If you are looking for a place to stay that exemplifies the Portland vibe, stay at Bob and Karen's place! My boyfriend and I were in Portland for the weekend. It was the first time in Portland for both of us, so we wanted to get as much of the Portland experience as we could in one short weekend. Bob and Karen's place was exactly what we were looking for and more! The rental itself was cozy and inviting. The bed and couch were comfortable, and there was a lot of space with plush rugs and blankets. Everything was clean and tidy. There was also coffee, water, and some food provided (bananas, pastries, etc.). The space was also unique and fun. We spent a lot of time checking out all the artwork and picking our favorite pieces. When we had down time (it was rainy/snowy while we were there), we spent time playing ping pong and listening to records.
The location of Bob and Karen's place was very convenient. It is close to the shops, theaters, and bars on Hawthorne, and the restaurants on Division are close by, as well. We walked to various bars, restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, and shops from Bob and Karen's. We rented a car because we were going on a longer trip, but the Bob and Karen's is easily walk-able or bike-able to downtown.
The hospitality of Bob and Karen and thoughtful touches within the rental really rounded out a great experience. Bob and Karen make communication, check-in, and check-out very easy. Karen greeted us upon our arrival and showed us around the rental, letting us know we could reach out to her if we needed anything. There were plenty of guides to help you navigate the Portland area. In addition to a coloring book, a chalk board to leave a message, and also a coloring book (for adults or kids).
Overall, we had a great experience in Portland and much of it was due to Bob and Karen's rental and hospitality. We would definitely stay and Bob and Karen's place again, and we will be recommending it to our friends, as well.