Aysha and Heidi's Alberta Arts District basement apartment is a very attractive and intelligently designed space that's clearly been built from scratch to be highly functional and user friendly. Throughout, the attention to detail is evident and you really feel that you're staying somewhere that you'd be happy to call home.

The kitchen is modern, large and well equipped, while the bathroom features a shower space that's so big you turn on the water at one end and then stroll down to the actual shower head once the water is warm enough. The bedroom is likewise extremely generous (many would be tempted to turn the space into two bedrooms) and both the mattress and bed linen were high quality and sleep-inducing.

The neighborhood is great with many quality cafes, restaurants and bars (not to mention eclectic galleries, furniture shops and indi businesses) all within walking distance. (If you're into your coffee, make sure you visit Extracto Coffeehouse just round the corner on Preston Street.)

Aysha is a great host, and although we only met her once, every communication (from initial inquiry through to little questions we had while there) always received a fast response.

Thank you for having us. We'll be using some ideas from your place when we create our own guest space - and we'll definitely book again when we're next in Portland.