Booking and payment
Why book here instead of Airbnb or Vrbo?
You reach us directly, we can be flexible about arrival times and questions, and there is no marketplace between you and the person looking after the house. We do not claim it is always cheaper, that depends on the dates.
How does booking direct work?
You choose your dates here and finish payment on our own checkout at booking.riverrunretreat.com. Same company, same confirmation, no marketplace in between.
Where does payment happen?
On our own checkout subdomain. Card details go straight to our payment processor; we never see or store them.
What is the minimum stay?
It changes by season and by weekend, and it is set in the booking platform rather than here. The exact minimum for your dates appears the moment you select them, we read it live, so it is never out of date on this site.
When am I charged?
The deposit schedule and balance timing have not been confirmed yet. Whatever they turn out to be, they are shown in full before you pay, never after.
Not yet confirmed for this house, ask us and we'll check.
Do I need an account?
No. You can browse, check dates and book without creating one.
Can I hold dates while I check with everyone?
Whether short holds are possible has not been confirmed. Rather than imply we can, ask us and we will give you a straight answer for your dates.
Not yet confirmed for this house, ask us and we'll check.
What happens if we need to cancel?
The cancellation window is set in the booking platform and is shown in full at checkout, before payment, never after. The exact wording for this house has not been finalised, so we are not summarising it here; what you see at checkout is the policy that applies.
Not yet confirmed for this house, ask us and we'll check.
During your stay
How do we get in?
A door code and directions arrive by email once the reservation is confirmed, and again the day before. No key handover, no meeting anyone at a set time.
What time can we arrive?
Check-in and check-out times are set per house in the booking platform and are shown on that house's page, so what you read is always current. If you are driving a long way and want to drop bags earlier, ask, sometimes we can.
Who do we call if something's wrong?
One number, answered locally, all week. It is in your confirmation email and on the fridge.
Is anything provided?
Linens, towels, kitchen basics, firewood and paper goods have not been confirmed per house yet. The amenity list on each property page is read live from the booking platform and is accurate, start there.
Not yet confirmed for this house, ask us and we'll check.
The houses
Are the houses suitable for young children?
Stair gates, cots, pool and river safety, and loft rail heights all need confirming house by house. Ask before you book with children and we will check rather than guess.
Not yet confirmed for this house, ask us and we'll check.
Is there a ground-floor bedroom?
This is answered on each property page rather than generically, because it decides the booking for some guests. Where a house does not have one, the page says so instead of leaving it blank.
Can we bring a dog?
The pet policy and any fee come from the booking platform and appear on the property page and at checkout. Where they are not yet set, ask us.
Not yet confirmed for this house, ask us and we'll check.
Where exactly is the house?
We show the neighbourhood and the drive times before you book, and send the exact address and door code as soon as your reservation is confirmed. That is a privacy setting, not an evasion, an occupied holiday house with a public address is a soft target.
Is there wifi good enough to work?
We publish a tested figure per house rather than the word fast. Until one has been measured, we do not put a number on it.
Not yet confirmed for this house, ask us and we'll check.
The river and the area
Can we swim in the river?
Conditions vary by season and by stretch, and this has not been documented yet. When it is, the area guide will give the honest version, including when the current is not suitable for children.
Not yet confirmed for this house, ask us and we'll check.
Can we launch a boat?
Bank access, trailer parking and the nearest public ramp have not been confirmed per house. Ask us with your dates and we will find out.
Not yet confirmed for this house, ask us and we'll check.
Do we need a fishing licence?
The licence requirement and where to buy one locally have not been confirmed. Do not take this page as permission to fish without one.
Not yet confirmed for this house, ask us and we'll check.
What's the nearest grocery store?
Drive times from each front door are published on the property page and in the area guide as they are measured.
Not yet confirmed for this house, ask us and we'll check.
Still deciding?
Check the dates first. It answers most of it.