River Dell Bed & Breakfast

07/25/2024

HOUSE CONCERT ENCORE!

Cliff Eberhardt and Louise Mosrie Coombe will be returning to River Dell Bed & Breakfast for a house concert on Sunday, August 4th. We had a full house for their show five years ago, with folks coming from as far away as North Carolina to see them. It was worth it!

Cliff and Louise are veteran performers who tour nationally and internationally, as individuals and not infrequently together. The storytelling and songwriting is stellar, and their playing and singing is excellent. We met Cliff in 1998 when he played the Barge Canal Coffee House in Hamilton NY, where I discovered that we went to junior high together in suburban Philadelphia. Linda and I have seen him perform many times since. We met Louise, originally from Tennessee, when she was at River Dell last time. She is delightful! You can check out their websites at cliffeberhardt.net and louisemosrie.com. They are also on Facebook and Youtube.

We’re glad their touring schedule has worked out so that they can be here with us. Here are specifics: Sunday August 4th, 7:00 – 9:00 PM at River Dell B&B, 7572 South Page Valley Rd., Luray VA 22835. Suggested donation is $20.00, but give what you like! Included are a couple of photos from their concert here on March 17, 2019.

Please message me if you would like to attend. Hope to see you then!

07/08/2024

We have reduced our nightly rate by $10.00, to cover most of a recent tax increase from 10.3 to 15.3%. This is being done as a protest of that increase, which is the result of our County Supervisors deciding to double the (county) lodging tax from 5 to 10%. There is also 5.3% state sales tax, which remains unchanged. This puts Page County near the top of county lodging tax rates in the state of Virginia.

We at River Dell strongly opposed this increase. We attended a public hearing at the County Supervisors meeting before the increase was issued, where it was clear that nearly all of the local short-term rental owners (cabins, B&Bs and others) opposed it. Somehow the Supervisors thought this would be good for business.

So we are reducing our rate to pay for the tax increase out of pocket, keeping our bottom line rental costs about the same. We hope that you will still consider River Dell as a place to stay when visiting our beautiful county.

04/24/2024

We now have wisteria at River Dell! A few years after installing an arbor and several years after planting, it is in full bloom for the first time. April is flowering foliage month here in Luray, and now we have this to go with the forsythia, redbuds, magnolias and dogwoods, among others.
We love spring here and summer that follows. Come visit us anytime, starting now! You can enjoy the river, the Caverns, Shenandoah National Park and the Skyline Drive, and all the history and beauty the area has to offer. Make your reservation at riverdellbb.com!

04/03/2023

EARLY SPRING AT RIVER DELL
April 2023

One thing we love about the Shenandoah Valley is that Spring gets sprung when the calendar says it should. Magnolias, bluebells, redbuds and lilacs all grace our neighborhood here on the River in the early part of April. It is truly beautiful! And the trees will begin to sport their spring green clothing in another week or so.

We especially enjoy hosting this time of year, because guests visiting all the nearby places come back with glowing reports. That’s true all year, but especially in the Spring. So whether for a weekend or a week, or anything in between, come see us! Remember, we are kid friendly. We would love to see you!

01/03/2023

We have now been hosting guests at River Dell for six years. One thing we have discovered is that we love doing this! We have met delightful people from all over the country and from other countries. It has certainly enriched our lives here on the river! This pic is from last July, with our current dogs Luna and Stella. They also love hosting. We would love to have you visit this coming year. Our place on the Shenandoah River, close to Luray Caverns, Shenandoah National Park and many other area attractions is great all year round. Have a wonderful 2023!

04/11/2022

02/08/2022

We do have Winter at River Dell, and after a rather cold and snowy January we can look forward to Spring as temperatures begin to moderate, even in February. By mid-March we’ll see the initial signs, and by the end of the month it will be in full bloom.

After 30+ years in Central New York this is a welcome change. I like the four seasons, but a shorter winter is fine with me. Springtime at the Dell is marvelous. And so is Summer, and Fall . . . ! Come book a stay, we’d love to have you!

10/22/2021

We have had a cancellation for the weekend of Oct. 29th & 30th - one of the season's prime dates! Check the website for availability and reservations: riverdellbb.com.

07/22/2020

RAINBOW OVER RIVER DELL
July 2020

We have not experienced many thunderstorms here at the Dell since we arrived four years ago this month, but this year we seem to be making up for it! This is only the second rainbow we’ve seen. Things are quite verdant, as we’ve had a relatively wet spring, and so far this summer we’ve avoided any extended dry spells. Thunderstorms help! Aside from frightening the dogs, they are normally a delight, especially when a rainbow results.

After having 20 guests in our beautiful suite in 2019, and nearly as many visits from friends and family, we have had none since February. We are in the age demographic where we think it better to err on the side of caution. We have not yet closed for the season, and at this point will still consider late summer and fall reservations on a case by case basis. Contact us if you are thinking about a stay at the Dell! Meanwhile we are hoping for good things at the end of the rainbow.

01/27/2020

VIRGINIA IS FOR VALENTINES

The Christmas decorations are put away, and around here that means we’re closing in on Valentine’s Day. Here’s an ornament from last month that previews the celebration of the third century saint of courtly love.

The advertising campaign that ended with the slogan “Virginia is for Lovers” began with the idea, “Virginia is for ______ lovers.” Though a bit cumbersome, I like the original idea because there are so many ways to fill in the blank. But this month we can just leave it blank!

River Dell is an ideal spot for a romantic getaway, in February or any time. A two-day stay for that special weekend, whether actually the 14th and 15th or other dates, can be had with the Page County “Pay for Your Stay” promotion – see previous post!

And we’ll include some romantic surprises. Come stay with us!

12/13/2019

Winter is a great time to visit Luray and the Shenandoah Valley! The caverns are always open – they have not been closed a single day for over 100 years. Restaurants, wineries, breweries, shops, art galleries and other attractions are also doing business. Opportunities for hiking and exploring outdoors remain – you’ll just need a jacket!

The Page County Office of Economic Development & Tourism is again offering a program to encourage visits during this season. “Pay for your Stay” offers a FREE anytime two night stay in January through March when coupled with a deposit toward a two (or more) night stay to be booked Monday-Thursday, April through September. This allows for flexibility with the timing of the spring/summer reservation. Make your winter reservation on the website soon – this is a limited time offer. All you need to do is make the reservation with the usual one-night deposit!

Hope to see you this winter, and this spring or summer!

11/14/2019

LOCAL COLORS

The Fall foliage season goes on for several weeks here in the valley (and up in the mountains). It’s not as brilliant as it can be at times farther north, where there are a lot more maple trees – which often produce the amazing reds. We do like the more muted but longer lasting tones of the prevalent oaks, walnuts, tulip poplars and other species here. And we like the extended time frame! Even our colorful chickens agree.

As we slide into the winter season, the visuals are still stunning – like the sunsets and moonrises over the mountains and the river. River Dell is a great place for a getaway all year ‘round! Come visit us.

09/17/2019

BED - AND BREAKFAST
That’s what River Dell is. The bed in our suite has a story. It’s made of cherry lumber harvested from a friend’s farm in upstate New York; it was assembled there and finished in Virginia. The king-sized mattress is by Tuft & Needle – look up the website, they have a fascinating story. It’s received consistently good reviews!
Breakfast has many possibilities. Since we have one suite, we cater to our guests individually. We ask beforehand about food allergies, dislikes and preferences and so aim to please. The meal can be a buffet, which is set up in the loft just outside the suite to be enjoyed inside, or on the private balcony overlooking the Shenandoah River. The other option is to eat family style downstairs in the Great Room with the hosts. Each option is available every day of your stay.
As good as this is, a visit to River Dell can include much more than eating and sleeping! There’s kayaking, canoeing and tubing on the river. Hiking can be enjoyed locally or along the Skyline Drive. And there’s much to do, year ‘round – see the Attractions page on the website. Come for a stay! We’d love to have you.

07/22/2019

SUNRISE, SUNSET
This poignant song from the half-century old musical Fiddler on the Roof remains a favorite at weddings. River Dell can provide a delightful setting for a wedding celebration, whatever style and music you might like! We do have lovely sunrises over the Shenandoah River, as seen in this mid-summer photo. We also enjoy a beautiful afterglow on the clouds and eastern landscape as the sun sets in the west, over the Massanutten range right across the street.

We have openings for small weddings this summer and fall! Check out our Weddings Page for details and photos. Or, just come for a relaxing getaway in the Valley by the River. We’d love to have you.

06/26/2019

We experienced our first rainbow at River Dell just this month! It got me thinking about – weddings! When something is described as at “the end of the rainbow,” what is meant is that something is almost impossible to obtain or achieve. The promise of the pot of gold there often makes sensible people do irrational things.

Rainbows are a reminder of the ongoing beauty of the natural order. And weddings are a part of that. Marriage is part of what guarantees the perpetuation of the human order, through procreation. That is one of the “ends” of marriage, and it is attainable! It is also something that is to be entered into sensibly, and not irrationally. There’s no pot of gold at the end.

We want to offer River Dell as a venue for beautiful weddings. Check out our website Wedding Page for details!

05/16/2019

“Just a little green, like the color when the spring is born,” wrote Joni Mitchell nearly fifty years ago. With ample rain, we’ve gone from that, to the full blown verdant countryside of May here by the river. Days are longer, the sun is warm, and the Shenandoah Valley is inviting!

This photo was taken in mid-April, and you can see the rain-swollen river looking west toward the Massanuttens. That little patch of sunshine on the mountain ridge (upper left in the photo) is just above where River Dell is located. This is a delightful time to visit. We’d love to have you!

05/04/2019

We've had a cancellation for next weekend - Friday May 10 - Sunday May 12. Check out riverdellbb.com to make a reservation!

01/18/2019

We are now offering River Dell as a venue for small weddings and elopements!
Looking for a lovely spot for your intimate wedding? We have just the place on the Shenandoah River overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. Plan your wedding at River Dell Bed & Breakfast!
Schedule your ceremony under our arbor by the river or inside by our unique fireplace! Whether just for two or a small gathering of friends and family, we can provide a romantic setting tastefully decorated amidst natural beauty. Stay in our luxurious suite and enjoy gourmet breakfasts with your preferences in mind. A range of delicious food and meal options can be enjoyed inside or out. Go to the website riverdellbb.com for details!