A Warm and Cozy 50' Houseboat in gated, quaint and peaceful marina near the city

The houseboat was exactly as described and met as well as exceeding my expectations. Very peaceful, overlooking the river. The bed was comfortable and I love every minute of our stay, just wish it had been longer. We met Capt. Ron on our last night. He is a very nice man and loved talking with him. I hope to return in the future. Barbara and Ben

The property was quiet and a great place to relax

I liked the opportunity to fish from the boat.... Didn't like that everything was old and outdated, paint and new furniture would make it a 5 star!!!

An excellent night away trying something different.

We had a great stay! Perfect get away for our anniversary. It had everything we needed and was super quiet with a great view. Thank you Captain Ron, for an amazing experience

Excellent

A dream of mine is to live on a boat in the future so when I saw this as an option I knew I needed to stay here. We lovedddd it. It’s for my husbands 40th birthday. I’m a veteran and my husband is still active duty so we know our way around a vessel. If you’re looking for luxury and fancy this isn’t it, it is a little rough around the edges, mind you this is a home on water, some bugs and constant maintenance and upkeep is to be expected. But waking up in a comfortable bed with a view of the water?? On the water?? Can’t beat that. If you’re looking for a cozy place to sleep in a quiet area on a beautiful boat then look no further. I’ve also been reading Captains Ron’s book. Hope to return someday or have my own live aboard!

Peaceful, welcoming and inviting all describe our stay. I would highly recommend this houseboat for your visit to Richmond.

This was a really cool experience for a VRBO. I would have never thought of a houseboat!

Truly unique, perfectly appointed, cozy and warm with stunning views. A very special experience.

Ron is awesome. The house boat was nice and cozy. We only stayed one night but it was very cozy. Thanks Ron

The boat and setting was delightful! Cozy comfortable with all that was needed Beautiful serene views.Ron is lovely and a great host Lilly pad marina restaurant close by was 5 star. Certainly recommended.Very enjoyable weekend .

Perfect. We were looking for a 'run away' so we could do nothing. Captain Ron is a superb host. At our beck and call

Captain Ron met us to check in. Very nice and helpful. The boat is docked in a private, peaceful area. You can hear some distant traffic noise and occasional faint train, but otherwise very quiet. The boat is older, with ongoing repairs and painting, but was clean and cozy. Has a large, full shower with hot water and a toilet that is similar to RV toilets. At the top of the dock is a building with full bathrooms and regular flushing toilets, as well as laundry facilities. The kitchen is equipped well with appliances and dishes. We enjoyed sitting on the upper deck, watching the fish jump and enjoying the river view. A few people live in the neighboring boats, but everyone was extremely nice. If you are adventurous type, that enjoys outdoor/camping/roughing it experiences, this houseboat is a great choice.

Capt Ron was kind and very responsive to all communication. He met us at the boat for a late check-in ensuring we were settled without questions before leaving. The boat is at a quiet marina with the beauty of nature all around. Very safe and peaceful.

Completely LOVED this houseboat. Felt like we were worlds away from everyone. Wildlife and view were wonderful too!

Beautiful setting and comfortable accommodations.

Very hospitable host, lovely location.

So fun and cozy and Capt. Ron was so nice and welcoming!

Unique stay. Great host. Would not recommend for folks challenged with walking up steep hills. Great sunset. Enjoyable on the water eateries. Typical challenges of living on a boat!

Ron was amazing with communicating before and during our stay. The houseboat was a bit disappointing though. Im all for roughing it, but this was beyond that. Many things need to be fixed, particularly the leak in the roof, it had been raining the day of our check in and the whole boat smelled musty. I thought we would give it a shot. I woke the next morning with a terrible migraine and we had to leave. I spoke with the owner Ron about this and the things I was concerned about. He told me he would reimburse me for the 2 nights we didn’t stay. Now it’s 3 weeks lasted and when I sent Ron a message about not receiving a reimbursement, he stated he could t recall who I was or the situation. Please be careful folks!

We did not stay. The vessel was in disrepair with leaks and the odor of mildew/mold,That’s all I’m gonna say and just please give truthful reviews. The pictures on the website are from 10 to 15 years ago. I do not recommend at all. The owner attempted to give me another rental, which was in the same disrepair. I do not recommend at all.

Captain Ron is one of the best hosts. Make sure you learn some local lore and history, too!

Very peaceful. Lovely views

Spending a couple of days on a houseboat moored in the James River is an ideal way to explore the rich history of Richmond, VA. Captain Ron is indeed a local treasure and is as willing to share his extensive knowledge as he is to offer these unique maritime accommodations to his guests. It is especially nice when a host is so conversant about the history of the area (having written several historical memoirs) and is also willing to offer recommendations on locales to visit (including the current Frida Kahlo exhibition at VFMA). The houseboat Cookie B itself is a quiet, rustic spot to pass relaxing hours - sitting on the bow, watching birds soar over the river to the nature preserve across the water is a great way to start or to end the day. The boat’s location in a local marina makes it easy to access by car; historical sites and battlefields are short drives away. All in all, a few days on a houseboat in the spring make for a tranquil and enjoyable mini-vacation in Richmond.

Very convenient location to Richmond but far enough away to be quiet and cozy. The boat is wonderfully decorated and the view of the river is wonderful. Captain Ron is a lovely and very helpful host!

Had a wonderful, relaxing time. The Gia Maria is an old-fashioned charmer dripping with character. Worn-in and comfortable, my wife and I loved it. Very peaceful on the river. Would have stayed longer if our travel itinerary allowed. Would love to stay again. Captain Ron is a friendly and lovely host.

This was a really nice different getaway for the weekend. Captain Ron was an excellent host and we had a great time.

We were looking for something unique to do for our first wedding anniversary, when we came across the house boat. Captain Ron met us at the boat to show us around and explain how things worked. We took him up on his suggestions for places to visit and places to eat, I loved how dog friendly the Lily Pad was. Ellie, our French bulldog even had her own little menu. The donut shop is a must try too, definitely worth it. We got to experience a storm on the river and it was absolutely beautiful. The river itself with the sunsets from the top deck, I took so many pictures and will be printing them out for our wall. The bed was super comfortable, I honestly got some much needed rest after spending the days exploring or just enjoying the river boat. Parking was very easy, we have nothing bad to say. Thank you Captain Ron for everything, we will definitely be back. I've been reading your book when I get a chance and am more than half way through already.

Not like the picture in the advertisement.Needs a lot of work.

Wish we could have stayed longer! Had fun with our dogs. Great place to launch from or just hang out. Fishing was good too! Hope to stay again.

Very responsive host, made the check in easy and showed me how to use everything in the unit. Would recommend!

This was a wonderful experience! I wish we had more time, because there is so much to explore and see! WONDERFUL Italian restaurant nearby, Portabellas! A must visit! Captain Ron was so helpful and knowledgeable! I didn't want to leave!

Captain Ron is my favorite host so far! He met me at the dock on the cold dark pouring rain, to make sure I got aboard and was comfortable. And the next day, kept me posted on the tide situation. He was helpful in every way possible. The boat is comfortable and welcoming. It is quiet and the water is calm. It is close enough to go do things, but secluded enough to feel like you’re a million miles away from every day life. I definitely will stay again, and I’ve already recommended it to friends.

Captain Ron was very nice and answered any questions immediately. Overall, the houseboat was fine, but needs some updates.

Provided you accept some of the compromises inherent in staying on an old boat, this is a unique chance to sleep on the water, and wake up to the James River and its wildlife. It’s a very restful place to spend a day or two, and this was my second visit, returning after three years. Captain Ron knows all there is to know about the river, the boat and its history. For a solo or couple, the boat is comfortable and well equipped. The kitchen equipment is basic but adequate, and the shower is surprisingly large. The yacht basin is secluded and private, and if you do wish to use it as a base, there is plenty to see and do within reasonable driving distance. But do allow some time to just enjoy watching the river go by.

Our host greeted us warmly upon arrival. We stayed on the Gia Maria six nights. Overall our stay was good. It would have been better had we been informed on day one that various areas inside leaked when it rained. Rain was in the forecast during our stay. It was stressful the night it rained not having adequate supplies to catch the drips. We learned from the owner that prior to our stay he had made attempts to locate the origin of the leakage but was unsuccessful.