We’re thick in the middle of the holidays and sometimes we just want to get away from the fam. Why not offer up your house while you go glamping! Or better, rent a houseboat or a tree house right in town. Or send your family to these glorious little waterfront and forest Airbnb’s and chances are, they probably won’t want to come back to your house. You’ll want to visit them. We’ve plotted out three Portland places that we feel are perfect for the holidays. Grab your zipline techniques and let’s go!
Enjoy drinks on the deck and live the houseboat life inside
Tomahawk Island Cozy Houseboat $100 / night
- Where is it
- Tomahawk Island Marina on Hayden Island in Portland
- What is it
- A floating, cozy houseboat
- How big is it / how many people does it sleep
- 2 guests • 1 bed • 1 bath
- It’s a small studio but feels big
- Perfect for a couple or solo traveller
- Bedrooms
- 1 very comfortable bed / new bedding
- Kitchen
- Fully stocked kitchenette
- Upgraded with new appliances
- Bathroom/Shower
- Real shower and toilet
- An extra toilet is nearby
- Deck / Porch
- Comfortable deck furniture (chairs and loveseat)
- Amenities
- Extra touches – wine, snacks, soap, shampoo
- AC mini-split – cools and heats
- High-speed Wifi
- Cable TV
- View
- The Columbia River
- Nearby
- Marina is save, clean and quiet.
- Nice, welcoming boathouse
- Island Cafe next to the marina… perfect for brunch (opens at 11 a.m.)
- Good restaurants nearby
- Several beaches nearby
- Fun Stuff
- 2 Kayaks (March-October) and life vests
- Kayak to a few nearby bars
- Kayak around the almost 12 mile island in less than a day
- Pets
- Dogs welcome
- Shared
- Gated parking above the marina with plenty of space
- Onsite washer dryer
- An extra toilet
- Community garden
- Other
- Stable and quiet
- Easy drive into downtown Portland
A Tree House stay with a zipline and a massive bubble bath in a giant soaking hot tub
Eagles Nest Tree House: Where Dreams Come True $270 / night
- Where is it
- A secret, yet easily reached, wooded area in West Slope in Portland
- 10 minutes from Downtown Portland
- What is it
- A real treehouse held up by four separate trees, 18 feet off the ground
- How big is it / how many people does it sleep
- 6 guests • 1 bedroom • 2 beds • 1.5 baths
- Bedrooms
- Queen bed (very comfortable – high tech mattress)
- A large indoor hammock (as in huge – it serves as part of the floor – fun!)
- A sleeper couch (double bed)
- Kitchen
- A fully stocked kitchenette with retro-designed refrigerator, stove top, toaster, microwave, coffee maker.
- Bathroom/Shower
- Step-in indoor shower
- Full bathroom
- Deck / Porch
- The deck is huge with its own dining table.
- Amenities
- An electric fireplace
- AC
- State-of-the-art windows and screens
- The kitchen is well stocked with snacks
- Cold bottled water
- View
- Forest!
- Three skylights looking straight up at the Milky Way and the trees
- Nearby
- Rose Garden
- Trendy eateries (Voodoo Donuts, Salt and Straw, Bamboo Sushi)
- Council Crest Park
- Fun Stuff
- Zipline like crazy!
- Outside bubble bath or just take a hot tub
- Stroll through the woods leads to the suspension bridge up into the air
- Watch movies suspended in the air on the humongous hammock
- Spotting wildlife: deer, coyotes, rabbits, skunks, chipmunks and more
- You’ll see and hear so many birds, e.g., eagles, owls, finches, etc.
- You’ll hear roosters in the morning
- Pets
- Dogs Welcome
- Shared
- Nothing
- Other
- Free parking
- Extremely comfortable and very clean
Secret Hideaway near wineries – let’s talk romance!
Wine Country TreeHouse & Herbal Farm $169 / night
- Where is it
- Located in the Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley. Just 10 minutes from Newberg.
- Deer Haven is centrally located for wine excursions and boutique restaurants.
- What is it
- A small family farm is located in the Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley. Just 10 minutes from Newberg
- How big is it / how many people does it sleep
- 5 guests • 1 bedroom • 3 beds • 1 bath
- More spacious than you’d think
- Bedroom
- One comfy bed.
- Kitchen
- Not really. The treehouse has a refrigerator, microwave and hot and cold water. You may make simple meals or enjoy this valley’s many amazing restaurants.
- Both hot & cold water are available inside the treehouse
- Bathroom/Shower
- Bathroom is located in the main house with its own outside private entrance.
- Deck / Porch
- Yes!
- Table and chairs
- Amenities
- Plenty of comfy blankets
- An electric heater
- Snacks!
- Homemade coffee creamer
- Homemade chia pudding
- Yogurt, fruit and almond milk in the fridge upon arrival.
- Books about the trees.
- View
- On a hill with views of the surrounding area
- Nearby
- Visit Durant Winery and Olive Mill
- Close to Newberg restaurants and wineries
- Fun Stuff
- A swing!
- Lawn dice
- Outdoor table for picnics
- Wildlife spotting, including coyotes far away.
- Wildlife in the trees surrounding you.
- Pets
- Ask
- Shared
- Nothing
- Other
- Built by Pete Nelson of Animal Planet’s TreeHouse Master.
- Featured in:
- EveryDay with Rachel Ray magazine
- The Atlantic Magazine Featured the Treehouse
- Oregon Travel Book
- Not appropriate for 7 and under.
Amy Shamblen header photographer