River Garden very much. Paula was excellent host and resolved any problems immediately. There were 6 of us and we enjoyed the big screen in the Cinema room very much. Plenty of room and the kitchen had everything needed. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022
Archival

6/10 Okay

River Garden, yes on the river but a bit of a stretch on the Garden.

Needs abit of attention, but was a good size for 8 people. The theater room was a big hit. The air condition did not seem to work all that good. Place should had been swept on the decks and cleared of all the cobwebs before we arrived. The vanity in the trailblazer room wasn't even sealed to the wall. The toilet in the bathroom beside the kitchen rocked when you sat on it. Over all it worked for 4 couples.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 26 March 2020
Thank you Kathy C for bringing these details to our attention. We will be sure to have the housekeeper keep an eye out for cobwebs on the decks and try to keep them swept, although the fall is a difficult time to ensure they stay constantly clear. One of the water gardens is being dismantled and replaced as it became structurally compromised. The loose toilet will be repaired immediately and the air conditioning evaluated. We do wish however that you made us aware of these things during your stay so we could have addressed them in a more timely manner to ensure a more comfortable stay for you. But as they say, better late than never. We try to do our best to make our guests happy. Thanks again for giving the River Garden a try.
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Weekend trip

We enjoyed our stay! Getting to listen to the river while sitting on the deck was so relaxing. Sure wish there had been easy access to enter the river. Was very disappointed that the hot tub wasn't working.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Relaxing reunion on the river

The property worked wonderfully for my siblings and families. We loved the Virginia Creeper trail and nearby hiking. Swimming hole behind the house was great too. Plenty of room in the house for us all to spread out.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful vacation

The entire three generation family enjoyed the vacation. Wonderful location with lots of rafts, close to restaurants, and a nice walkable town. We also enjoyed going to the Saturday farmer’s market.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful home!

We rented this house as a group of 8 adults for a week. This home fit our needs perfectly. Each of the 3 bedrooms in the lower level had private full baths and it’s own entrance onto the lower deck, very convenient for coming and going during our trip. The master bedroom is awesome and again had its own full bath. This house has everything you need and more for a comfortable stay! Paula and Scott were amazing, very friendly and so accommodating to our every request. We would absolutely stay here again, you won’t be disappointed.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great family vacation spot!

We had a great family vacation here, with our two daughters and their families. There was plenty of room for all of us. The bedrooms opened up to a great porch overlooking the river, where there was a ton of wild life to entertain us. Every night an owl would sit right off the porch and hunt for bugs, sometimes swooping right through the porch. Every morning there was a family of deer that would be right across the river. The landscaping was spectacular ..it was like a beautiful Japanese garden, with great water features with lily pads complete with a ton of frogs. There is also a great fire pit that we all enjoyed. I would highly recommend this house to any group for a great vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Five days of family fun.

The house was great. One of the bedrooms was pretty dated. The others were fine. The biggest surprise we had was the accessibility to the river. The back of the property is on a very steep hill and somehow from the pictures we imagined (It may have well been our mistake) that the backyard opened rather gently to the river. It was very steep, with great difficulty finding a spot where you could actually enter the water. It was too swift to swim though the tubing was great. Fishing from the bank was pretty difficult as well. On a positive note, the hostess was very accessible and very helpful. My family enjoys riding in the evening looking for wildlife. It is abundant in the area. We saw about 30 deer one night in a ride around the surrounding community. One morning when I walked to the river's edge on the opposite side a doe was standing, looking at me. If you want a quiet retreat a few miles from town this is a good choice. Played pool with the grandkids and watched movies. The bass on the surround sounds needs adjusting and we didn't know how to do that. It will blow you out of the room.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Best Friends Vacation

I can’t say enough about this place and our hostess. Mrs. Paula lives in an attached apartment and was available for anything. She had parking across from the house for our 3 large trucks and trailers. We fished and one of the team floated the river. I highly recommend this place! Thank you Paula for a great stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful vacation

River Garden was a wonderful retreat. Fully stocked with supplies, plenty of space, beautiful setting and decor. Wonderful outdoor space. Very calm and peaceful. Just perfect
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Amazing place!

Amazing place to stay and great views!
Stayed 16 nights in May 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great place!

Great house with lots of room! Fishing was good too. Paula was responsive and very helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great Weekend Getaway Spot

We stayed at Riverside for a weekend getaway. The location was near perfect - close enough to town to run errands, get food, but far enough away to feel like you were on vacation. The property was beautiful and had so many options. The only disappointment was the hot tub not working, but that was not a deal-breaker. The weather was very cool and windy so we mostly stayed inside, played games, watched movies and ate way too much! We did enjoy a hike up to the lookout. The host was just next door and attended to a few questions promptly. We would definitely return, but probably try to go during warmer weather so we could enjoy the river more. Overall, the setting was serene and peaceful. We would highly recommend it!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

New Year Fun

My wife and I met some friends at the River Garden for a long, kid-free weekend for the new year celebration. The house was well stocked, very spacious, and the owners were quick to respond to any questions. We found plenty of stuff to do in the area, but we never really needed to leave the house to have a good time. Our only issue was that the hot tub was not working. Be sure to ask if it is operational before you pack your bathing suit. We would definitely visit again, and recommend it to others.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Christmas vacation

We stayed 3 days through Christmas and had family members over for Christmas eve and Christmas day. The home was very inviting and relaxing for all to enjoy. We had a great time and may visit here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Family Thanksgiving

There were 9 adults,2 grandparents, great aunt, 2 children with spouses and 2 grandchildren. It was wonderful having separate bedrooms with private baths(The adult grandchildren got the music room and used their parents' bathroom) The kitchen has every possible item you could want, even a nut roaster. There was plenty of room for all the cooks. The dinning room was large enough for a table accommodating everyone with plenty of room to move about the room. There is a narrow side table that worked perfectly as a buffet. Having different lounge areas was great so people could get together in small groups. The setting was perfect. Sitting on the decks you could hear the river gently going by. There was a short path along the river to walk. The almost level road also made for a pleasant walk. For those more athletic there's a hike up the mountain. One of the grandchildren is a certified personal trainer and one night he put us through a workout. Even grandma joined in. We enjoyed spending the day in Abingdon and another in Bristol. I can't say enough about how nice the host family was, present if you needed anything but not intrusive.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful Home

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at River Garden. It was clean, well furnished and well stocked. The location was perfect for hiking and the Creeper Trail. Paula, the property owner, was an added benefit! Delightful. Highly recommend this property and the Abingdon area.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Awesome House and Host

I cannot say enough good things about this house and our hostess (Paula). The house is stock with everything you could possibly need for your stay. The only thing you need to bring is food. We were a group of 8 friends who do an annual Creeper bike ride. We normally stay at the Damascus Inn, but this year I found this house on VRBO and we decided to stay at River Garden instead. Best decision ever. We took advantage of all the amenities. We used the kayak, fished (caught 5 fish), played pool, cooked in the gourmet kitchen, relaxed on the huge deck, and hiked the nearby trail. We also met the hostess, Paula, and she was so nice and accommodating (see baked zucchini bread for us and it was wonderful). Extremely nice people. If the house is available next October, we will definitely rent it again. We highly recommend this house (and hostess).
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Something for everyone!

The river, views, fire table and media/game room gave everyone a chance to just relax and take a break. The hilltop trail, the work out room and tubing gave everyone a chance to exercise and raise their heart rate. Covered porches, every room has their own bath, gourmet kitchen and multiple seating areas made it feel like a home away from home. Lovely visit, we just regrouped as a family and didn’t leave the place.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Just Wonderful!

River Garden is amazing! How the owners have thought so many things out so thoroughly is incredible. We enjoyed the egret and the herron, but particularly the river otters! Great access to Abingdon and Damascus. Tremendous place!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

The River Garden

The River Garden in Abingdon Virginia is the perfect home for four couples. It is very well kept and is in close proximity to the Barter Theater and the Virginia Creeper Trail. This is our second stay at the River Garden and we have enjoyed it both times.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Relaxing getaway!

We enjoyed a quiet and restful stay at the River Garden. The property was very clean and well stocked. The owner’s mother dropped off a delicious loaf of banana bread during our stay. What a sweet, lovely lady!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Relaxing River Vacation

We had a wonderful stay at the River Garden with our two children, ages 11 and 8. The house was very clean and there were tons of supplies (hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, dish soap, dishwasher soap, laundry detergent, etc.) There were lots of games, books, and movies. We brought an air pump to refill the inner tubes. There is one deflated two person inner tube. We brought our own, but I would assume the one there works fine. The river was too low to kayak, but there is one 2 person kayak and two single kayaks. There is also a canoe. There are instructions in the manual about where to get in and out of the water. There is a nice area to hike across the street, along with a koi pond. We enjoyed feeding the fish. There was fish food in the kitchen. The hot tub was wonderful. There is plenty of seating both inside and outside. We didn’t leave the property for the four nights we were there, but the manual at the house does give restaurant recommendations. It was the perfect relaxing river vacation.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

A Great Week!

What an amazing place. The River Garden exceeded our expectations. There were 10 of us ranging in age from under 2 to over 60. There was something for everyone to do. The kitchen is well stocked with everything we needed to cook and enjoy meals. Have a bathroom in each bedroom is a treat. There is enough room so you can find a quite place or hang out with others. Paula was responsive and great to work with. And the banana bread was delicious. This is a great place for a family gathering or for 3 or 4 couples.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect for our family gathering

Paula and her son Max were extremely accommodating from rebooking our stay due to COVID to checking on us during our visit. They made an effort to ensure we had everything we needed to enjoy our time in Abingdon. The house is clean and comfortable and had more amenities than we had time to use. Great location to visit southwest Virginia. Despite a rainy stay, we still managed to enjoy the Creeper Bike trail, kayaking on the Holston River, visiting local art museums and an afternoon listening to music at a winery. The pictures, listing details, and previous reviews all remain accurate. You will enjoy your stay here!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021
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