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Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly.

Waterfront vacation home with kitchen and balcony

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Photo gallery for Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly.

Exterior
Property grounds
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Interior
Property grounds

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 10970 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Outdoor Space
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View in a map
Fairbanks, AK
  • Place, Chena River
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, University of Alaska-Fairbanks
    ‪15 min walk‬
  • Place, University of Alaska Museum of the North
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Fairbanks, AK (FAI-Fairbanks Intl.)
    ‪5 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Fairbanks

Located in College, this vacation home is adjacent to Chena River and a short stroll from University of Alaska-Fairbanks. The vacation home includes a kitchen, a balcony, and a refrigerator.
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What's nearby

  • Chena River - 1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • University of Alaska-Fairbanks - 15 min walk - 0.8 miles
  • University of Alaska Museum of the North - 3 min drive - 1.5 miles
  • Fairbanks Ice Museum - 7 min drive - 4.3 miles
  • Fort Wainwright - 9 min drive - 5.3 miles

Getting around

  • Fairbanks Intl. Airport (FAI) - 8 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Fred Meyer Fuel Center - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Sunrise Bagel & Espresso - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬4 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.

Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly.

While the unit is advertised for a number of people, it is great for a couple as well. We bought a two bedroom log cabin in the 60's. In 1974 we built a two story addition to accommodate our six children. At the time we wired and plumbed one bedroom so it could someday be a kitchen. The downstairs of the addition consists of a double garage, sun room and dining room. The upstairs is where guests are welcome. It has four bedrooms, sitting area, kitchen and porch. We have rented it monthly for many years but this time it was vacated we decided to do it as a VRBO. We live in the cabin downstairs.

Also on the property is a cabin that the original owner built for his parents and a barn that we built for our children and converted to a house when they were grown. We did bed and breakfast in them in the 1990's. At the time we registered the name Riverside Retreat. After a few years we decided to rent them on a monthly basis to have more time to play and travel. We can no longer do some of the things we used to do so are doing VRBO in the cabin too. We enjoy marrying people. We also enjoy sharing the space we have taken for granted for so many years. It really is a special spot.
The vacation home is heated and features a kitchen and a balcony, and there's space to spread out with 4 bedrooms. Guests can expect to find a TV with a DVD player. Other standard amenities include a washing machine, a coffee maker, and an ironing board.

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Property amenities

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing nearby
  • Snowboarding nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: Internet access

Parking and transportation

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Designated smoking areas
  • Note from host: We ask that people smoke outside.

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near a hospital
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Kayak
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 970 square feet

Policies

Check-out

Flexible check-out available (contact host to arrange)

Special check-in instructions

The front desk hours vary at this property
Guests must contact the property for check-in information
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Check-out time is flexible; to make arrangements, please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

  • This property welcomes pets
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, guests can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

Events allowed

Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
We ask that people smoke outside.

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
Parties and events are allowed on site
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
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

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business.
  • This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • Parties and events are allowed on site.

Property is also known as

Comfortable House Kitchen Chena River. Family Friendly Fairbanks
Comfortable House Kitchen Chena River. Family Friendly
Comfortable Kitchen Chena River. Family Friendly Fairbanks
Comfortable Kitchen Chena River. Family Friendly
Comfortable House Kitchen Chena River. Family Friendly Fairbanks
Comfortable House Kitchen Chena River. Family Friendly
Comfortable Kitchen Chena River. Family Friendly Fairbanks
Comfortable House Kitchen Chena River. Family Friendly Fairbanks
Comfortable House Kitchen Chena River. Family Friendly
Comfortable Kitchen Chena River. Family Friendly Fairbanks
Comfortable Kitchen Chena River. Family Friendly

Frequently asked questions

What can I see close to this vacation home?

This vacation home is situated in College, just steps from Chena River. You'll also find University of Alaska Museum of the North and Pioneer Park within a short drive.

Is there parking available at this vacation home?

No, this vacation home doesn't offer parking.

Is this vacation home adjacent to a casino?

No, this vacation home is not connected to a casino.

Will I find an indoor pool at this vacation home?

No, there is no indoor pool at this vacation home.

Is Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly. good for couples?

At this historic vacation home, amenities that appeal to couples include a kitchen, kitchens in some accommodations, as well as a garden.

Are there hot tubs at Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly.?

No, there isn't a spa tub at this vacation home.

Does this vacation home provide breakfast?

No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.

Will this vacation home allow pets to stay for free?

Although pets can't stay for free, they are welcome at this vacation home.

Does this vacation home have connecting rooms?

No, this vacation home doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.

How far is the airport from this vacation home?

The closest major airport to this vacation home is Fairbanks Intl. Airport (FAI), which is 4.6 mi away (8 minutes by car).

Can I book a room with a balcony at Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly.?

Yes, every accommodation at Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly. comes with a balcony.

Comfortable House With Kitchen On The Chena River. Family Friendly. Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 160 out of 204 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 33 out of 204 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 8 out of 204 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 204 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 204 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Lance D.

Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kirsten A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great communication, warm cozy home.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Izabelle A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Our family had a great stay at this home! It was really important for us to stay somewhere suited for young families and this place met those needs. It also had a fun Alaska feel to it with taxidermy and all of their family history tied into the place. I especially loved the little book people have been signing since 2014. It was interesting reading through other people’s experiences and stories. The host was also great at communicating, frequently checking in about laundry and such. Thank you for hosting us!
Aurora- We went out looking for it that night and saw a perfect view from their window when we got back!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

kyle B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Thomas B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Really lovely cabin home right on the Chena River. Mardee is the nicest host!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nina A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Checking in was super easy and Martha is just the nicest person. We actually got locked out and she let us in no problem. The rooms are cozy, the kitchen has all the gadgets we needed. The decor was great! Theres a polar bear coming out of the wall! We had an amazing trip! Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Eric S., Ketchikan, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
A comfortable and peaceful setting. I’ve stayed here a few times now and enjoy the setting and location.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Eric S., Ketchikan, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Appreciated their flexibility when travel changes needed some last minute adjustments.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jessica B.

Liked: Cleanliness
This was a fantastic stay. It has everything we needed and a beautiful view. My friends and I loved the cabin feel, as well as having many rooms to choose from. The kitchen also had everything we needed for cooking meals. Our only negative was the smell of cigarette smoke in the house. None of my friends are smokers, so we were not fans of that.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing hospitality and great place to stay. Great Alaskan charm and history.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

2/10 Terrible

Sheri B.

Disliked: Cleanliness
The house was very dirty, smoke filled and musty. We left after 2 nights and did receive a refund. The carpet was laid in the 1970’s, orange and green shag. The bedding was dirty as was the bathroom. The kitchen small appliances need replacing. The only nice thing was the view of the river. It needs a total makeover. Buyer beware.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anne F.

Liked: Cleanliness

Peaceful Family Getaway

We really enjoyed our stay. Our host did an outstanding job making us feel welcome, and the property was exactly as described in the listing. The location was perfect with a huge lawn right on the Chena River! We enjoyed relaxing on the deck, our kids enjoyed paddleboarding on the river, and our dog enjoyed exploring the spacious yard. The home itself has a unique, old time Alaska feel to it, and the beds were very comfortable. I enjoyed reading some of the articles hanging up about the history of the area. Our kids also enjoyed the puzzles and games, a nice break from the screens. We would definitely like to stay again next time we are in Fairbanks. Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Dr. Ron F.

good, nice location, great host
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Free Spirit Dog Training

Liked: Cleanliness

Safe place for dogs, beautiful views

Flexible checkin/out times, this was a great area to have dogs with us. The interior is outdated, but in a very cute way. There were some things the previous people had left behind (children’s socks and undies in the hallway) that weren’t noticed by the host. The balcony was lovely to sit on, the only real downside was the heat wave that we had, certainly not controllable, but the lack of ventilation was a bit uncomfortable, so if you’re headed here during summer, just be aware. We definitely enjoyed our stay and would recommend Martha’s place.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chris C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Host was wonderful to work with and the location was beautiful.. right along the river. The rooms were decorated with awesome game furs and taxidermy. It was an ideal place for us. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marcie

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Colleen K.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Location & Stay

We enjoyed our seven-night stay in winter 2025. The hosts were friendly and the place had all we needed; we especially liked spending time in the kitchen, with its big window overlooking the Chena River.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cooper G.

Liked: Cleanliness

River stay

Great house, would stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Chari B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great stay with family

Visiting from Idaho to see my sister, we had an amazing stay. The Ice Sculptures were beautiful. We made the trek to Chena Hot Springs twice during our stay. It was quite a dream relaxing in that warm water and staring into a sky I feel like I have never seen before. On our last night, as we pulled in after a long soak in the Hot Springs, we saw a great show of green dancing lights. The space was just what we needed to rest at night and fuel up for another adventure.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Elliot K.

Liked: Cleanliness

Mostly good, except for a couple of minor issues.

Really decent place overall. It's situated a bit outside of town, but still close. Less light pollution, so sometimes you can see the aurora without driving anyplace. Lots of space to spread out if you're 4 people. Originally we were going to be seven though, and that would still have been fine... except for the fact that there's only one bathroom. Beds were relatively comfortable. Pillows so-so. Kitchen is well stocked with everything you need, including generous supply of condiments and even snacks. Moreso than most VRBOs. The pans, however, were old, and teflon was coming off. I liked the rustic decorations... grizzly bear watching over us at night. Cleanliness was decent, but there is the smell of smoke. Guests are not allowed to smoke inside, but the owner smokes in the sunroom below, and that sometimes wafts into the upstairs living space. Also, the water had a smell to it. No one suffered any ill effects though. Overall, very decent place especially for the price.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chris L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great house great price

It's a beautiful older house on the river. It's well maintained and clean. It was warm and comfortable. Just awesome
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Crystal W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Unexpected Trip

Our trip was unplanned due to a funeral, the property was gorgeous, the apartment was large enough for all 7 of us the only downfall was it not handicap accessable but we didnt state that when we paid for it
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Vanessa H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful Hosts

I haven't met a nicer and more caring host! I will stay at any of their properties again.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mariah S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great place

This was a great place for my family to stay at. Great views from the windows and has a lot of character.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is the second time we've stayed here and it is a great location. The view out of the "Master Bedroom" out at the river is beautiful. The ambiance is rustic with a lot of hides and trophies mounted and hung. It's nice and quiet and the hosts, who live below, are very accommodating. 10/10 from us. We'll definitely plan to stay here again next time we go to Fairbanks.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

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