The River Electric — Hotel in Guerneville

We enjoyed our stay at The River Electric—staff were incredibly friendly, and the architecture and vibe across the site are top-notch, but there are some things to know before you book:

Atmosphere & Design: the grounds are well designed,, and the music is well-edited, made for a vibing glamping experience.

Staff: Friendly and helpful throughout our stay.

Family-Heavy Crowd – The resort caters heavily to families. While we love travel with kids, the place felt overwhelmingly busy and often loud. Other glamping spots we've stayed in had a more tranquil, adult-friendly ambiance.

Tight Layout – With 40 tents squeezed onto 12 acres, tents are just ~6 feet apart . You can practically hear your neighbors snoring or the kids crying—not ideal if you’re seeking peace or privacy.

Swimming Pool Expectations – They market themselves as a “Swim Club,” but both pools are only ~3 feet deep— more like wading pools. It’s misleading unless you’re strictly bringing kids.

Food Service Issues – Friendly bar and restaurant, but we had issues with a “smash burger” served undercooked, followed by long delays and missing food orders. Undercooked meat is a big risk for families. Also, can they please use reusable utensils? What a crazy pollution to have for each person one set per breakfast for the trash.

Pool Loungers Without Stay – Pool chairs cost $20 (and $350+ per-night tents already run steep), plus cabanas at extra cost. A staff member asked non-reserving guests to vacate loungers—it felt overly revenue-driven and took away from the chill vibe.

For the price (around $325–$350/night for a 2-bed tent) the resort feels a bit oversold. We genuinely liked the design, staff, and basic amenities—but clearer communication would help: emphasize the family focus, tighter spacing, shallow pools, and extra fees for pool access. It’s lovely, just not the tranquil retreat we’d hoped for.

Would recommend for a fun, family-filled day out—but not for a serene weekend escape to swim as an adult and to...

Lots of great things to say about this place and a few opportunities. Overall, it’s a really fun vibe and nice business for the area. We spent one night there, two adults.

Pros: The food and drinks are really exceptional. We had a few different drinks and the kiwi gin cocktail is something I’d go back for! The buildings and design are lovely and thoughtful. The bed in the tent was so comfy and they thoughtfully provide earplugs for the inevitable crying baby at night. It attracts very hip crowd and the music was great. The store is stocked with cool items and books, things that would make fun gifts.

Opportunities: We weren’t provided towels, washcloths, or even tissues in the tent. Maybe you’re supposed to bring a towel from the pool, not sure. There is one big bathroom only and it has maybe five toilets. It is for 40 tents plus a pool full of people. If you wake up late to go to the bathroom, you gotta walk for a while to a maybe stocked, maybe not bathroom. Also, tents are super close together which may not be ideal for everyone. Not a lot of privacy or space.

Uncontrollable: This is a kids zone for sure. The pools are super shallow and not a lot of adult swimming happening. Def a wading club vs swim club. Guessing it was an insurance or digging permit thing. If I ever have kids would love to bring them here but prob won’t spend the night again as an adult w/o them.

I overheard an owner/manager say something pretty rude and condescending to one of the female staff members. Given that it’s only been open a few weeks, seems like a kinder managerial approach is probably the way to go while things get worked out. Went down a star...

Like the other reviewer, I’ve experienced this place both as a mom to a toddler and as an adult traveling alone and let me tell you, it's amazing either way.

When I visit with my kid, there's plenty of kid-friendly food, and we spend hours in the big pool having fun together. The best part? I still get to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and feel like I’m on vacation even while parenting.

When I’ve come without my kid, enjoying their delicious drinks at the adult pool is my go-to. It's just steps away from the main pool but somehow has a totally relaxed, peaceful vibe.

Yes, it’s camping, which means you might hear a bit of noise from nearby tents (I've heard they’re planning to expand that area next season!), but honestly, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how respectful other guests are. Even my friends who have never won any awards for being quiet know it’s "whisper o'clock" when we’re back from town and going to bed. The tents are so comfortable and nicely decorated as well.

The staff is consistently friendly, responsive, and genuinely welcoming. Whether you're coming with your family or for a grown-up getaway, the whole place just feels good to be in.

Bonus tip: they host adult-only days with DJs and events, which are super fun. I highly recommend planning your visit based on the vibe you’re looking for and definitely call ahead to make sure the adult pool isn't reserved for a private event if that’s part...