Testimonials
For more reviews, please visit our TripAdvisor page.
Bill and Brenda, thank you so much for helping make Jen and Al's wedding day extra special. The venue couldn't have been any more beautiful! We heard many compliments on what a special spot it was. We will treasure the beautiful memories for years to come.
Thanks again, Mary and Denis V.
Thank you Brenda and Bill for a relaxing stay in this lovely home! We were very comfortable here and very much enjoyed ourselves. It was good to find out also that we were in a home where Christ is honored. The walk down by the river was great. We found 2 deer staring at us thru the fence. Thanks again!
Sam and Sarah N.
Brenda and Bill, thank you both for being wonderful hosts and allowing use of your beautiful property for our wedding! Everything was beautiful and we had many compliments on the venue. We were so happy the weather cooperated for our big day and we couldn't imagine being we anywhere else. It was just gorgeous. Thank you again
Michelle and John .
My husband and I loved the River Edge Bed & Breakfast. The house is charming and sits on amazing acreage along the Flat River. The owners did a wonderful job restoring the house to its original time period--lovely furnishings and very cozy, comfortable bed. Bill and Brenda were very gracious--went beyond the norm to insure our stay was extra special. The breakfast was delicious and way more than we could eat--complete with fresh eggs from their farm! The view from the house and "the wall" on the river is amazing and so relaxing. Felt like we were at a wildlife sanctuary--deer eating from the apple trees and spotted so many beautiful bluebirds. The backdrop behind the house was incredible as the sun set against it.
Hard to believe this place is just a mile from downtown Lowell--so close to the little shops and restaurants but feels like a private little paradise. Looking forward to a return visit during peak fall colors. Save the gas money driving up north. These people have it all right here in their back yard!
K. Meyers, Grand Rapids, MI
Bill and Brenda were extremely kind and welcoming! The place is cozy and recently re-done, with all the charm of an old house, yet all the amenities of a new one!
The grounds are absolutely gorgeous, and I was lucky enough to see a group of deer frolicking on the lawn in the morning!
The fresh raspberries were right from their own bushes, and the food was delicious!
Looking forward to returning next time I am visiting my sister in Grand Rapids!
Elaine F. - Royal Oak, MI
We recently had a delightful experience staying at the River Edge Bed and Breakfast. The proprietors, Brenda and Bill, were quite pleasant and welcoming, and did everything they could to make us feel welcome and comfortable. We particularly enjoyed their joining us for the delicious breakfast which Brenda had prepared. The facility is quite charming - and old house which Bill has painstakingly modernized and which they have tastefully furnished. As it turned out, we were the only ones staying that evening, and, consequently, had the whole house to ourselves. It is beautifully situated in a wooded area on a very large acreage alongside the Flat River - marvelous scenery. We were able to see a group of deer when we woke up in the morning, adding to the ambiance. We would certainly recommend the River Edge Bed and Breakfast to anyone wanting a relaxing stay in a very tranquil environment.
Room Tip: We had the master bedroom, on the first floor, which was quite lovely and included a private bath.
Rhina G. Flint, MI
My now husband and I had the extreme pleasure of staying at River Edge Bed and Breakfast & Gathering Place on our wedding night. In so many different ways the owners, Bill and Brenda, went beyond the expected to make our stay special. While planning our wedding at Fallasburg Park I stumbled on the website for the bed and breakfast. The pictures of the property were so beautiful; I immediately called to see if they had any availability. We were in a pinch as we had out of town guests and had already filled the other hotel in town. After calling, Bill explained to me that they were still under construction and were not sure if they would be open in time. At that time, understandably, he was not able to make a reservation but urged us to call back closer to the date.
As the date got closer, I called again to see if we would be able to make a reservation. I explained our situation that we weren’t able to find enough rooms in town and that my finance and I were hoping to stay there on our wedding night. Strategically providing our family enough rooms in town and us some privacy. Bill and his wife took pity on us and agreed to let us make a reservation, even though this meant that they would have to work faster than they already were to have the place ready in time. The day before the wedding I stopped by the bed and breakfast. Bill and Brenda were busily working on getting the place ready in time, but stopped and gave me a tour of the property. The place was breathtaking. The house had all the charm of a farmhouse with the conveniences of modernism. The property is situated next to the river where they have built an overlook where the old dam was situated. We hadn’t originally planned on having pictures taken there but upon seeing the place decided that we would return after the wedding for pictures.
The day of our wedding I had arrived before the wedding to get ready. Bill and Brenda were there making finishing preparations. They ensured that we had everything that we needed and wished me happiness. The photographers met us at the house and took some wonderful photographs. I really love the pictures of getting ready with the backdrop of the farm house (especially the ones that include the lace curtains!). After the wedding my husband and I returned to the house to take some more photographs. Again, the scenery made those photographs very special.
After the wedding we came back to the house exhausted and hungry. We rummaged around and found that Brenda had left us a gourmet breakfast in the fridge. At some point when we had talked I must have made a comment that I was a vegetarian because there was one vegetarian dish and one with meat. We tucked in to it and were very pleased. If you’re worried that we went hungry in the morning there was a fresh made coffee cake sitting on the dining room table that was devoured.
Our wedding was the first of September and was still very humid. We turned the AC on and slept very comfortable on the bed. The owners had even provided pillows with varying levels of support. In the morning we enjoyed our coffee while watching deer trace across the property to the apple tress situated at the front of the house. Waking up early enough we realized we had enough time to go on a kayak trip before checking out. We called over to Bill and asked if they would mind dropping off the kayaks. Again, Bill and Brenda kindly obliged going so far as to drop us off a couple miles down the rivers so we could float back to the house. What a peaceful way to spend your first morning as husband and wife.
When preparing to leave Bill and Brenda had asked us if there was anything they could do to improve on the stay. After their extreme kindness and hospitality we couldn’t think of anything that could have made our stay more special. My husband and I highly recommend River Edge Bed and Breakfast to anyone looking for a getaway or for a wedding location.
Sincerely,
Jeff and Esther K. Grand Rapids, MI
Our experience with River Edge Bed and Breakfast was a joy from first to last. The property was lovely, the accommodations were extremely comfortable and the hosts were more than generous. Brenda's baking was delicious and she went out of her way to provide a breakfast that suited us best. We really appreciated the skill and sensitivity that went in to the refurbishment of the house. Old time feel with modern convenience. I will definitely be back.
Sandy S., Brimley, MI
We had a lovely stay that exceeded all expectations. We enjoyed the privacy, the spaciousness, the décor of the house, the very comfortable bed in the first floor bedroom, and the continental breakfast that went beyond the usual continental. Most of all though, we loved being surrounded by nature. The views from the home and sitting area, and walking outside were fantastic--and we had it all to ourselves. We loved walking by the river seeing an amazing number of bluebirds (in late October), kingfishers, great blue herons and more. We expect to be back and highly recommend this bed and breakfast!
Ruth M., Lansing, MI
"Felt Like Home and Friends"
River Edge is just what we were looking forward to. It felt like home from the minute we met Bill and Brenda. We so enjoyed our conversations. The farmhouse is so beautiful and Bill's handiwork is that of a real craftsman. The property is so peaceful and scenic. We so enjoyed our breakfast tailored just to our needs. The fruit cups were so colorful. We definitely want to return. And we surely enjoyed the scenic drive Bill suggested as we left.
Kathy D., - Portage, MI
WOW!!! I am a world traveler. I have visited 46 different Countries and most of the U.S.. I have stayed in 1 star dives and 5 star palaces. I can honestly and unequivocally say that I have NEVER stayed anywhere I enjoyed more than the River Edge Bed And Breakfast And Gathering Place.! Bill and Brenda, the owners and hosts are simply 2 of the nicest people I have ever come across.! They make you feel right at home, from the initial booking call, to them greeting you after you arrive, to the DELICIOUS home made breakfast on the morning of your departure. Their B&B is an old 1800's farmhouse, that was faithfully restored by Bill & Brenda, that sits on over 100 acres of pristine undeveloped land. This Is a very cozy and romantic set-up as the owners do not live here, but just a short distance away in their own home. This is uncommon for most B&B's I have seen, and a nice privacy issue for the guests and the owners themselves.! The B&B features the best of old and new, meeting an the intersection of both, thus you get the best of both worlds. You get an 1800's era home with many touches from that period, as well as some modern amenities, that will make your stay convenient and pleasant. It is nostalgia meets the modern age. There is flatscreen TV's in each of the meticulously, tastefully appointed bedrooms. Complete kitchen, with some stocked snacks. modern appliances, lovely furnishings and oriental style carpets throughout.! The beds are also very comfortable with modern, high quality mattresses. The shampoo and body wash is top drawer, as are the luscious, soft linens, blankets and towels.! There is a lovely, large living room/common area with a large flat screen TV and very comfortable furnishings. There is an attached 4 season porch as well, complete with bathroom and shower! it even includes a romantic moonlight fixture above it.! The tub looks directly out a large slider to the flat river, with deer, ducks, and wild birds commonly looking back at you :) There is a beautiful sitting area above an old dam, with the beautiful Flat River flowing beneath your feet with a covering during the warm months. You can sit there and soak in the wildlife on this unspoiled pristine land! There is tubing available to float down the river, and a kayaking coming soon! I also noticed 2 lovely trestles for weddings. One natural and one man made. I was told that weddings are already booking very quickly on this new property.
If I were getting married, and was a nature and peaceful surroundings lover, I cant think of a place I would like to do it more than this place! Word of mouth is the best way for a new business to gain exposure, and I can assure anyone reading this review, that if you like what I described above, you want to get away from it all, and unplug for a day, or still plug in if you want to check on things back home. Then this is the place for you! As I said above, I have NEVER been anywhere where I have felt more at home around the nicest people and the most beautiful surroundings I can imagine! So, go ahead and call them, book a reservation for yourself, your wedding, your church group, ANY group that may like to experience the best B&B experience I can possibly imagine! My wife and I have already decided to return here 1 day a month, every month, to decompress and get away from the rat race. I hope many who ready this will book a room there sometime, if your ever in West Michigan. You WONT regret it.!!!
Paul K. , Grand Rapids, MI
My husband surprised me with the most wonderful Valentines night at the River Edge Bed and Breakfast. Everything was perfect from the moment we arrived, we hated to leave. Breakfast was fantastic, the entire place was very clean, the property was perfect and we enjoyed watching deer grazing - we would recommend this bed and breakfast to everyone we know and look forward to our return visit.
Lorna S., Lowell, MI
