Vacation Rentals by Owner

Graduation stay in Portland made perfect by super enjoyable housing arrangement in duplex!

Guest: Dennis S. (-)
Date of Stay: 05/04/12 Review Submitted: 05/09/12

We came to celebrate our son's graduation from Lewis & Clark College. We had a very comfortable stay for my wife and I, as well as for both of our 80-year old parents, and our daughter. The interior spaces of the duplexes (we rented both of them) were beautifully detailed and comfortable. We enjoyed the garden spaces particularly. Also, eating two blocks away on SE Stark Street was great. The Observatory Restaurant was a great after-graduation dining place.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A springtime delight

Guest: Julie (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 04/06/12 Review Submitted: 04/12/12

We had a girlfriends weekend at Dan and Ryan's duplex, and 'Garden Retreat' really is the best way to describe it. The place was clean, comfortable and a little bit funky in the Portland Weird style. We found everything we needed in the kitchen and the beds were very comfortable. The best part of the duplex is the garden - the sun lit up all the springtime blossoms Dan and Ryan have so carefully planted and it made for a very relaxing setting in the super quiet Montavilla neighborhood. You can tell they are landscapers - the outside is as charming as the inside! They even left fresh flowers out for us girls - a nice touch. We loved how close it was to Mt. Tabor Park and the fun restaurants on Stark Street. Dan was super flexible and organized, and I can't recommend this VRBO enough for friends and families.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Our Portland Home

Guest: Tom and Peg (Whitmore Lake, MI)
Date of Stay: 03/20/12 Review Submitted: 03/30/12

This was our third stay in the duplex - our "extra home" as our granddaughter calls it. We cannot imagine staying anywhere else. The location is perfect, it is very clean, with comfortable furnishings and beds and a very well equipped kitchen. The fresh flowers on the dining table are such a treat. We absolutely love the private patio/garden area and the BBQ. Having a place on-site to do laundry is a real plus. Dan and Ryan are wonderful and we highly recommend this property.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car.

Cozy retreat in a great neighborhood

Guest: Amy (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 12/27/11 Review Submitted: 01/04/12

Dan greeted us on our arrival and quickly showed us around and gave us some great tips on places nearby to eat, shop, and explore. Even though we had very wet and cold weather there were plenty of places in easy walking distance and easy driving distance to keep us entertained and happy in the knowledge we had our warm and comfy retreat awaiting our return. Dan and Ryan-Michael have a good collection of references too which we found very handy. We'd love to return sometime when we can enjoy the charming patio/garden area.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful holiday home

Guest: D and D (Bend, OR/USA)
Date of Stay: 12/22/11 Review Submitted: 12/29/11

My wife and I loved this home as a Christmas gathering place for friends and family in the Portland area. We were greeted with fresh flowers on the table and provided with plenty of helpful information. The house is clean and comfortable and in a great location. For one gathering, we ordered in appetizers from Ya Hala and the next night we brought in pizza from Flying Pie Pizzeria and Stark Street Pizza. The house is convenient to I-205 and also to I-84. It is not far from the Hawthorne shopping area where I spent time at one of the smaller Powell's Books locations. We plan on returning in the Summer to enjoy the beautiful landscaped garden area!

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful and comfortable place to stay

Guest: Charlene (Los Altos Hills)
Date of Stay: 11/22/11 Review Submitted: 12/03/11

My son and I enjoyed my stay here. We stayed in the front unit and found the accommodations to be exactly as described with added elements of surprise. The owners went out of their way to make sure our every want and needs were met. Because of their "going above and beyond", what anyone would expect, our Thanksgiving dinner was truly a celebration of family. Thank you! I also want to let you know all your work in the renovations of the property was appreciated. The outside courtyard was beautiful and the landscape lighting allowed us to enjoy the garden at night as well. Giving thanks to the two of you. Charlene

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Perfect

Guest: Soggy Seattlite (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 11/11/11 Review Submitted: 11/14/11

We had a great weekend. The house was a perfect location for our agenda. And when not out and about we were cozy and entertained in the house on Ash. Thumbs up for sure.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Our Second Year In A Row

Guest: G & G (Fresno, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/02/11 Review Submitted: 09/17/11

When deciding where to stay while visiting family in Portland, this was the only place we really wanted---Dan and Ryan's duplex. This was our second year in a row, and when we arrived we felt we were at home. Same great place: beautifully crafted private outdoor area; very quiet; comfortable furnishings and a complete modern kitchen. Close to all---downtown, Hawthorne District, freeways, shopping etc. Enough room to even have the grandkids do a sleep over. We highly recommend this VRBO.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

home away from home

Guest: Cindy (Hampstead, Nc)
Date of Stay: 08/10/11 Review Submitted: 08/30/11

We were in town for a wedding and to enjoy some time with our family. Our stay was great we had a good time. Your duplex was just what we needed. It was all so neat and clean and I loved the colors and comfortable furniture. All the information available for the area was very usefull. We all enjoyed the Lebanese Restrauant down the street from our place. I said I could move in tomorrow. Thanks for a great stay hope to do the trip again. Cindy and family

Owner response:We were happy to have this family rent our ENTIRE DUPLEX for their week long stay. Renting both units while in Portland for a wedding allowed them the privacy of individual apartments as well as a common gathering place for family and friends.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Comfortable and Peaceful Accommodation

Guest: Heather (Vancouver, BC)
Date of Stay: 07/30/11 Review Submitted: 08/12/11

We really enjoyed our stay in this apartment. It was very clean, quiet, comfortable and well equipped. The patio/garden area, where we spent most meal-times, is so lovely and private. The unit is easy to access via major highways and was a good central location for exploring both Portland and the Columbia River Gorge. The owners are extremely attentive and helpful - providing information on transit, directions to various sites, dining, etc. We definitely recommend this unit and would stay here again.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Good value and clean close to amenities and kid friendly

Guest: Rechelle (Irene, South Africa)
Date of Stay: 06/23/11 Review Submitted: 06/28/11

From the onset we had a good feeling about this place, the service from the owners was excellent and in all our travels over the last two months this must be one of our favorite stops. Thank you guys once again for your hands on approach and making our stay an enjoyable one. The house was clean with a well maintained garden and close enough to everything that matters. Well run establishment and would recommend this to anyone from singletons to small families on a budget.

Recommended for:Families with young children

Charming Garden Retreat with easy access from airport

Guest: Mary from Westchester (Hartsdale, NY)
Date of Stay: 06/17/11 Review Submitted: 07/04/11

We found this a very comfortable unit for 2 couples, 15-20 min by car from both downtown and PDX, an easy (and level) walk to reasonably priced restaurants, fast food, or basic food shopping, but still on a quiet street. We mostly cooked in the unit or did takeout. The private garden/patio was beautifully landscaped, and worked very well for just sitting peacefully as well as for dinner for 6 -- thrown together with no trouble in the surprisingly well equipped kitchen. We originally booked both units, but had to cancel one, and the owners were very accomodating. They also provided detailed and useful information about the neighborhood, access to shopping/entertainment and sightseeing. The unit was clean, well maintained and comfortable. It is far more attractive than the pictures would lead you to believe. We did not expect the garden to be so lovely or so comfortable for entertaining. The at-home entertainment options were decent -- a good-size TV/DVD with a reasonable selection of discs, and a radio/mp3 dock combo for music in the living room. Next time, we plan to spend some time exploring Mt Tabor Park, which is an easy walk.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Charming Condo

Guest: John and Beth (Kalamazoo, MI)
Date of Stay: 04/01/11 Review Submitted: 04/23/11

We were so happy to stay at this charming condo while visiting Portland for a week. It was clean and comfortable with all the amenities that you would ever need. The kitchen had been updated, comfortable beds, and a beautiful garden right off the kitchen with spring flowers blooming. We hope to make this our destination the next time we visit Portland.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Comfortable, Clean and Charming

Guest: Paige and Paul (Sydney, Australia)
Date of Stay: 03/20/11 Review Submitted: 04/04/11

This was our first visit to Portland and we were welcomed warmly by Dan who not only gave us a tour of the house but also the neighbourhood. The property has everything you would need to feel at home away from home - including a laundry which was most welcomed. The area is funky and full of great places to eat. The Country Cat is a must! There is a great kitchen where you can cook up a storm and a lovely garden full of flowers. Dan and Ryan have thought of everything - including a file of maps that you were welcome to 'borrow' to help you see the sights of Portland. Whilst around 15 minutes out of the city, public transport was easy to navigate and driving yourself simple. We loved the location as it was quiet and felt great to come home to. We would highly recommend this property and its wonderful owners to anyone wanting to explore Portland in comfort.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Charming Accomodations

Guest: Cathy (Washington DC)
Date of Stay: 11/24/10 Review Submitted: 12/02/10

We had a lovely holilday weekend at the Garden Retreat! The owner, Dan & Ryan, had everything so well organized and were attentive to our arrival and departure, but did not hover or intrude in our family gathering for Thanksgiving. The house is lovely, very comfortable for 4 with everything we needed for our stay. The neighborhood is quiet, felt safe and offered plenty to do, but is close enough to downtown to make that an easy and attractive option. Highly recommend this lovely and affordable house.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Comfort and excellent location

Guest: Anita & Paul (Vancouver, Canada)
Date of Stay: 11/10/10 Review Submitted: 11/27/10

The location of your place is fantastic. It took us no time at all to reach any of our many destinations. The info. in the binder you provided was very helpful. Your place was quiet, clean and cozy. Thanks Dan And Ryan-Michael for a great place to stay.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Montavilla Garden Retreat

Guest: Nita O. (South Carolina)
Date of Stay: 08/26/10 Review Submitted: 09/02/10

This garden retreat is truly a retreat!! It was perfect for our stay in Portland to visit our daughter. We enjoyed browsing SE Stark St.shops only a block away. Everything we needed from the well stocked kitchen, to the very comfy, cozy beds!! Thanks again, guys, for providing such a wonderful space!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Well designed bungalow with everything one could need for a week plus stay!

Guest: Kim (San francisco)
Date of Stay: 07/23/10 Review Submitted: 07/30/10

Everything was thought of and we were very comfortable during our stay. It worked out especially well with our young children as there were both front and back gardens, as well as a community swimming pool and playground a few minutes walk away. Also easy driving access to downtown and the highways. We would certainly stay again.

Recommended for:Families with young children

great digs

Guest: roofam (Tucson, AZ)
Date of Stay: 07/15/10 Review Submitted: 08/04/10

A lovely place to stay. I was thrilled with my husband for finding it. If I had to pick a favorite detail (too many to choose from) I would say the beautiful garden. It was a great homebase without which our trip would have been less comfortable and less wonderful. It was fresh, clean, and new from top to bottom, with great little surprises sprinkled about. There are shops, restaurants, and of course Mt Tabor nearby. We felt comfortable walking in and around the neighborhood. Also, the owners have compiled a helpful binder full of Portland attractions (with maps and driving instructions). We would definately recommend it, and look forward to staying there again on our next visit.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Charming, Quiet, Perfect!

Guest: Marynel (Minneapolis MN)
Date of Stay: 06/25/10 Review Submitted: 07/23/10

We stayed with another couple at the Garden Retreat for a wedding weekend in Portland and found it ideal for our purposes - the common spaces of the living room, kitchen, and the beautiful patio and garden area were a delight to share, and our own individual bedrooms were quiet, comfortable, and very private. The neighborhood was very convenient, with many options for restaurants, as well as the "basics." The owners, Ryan and Dan, were really helpful and the whole process of renting was smooth and easy; we received the return of our security deposit for the unit within 24 hours of departure. I can't recommend the place highly enough!

Recommended for:Families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great place!

Guest: Carmenisabel (Sacramento, Ca)
Date of Stay: 04/10/10 Review Submitted: 04/26/10

WE stayed at the duplex for 2 weeks. The place is very cozy, clean and has beautiful gardens. The bedrooms were very comfortable and the kitchen fully equiped with some spices, coffee, etc. The laundry room also has soap. All these niceties make you feel at home. The neighborhood is quiet and 2 blocks away there are great restaurants and cafe. The owners are very gracious and gave us a lot of information about the city. We had a wonderful stay!

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

A great find

Guest: nothing works (Clio)
Date of Stay: 03/26/10 Review Submitted: 04/22/10

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our 10 day stay at your very well appointed condo. It was spotlessly clean and very well equipped.( No coffee grinder however! and in a place renowned for coffee beans....how could you!!!) We will most certainly be calling you again. Thank you Dan and Ryan and we will certainly recommend your condo to friends and relatives. Clive and Maureen Clio California

Owner response:We are glad you are interested in our vacation rental and as Clive and Maureen mentioned we do not offer a coffee grinder for our guests, but short of that, we have the bases covered with a fully equipped kitchen and we're certain you will love our beautiful gardens and accommodations. So, if you must have fresh ground coffee, bring your own grinder.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing.

Excellent place to stay in Portland

Guest: Drewta (St. Paul, MN)
Date of Stay: 03/17/10 Review Submitted: 03/28/10

My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our week-long stay at this property. We really appreciated the owners' attention to detail--in the decor and maintenance of the interior *and* exterior, the booking and payment process, and providing little extras like detailed directions to local attractions. The gardens are a gorgeous plus! We visit the Portland area regularly and will definitely stay at this property again. We recommend it highly.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Guest: Linda Goetz (Fountainville, Pa)
Date of Stay: 12/29/09 Review Submitted: 12/29/09

The photos just do not do this property justice- it is serene, relaxing, wonderfully appointed.. perfect inspiration for melting stress. The private yard is beautifully landscaped and arranged.. the property is close to publice transportation and all major highways. I used this as a base while I drove to visit friends from downtown, to the coast, to Bend... Dan was very accomodating to my arrival time and had plenty of suggestions for local shopping, eating, etc. I cannot wait to come back to my home away from home!

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Guest: Kimberly 5 (Los Angeles California)
Date of Stay: 11/24/09 Review Submitted: 11/24/09

Thank you so much Dan and Ryan! We had the best time, relaxing in the beautiful house, sitting in the garden. It was a wonderful experience all around and we will NEVER stay in a Portland hotel again. We cooked and watched movies, it was a great trip, thank you so much! We will be back!!!!!!!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/27/09 Review Submitted: 10/27/09

We enjoyed the cozy envirnoment Dan and Ryan created not only inside the unit but outside as well. Thoughtfully appointed, beautifully landscaped, and well equipped, we nested comfortably. The neighborhood is quiet, eclectic, and tidy. There's a funky "vibe" of ethnic restaurants, a terrific bike shop, book store, seasonal farmers' market,etc. that is charming and inviting. Dan and Ryan are thoughtful hosts: they provided excellent driving directions from my house in Wa. (!), gave us tips about local shopping, and were available to assist us at any time. Thanks for the lovely surroundings and hosting, Dan and Ryan.

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Guest: Kim Davis (Davis, California)
Date of Stay: 10/01/09 Review Submitted: 09/30/09

This sweet duplex really is like a retreat, or an oasis in the beautiful city of Portland. The apartment itself and the beautiful landscaping create an atmosphere where one can truly relax after a busy or hectic day in downtown Portland. I was able to ride my bike from here on a daily basis, most steep climbs can be circumvented and wind through beautiful, generally peaceful streets. Another plus is that the trendy neighborhoods of Hawthorne, Belmont, and Laurelhurst are just a few minutes away. Dan and Ryan have remembered every creature comfort that one needs to really “feel at home” in a vacation rental. I only ate out a few times since I enjoyed cooking and hanging out in the very well equipped kitchen. The wifi is great too. This is definitely a place that you will want to visit again and again.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/03/09 Review Submitted: 08/03/09

This is a sweet rental unit. Clean, comfortable, close to great food and easy public transportation. The garden is beautiful and the hosts are fantastic. I highly recommend staying here for your vacation!

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Guest: Kirsten Liske (Santa Cruz, California)
Date of Stay: 08/02/09 Review Submitted: 08/02/09

What hospitality! Even before we got there Dan was assisting us with locating public transportation so we could get around (three major buslines within 2 blocks walk!). The place is close to the airport yet in a quiet sweet neighborhood. Upon arriving, Dan gave us a wonderful orientation to sweet Montevilla neighborhood which we then enjoyed thoroughly over our long weekend stay. From the farmers market on Sunday, to the amazing pie and coffee at the Bipartisan Cafe to the fantastic brunch at the Country Cat - yum! The new bike shop nearby rents bikes so we were able to check out the neighborhoods and Mt Tabor park and not have to rent a car for the weekend. Its all so close! The house too is sweet, with new clean interior with a perfect amount of interesting art and color. The gardens are inspiring (cutest on the block) - with fruits and flowers and shade awnings and a sweet sitting patio. We were busy with wedding events all weekend, but the great location of the place (and Dan's orientation) allowed us to really enjoy the neighborhood deeply. We also felt we had a sanctuary to come back home to rest in between fun events. (Comfy beds too). This spot is definitely staying on my list for future Portland trips! Thank you Dan!

Owner response:Unfortunately, the Oregon Bike Shop has moved from the Stark Street Business District so the nearby bike rental is no longer available.

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Guest: Sandi Henry (McKinleyville, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/03/09 Review Submitted: 07/03/09

WE had the wonderful opportunity to spend 3 days at the Garden Retreat. Our first pleasurable surprise was the gracious welcome from one of the hosts, Dan. He made us feel so at home. The home is beautifully renovated with all the comforts of home, and the garden is simply stunning and such a welcome space to curl up with a book or share a glass of wine in the afternoon. If you are looking for a quiet, peaceful, yet convenient to the city center the Garden Retreat is PERFECT! We will definitely return.

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Guest: MaryKay Hoffmann (-)
Date of Stay: 07/02/09 Review Submitted: 07/02/09

The duplex was perfect for us. The garden area was outstanding and everything within the home was neat and clean. I love the updates!

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Beautiful, Comfortable...Perfect for a Portland Stay

Guest: Maya (Mill Valley, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/21/09 Review Submitted: 08/02/10

We stayed with our two young boys in late June. The duplex was clean and everything was in excellent condition from the linens, to the blooming garden to the furniture. As a bonus, we enjoyed the games, detailed information about what to do/where to eat and the DVD library. The owners were professional and very helpful in offering suggestions for what to do and where to eat. The neighborhood is quiet and is walking distance to some wonderful cafes, entertainment etc. We will definitely stay again the next time we are in town!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.