Diamond John's Riverside Retreat

DISGUSTING! When we arrived we actually drove by it the first time because I thought no way could this be the place. The office is overrun with weeds, broken down car and lawnmower in front yard. When the owner (she) can out and told us to follow her I knew we were in trouble, everything was overgrown with weeds and trash everywhere! What we found inside was dead spiders, live spiders, an inch of dust under the tv stand, electrical wiring so dangerous that it’s a fire trap waiting to happen. We wouldn’t even use the shower because it obviously hadn’t been cleaned in years as well as the toilet. I can take roughing it but I want something clean. I slept in my everyday clothes between the sheets, only remotely clean area. The bedspread was disgustingly filthy. We maybe got 2hours of sleep, mattress was crap. We left the next morning at 5:00am and went to a parking lot in town and waited for the Diamond mine to open. Please, please do yourself a favor and don’t throw your money away! The good reviews were written years and years ago! This place is a run down piece of crap. Also just walking from my car to the cabin I’m now infested with bug bites! This place hasn’t seen a lawnmower or **** eater or a trash can in years!!!!

This use to be so nice now it's just run down its sad they no longer have a hot tub that is functional. Got a huge splimter from grabbing the rail going to the office. They use to have a peacock and other animals but those are all gone now too. I would choose those stay at the queen of hearts hotel

What a wonderful place! It is almost magical! Claire and Zoey are the best! So very accommodating! Super close to the crater of diamonds state park! Each cabin is unique! The Tepees are really very big! They take the kids out at night to look for gems in the field! You can fish, it is right on the Little Missouri River! It is an outdoor experience! Can’t Wait to go back!

Where else could you have owls hooting in very large pine trees right outside your cabin during a Full Moon?? It was Amazing! Even though it was only 8pm, the lady in the next cabin was annoyed and came out with her flashlight and tried to chase them away. I enjoyed the owls anyway and the overall peacefulness of being in the country. I recommend this place to anyone who isn't afraid to stay in a cabin that isn't perfect. And for the record, the only bug I saw during my 2 night stay was one fly. The cabin had a bathroom with walk-in shower, Internet, TV, refrigerator, air & heat. The owners are very friendly and there's lots of room on the property to explore along the river. The only complaint I had was the ornery lady next door : )

Me and my husband had a very relaxing few days here. We stayed in the largest cabin (which was all that was available at the time) , I forget the name of the cabin. We brought our cat with us, which most places don’t accept. Don’t expect the Hilton but, do expect a laid back, clean, beautiful, quiet, rustic place to relax at. The bed was super comfy!! Something you don’t find a lot at hotels,cabins,etc.. Owners were sweet and welcoming being we got in at 3:30ish in the morning. Yes, they need updating which seems to be going on while still renting out to customers. The hot tubs aren’t working and there’s only dogs and cats to play with/pet which was fine with us. We went diamond hunting (Before going to the mine, John paid for us to meet with and learn from one of the premiere diamond hunters and his wife in the area (Al and his wife, Alberta) on how to find diamonds. While at Al’s, we also got to meet and chat with Shirley Strawn, who found a 3.3 carat flawless diamond at the mine. We also went check out Board Camp’s Paranormal experience as well as took in all the beautiful scenery in the area. All in all, we will return to this charming,rustic getaway to visit our newfound friends..the owners, Claire and John. :). And to explore the beautiful state of Arkansas some more.

Property very run down would almost dangerous on some places. Mold in the bathroom dust mine is all over the fans floors hadn't been swept in a long time. The owners are very friendly but it looks like maintenance hasn't been done in a long time not worth $135 a night. The setting is spectacular Open Fields water access beautiful sitting areas. Needs an infusion of cash and TLC

I made these reservations blindly without even looking at reviews !!!...so I didn't know what to expect🥺 ..we arrived way early and noticed it's someone's house and personal property ....with the cabins and teepees kinda in the back and spred out but I went to the door of her side porch and rang the bell... She told me I was way to early to check in... but to grab some of her tools and screens for diamond hunting and go hit the park and come back by 2pm ... This is at like 9am .. and it's hot and muggy ... Full sun and here we go to the mine with all my crap in the back of my truck .. (we've been camping for a few days already)... But I knew we was early so whatever ...we hit the mine and get really hot and about 2 pm I'm calling it quits ... We had a bucket of classified material to dig through later so we head to the cabins .....show up and it's Africa hot ... She's showing us around and we get in our cabin and it's really clean and cozy ....and felt good to have a shower and get in front of the fan and AC .... Beautiful area and lots of lights at night time if you take a walk .. had a great charcoal grill with charcoal already there ... Yes the place needs a face lift ... It takes alot of work to keep up the amount of stuff they have there ..needs a full time handy man to improve and maintain .... Don't know what the situation is there or what they have going on in their lives ...not my business.. we enjoyed our stay very much and she was very nice and encouraged to bring kids and the pets... And also to make a review because all you haters out there lol ...peace out and God bless our country and lift this family up

(Photos only)

I read some of the reviews here and I'm not sure they're fair. We stayed in the Starlight Cabin. Yes, okay, the cabin was a country collage of miscellaneous materials and items sometimes serving purposes for which they probably weren't originally intended, however the cabin was very clean, our bed was comfortable, and John was very nice to us. If you go here expecting a rustic, nothing-level-nothing-plumb, country, hodge-podge cabin in the quiet Arkansas woods next to the flowing river you'll enjoy your stay very much. On the other hand, if you're expecting something bougie boutique, you'll be disappointed. We stayed with our two danes and enjoyed very much watching some of the evening bats swooping up bugs outside by the light. The room was equipped with two heaters, but we actually opted for the fan. A knee injury forced us to leave early and John was even nice enough to offer a rain-check for our second missed night. If we're ever up that way to search at the mine again I would stay here again.