This older property is well-maintained, with lovely gardens and pool, and a very accommodating manager. The clientele appears to be mainly retirees and foreign tourists, so it was very quiet when we were there.

My friend and I stayed at the Northwood Lodge on a late September weekend for a wedding in Monte Rio. All the lodging in Monte Rio was already booked. We were not unhappy with our choice; it was a good value, as we were not spending much time at our lodging.

The place is actually much more attractive in real life than in the website photos...at the foot of towering redwoods, with well kept grounds and a very pleasant pool. Our room was clean, quiet, and smelled nice. The bed was comfortable, the bathroom was new and well appointed. I was able to make tea in the morning (very important!)

It is a simple motel, and a good place to stay if you don't want to spend too much, and there are myriad things to do very nearby. The ocean is about 10 minutes away, and Monte Rio and Guerneville are full of charm.

After a couple of nights at a 4-star hotel in San Francisco, we headed to the Russian River Valley for vineyards, biking, and hiking the redwood forest. As you enter Monte Rio, you are greeted by a sign exclaiming it to be a "vacation wonderland" teeming with "resorts." Don't expect luxurious spas and 5-star "resorts" like the Four Seasons -- this is truly an old fashioned "motel" type place, very much the kind of place our family would have stayed at when I was a kid. Nestled at the edge of a redwood grove, pool in the center with L-shaped, single-story motel looking out at the pool. Family works the office. Nice book of local restaurant menus in the office. Friendly people, but once you check in you won't see them again unless you need something. The rooms are not luxurious, but they are very clean and tidy. The bathroom looked new and was equally clean. Towels are changed daily, unlike the trend of the chains to conserve water and leave your towels unless you request a change. Restaurant next door doesn't open for breakfast until 10, so that was a curiosity ... why put a restaurant next door to a motel and then not offer breakfast at, say, 8:00 am? There is a bakery/coffee shop next door, though. There are a couple of local, homey restaurants for a full breakfast right down the road in Guerneville.

Northwood Lodge is very conveniently located to Russian River vineyards & wineries, the beach and spectacular Route 1 in the Jenner/Bodega area, hiking at Armstrong Woods redwood forest, bike rentals and tourist shopping in Healdsburg. Great vacation at the rustic Northwood Lodge!