On river.A stay at this vacation home places you within half a mile (1 km) of Colorado River and 3 miles (5 km) of Ascension Seton Bastrop. Fisherman's Park and Bastrop Convention & Exhibition Center are also within 3 miles (5 km).
University of Texas at Austin - 42 min drive - 57.1 km
Moody Center - 42 min drive - 57.5 km
Sixth Street - 43 min drive - 57.5 km
Zilker Park - 44 min drive - 69.4 km
Getting around
Austin-Bergstrom Intl. Airport (AUS) - 35 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 8 min drive
Starbucks - 8 min drive
Whataburger - 8 min drive
El Nuevo Mexico Restaurant - 7 min drive
Chicken Express - 8 min drive
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
The RiverHouse Pet Friendly Zen River Retreat
There's this place that allows you to forget the world...
Enjoy discounts when booking 3 nights or more!
The RiverHouse is a pet friendly zen retreat located on a beautiful stretch of The Colorado River in Bastrop Texas.It features a 2000 sq foot 3 bedroom 2 and a half bath 110 plus year old farmhouse remodeled and modernized in a way that retains its old character and charm. Our popular air-conditioned sunroom offers views of the grounds, doors which lead onto the upper deck which is a popular gathering spot with a propane griddle, tables and seating areas. You’ll lose yourself on our shady sculptured grounds featuring eight different patios, each with their own theme and energy, our four zen hammocks and the abundant sounds of nature. You’ll find it hard to believe you’re only 2 miles from downtown Bastrop!
The property is truly Zen Central with access to the river where water activities such as swimming, kayaking, tubing and fishing are popular. You’ll be surrounded by the sounds of the water flowing by and hundreds of bird songs. Visit our tropical plant dome, home of our popular Koi fish, who think they are the star attraction to the place. It is the perfect Zencation spot! We are also minutes away from two incredible State Parks where hiking and bird watching are popular.
We have a feeling, like so many others over the years you'll fall in love with The RiverHouse. This is where my vision of ZenRiverHouse get aways all began and it is still the favorite of thousands of guest who have visited over the years. We have been told by many of our guest that this is the nicest booking they have ever made. Its no wonder thousands of guests have visited us over the years and refer their friends and family to come out and enjoy the place.
Note: While the house is private, grounds may be shared from time to time with guests from our sister property Harmony House, located on the same grounds, but the grounds are large with ample patios and spaces for all.
The Space
The RiverHouse features a downstairs Master Bedroom with gorgeous double shower and huge soaking tub. 2 bedrooms and bathroom upstairs, Living Room, Full Kitchen, Sunroom and our beautiful grounds which includes our tropical dome.
The Downstairs Master Bedroom has a King Size bed and its own double shower and soaking tub, a guests favorite. The Upstairs MasterBedroom has a queen size bed and a futon which will sleep an additional two. Inside bedroom two is a large bathroom with a walk in shower that offers panoramic views of the property. Bedroom three has a queen size bed. Both upstairs bedrooms have their own Smart TV’s.
The Kitchen has a full size electric range with oven. A breakfast bar which overlooks the food prep area as well as a bistro table for two. Microwave, juicers, pots pans and coffee/tea makers are available as well.
The Living/Movie room is equipped with a huge TV as well as theatre seating.
The Sunroom overlooks the property and doors lead to the spacious upper deck, a favorite gathering spot. The Sunroom is a great place to watch the large variety of birds we have on the property and is a guest favorite. The sunroom features a dining table, which seats 4 as well as its own TV and ½ bath.
Smart TV’s allows you to access popular streaming apps. Our High Speed Wi-Fi extends over most of the property for you modern convenience types!
It's a beautiful relaxing setting where you can truly forget about the world.
While a 2-night stay is possible, the vast majority of our guests have told us they wished they had booked an additional night. If a 3-night stay is possible we recommend booking at least 3 days as it is rarely possible to add a day at the last minute. Should you need additional space for more guest, check out our sister properties, Harmony House located on the same grounds or RiversEdge and RiverNook Located just down the street.
Please keep in mind that this is a nature Sanctuary and not the sterile 20th floor of a high-rise building. You may see a harmless dirt dauber flying in the house as they are plentiful here and sneak in when the doors open. Outside you may find spider webs, wasp, lizards, leaves on the outdoor furniture, and hammocks. (We try our best to keep them wiped down but it is nature, it changes daily, just wipe it off with one of our pet towels and enjoy the place for what it is, nature in all its splendor.)
Note: The Dome is a greenhouse and as such it can get toasty in there. Mornings or late nights are best times if wanting to set inside the dome. Likewise the dome is no place to plan any type of gala, brunch or celebration. The dome has seasons and plant life may differ from the photos.
We love having well behaved pets explore the grounds with their families. We do have a $75.00 per pet per stay fee that helps keep us pet friendly. The maximum number of pets for this property is 4. Emotional Support Animals are not service animals and will be charged the fee. If you did not include and pay for your pets in the reservation, please inform us of the number of pets joining you during your stay, we can bill your card or you can leave it with us before you leave. (Please see house rules for pets)
Whether a romantic getaway, family gathering or corporate retreat we are sure that The RiverHouse will delight the nature lover inside and rejuvenate your soul!
My greatest joy is having happy guest, please look over the photos before you book as well as reading the description and rules. Should you require additional room for more guest, please see our sister property Harmony House which is located on the same grounds if it is available. Or, Rivers Edge and RiverNook which are just down the street.
You may see us while we tend the grounds or gardens, just say hi and we'll introduce ourselves. We do give our guest privacy but we love to entertain and chat if you are so inclined.
Guest access
Guest have access to The River House, the tropical plant dome and the features located on the grounds... river access, hammocks, 8 patios, seating areas and chairs.
Other things to note...
The occupancy listed is the max occupancy this property can accommodate. If you intend to host any event, celebration or other function, you will need to disclose this to us in advance and obtain approval, including an agreement to all additional fees and terms.
We ask that you read all House Rules & Policies including the additional House Rules section prior to booking. Upon booking, you are stating that you understand them and agree to follow and abide by them.
We strongly advise trip insurance to cover your booking and will provide any documentation you may need to facilitate your claim. Our cancelation policy will be adhered to at all times during your reservation. We do not refund reservations outside of our cancelation policy. Unlike hotels who typically overbook reservations, we do not have that option. We have blocked off the property from all advertising once you booked it and typically have a hard time re-booking on short notice. If you do cancel outside of our policy, we will do our best to rebook the property and will send you any funds we collect to offset your losses, less a 20% rebooking fee. These funds may be less than you originally paid.
As mentioned above, while the house is private, grounds may be shared from time to time with guests from our sister property Harmony House, located on the same grounds, but the grounds are large with ample patios and spaces for all.
Your driveway parking is limited to 2 cars. Parking for an additional car can be found in the grassy area across from the drive.
Austin is about 33 miles Bastrop State Park is about 5 miles
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)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
General
Garden
Unit size: 2,000 square feet
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
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 welcome
Only dogs and cats are allowed
Maximum 4 (weight limit: 50 lbs per pet)
Service animals are exempt from fees
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Events
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
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
This property accepts cash
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 35
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property accepts cash. Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 35. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit in each accommodation.
Property is also known as
Vrbo Property
Upstairs at The Riverhouse... Guest Suit Grounds
Upstairs at The Riverhouse...guest Suite Grounds
The Riverhouse... Zen Retreat and Grounds Bastrop
Upstairs at The RiverHouse...Zen Guest Suite Grounds
The Riverhouse... Zen Retreat and Grounds Private vacation home
357754
Frequently asked questions
How close is The RiverHouse Pet Friendly Zen River Retreat to the airport?
This vacation home is 26.8 mi (35-min drive) away from the Austin-Bergstrom Intl. Airport (AUS) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.
How much does it cost to stay at The RiverHouse Pet Friendly Zen River Retreat?
As of Mar 10, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The RiverHouse Pet Friendly Zen River Retreat on Mar 11, 2026 start from CA $532, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Does The RiverHouse Pet Friendly Zen River Retreat have an airport shuttle?
Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.
Does The RiverHouse Pet Friendly Zen River Retreat offer free breakfast?
This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.
Is there a casino at The RiverHouse Pet Friendly Zen River Retreat?
No, there is no casino at this vacation home.
What time is check-in at The RiverHouse Pet Friendly Zen River Retreat?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
Is there free parking at The RiverHouse Pet Friendly Zen River Retreat?
Free parking is not available at this vacation home.
Does The RiverHouse Pet Friendly Zen River Retreat have a pool?
This vacation home does not have a pool.
Does The RiverHouse Pet Friendly Zen River Retreat have a spa?
There are no spa services available at this vacation home.
How close is The RiverHouse Pet Friendly Zen River Retreat to downtown Bastrop?
This vacation home is 2.3 mi away from Bastrop.
The RiverHouse Pet Friendly Zen River Retreat Reviews
Reviews
10
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.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 56 out of 58 reviews
10 - Excellent
56
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 58 reviews
8 - Good
1
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 58 reviews
6 - Okay
1
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 58 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 58 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
9.8/10
Cleanliness
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Adam S.
Mar 4, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness
Andy was always super quick to respond to texts and messages, he was very accommodating, and the place is amazing. We had a great anniversary celebration and we hope to come back for a longer stay in the future.
Adam S.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
10/10 Excellent
Ana G.
Feb 17, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness
Place was peaceful and relaxing
Ana G.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
10/10 Excellent
Stacey M.
Jan 4, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful location! Our family enjoyed the stay immensely!
Stacey M.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
10/10 Excellent
Shelly H.
Oct 28, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Pet friendly! Beautiful view and access to river. Quaint and comfy beds. Would stay here again.
Shelly H.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Elisabeth B.
Aug 4, 2025
Elisabeth B.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
barry g.
Jul 16, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Property was nice and spacious unfortunately the weather was not cooperating
barry g.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Bradley P.
Mar 29, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful Escape
The water view and relaxation delivered.
Bradley P.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Jeffrey W.
Mar 23, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
The perfect getaway for friends and family
Incredible property on the river. A truly relaxing and fun trip all around.
Jeffrey W.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Tammie G.
Aug 1, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful and serene
A lot of effort by the owner to have the grounds maintained. The house is very comfortable and homey feeling. The river is visible from the house.
Tammie G.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
8/10 Good
Verified traveller
Jun 23, 2024
River house.
The property was beautiful. It just needed a lot of love. The shared deck needed some work. Wasn’t comfortable to sit at. The house was very pretty but needed a deep cleaning. The sunroom was everyone’s favorite.
Verified traveller
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
10/10 Excellent
Camellia F.
Jan 5, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Family Holiday
Great spot to spend a holiday with my adult family. Have already recommended to several people.
Camellia F.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
10/10 Excellent
Timothy K.
Oct 4, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Great place to stay
The house was old and renovated with modern updates. Had an excellent air conditioning system and amazing grounds.
Timothy K.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
10/10 Excellent
Margaret C.
Jul 28, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Serene Relaxation
We love the Riverhouse! A great place to relax and recharge. This is the second time we’ve stayed there; we truly love the peacefulness of the house & property. We especially love watching the birds from the sunroom and walking down the terraced steps to sit by the river. The spa-like bathroom, the entertainment room & the kitchen are all great. There is a comfortable king bed in the downstairs bedroom. (It was just the 2 of us for this stay) Andy is a wonderful host, readily answering questions & always super helpful.
Margaret C.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
Misty B.
Jun 14, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Peace Like a River
The RiverHouse was the perfect place to kick off our summer break. It met the needs of everyone in our group from ages 8 to 74, plus one dog. Relaxation, wildlife watching, swimming, fishing, paddling—it’s all here in a quiet neighborhood tucked just outside of historic Bastrop. It is a great central location for day trips to visit Brenham, Austin, Round Top and more. Good luck tearing yourself away from the river, though. The grounds are a true wonderland and Andy is a top notch host. The RiverHouse is definitely on our list of repeat destinations.
Misty B.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
Christy T.
Mar 21, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect zen retreat
Such a piece of heaven. Lovely home-like property with incredible views, yard, and access to downtown Bastrop. My son fished daily, our dogs have never looked happier, and we had the most relaxing, chill vacation together as a family.
Christy T.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023
10/10 Excellent
Eric P.
Feb 28, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Great home base for paddling weekend
It was great to be able to pull right into the yard and relax before worrying about the vehicle shuttle! Great property for our group, with everything we needed for an awesome weekend. Will certainly be doing this again!
Eric P.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023
10/10 Excellent
Sarah A.
Jan 9, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Mothers, Sisters & Daughters
Lovely property, beautiful grounds and nicely appointed inside. Definitely hope to return again.
Sarah A.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023
10/10 Excellent
Dominic A.
Dec 26, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Pretty cottage, great location
Spacious yet cozy cottage for a relaxing winter getaway. Lovely outdoor area with river access.
Dominic A.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022
10/10 Excellent
Amy P., North Dakota
Dec 22, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Breathtaking
We spent a lot of time in the kitchen that was fully stocked talking and singing as a family. The Alexa in the kitchen was a plus. We watched movies in the main room and played games in the sun room. The house was amazing and then you add the outdoor space and river and it’s an oasis!! Plus it’s pet friendly so our fur babies were able to enjoy the fun too. The owner was extremely helpful and friendly. Our family will be going back for sure!!
Amy P.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
10/10 Excellent
Lori W., St Augustine, FL
Nov 19, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous and Unique
We enjoyed our stay at the River House. The house and grounds
are beautiful allowing for a relaxing getaway. We highly recommend this property for anyone that wants to embrace nature and spend time in a warm and welcoming space.
Lori W.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022
10/10 Excellent
jana p.
Nov 16, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Dreamy property on the river
This property is gorgeous! Don’t even hesitate to book here. Nothing short of amazing. Wish we could have spent more time there, but it was my daughters wedding weekend! The showers were a dream! Best rental Stay ever!!
jana p.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022
10/10 Excellent
Matt K.
Oct 28, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Nice little refuge
Plenty of house seating, nice areas to relax in. Great proximity to Circuit of the Americas. Bastrop itself is a cute little town. We enjoyed our stay a lot!
Matt K.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022
10/10 Excellent
tiffany w.
Oct 10, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Simply Amazing!
We had such an amazing time at Andy's place. We found this place when we were kayaking down the river and saw a sign that said "you could be staying here!". It turned out that this is the sister property, but we couldn't be more pleased. We were able to rent both the big house and garage apartment for the weekend and slept 12 (ages 4 to 68) comfortably. We hosted a birthday party for a small additional fee, and Andy was very accommodating, plus we had plenty of room for guests to visit. The grounds were stunning - the dome greenhouse, the terraces, the lawn. You couldn't ask for a more beautiful spot. Every person who visited said they'd love to stay again every year.
Here are a couple of things to note - both the front and back entrances to the house have a few stairs, the back ones were more manageable for our elderly visitors since they had a hand rail. The primary suite in the main house is on the first floor, and has a walk in shower and a tub for those with littles who need baths or people who wouldn't do great with a lot of stairs. Both bathrooms are spectacular. I loved the wet room downstairs with the giant tub and dual shower heads, but the upstairs bathroom had a fabulous view (it was cool to shower in the moonlight!) The stairs in the big house are steep! We kept a close eye on our kiddos (4 and 6) and they did just fine. There are a few rocking horses and a jenga set the kids loved playing with, but the real gem was the outdoors space. The kids loved seeing the fish in the dome, and playing on the hammock. I loved that there were multiple terraces with viewpoints so we could watch them play, and set clear boundaries (aka don't go past the last white fence by the river). For the river loving folks out there, this is on the El Camino Real Paddle Trip. It starts at Fishermans Park in downtown Bastrop (where you can rent kayaks and canoes), and takes out at the Colorado River Refuge. The house is about 3/4 of the way through the trip on the left hand side. We were able to kayak from the Park to the house in 4 hours and stop there, pull the kayaks up the bank, and grab the kids for the last of the trip. The river here is fast! It's very shallow (knee deep or so) but at a tiny island so the water is moving fast on both sides.
Well.. this concludes the longest review I've every written! Take the plunge and rent this place, it's 100% worth it.
tiffany w.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
10/10 Excellent
Sylvia O.
Sep 1, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing
Indeed it was too short of a stay enjoyed every single thing and did the kayak tour and omg it was amazing
Sylvia O.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022
10/10 Excellent
Selina R.
Jul 20, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful little oasis
A great place to rest and relax by the River. Andy is a great host. We had a wonderful time!