What was to be a birthday vacation had to be cut. We were asked to arrive after 5:30 pm because the workers didn’t want to work in the heat. When we arrived around 8:00 we parked by a small pond filled with lily pads and LOTS of mosquitoes. Only one of the two doors facing the parking lot opened. The temperature in the house was unbearable and had to be over 100 degrees. In an attempt to cool it down we looked for windows or other doors to open. The only other door that opened was on the deck side. This made it impossible to get any breeze to cool the house. No windows at all to open for fresh air. We discovered a noisy ceiling blower in the upstairs that was circulating hot air and, dirty rags in the downstairs toilet and on the bathroom counter. After frantically searching we found the landline on the floor by the dining room table. We called and spoke with Marie who seemed unfazed by the dirty rags and noisy ceiling fan. She actually said that I could remove the dirty rags with a stick then gave directions on where to find the hidden switch to turn off the blower. It was outside in a closet by the bbq. Who would’ve known.. We decided to unpack the cooler and have something to eat however that was not in the cards as my husband notified me that there was a mouse running around on top of the stove. These are just some of the reasons we left the next morning. Cobwebs everywhere, doors that were locked and wouldn’t open, broken spa & convection oven.

The home (its decor and furnishings were super chill Victorian era to just lounge about in for you homebodies out there), grounds and views of the opposing hills were stunning. It was entirely peaceful and the stars at night are divine. Everything was functioning and operating as planned. The setup down at the creek was extremely serene. Bring bug spray and dont forget that you are truly spending time in the country when you see bats flying about. The host Maria was very helpful and always accesible. We will be back !

Beautiful property with a unique and lovingly decorated cabin. We loved all the little details, and the pool was heaven on a hot day. Pro tip- bug repellent is a must for hanging out on the deck in the evening.

The name says it all. This is a magical place. Thank you Marie for sharing this magic with us. We will see you soon!

Sanctuaire is a beautiful escape into nature. My sister and I just spent 5 peaceful days and nights surounded by a very serene bit of the world. We really immersed ourselves and feel like we've been to a retreat. Marie is the perfect host...available but very unobtrusive. She is a lovely person and only added to our stay.

Everything about Sanctuaire is relaxing and beautiful! Comfortable beds and furniture, interesting art, excellent equipment, gorgeous views, plenty of wildlife to watch and listen to -- and a pool and hot tub, too! We had a lovely week-long vacation here, visiting redwood groves and the ocean, and mostly, sticking around the property to read books and enjoy each other's company. Delightful.

This sweet property deep in the woods is such a gem. When we showed up for a girls weekend the entire property was covered in shasta daisies! We spent three days utterly blissed out, reading by the pool, soaking in the hot tub, and eating meals on the deck. Highly recommend the walk down to the creek, especially if you have dogs. It’s a beautiful place for recharging, bird watching, reconnecting with friends, and we are all desperate to return as soon as possible!

Sanctoire far, far exceeded our expectations, and we feel so lucky to have gotten the chance to visit! This handbuilt, incredibly unique property is full of beautiful antiques, stained glass windows, and amazing artistic flourishes that you will still be discovering by check out time. Marie is a remarkably thoughtful and gracious host, and you can see her impeccable taste throughout the home. The property is as incredible as the house itself, and it's completely private, with good fencing along the neighboring properties. Having the pool and hot tub all to ourselves was phenomenal, and the whole property was exploding with irises, lavender, and daisies while we were there, making the whole experience fairy tale-esque. Tips for travelers: you won't want to leave once you arrive, so it's a great idea to bring all the groceries you'll want to have handy. The wifi was strong enough for streaming, but California weather can impede wifi at times and we didn't have cell connection, so downloading movies and making sure you can thrive without wireless connection for a few hours will give you peace of mind. Marie provides a landline so you'll never be cut off from the world.

We loved every minute of our star and we were not ready to go home after spending 3 nights. If you are looking for a sanctuary to y your cup and reconnect with nature this is for you. Thank you Marie for sharing this place and your beautiful energy.

Lots of wood, stone, skylights, nature...artsy fartsy stuff

We spent a few lovely days here. Enjoyed curling up on the chaise near the fire with a book. If you love Victoriana you will appreciate the beautiful stained glass. Walls of windows to enjoy the view but total privacy. Be sure to enjoy the walk to the onsite creekside respite. We will be back in the summer so we can enjoy the outdoors here!

Overall we had a nice get away. The property is very charming, filled with some gorgeous antiques and the surroundings couldn’t be lovelier. We did have a couple of challenges that prevent me from making this 5 stars. Upon arrival we went to put groceries in the fridge and it stunk like old crab had been left in there. There was physically nothing in the fridge so it had to have been removed very recently. Next morning we went to make breakfast and noticed the eggs didn’t feel cold. Upon further inspection we realized that even though the fridge was set at 37, the actual temp was 57. We had to toss all perishables and replace. We alerted Marie who was gracious and offered to cover costs. We spent Saturday exploring the coast and had lunch in Guerneville, replaced the spoiled food and returned to the property with plans to grill in the beautiful weather. Unfortunately when we went to start the bbq, the propane was empty. This was pretty frustrating given a grill is listed as an amenity on the Vrbo listing. If it’s listed, it should be up and ready to go unless notified otherwise. I had no cell service and didn’t spot the landline to call Marie until after I had messaged and my partner ended up walking over to her property to see if she had another tank. Yes we were able to resolve the issues but it did take away from what we really wanted which was just to relax and enjoy the place. Overall, the place is lovely we just had a couple of frustrating hiccups.

I love this place. My second time in this house. Marie, the owner is super hospitable, and the place is incredible. Great place to go if you really want to get away from it all. Absolutely beautiful.

But really. This place was more magical than the pictures and my imagination could have ever done justice. We arrived in the dark to fires lit, a cozy warm space, with such gorgeous lighting throughout the house. Whimsical hardly says enough. The property cast a spell on us immediately! Waking up to appreciate the stunning grounds and paths was nothing short of spectacular. It didn’t matter that it was cold or rainy, this space was so special and unique. Everything from the claw foot tub, stunning antiques everywhere, and delightful wood burning stove had us enamored. My biggest regret is not having had more time to spend here, but I Have no doubts we will be back. Our host went above and beyond to accommodate our fur babies, ready a warm space (no small feat!), and conscientiously communicate ahead of time to manage expectations and generally just connect. Her energy contributed to our positive experience without a doubt :) You will not regret spending any amount of time here!

A lovely, secluded area which was a perfect weekend getaway for us from the city. This very unique house, carefully decorated with years of collected furniture and art work has everything you need including a hot tub under the stars! Maria made sure to even call us before the trip and explain in detail what all were available in the house. Would definitely come back to this beautiful place and location.

Stargazing in the hot tub, amazing old school bay area bohemian home atmosphere, lovely peaceful yard of giant oaks & pines all nestled in far away from the stress of the city. A proper retreat! Thanks Marie!

My wife and I came here to celebrate our 18th anniversary. It was a bit harrowing getting here as a tree had fallen across the road, taking out two power lines in the process. After waiting an hour for PG&E to clear the road we were told by the fire department that the road would not be opening until the next day. So we had to drive the long way around on a winding narrow mountain road for an hour and half. We arrived a bit shaken and car sick. Stepping out of the car we were in awe at the spectacular surroundings! However, the house was another matter. Our first impression was that it felt like we were staying in the Winchester Mystery house with its uneven rock and tile flooring, heavy antique furniture, dim lighting, mutliple doors and windows, some which opened and some which didn't close all the way, the cupboard door that would swing open when you walked by it, and the unorthodox layout of the entire house. We didn't find any hidden panels or secret passages, but it wouldn't have surprised me if we did! We were seriously considering only spending one night out of our 3-night stay. It seemed to be the beginning of every horror movie you've ever seen. An isolated cabin in the woods, an unsuspecting couple, and the road blocked. Fortunately there wasn't a thunder and lightning storm going on! So we watched TV to calm down and in the morning it didn't seem so scary. We stayed on the upstairs floor where the kitchen is located and the bedroom has a queen bed which is easy to get to from both sides. The king bed downstairs squeaks when you move on it. It is also difficult trying to get in and out of on the left side as there is a narrow space between the bed and the stairway. And the pointed rock-covered pillar two feet away is a major hazard to navigate around if you had to get up in the middle of the night. So we avoided all that by staying upstairs. The queen bed upstairs was super comfortable, and I loved the softness of the sheets. That room also has sufficient window treatments for privacy or to darken the morning light. I LOVED the 5 separate outdoor sitting spaces that surround the house where you can relax and enjoy nature. The weather was GREAT with cool crisp refreshing mornings, hot mid-day and warm afternoons and evenings. The pool area was one of my favorites where we could sun or sit in the shade while reading a book. It was so amazingly quiet! After our rocky start we ended up LOVING IT and stayed all 3 nights!

Sanctuaire is a very special place, both in its setting and in its accommodation. I'd be willing to bet that you have NEVER been in a place like this. Whimsical, magical, spiritually restful. Be ready for a "back roads drive" to get there, and I'd suggest you bring all your favorite food and just plan to remain on the property for the duration of your stay. That's no hardship with the huge swimming pool, hot tub and multiple private decks off each bedroom. Sanctuaire is privacy personified.

Amazing property in a beatiful part of California. Very relaxing stay, highly recommended.

This was our first vacation in 3 years due to COVID concerns so we splurged. This was the perfect place to spend our anniversary, relax in solitude, connect with nature, myself and one another. Marie, the hostess, was so accommodating, creative and energetic!

This was our first vacation in 3 years due to COVID concerns so we splurged. This was the perfect place to spend our anniversary, relax in solitude, connect with nature, myself and one another. Marie, the hostess, was so accommodating, creative and energetic!

"I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail Poisoned in the bushes an' blown out on the trail Hunted like a crocodile, ravaged in the corn Come in, she said, I'll give ya shelter from the storm" Bob Dylan Our whole family was burned out. No one was sleeping well, we felt tired and achy all of the time, every slight inconvenience left us in tears. Then we got to Marie's wonderful house in the woods and could truly relax and just be. We swam in the pool everyday, watched turtles and frogs in the pond, sat outside enjoying every little vista. We moved from shade to sun, and sun to shade as we wanted. We cooked simple meals, and made no demands on ourselves or each other. It was just what we needed. Time in a cottage that was equal parts Tuscany and gingerbread house, filled with color, light, and texture. The beds were made with sheets so lovely we took a picture of the label to order some for ourselves. Lots of fluffy towels for the bath and the pool, we could wash our dirty clothes in the family sized washer. My 6 ft and 6' 2" companions really appreciated the oversized furniture. I read ten books from the eclectic selection. If you like minimalism and clean lines- this isn't for you. This is a home of abundance and creature comforts. Thanks Marie- The time was healing and magical. We were weary with sorrow, and found what we needed.

Wonderful space for four friends to have a weekend away. Beautiful whimsical home and lovely pool and hot tub. Marie is a delightful host.

Beautiful space in a beautiful setting. We came out here to relax with peace and quiet. It was wonderful, thank you!

Beautiful space in a beautiful setting. We came out here to relax with peace and quiet. It was wonderful, thank you!

The house itself is beautiful and the property is a secluded little slice of heaven all to yourself!

Much needed weekend away from reality.

For us, it was the perfect tranquil setting to relax and reboot. Unique and beautiful home with thoughtful details at every turn. Warm, gracious host....could not have been sweeter!

For us, it was the perfect tranquil setting to relax and reboot. Unique and beautiful home with thoughtful details at every turn. Warm, gracious host....could not have been sweeter!

This property was spectacular, both inside the house and throughout the spacious grounds. The attention to detail was evident everywhere. Our family of four adults had plenty of room to relax, cook and enjoy the views from every room. We took walks to the creek on the property and enjoyed the hot tub in the rain. We hope to go back during the warm season and make use of the pool as well!

This property was spectacular, both inside the house and throughout the spacious grounds. The attention to detail was evident everywhere. Our family of four adults had plenty of room to relax, cook and enjoy the views from every room. We took walks to the creek on the property and enjoyed the hot tub in the rain. We hope to go back during the warm season and make use of the pool as well!

Couldn't ask for a better experience, just what we needed to get away from the everyday hustle and bustle. Great place to disconnect from the world and reconnect with the people you care about. The property was beautiful and very well kept.