NEWLY RENOVATED Tranquil Forest Paradise. Bright & Open-Plan. Groups of 8.
Welcome to your Portland forest and garden paradise. Tucked among mature gardens on a quiet street, this large, bright, open-plan home sits just minutes from downtown — yet feels worlds away. Step outside and you're a stone's throw from three of Portland's most beloved green spaces: the International Rose Test Garden, the Portland Japanese Garden, and the trails of Forest Park. Step inside and brand-new hardwood floors lead you through a sun-filled, open-plan gathering space designed for bringing people together. The gourmet kitchen comes fully equipped for everything from morning coffee to a holiday feast, and the large dining table seats your whole crew. Comfortable couches in the living room invite long evenings of conversation, by a crackling fire. Gather on our huge. L-shaped family room couch to watch your favorite shows. Plenty of off-street parking means no one has to circle the block. Whether you're visiting for a wedding, a family reunion, or a long weekend of garden walks and Forest Park hikes, this home is built for togetherness — quiet enough to unwind, close enough to dive into everything Portland has to offer.
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Similar properties
In the heart of Downtown Portland. Everything is a short walk away!
Downtown Portland
In the heart of Downtown Portland. Everything is a short walk away!
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
About the area
Portland
Located in Portland, this holiday home is in the city centre. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Tom McCall Waterfront Park and Hoyt Arboretum, while Portland'5 Centers for the Arts and Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall are cultural highlights. Travelling with kids? Make time for Oregon Zoo, or head to an event or a match at Moda Center. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing, snowboarding and skiing, and don't miss out on the sledging.
Oregon Health and Science University - 3 min drive - 2.1 km
Portland State University - 4 min drive - 2.1 km
Providence Park - 4 min drive - 2.4 km
Oregon Zoo - 6 min drive - 4.8 km
Getting around
PSU South-SW 6th and College Station - 6 min drive
Beaverton Hall-Nimbus Station - 14 min drive
Portland International Airport (PDX) - 35 min drive
Restaurants
Chipotle Mexican Grill - 6 min drive
Enchanted Sun Breakfast Burritos - 6 min drive
Leaky Roof - 6 min drive
Aviary Cafe - 9 min drive
Plaza Cafe & Deli - 7 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is NEWLY RENOVATED Tranquil Forest Paradise. Bright & Open-Plan. Groups of 8. pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at NEWLY RENOVATED Tranquil Forest Paradise. Bright & Open-Plan. Groups of 8.?
As of 15 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at NEWLY RENOVATED Tranquil Forest Paradise. Bright & Open-Plan. Groups of 8. on 25 June 2026 start from AU$648, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at NEWLY RENOVATED Tranquil Forest Paradise. Bright & Open-Plan. Groups of 8.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at NEWLY RENOVATED Tranquil Forest Paradise. Bright & Open-Plan. Groups of 8.?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at NEWLY RENOVATED Tranquil Forest Paradise. Bright & Open-Plan. Groups of 8.?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is NEWLY RENOVATED Tranquil Forest Paradise. Bright & Open-Plan. Groups of 8. located?
This family-friendly holiday home is located in the city centre, within 2 mi (3 km) of Washington Park and Oregon Zoo. Oregon Health and Science University and Portland State University are also within 2 miles (3 km).
Reviews
8.8
Excellent
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Our family thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this spacious and picturesque home nestled in the forest. Surrounded by nature and in close proximity to Portland's attractions, we had a wonderful time during our weeklong stay. Our host was amazing and ensured that we felt right at home. We would definitely recommend visiting this property if you are ever in the Portland area.
Overall the facility was the perfect size and location for our family trip. This was the first VRBO we have stayed at that we felt like a little uncomfortable, like we were intruding. It was apparent that someone lives there. The dishwasher was full of clean dishes upon arrival. We had to move things around in the fridge, bathrooms, and bedrooms to make room for some of our things. If you looking for a facility that is a true rental, I would not recommend this location.
Anissa C.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 10 July 2023
Thank you for your comments Anissa and we are glad you found it to be the perfect size and location. Yes, a family lives here and no, we don't entirely vacate the house when we rent. We leave multiple pantry shelves bare for visitors and the refrigerator bare except for condiments. Our guests love that there is olive oil/ketchup/every spice imaginable. So, if you expect a vacation "unit" devoid of any evidence of residents then no, this isn't your place. (Note: Portland, Oregon requires that short-term rentals are occupied by owners 9 months out of the year. We are allowed to rent for three months total.)
My sister and I spent a week at this charming home in a beautiful area of Portland and overall had an enjoyable stay. The location was ideal—quiet, picturesque, and conveniently close to a grocery store. The host was incredibly responsive and communicative, answering our questions quickly and making the check-in process smooth.The house itself had a lot of character, with comfortable beds, well-equipped bathrooms, and a cozy TV room that made for relaxing evenings. We especially appreciated the well-stocked kitchen and the opportunity to browse the owner’s eclectic and inspiring book and art collections.That said, we were a little surprised upon arrival to discover that the home is clearly the owner’s full-time residence, with many personal items still out in the open—shower products, clothing in closets, personal items (including a passport) on the counter, and signs of daily life throughout the space. While we understand some homes are lived in when not rented, we felt it would have been more comfortable if these personal effects were stored away or secured.Additionally, the carpeting was heavily worn, stained in several areas, and had a noticeable pet odor, which detracted from the overall experience. That said, we made the best of it, and despite these concerns, we still enjoyed our stay and appreciated the host’s hospitality and the unique character of the home.
Leigh Ann D.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Apr 2026
Thank you so much for this thoughtful review Leigh Ann! I'm so glad you and your sister had an enjoyable stay and found the location and kitchen to your liking! Your feedback about personal items being left out is completely fair, and I've since made changes to ensure guests have a much more private, hotel-like experience.
And as for the carpets? I can't take full credit for that decision — a very enthusiastic new puppy made the choice for me. The carpets are now gone, replaced with beautiful wall-to-wall hardwood floors throughout. As it turns out, puppies are surprisingly effective interior designers.
I hope you'll consider coming back to see the updates — it's a new chapter for the house, and I think you'd love it.
Staying in this house was a delight! We felt like we were in a tree house, with the back deck and surrounded by trees. Getting into Portland was easy and quick. We also used Uber and door dash when we didn't feel like driving. The house is very clean and well appointed, and there is room for 3 vehicles. Very happy with our choice!
A spacious, lovely house in a quiet wooded neighborhood
The spacious house had three bedrooms and a fourth room to be used as a bedroom. There was plenty of space to spread out. The kitchen was well furnished and a pleasure to use for our meals in. The house is in a residential neighborhood near parks. It was beautiful for walks though a steep grade for older people. The house had everything we needed for our stay, and Julia was an excellent and communicative host. We would love to stay again.
My husband and I rented this house for a visit to our family in Portland. Our plan was to have a perfect place to get together with them and cook and have fun. This was the PERFECT house for us! The kitchen was spacious enough for the family’s 2 dedicated chefs and the dining table big enough for us all. The living room was fully visible from the kitchen so the 3 kids could be seen and there was a tv room off the living room that they could hang out in but still be close enough to us. The yard is great with a badminton net and trampoline and picnic table and it’s completely fenced in. The bedrooms are all on the lower level. The neighborhood is sort of magic in a very wooded area with tall trees and deep valleys - very interesting and beautiful. It’s located close to 2 great parks and close to downtown Portland. We will definitely stay there again
The Pickar home was in a beautiful, quiet, secure neighborhood. The property was a very comfortable size and layout for our stay. I was disappointed in the cleanliness of the entire home, but particularly the bathrooms and kitchen. The mirrors in the bathrooms were very dirty and lavatories and tubs needed to be cleaned. I was also a bit surprised at the amount of open/partially used food containers left in the refrigerator. The yard was completely overgrown so we couldn’t enjoy the outside area. All in all I would rate the stay as satisfactory but would recommend that the owner find a company to deep clean the entire property and possibly remove or lock away much of the personal items left in closets and bathroom cabinets and drawers.
Georganne W.
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 10 July 2023
Thank you for the detailed review. I am so glad you found my home beautiful, comfortable, and secure. I am confused and dismayed about the cleanliness comments. Prior to the arrival of this guest, I had an extensive deep clean of my home. I carefully inspected it and it looked gleaming. All the mirrors, tubs, and toilets included. I am new to VRBO but have used another popular rental service where I have 40 5-star reviews. (The cleanliness of my home is regularly noted.) I take this review very very seriously, and I will continue to always check the cleaners' work carefully.
--Regarding food in the fridge. I want to be really clear that this is my home, not a "unit". I don't fully “move out” for guests. There are items inside drawers. There are some clothes hanging in closets (although I move them over and leave plenty of empty hangers). There is some dry food in the pantry. There are some condiments in the fridge (though shelves and all drawers are left clean and mostly empty). When I told this renter she was welcome to any food in my fridge and pantry, she seemed delighted.
Again, I take reviews very seriously, I want happy and delighted guests. I strive to always be better! Thank you! Julia
About the host
Hosted by Julia Pickar
Hello, I'm a writer, gardener, tennis player, and traveler. I love my adopted hometown of Portland, Oregon, and hope you do too!
Why they chose this property
Simply put, this home is open, spacious, tranquil, convenient, and absolutely gorgeous! It is totally ideal for groups of friends or families that want to be together in a comfortable, homey, setting with quick access to the city of Portland (5-minute drive from Alphabet District, Zoo, Japanese Gardens) or a quick drive to waterfalls, coast, or mountains. The kitchen is completely stocked with top-level appliances. There is a large dining table for everyone to gather. Four queen bedrooms and four bathrooms. Totally comfortable.
What makes this property unique
This stunning house is the *ultimate* gathering spot. If you want a spacious, private, tranquil getaway--just minutes from the city--this foresty hideaway is your place. If you want Portland hikes, shopping, or nightlife, it's right down the road. Everything is at your fingertips. Great for adults. Great for kids.