Swallowtail Historic Art Studio

97%

194 reviews

· Petaluma, Sonoma, California · 2 acres

Hosted by Bill C.

Cabin

· 2 guests max

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Romantic

Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is romantic.

Antique Indonesian teakwood cottage, private deck with hot tub and very special, large, artistic bathroom/sitting room, private for cottage guests only.. Beautifully rural, yet just 6 minutes from historic downtown Petaluma and fine restaurants and shops. A short trip to the Pacific coast and the fabulous Pt. Reyes National Seashore, Tomales and Bodega Bays and towns, excellent vineyards and breweries, and San Francisco! WE FOLLOW THE CLEANING AND DISINFECTING GUIDELINES ISSUED BY AIRBNB. The space The antique Indonesian cottage is made of beautifully hand carved and hand colored teak wood, and is quiet, cozy and romantic with lovely views. It abuts a large private deck and hot tub. Just a few steps across the deck is the very large, luxurious, art filled, centrally heated private bathroom and sitting area. The cottage itself is unheated although there is a premium electric mattress pad with separate controls on the California King bed. That and the hot tub make for cozy sleeping on chilly winter nights Guest access Aside from the private deck, hot tub and bathroom/sitting room (with 6' tub and shower), guests can access 2.5 peaceful acres, woods and fields and Helen Putnam Regional Park one mile down the road for spectacular hiking. Other things to note In the 1970's this property was Swallowtail Studios, a famous glass blowers cooperative. The Grateful Dead played in the barn and hung out here...their manager lived just down the road. The barn is redwood, quite large and beautiful, with stained glass windows."Antique Indonesian teakwood cottage, private deck with hot tub and very special, large, artistic bathroom/sitting room, private for cottage guests only.. Beautifully rural, yet just 6 minutes from historic downtown Petaluma and fine restaurants and shops. A short trip to the Pacific coast and the fabulous Pt. Reyes National Seashore, Tomales and Bodega Bays and towns, excellent vineyards and breweries, and San Francisco! WE FOLLOW THE CLEANING AND DISINFECTING GUIDELINES ISSUED BY AIRBNB. The space The antique Indonesian cottage is made of beautifully hand carved and hand colored teak wood, and is quiet, cozy and romantic with lovely views. It abuts a large private deck and hot tub. Just a few steps across the deck is the very large, luxurious, art filled, centrally heated private bathroom and sitting area. The cottage itself is unheated although there is a premium electric mattress pad with separate controls on the California King bed. That and the hot tub make for cozy sleeping on chilly winter nights Guest access Aside from the private deck, hot tub and bathroom/sitting room (with 6' tub and shower), guests can access 2.5 peaceful acres, woods and fields and Helen Putnam Regional Park one mile down the road for spectacular hiking. Other things to note In the 1970's this property was Swallowtail Studios, a famous glass blowers cooperative. The Grateful Dead played in the barn and hung out here...their manager lived just down the road. The barn is redwood, quite large and beautiful, with stained glass windows.

What to expect

Cabin

You'll have this Hipcamp all to yourself.

2 guests max

Toilet available

Flush toilet. Large, private, artistically decorated bathroom/sitting room with shower and claw foot tub.

No campfires

Fires and cooking not allowed on our property due to fire danger, but one mile down the road is the beautiful Helen Putnam Regional Park with a quite nice designated cooking area.

No pets

Under certain circumstances we will allow dogs if you can agree to a set of rules we will provide upon inquiry.

Potable water available

Tap, pump or well, bottled water or jugs. Comfortable California King bed with electric mattress pad, excellent bedding, beautiful views from the cabin and the hot tub, especially on a starry night.

Showers available

Hot water . Large, private, artistically decorated bathroom/sitting room with shower and claw foot tub

Bins available

Trash bin

Wifi available

Hot Tub present

Cooking equipment absent

centrally located for easy access to coastal and bay beaches, various wine regions including Napa Valley, other charming towns, and San Francisco!

Picnic table absent

Things to know

Getting there

Check in: After 3:00 PM

Check out: Before 11:00 AM

On arrival: Meet with Host

Cancellation policy: Strict

Minimum nights: 1 night

Accepts bookings: 12 months out

Park at listing

No wheelchair access

Max 1 vehicle

During your trip

Follow the

Leave it better

Inclusion policyWe have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp. We are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper communities be inclusive.

Reviews

97% Recommend330 ratings · 194 reviews

Recommends

· July 2025

A hand crafted dream

The art studio was an incredibly unique and enjoyable experience. At first glance at the listing and the communications it might feel like there’s a lot of instructions. But once you are in the space it all makes sense, and you want to protect and respect the beauty Bill has created. There were so many sweet, and special touches. Fresh cut flowers, coffee and treats in the morning. While the room you sleep is cold and uninsulated, the bed is one of the most comfortable ones I’ve slept in away from home with a heated mattress and the most luxurious linen sheets. We loved the hot tub, the grounds and all the unique decor and structures. You will not regret booking your stay.

Josiah E.

2 reviews

Recommends

· June 2025

The Indonesian wood cabin was adorable and in amazing shape as a true antique building. It was a step back in time where people lived more simply. The bed was very comfortable. The hot tub was relaxing and clean with a scenic view off the deck. The artistic touches throughout were beautiful and interesting to look at. The host Bill was very sweet and accommodating. I would love to see what the other structures on the property are like inside. Very unique and salt of the earth experience. Close to town but rural enough to hear the owls and coyotes at night.

Angela J.

4 reviews

Recommends

· April 2025

Sweet and beautiful place

What a gorgeous and special place! The rooms are beautifully designed with endless interesting anrt and books to check out. The hot tub with a view is the perfect way to unwind, and I was lucky enough to hear great horned owls at night. Coffee and breakfast in the morning were an unexpected and lovely treat. Absolutely great place to stay!

Maggie D.

2 reviews

Recommends

· April 2025

"A Magical Escape in Nature"

We had an amazing time! The place is peaceful with stunning views all around. The Antic Room is absolutely gorgeous, and the bathroom feels like its own little art gallery—such a unique and beautiful space where you can also just hang out and relax. The hot tub is perfectly placed to soak in the surrounding nature, and at night, you can enjoy the stars from there—truly magical. Bill was super helpful and kind, and waking up to delicious coffee, fresh fruits, and cake was such a lovely touch. Highly recommend this spot for anyone looking to unwind and reconnect with nature.

Juan O.

2 reviews

Recommends

· March 2025

Beautiful place, kind hosts. Would absolutely stay again!

Tommaso B.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· February 2025

Every morning we were Brought our choice of coffee or tea, mandarins, And applesauce bread! The cabin is very cold, but the Heated blankets were enough to keep us comfortable at night while sleeping. The wooden bathroom with a cozy seating nook is perfect for staying warm until hot tub time and it was so nice to start the cold brisk misty days in a hot pool of water with a view of the rolling hills. There is Wi-Fi thankfully, obviously you don’t have access to a kitchen so bring pre-prepped goodies or eat in nearby Petaluma. Acme burger is delicious! Thank you for a wonderful stay!

Dahlia W.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· February 2025

cozy and beautiful

Beautiful property, cozy and comfortable cabin, perfect hot tub situation. We ended up being there during an "atmospheric river" event and would have loved to have been able to enjoy the outdoors a bit more! We were glad to be in a hot tub during the rain but would have loved to hang out on the deck on a sunnier day. Also really appreciated the coffee and cake in the morning.

Jessica S.

7 reviews

Recommends

· December 2024

What a charming, unique place! It’s kinda like camping with a lot of amenities. Sleeping in the beautiful cottage (totally warm enough with electric blanket) and then able to go into the centrally heated bathroom area easily. We really enjoyed the art and our host, Bill, was very pleasant and welcoming. He even asked us what time we would like coffee and brought it in the morning. I would definitely stay here again. Thank you Bill!

Feyd C.

8 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· November 2024

I'd definitely recommend staying in this gorgeous and rustic cabin. Bill is an excellent host - he gives a personal tour of the space to make sure you have all you need for a pleasant stay. The bed is super comfy. The hot tub beneath the stars is an excellent perk.

Angie R.

2 reviews

Recommends

· August 2024

This place is spectacular and felt so special. The space is a former stained glass commune / house and remnants of the art are showcased in the windows of the main room and bathroom. The main room is so comfortable and gorgeous. The bathroom is unique and well equipped. The hot tub was an extra bonus. We felt so lucky to have booked this space. Highly recommend.

Paul S.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· July 2024

My fiancé and I really had a beautiful time here. Bill was so helpful and very responsive when I was messaging him with questions. The cottage is beautiful and the hot tub is a real treat. Everything was clean and well looked after. It’s also a short drive into Petaluma which I didn’t realize when I booked the property. Would definitely come back again to stay. Thanks

Shane D.

4 reviews

Recommends

· April 2024

Thank you Bill!!

I loved our stay!!! It was even better than I expected! Despite being cold and windy (40 degrees at night and rain was part of our stay) I couldn’t believe how beautiful everything was :) The heated mattress/bedsheet was AMAZING!!! can’t wait to come back!!!

Sydney L.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· March 2024

Gorgeous nature and art and Jacuzzi with a view…loved the place and Bill is a great host

David W.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· March 2024

Hot tub under the stars

With pets

what a sweet place. the hot tub under the stars was a highlight. feels like you are in the country yet only a few miles from town. a nice getaway. thanks, Bill!

Alison J.

2 reviews

Recommends

· March 2024

Great stay!

Fantastic site!!!! Bill was an incredible host. Kind, accommodating, and very knowledgeable about the area. Will stay again!

Omari C.

2 reviews

Recommends

· January 2024

We had a wonderful one night stay at the studio. The hot tub and dreamy tub are great options for anyone looking to relax and stay warm while taking in some nature.

David A.

3 reviews

Recommends

· October 2023

The property was very much as advertised in the listing. It was an easy overnight trip from the Bay Area :) We very much enjoyed having coffee and bread on the deck in the morning

Eugenia A.

3 reviews

Recommends

· August 2023

Gorgeous property with amazing views and character. Michelle was so welcoming, very grateful for the yummy breakfast. We slept so well!

Florence P.

2 reviews

Recommends

· May 2023

A Petaluma Dream!

Michelle and Bill were beyond wonderful — their spot was a total dream, and a great launching-off point for various adventures in the area. We will absolutely be back. Thanks for everything!

Jennifer L.

7 reviews

Mixed feelings

· January 2023

My boyfriend and I stayed at the Swallowtail Historic Art Studios for NYE. It was quite peaceful, but it got busy at times with cars whizzing by. The location is very convenient, close to town but you're surrounded by lush rolling green hills and the beautiful Helen Putnam park. We mostly hung out in the warm and inviting bathroom/sitting room, with its unique touches. Like someone mentioned, the Antique Indonesian teakwood cottage, is a single room structure. It's unique but a bit too cold and dark with its limited lighting, for our taste. But once you're in bed, you'll be nice and toasty. We were welcomed with hot coffee and delicious bread new year's morning-what a way to welcome the new year!

Jenny W.

17 reviews

Recommends

· November 2022

Bill was a great host. He welcomed and oriented us to the property. The cabin is very beautiful and was great for listening to the rain. Highly recommend for a quick trip from the Bay. Thank you for hosting us!

Grace A.

14 reviews

Recommends

· October 2022

A nice rural area though only a few short minutes from downtown Petaluma. Fields all around. Owls at night.

Daniel K.

3 reviews

Recommends

· April 2022

Excellent communication and directions. Loved the small touches to the place like tea and banana bread in the morning. Very charming place for a nights stay! Suggestion: hot water kettle for guest use

Dana K.

2 reviews

Recommends

· March 2022

Bill was a wonderful and courteous host. The space is beautiful and charming with many details to admire. It was wonderful to relax in the hot tub at night and star gaze. Great proximity to Peteluma dining and vineyards. Though the space in directly behind a house the hosts are sure to make it feels private. We had a great stay!

Flora H.

6 reviews

Recommends

· November 2021

A perfect getaway!

The Indonesian cottage and Bill’s property are amazing — the perfect place for a getaway that feels rural and beautiful, while still a quick drive from great restaurants and Petaluma’s downtown. The cottage itself makes you feel like you’re in another country, not a 1 hr drive from SF. The bed is very comfortable, and even though it was very cold for the two nights we stayed there (35 deg), electric warming in the bed kept us comfortable. The bathroom area is across a deck from the cottage, and the decor is wonderful and idiosyncratic. There’s a beautiful stained glass window from the glass-blowing collective days, and art on all the walls. The setting is beautiful as well — in November, the hills were stunningly green and the property is directly on a well-known bike route, which made for a lovely bike ride. There’s excellent hiking a few minutes down the road at Helen Putnam State Park as well. Bill was extremely responsive, friendly, and accommodating. My partner and I definitely want to come back at some point! One note — the Indonesian cottage is quite close to the main house, and bathroom / seating are within the main house, but accessible from a private entrance. This wasn’t a problem for us — the cottage, deck (including hot tub) and bathroom were all for private use by guests — but could be less ideal if you’re trying to feel like you’re alone in the woods somewhere.

Sophie S.

3 reviews

Recommends

· October 2021

It's a charming relaxing place. A lot of care has gone into it both from a comfort standpoint (super comfy bed with heating pads), and an aesthetic one (the artistic touches are a kick. Bill is a kind and accommodating host who made us feel welcome. Plus the hot tub didn't hurt either. This place is perfect for a quick getaway from it all.

Noah P.

5 reviews

Recommends

· October 2021

Bills place is fabulous! We loved the hot tub, the heated bed, and the rural location. Bill brought us coffee and biscuits every morning. Delicious. Petaluma is a gem. Just a note: the bedroom and bathroom are in separate buildings, connected by a deck. This works well unless it's raining.

Mary M.

2 reviews

Recommends

· August 2021

Magical getaway

Our stay here was fantastic! Such a wonderful, peaceful getaway. The pictures don’t do the place justice. It’s a magical little retreat and Bill and his wife were so lovely and very accommodating. I’ll definitely be back.

Marissa C.

3 reviews

Recommends

· August 2021

Relaxing getaway

My partner and I enjoyed our weekend at Bill's. The hot tub was so relaxing and we slept so well each night. The proximity to downtown was very convenient.

Victoria C.

5 reviews

Recommends

· August 2021

Unique Stay

This is a unique stay in an Indonesian teakwood single room structure surrounded by farmland with cows grazing nearby and mourning doves calling in the morning. The bed was cozy with linen sheets and electric bed warmer. The bathroom is across the private deck and includes a shower, sink and bath tub. The private deck include a hot tub which was welcome after a day of driving. Yummy coffee was delivered in the morning - much appreciated as we continued our trip. Friendly hosts.