THE ONYX — A GOTHIC WINE-COUNTRY HOME WITH A HOT TUB, FIRE PIT AND GAME ROO...

FALL IS THIS HOUSE'S SEASON

You came to Walla Walla for harvest. The vineyards are turning gold, the crush pads are running, and the evenings have that first real bite of cold in them. What you want at the end of a day like that is not a beige rental with a laminate kitchen. You want a fire lit, a hot tub steaming, and a little atmosphere.

That is The Onyx: a three-bedroom, two-bath single-level home in College Place, eight minutes from downtown Walla Walla, that looks like nothing else in the valley — black pressed-tin ceilings, gold damask wallpaper, chandeliers, Chesterfield leather, gilt mirrors and vintage portraits. One guest called it New Orleans gothic, whimsical, and said the house is called The Onyx for a reason. Another wrote that it is a great house for Halloween. Both are right.

WHY GUESTS PICK THIS HOUSE OVER THE OTHERS

Most rentals here are farmhouses, condos and tidy modern remodels — lovely, and identical in a search grid. The Onyx solves a different problem: you want a base with some theatre to it, the dog along, and somewhere warm to sit outside once the sun goes down at five.

A private hot tub is genuinely rare in this market, and this one sits under a covered deck with string lights, so it works in October drizzle as well as September blue sky. Ten steps away, a fire pit ringed with Adirondack chairs handles the rest of the evening. Behind that, a fully fenced yard with room to actually run, and a detached, heated game room so the teenagers can disappear and the adults get the house back.

THE OUTDOOR SPACE

Private hot tub on the covered rear deck, with string lights and a table for a glass of something local. Towels are stocked and the cover locks between soaks.

Fire pit ringed with Adirondack chairs, blankets available in the house. One guest simply wrote that the top highlight was the fire pit every night.

Fully fenced backyard, large and flat, with lawn, mature trees and landscape lighting. Two dogs are welcome, and the fence is a real one. Guests travelling with dogs mention this constantly.

Covered patio with a picnic table for outdoor dining, plus a premium wood-pellet grill and smoker with utensils supplied.

THE DETACHED GAME ROOM

A separate, heated and air-conditioned building at the back of the property, kitted out for a long evening: air hockey, a full-size shuffleboard table, a dartboard, a giant wall-mounted four-in-a-row, light-up ladderball, a smart TV and a sofa. It is why families with tweens and teens rebook, and it gives a rainy fall afternoon somewhere to go.

INSIDE THE HOUSE

The interior is why people remember the place. The living room has a black pressed-tin ceiling, navy-and-gold damask paper, a tufted leather Chesterfield, an ornate black decorative mantel, gilt-framed art and a wall of books. The dining area seats six under a large gold chandelier with black lace at the windows. The kitchen is glossy black cabinetry with gold hardware and a bold tiled backsplash.

It is deliberately dark, warm and moody. If your ideal rental is white walls and coastal linen, this will not be your house — better you know now than on arrival. If you want somewhere that feels like a set, you have found it.

THE KITCHEN

Equipped for real cooking, not just reheating: full-size refrigerator and freezer, oven and stove, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, blender, rice maker, electric kettle and a coffee maker with pods. Cooking basics, baking sheet, pots and pans, dishes and silverware for the full group, and wine glasses. Guests regularly note the stocked pantry touches — condiments, seasonings, popcorn and a coffee and tea station.

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SIX

Primary bedroom: king bed with a baroque black headboard, damask feature wall, smart TV, room-darkening shades, wardrobe, ensuite bath, and a door straight out to the patio and hot tub. Guests with back trouble have written about how well they slept here.

Bedroom two: queen bed, smart TV, black-and-gold decor, room-darkening shades.

Bedroom three: two twin beds that combine into a king, with a mounted TV and designer wallpaper. Works for children or a third couple.

Bathrooms: two full baths. The primary ensuite has a tiled walk-in shower and a gold vessel sink; it is a compact shower, honestly described. The hallway bath, serving bedrooms two and three, has a full tub and shower — use that one if you want more room.

EVERYDAY COMFORTS

Air conditioning and ceiling fans throughout, including the game room. Central heating for the cold months. Fast wifi. Washer and dryer in the home. Bed linens, extra pillows and blankets, plenty of towels, hair dryer, iron, hangers, shampoo, conditioner and the usual essentials. A workspace at the dining table. Board games, books and children's dinnerware. Free driveway parking for two vehicles plus street parking, a private entrance, and keyless self check-in with a smart lock.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND WHAT IS NEARBY

The Onyx sits on a quiet residential street in College Place, a small town folded into the western edge of Walla Walla. It is genuinely central — you can walk to a market and coffee, and drive to almost everything else in under twenty minutes.

Andy's Market and neighborhood cafes: about a three-minute walk.
Walla Walla University: about five minutes, which makes this an easy base for campus weekends, parents' visits and graduation.
Fort Walla Walla Park and Museum: about five minutes, with walking trails and picnic grounds.
Downtown Walla Walla: about 8 minutes, for boutiques, galleries, the Marcus Whitman Hotel, Passatempo Taverna, the Maple Counter Cafe and more than a dozen tasting rooms within a few blocks.
Seven Hills Winery and Bledsoe Family Winery: about eleven to twelve minutes, downtown. L'Ecole No 41, in its historic schoolhouse: about seventeen minutes west. Walla Walla Vintners: about nineteen minutes east. Force Majeure Vineyards: about fourteen minutes south.
Whitman Mission National Historic Site: about twelve minutes west, Oregon Trail history and open ground for a walk.
Wine Valley Golf Club: about fourteen minutes west.
Bennington Lake: about fifteen minutes, for hiking, fishing and birdwatching — excellent in autumn.
Walla Walla Farmers Market and the Antique Mall: about ten minutes. Milton-Freewater, Oregon: about ten minutes. The Tri-Cities: about an hour.
Walla Walla Regional Airport: about fifteen minutes.

A car is the easiest way to get around the valley, and there is room for two in the driveway.

WHAT PAST GUESTS SAY

"Great fenced in backyard for our dog, hot tub to relax and warm up in the chilly evenings, a firepit to hang out with the kids and make s'mores, a separate game room for our teen to have their own space."

"Top highlight was the fire pit every night. Our dog loved the backyard. The game room was fun. The pellet bbq worked well. The vibe is New Orleans gothic. Whimsical. We had a great time."

"We loved our time at The Onyx. It was extremely clean, beds were very comfortable and our host was great at communicating with us."

BEING HONEST ABOUT WHAT THIS IS

A compact single-level home, about 1,020 square feet, that comfortably sleeps six. The bathrooms are on the smaller side and the primary shower is compact. The decor is bold — statues, vintage portraits, a lot of black and gold — and while most families love it, some guests with very young children move a piece out of sight, which is fine. The house sits in a real neighborhood, not on a vineyard, and that is exactly why it is so central.

BOOK YOUR FALL WEEKEND

Harvest weekends, Halloween and university visits book out early here. Reserve your dates, bring the dog, and we will have the hot tub hot and the fire pit ready when you arrive.

Pets: Up to two dogs are welcome. Please register the number of dogs you are bringing when you book. Our usual pet charge is applied at checkout and goes toward the extra cleaning pet hair requires, not toward damage. No other animals without prior approval.

Hot Tub Safety: Use of the hot tub is at your own risk — there is no lifeguard on duty and children must be supervised at all times. Please keep the cover locked when the tub is not in use.

Quiet Hours and Neighbors: We are in a residential neighborhood with wonderful neighbors. Quiet hours are 10 PM to 8 AM. No parties, events, or large gatherings.

Age Requirement: The primary guest must be 21 or older. Guests under 21 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the entire stay.

Cancellation Policy: We follow the cancellation policy in place at the time you booked, as shown in your confirmation. If there is any chance you may need to cancel, we recommend travel insurance at checkout. Refunds are not provided outside the booked policy for weather, illness, or travel disruptions.

No Smoking: There is a strict no-smoking and no-vaping policy, inside and out, for the benefit of all guests with allergies. Any known abuse of this policy may result in a substantial fine. No open flames or candles indoors.

Damage Protection: A damage waiver is included with your cleaning fee and covers any accidental damage during your stay. Intentional damage will be your responsibility. Please let us know of any damage so we can remedy it for our next guests.

Rental Agreement: A link to our rental agreement will be sent to you to sign before you check in. You may also be asked to verify your identity through a third party using two-factor authentication; we do not store any of your personal data.