Tranquil Gardens Retreat | Mins to Thunder Valley
Guest rating: 4.8 / 5
Overview
Tranquil Gardens Retreat is a newer-built, smoke-free North Auburn stay positioned as a weekend getaway for families and groups, minutes from Thunder Valley. The home offers over 2,000 sq ft of indoor/outdoor space, with keyless entry and smart-home touches such as an Alexa-enabled thermostat. Public guest ratings are strong at 4.7526145/5 from 153 reviews.
Space & Sleeping Setup
The layout includes multiple hangout zones, including two separate living rooms, a formal dining area, an eat-in chef’s counter, and a board-game lounge. A dedicated work-from-home office area is included, and the 4th bedroom functions as a den with an office desk, an upper bunk bed, and a convertible futon. Note that the master bedroom/en-suite (not pictured) and the garage are not available to guests.
Kitchen, Laundry & In-Home Comforts
Guests have a cooking-ready kitchen with cookware, a comprehensive spice rack, microwave, and oven stove, plus curated teas and Starbucks coffee. Convenience features include air conditioning and heating, washer access, ironing board, cable TV, and free parking. Recent updates include new luxury vinyl flooring in dining/living areas and a new 65" SmartTV with Roku in the living room.
Entertainment & Recreation
On-site entertainment centers on a PAC-MAN arcade machine (with additional classic games), 10+ board games, and console-gaming readiness (PS4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) on a large TV. For fitness, there is an exercise elliptical and a fitness center listed among amenities. Beds are described as having premium mattresses, with extra futons/air mattresses available for larger groups.
Backyard & Outdoor Amenities
A tranquil backyard garden is set up for outdoor cooking and relaxing, with an outdoor kitchen, BBQ/outdoor grill, and a fire pit for roasting marshmallows. A balcony is also listed among amenities. Guests should expect routine yard care, as a gardener comes on Tuesdays for lawn and yard maintenance.
Location & Nearby Dining/Transit
The retreat is in North Auburn with access to nearby dining and drinks, including Buonarroti Ristorante (about 2.3 km), Hops & Hogs (about 2.3 km), and The Trax | Off The Rails beer garden (about 2.4 km). The closest listed transit point is 12th and East St bus station (about 1.1 km). Sacramento International Airport is approximately 36.1 km away.
Best for
This property is best for families and friend groups who want a roomy, entertainment-forward home base, with two living rooms, an arcade machine, board games, and a backyard BBQ/fire-pit setup. It also suits mixed-purpose trips where some guests want to work while others relax, thanks to a dedicated work-from-home office area and fast Wi‑Fi. Travelers who prioritize a known master suite should note the master bedroom and garage are not accessible to guests.
Travel tips
Plan around access constraints: the master bedroom/en-suite and the garage are not available to guests, and reviews indicate some guests were surprised by this. If you’re relying on public transit, the 12th and East St bus station is roughly 1.1 km away; otherwise, free parking is provided for driving. Expect yard service on Tuesdays when a gardener visits for routine maintenance.
What guests say
Reviews emphasize overall comfort and a positive stay experience, with guests describing the home as a great place to stay. A recurring pain point is expectation-setting about which areas are accessible, specifically that the master suite is not available to guests. Some stays also highlight functional limitations for groups, including bathroom capacity (reported as a single full bathroom for five people). Smaller improvement requests mentioned include adding items like a full-length mirror.
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