Look no further- if you're reading this then you've found the perfect place to stay in Portland. Emma's home is lovely, as is Emma herself. It has everything a solo traveler, couple, or parent + small child might need to relax and be comfortable. I will do my best to describe the many wonderful aspects of this apartment but first a word about Emma. She was always friendly and easy to communicate with. Since I was bringing my 19 month old son with me she thoughtfully offered to clear out the bottom 3 bookshelves so that my son wouldn't tinker with her books and decor which I really appreciated. Before I even arrived at the apartment she helped me feel confident about staying there.
This apartment is part of a beautiful large Victorian home with 4 other apartments. As you walk up to the front door- a modern keyless entry- you'll see a porch swing to your left. It's the perfect place to sip your morning coffee or tea and watch the neighborhood come alive. As you walk in you'll notice the decor- calming greens and browns, vintage items and good reads on the bookshelf, and lots of sunlight streaming in from the front windows. The kitchen area is lofted three steps up and is stocked with brand new appliances including a small fridge, mini dishwasher, sink, espresso machine, hotplate, and microwave. I found all that I needed to make scrambled eggs in the morning for my son and I. The bathroom is small but the porcelain claw-foot tub is huge! My son and I loved taking a bath in it every night. (Note that there's also a shower-head for those who prefer showers). Emma provided an array of toiletries which made things easy. We slept well on the plush queen mattress and were cooled and lulled to sleep by the air-conditioner.
The location can't be beat! Trader Joe's is across the street and tons of great restaurants and bars are scattered throughout the neighborhood. A block away is Couch Park which has a playground and dog park. It was a great place for my son to run around and burn off energy. A few blocks west is NW 23rd with lots of unique shops and places to eat and a few blocks north is the streetcar line which will take you all around the city. A few blocks south is Providence Park where you can catch a Timbers game and a Max line stop which you can ride to the zoo (just a few stops away) or all the way to the airport. Public transportation in Portland is awesome so I recommend that you skip renting a car as I did. The next time I'm in Portland I hope to stay here again. :)