I stayed with the Millers during a five-night trip to Portland for a conference, with an extra day and a half or so built in for exploring and visiting with nearby family. It was my first time using Airbnb by myself, and I could not have had a better experience.

Communication prior to and during my stay was clear, although limited since I was so busy I was rarely at the house. When I booked, I asked if I could drop off my bags at the house prior to the check-in time since my flight arrived at 11:30 a.m., and they graciously accommodated me and even let me officially check in early. After I arrived, Tom gave me a quick tour, sent me the key code for the side door, gave me a key to my room, provided a paper outlining important guest information, and offered a lunch recommendation (which I appreciated because using Yelp for restaurants in Portland is overwhelming, akin to falling into a black hole!).

The accommodations were exactly as pictured/described. The house was clean, the bed was so comfortable that I slept better than I think I ever have while traveling, and the towels they provided were large and soft. The room is located in a furnished, finished basement, which is accessible via a separate entrance off of the side of the house with a keypad. The other guest room, a laundry room guests are able to use, and a bathroom are also located in the basement. A space heater is included in the bedroom, should you need it (I didn't; the temperature was perfect), an iron and ironing board are provided in the laundry room, and a hairdryer is available in the bathroom. Coffee and tea are available to you in the morning if you ask in advance.

The location is also excellent. Their house is located between Hawthorne and Division, two streets filled with restaurants and shops. It took me about 10 minutes to walk to each, and I felt comfortable walking alone in the neighborhood. The #14 bus stop is a five-minute walk away, and Uber cars were readily available each time I needed one. It took me approximately 15 minutes to get to SW 6th/Main downtown via the bus and approximately 10 minutes to get to the same location using Uber.

With what limited interaction I had with the Millers, I found them to be approachable and kind people who seem to genuinely love hosting. I bumped into Reba one morning while waiting for Uber outside, and she offered to drop me off at the site of my conference downtown, which was very sweet of her to do. My only regret is that I did not have more time to chat with them during my stay.

I loved every second of my trip to Portland and look forward to returning as soon as possible. When I do, I'll certainly be checking to see if the Millers have a room available.