Check in was very easy as the key retrieval instructions were clear and concise. Although this home does not have a garage or dedicated parking space, we had no problem parking directly in front of the house. We were disappointed with the condition of the front yard as it looked like the gardener had not been there for a while. Upon entering, we saw a note that requested shoe removal at the door and complied. The house, built in the 1920’s, is quite charming with vintage details. It has a full modern kitchen, complete with microwave. It had been a warm day in Portland and we were surprised to discover that the A/C is a window unit, not forced air. Thankfully the bedrooms each had ceiling fans, which helped keep us comfortable.
The following morning, we walked to a fantastic local coffee shop, Futura Coffee Roasters, and settled on the back porch. Unfortunately, the backyard was also overgrown, slightly dampening the ambiance but provoking an interesting conversation about gardening.
All in all, we had a pleasant stay at the Montavilla Gem: it is in a nice, quiet, and friendly residential neighborhood, the furnishings were comfortable, towels plentiful, and close to restaurants.
We noted a few issues, which may not bother everyone:
•	The clawfoot bathtub in the first-floor bathroom, although charming, is 4-5” off the ground; wouldn’t recommend it to anyone unsteady on their feet as there are no grab bars.
•	The primary bathroom’s showerhead is fixed, and the spray direction cannot be adjusted.
•	Absence of curtains on the large front window can be disconcerting for some; sheers would help.
•	Odd toilet placement upstairs: it is probably okay for young boys, but not for grown men.
•	Housekeeping was a little sloppy: dead bug on bathroom windowsill, children’s handprints on front of refrigerator, dead palm plant in dining room (but the snake plant was blooming!).
All in all, we had a pleasant stay at Montavilla Gem: it is in a nice, quiet, and friendly residential neighborhood, the furnishings were comfortable, towels plentiful, and close to local restaurants.