Verde River Rock House

This place was the most relaxing and beautiful place I have been to in a long time. Maggie the host was amazing and very accommodating. I am ready to go back and we just left. Our cell phone coverage didn’t offer us phone service but she had a land line so we let someone know back home if they needed us that was a way to get ahold of us, we were able to connect to wifi, and at first we freaked with no phones :)
But we realized after we left how amazing it was not to have the distraction. People book your room and stay you will absolutely love it. Maggie is a pastry chef and her food is hands down the best !

Hands down the cutest place in the universe! Ok maybe just the cutest place in Payson, but I’ll put it this way — my girlfriend and I stood in the doorway gawking at the well apportioned bungalow and were surprised at every turn over the opulent amenities «La Petite Maison» had to offer. From plush comfortable bed to an amazing shower and mini kitchen, every ounce of space was maximized! We are literally staying at a 5-​diamond restort in 800 square feet featuring an upstairs deck overlooking the canyon and a stage full of stars!

In one word — HEAVEN!
My wife and I have been touring B&B’s for the past 15 years. Usually about three or four a year. That is a lot of B&B time. I have to say that the Verde River Rock House is far and above the BEST of the BEST of the BEST. We have never stayed in an B&B that tied it all together like this one does.
Lets start with the people:
The Inn-​Keeper, Maggie, is a delightful person. Charming and inviting. She is an excellent chef with many recipes that can only be fund here. You can tell she really has a passion for this line of work and it shows. We have never had an Inn-​Keeper as wonderful as Maggie. Thank you for making our stay WONDERFUL!
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The food:
Our evening meal consisted of the largest wine and cheese platter we have ever seen — and eaten. All of the fruits and produce were extremely fresh and nicely prepared and the homemade breads were divine!
The morning followed with some sort of country style Eggs Benedict with potatoes and the most amazing bacon ever.
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The Building /​Amenities:
This B&B is built out of a small home that was constructed on the Verde River in the 40’s /​50’s. Over time it has been expanded and remodeled to accommodate guests. Originally it was built on stilts off of a rock ledge. Back in the 60’s the lower portion of the home (the stilts area) was finished out of rocks and back bored into the granite mountain. This gives you a stone cabin on the bottom and a rustic wood cabin on top.
The interior has been immaculately decorated. It is an odd combination of feminine Victorian refinement meets masculine German Black Forrest hunting lodge. Most B&B’s feel like they were exclusively decorated by someone’s Grandmother, but this one feels like Gramp’s got a say in it too.
The exterior has two LARGE decks and several little seating niches. These are a perfect place to enjoy a little coffee and watch the water flow in the morning, or sit back for some twilight time in the evening with some wine or single malt scotch.
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The Location:
The VRRH is located on a granite bluff about 50 feet over the Verde River. It gives you an excellent vantage point to watch the water flow over the rocks (small rapids /​falls) or to appreciate the chipmunks and squirrels.
Overlooking the VRRH is a red rock mesa that gives you a spectacular contrast between the lower watershed /​riparian area and the higher desert mesa. Payson has been referred to as the Alps of Arizona and it is clear to see — mountains and giant trees abound.
As if the B&B wasn’t relaxing enough — the landscape is pure therapy for the soul.
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Getting there:
Located north of Payson, AZ between the East and West forks of the Verde River, this B&B is remote, but not so remote that you can’t make it in an hour and a half from Phoenix. And the drive from Phoenix up to Payson is a cathartic progression of low desert to high desert through canyons anyway so it all adds to the experience.
Google’s directions to this place may need a little tweaking. I find that Google struggles with remote places like this, but Maggie can help get you some vital information that will aid you in finding the place. There is a low water crossing you need to ford. The water is only about an inch deep. We did it in a Mustang and the owner drives a Mini-​Cooper so low profile vehicles are not an issue.
The driveway is hard to locate in the dark so try to make it before sun down. It is to the right just before the 2^nd low water crossing. If you hit the 2^nd crossing — you went too far.
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You will not — ever — find a B&B this nice. It is well worth the drive and cost to stay just one night. If you can do two or three take it. You will not regret it. Payson and the (Mogollon) Rim Country is a beautiful place to enjoy and explore over a long three day weekend with quaint shops and adventurous trails and the Verde River Rock House is the perfect place to call home while you do it.