Fodor's Expert Review AutoCamp Russian River

Guests at this spot along the Russian River that debuted in 2016 camp (well, sort of) in luxury under tall redwoods in cute-as-a-button Airstream trailers. During the summer, ten fancy tents (two-guest maximum, including children), a relative bargain, are also set up. The tents don't have showers, which guests take in the midcentury modern–inspired clubhouse.

YOU SHOULD KNOW You're technically camping, so forget about room service and hotel amenities like a pool or spa, and expect to pay for housekeeping.

Photo: Luxury Tent, available April - November / Aubrie Pick

room

The cleverly modified trailers, oh so contemporary and roomier inside than they appear from without, are decked out with high-quality queen down beds swathed in hotel-style linens. Bare-bulb reading lamps hanging from the ceiling above the queen beds are among the many thoughtful touches, and each trailer has a sofa that converts into another bed. Mod cons not available back in the day include built-in audio systems with MP3 inputs and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. The efficient mini kitchens have microwaves and utensils. Outside are a private seating area and a campfire and barbecue pit.

It's worth spending the extra dollars for one of the Premium trailers, which sit creekside farthest away from the parking lot and clubhouse and tend to be the quietest accommodations.

Photo: Luxury Tent, available April - November / Aubrie Pick

bathroom

Remarkably spacious bathrooms have marble-tile walk-in showers with rain-shower heads. A small glass shelf under the shower holds Malin+Goetz bath products, one of several boutique-hotel grace notes that elevate the experience here.

Photo: Communal fire pit inside the mid-century modern Signature Clubhouse. / Aubrie Pick

lobby

A tall exterior wall constructed of the ends of cut firewood strikes a faintly retro-campground note at the airy Autocamp Clubhouse, but the design sensibility is fun and ultracontemporary. A combination lobby, camp store, and hangout with a fireplace sunk into the floor a major focal point, the concrete-and-wood space also contains bathrooms and showers used by guests staying in the tents. The camp store sells Russian River wines and locally made beers in addition to snacks, soft drinks, and a few essentials.

Photo: Communal fire pit inside the mid-century modern Signature Clubhouse. / Aubrie Pick

dining

Coffee, tea, and freshly squeezed orange juice are laid out in the clubhouse in the morning, but no meals are served at AutoCamp.

You can purchase some provisions at the small camp store, and Big Bottom Market and Safeway are both less than a mile away in downtown Guerneville.

drinking

Locally made beers and Russian River wines are available for sale at the clubhouse, but there's no bar.