What Highlands Resort does

Highlands Resort is an adult-only, LGBTQ+ welcoming boutique resort located in Guerneville, California, in the Russian River area of Sonoma County. The property was originally established in 1920 as Highland Park Lodge and operates as a heritage leisure destination with a diversified lodging inventory that includes cabins, suites, rooms, and — following a 2021 product launch — Coyote Camp glamping tents. The property sits within walking distance of downtown Guerneville and maintains a cross-promotional partnership with Boon Restaurant.

The business runs on a direct-to-consumer model using the Windsurfer central reservation system (CRS), with bookings flowing through the property website, email, and select partnerships rather than heavy reliance on third-party OTAs. Pricing is segmented across nightly rates in the roughly $169–$250+ band, length-of-stay incentives (Stay More & Save), and themed packages such as Local Love and Coyote Camp. The resort is a participating property in the Kind Traveler ecosystem, embedding a charitable component tied to Russian Riverkeeper that targets eco-conscious and values-driven travelers. The operation is small, with a workforce of approximately 8 employees, consistent with a single-property boutique operator that combines lodging, limited food/beverage, and partnership-driven ancillaries to drive revenue. Following a June 2021 ownership transition, the new management has repositioned the asset around sustainability, expanded accommodation formats, and direct-booking economics.

Name

Highlands Resort

Legal name

Highlands Resort

Website

https://highlandsresort.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Highlands Resort is an adult-only, LGBTQ+ welcoming boutique resort in Guerneville, California (Sonoma County) operating cabins, suites, rooms, and glamping tents via direct booking through Windsurfer CRS, serving leisure travelers across adult, eco-conscious, and outdoor segments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Boutique Resort and Cabin Lodging

NAICS

All Other Traveler Accommodation (721199), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Other Traveler Accommodation (72119)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Hotels & Motels (7011)

akta.pro primary industry

Rainforest & Jungle Lodges (THAGAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rainforest & Jungle Lodges (THAAAHAD), River & Wetland Lodges (Delta/Okavango-style) (THAGAIAG)

Keywords

• Adult-only resort
• Cabin rentals
• Glamping accommodation
• Russian River lodging
• Sonoma County hospitality

Headquarters

HQ city

Guerneville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Accommodation rentals: The primary revenue stream is from renting cabins, rooms, suites, and glamping tents. Accommodations include King Spa Cabin, King Cabin, Kitchen Cabin, Deluxe Studio Cabin, Two Bedroom Cabin, Queen Suite, Pool Suite, Redwood Suite (ADA), Garden Suite, Studio rooms, and Coyote Camp glamping tents.
2. Pet fees: Dog-friendly cabins with a $100/stay non-refundable fee for up to 2 dogs. This is a supplementary revenue stream from pet owners.
3. Extra person fees: Additional charges of $30 per person for 3rd and 4th guests in larger accommodations. Revenue from capacity utilization of larger cabins and suites.
4. Parking fees: Free parking for one car per accommodation, with extra vehicles accommodated as space allows for an additional fee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Highlands Resort is an adult-only, LGBTQ+ welcoming boutique resort in Guerneville, California that rents cabins, suites, studio rooms, and glamping tents among towering redwoods. The property offers nine distinct cabin and suite products, one studio room, and Coyote Camp glamping tents with amenities such as gas fireplaces, soaking tubs, wet bars, and kitchenettes. Continental breakfast is included, with a heated pool (April-October) and dog-friendly cabin options.

Product overview

Highlands Resort is an adult-only LGBTQ+ welcoming accommodation property offering a diverse portfolio of overnight lodging options. The portfolio consists of nine distinct cabin/suite products (King Spa Cabin, King Cabin, Kitchen Cabin, Deluxe Studio Cabin, Two Bedroom Cabin, Queen Suite, Pool Suite, Redwood Suite ADA, Garden Suite), one room product (Studio), and a glamping option (Coyote Camp Tents). These products range from simple economical studios (170 sq. ft.) to spacious two-room suites (450 sq. ft.), with varying amenities including gas fireplaces, soaking tubs, wet bars, kitchens, and ADA-accessible options. Three dog-friendly cabins are available with advance reservation. The resort also offers various seasonal specials and group booking services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• King Spa Cabin Approximately 320 sq. ft. studio cabin with king bed, oversized two-person soaking tub, gas fireplace, wet bar with small refrigerator, and front porch. Maximum occupancy 2 adults.
• King Cabin Approximately 250 sq. ft. studio cabin with wet bar, front porch with garden view, and tile and glass shower. One of these cabins is dog-friendly. Maximum occupancy 2 adults.
• Kitchen Cabin Approximately 380 sq. ft. one-bedroom cabin with full kitchenette (small stove, sink, refrigerator, cookware, coffee maker, microwave), original redwood wainscoting, loveseat, and dining area. Queen bed, maximum occupancy 2 adults. One cabin is dog-friendly.
• Deluxe Studio Cabin Approximately 320 sq. ft. spacious studio with wet bar, large shower, couch and chair facing gas fireplace, and front porch with garden views. Queen bed. One cabin is dog-friendly.
• Two Bedroom Cabin Approximately 320 sq. ft. cabin with two small bedrooms (each with a double bed, nightstands, reading lamps, and ceiling fan), front sitting room with mini-refrigerator, and bathroom with tub/shower. Maximum occupancy 4 adults. Not dog-friendly.
• Queen Suite Charming vintage cabin with queen bed, cozy bathroom with shower, small retro-style refrigerator, intimate dining table and chairs, sofa, and front porch with landscaping views. Not dog-friendly.
• Pool Suite Approximately 450 sq. ft. spacious two-room suite overlooking the pool with queen bedroom entrance, hallway connecting to second living/sleeping area with king bed and gas fireplace, and covered porch access to the pool area. Maximum occupancy 4 adults. Not dog-friendly.
• Redwood Suite (ADA) Approximately 250 sq. ft. ADA-accessible studio suite next to the largest redwood trees with king bed, cozy chairs, gas fireplace, wet bar, and spacious bathroom with roll-in oversized shower, flip down transfer seat, and grab bars. Maximum occupancy 2 adults.
• Garden Suite Approximately 200 sq. ft. cozy suite overlooking the pool with large outdoor porch, queen bed facing gas fireplace, wet bar, and private bathroom with shower. Medium walk with steep stairs from clubhouse. Not dog-friendly.
• Studio Room Approximately 170 sq. ft. simple economical studio for solo travelers with double bed, small bathroom and shower, cube-sized refrigerator, and outdoor seating area. Located near the main building and communal fire pit. Not dog-friendly.
• Coyote Camp Glamping Tents Fully furnished scout tents for glamping under the redwood canopy, with shared restrooms and summer special rates ($169 midweek / $199 weekends through August 31, 2026). Tents are not dog-friendly.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kind TravelercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHighlands Resort partners with Kind Traveler's Every Stay Gives Back program. Through this partnership, a $1 per night from each stay funds Russian Riverkeeper. The resort matches every $1 collected, doubling the positive impact. This program enhances the resort's sustainability positioning and attracts eco-conscious travelers.
• Russian RiverkeepercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRussian Riverkeeper is an environmental advocacy organization that protects the Russian River. Highlands Resort donates $1 per night plus matches every dollar collected, with 100% of funds going directly to the organization. This supports the local community and waterway conservation while differentiating the resort's sustainability commitment.
• Boon RestaurantminorOthersBoon is a restaurant in Guerneville featured on the Highlands Resort website as a dog-friendly dining option. The resort's branding appears on the Boon website, suggesting a cross-promotional relationship between the hospitality businesses.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Alila Ventana Big Sur: Adults-only luxury resort in Big Sur offering cabins, suites, and glamping-style accommodations among redwoods. Comparable adult-only nature-resort positioning with overlapping guest segment, but at significantly higher price tier and scale.
• Post Ranch Inn: Luxury clifftop nature resort in Big Sur with cabins and suites among redwoods/oaks. Same Northern California nature-lodge category as Highlands but operating at a much higher price point and scale; useful comparable for ADR and amenity benchmarks.

Direct peers

• Boon Hotel + Spa: Adults-oriented boutique hotel and spa located in Guerneville, CA, blocks from the Russian River. Operates a restaurant, spa, and event space in the same Guerneville micro-market as Highlands, with overlapping guest demographics and a formal partnership already in place.
• Costanoa Lodge & Resort: Coastal lodge, cabin, and tent-camping property on the California coast between San Francisco and Santa Cruz. Comparable business model combining cabins, lodge rooms, and camping with sustainability positioning in a Northern California nature setting.
• Dawn Ranch: Multi-acre Russian River resort in Guerneville offering cabins, glamping tents, lodge rooms, and a campground along the river. Directly comparable to Highlands on product mix (cabins + tent camping), adult/family positioning, and Sonoma County redwood setting.
• Sonoma Coast Villa & Spa: Boutique resort and spa near Jenner, CA on the Sonoma Coast offering cabin-style lodging and event space. Same Northern California boutique nature-lodging category, similar small scale, and overlapping wine-country-adjacent clientele.
• Treebones Resort: Glamping and nature resort in Big Sur offering yurts, tents, and human nests on the California coast. Closest direct competitor on adult-oriented, nature-immersed glamping and the eco-tourism positioning Highlands pursues through Kind Traveler.
• Wildhaven Sonoma: Glamping and tent-camping property near Healdsburg/Guerneville offering canvas tent and cabin stays under redwoods. Overlaps directly with Highlands' Coyote Camp on accommodation type, target guest, and Sonoma County geography.
• AutoCamp Russian River: Boutique Airstream and cabin glamping property in the Russian River region with direct booking and curated outdoor programming. Competes for the same glamping, design-conscious, nature-immersed traveler that Coyote Camp targets.

Regional players

• The Sandman Hotel & Spa: Boutique Northern California lodging property with cabana-style rooms and a wellness focus. Comparable boutique-lodging format but located in a different sub-region of California; useful for understanding direct-booking pricing tactics in similar small properties.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/highlands-resort

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Highlands Resort