As reviewer number 210 let me assure you that not a single glowing word written by the previous 209 guests is an exaggeration. Paula’s tree top retreat is absolutely amazing! We were fortunate enough to stay here during Christmas week and if you can’t be home for the holidays, then be at Paula’s. The twinkling lights of the north end of Portland from the top floor, and more specifically from the bed, along with the still quiet of the neighborhood provided incredible beauty and tranquility every evening. While there’s nothing we can fault about any aspect of staying here aside from having to leave, I want to focus on a couple highlights to the next fortunate guest.
Location: As a native Portlander I know nearly every inch of the city and this is is the perfect landing pad for seeing the very best areas of Portland. Slabtown is just five minutes away with it’s ‘totally Portland’ shops, cafe’s and dining spots. Drive a few minutes further on and you’ll be at the far end of NW 23rd Street with endless storefronts and dining. Get lunch at Papa Hayden’s and then cross the street for ice cream at Salt and Straw. The throughly original shops on 23rd were perfect for last minute Christmas shopping. Jump across the bridge to Mississippi Road for delicious fish tacos, ceviche and margaritas at Porque No? The best of Portland is minutes from Paula’s place.
Accommodations: Downstairs, the kitchen was well equipped with just enough to make cooking a breeze, and the spacious barn style table made for a lovely setting when my family came over for dinner one evening. Loved the gas fireplace and the truly comfortably sofa and living room chair. Plus the stacked washer and dryer hidden away in a closet near the kitchen were so convenient so pack light! All that said about the main floor but if we were in the house, chances are we were upstairs, soaking in the luxuriously sized deep, long bathtub, or sipping French-press coffee on the upstairs sofa to take in the view. There was plenty of storage space for our clothing and the bed, even for this very bed-particular guest, was especially comfortable. Between the cozy bed, the absolute stillness from outside, and the twinkling lights of the city, we found we slept better than we do at home.
And Paula, she’s a delight. Though she was out of town for much of the week due to a family emergency she responded almost immediately to any request/question I sent her and even from a distance she made us feel thoroughly welcome and at home.
In the time you’ve read this long review you could have been booking this place. I hope no one grabbed it from under you. There is NO question, we’ll be staying here again...and again...