Sunny Historical West End 2BR

Our charming and bright apt in Portland's historic West End is walking distance to everything: fantastic restaurants, museums, music, the West Prom, Old Port, and more. Clean, renovated, cozy. Fireplace, wireless, cable, laundry. DESCRIPTION Our historical house (in the West End historical district) was built in 1899 and is an 'American Foursquare.' It still retains its original features (high ceilings, hardwood floors, original windows, layout, etc) but it's been updated sensitively to make it very cozy and pleasant. The apt is about 900 sq ft with two lovely bay windows in the front facing our very quiet street. We have a fully stocked eat-in kitchen with a table that accommodates 6; a living room with cable TV; and a bedroom with a queen bed. We also have a larger second bedroom with two twin beds. We can also provide a portable crib for a little one with advance notice. The entire place is very sunny and uncluttered with simple furnishings and artwork. We love it and stay there ourselves as often as we can. It can accommodate 4 people very comfortably. The full-sized kitchen is well-stocked with everything you need to cook with -- spices, pots and pans, microwave, coffeemaker, etc. The stove is gas. There is wireless internet throughout the apt. ACCESS There is ample off-street free parking on our street and in the neighborhood. If you prefer, there are two reasonably priced parking garages about 9 blocks from the house. We have a washer and drier in the basement that you are welcome to use. There is also a full-service laundromat just a block from the house. INTERACTION WITH GUESTS Since this is our Portland pied-a-terre, you are unlikely to see us during your visit. But we're just a text or email or phone call away and would still love to give you advice about where to go for great food (Portland is amazing!), hikes, music, etc. We also have an in-town Portland contact for any issues that arise that need immediate local attention (like locking yourself out of the house :-) OUR NEIGHBORHOOD Our neighborhood is the most sought after neighborhood in Portland -- the West End. We are 1.5 blocks from Aurora's (an amazing upscale deli/sandwich shop) and there are numerous excellent restaurants and coffee shops within 1-4 blocks. A drug store and a natural grocery store are just 2 blocks from the house. The Portland Art Museum, the Arts District, and plenty of shopping along the main street (Congress) is only a few blocks away as is the Western Promenade --- a beautiful walk along the bluffs overlooking the working bay. There is a public pool 1 block from the house. The more tourist-oriented (but fun!) Old Port is also an easy walk. There's really no need for a car unless it's raining. Portland is a very walkable town. Our street is particularly quiet as it doesn't connect anything to anything. The area is very safe --- mostly families and young people. GETTING AROUND There are two city bus stops near the house. One is just on the corner nearby and the other a block away. You could easily do without a car altogether. We are about 10 minutes from the Portland Jetport ($13 cab ride) and even closer to the bus and train station (easy access to Boston). We are also only a short walk to the major hospital (Maine Medical Center). HOUSE RULES We don't allow pets or smoking. And we ask guests to leave their shoes at the door. So please bring slippers! (Although we have some you can borrow during your visit, if you forget :-) Since there are 2 apts in the house and nice neighbors nearby, we ask that you be considerate about noise levels. Quiet hours: 10PM - 7AM out of consideration, please! Currently, the fireplace is out of commission, but we expect to resolve that by the summer: But we can't promise that at this time! When it is working again: We ask that you use only Duraflame logs (we will provide 1 log for short visits and 2 for longer ones). Why not 'real' wood? Duraflame logs are cleaner, safer (don't spark), eco-friendly, leave little ash, don't smoke, don't over-flame, and are easy to light. So our house stays cleaner and safer. Duraflame logs ARE a wood product, so this is not just a 'fake' fire. We live in the backwoods of Maine with 2 wood-burning stoves and know how much dirt, smoke, and ash can be produced, especially with inexperienced wood burners :-) Even we use the Duraflames when in Portland.