The Urban Nature Hideaway w/ Garden Sauna Retreat

Welcome to our Urban Nature Hideaway... an artful, private garden apartment tucked into a peaceful sanctuary in the charming Ardenwald neighborhood of Milwaukie, just 10 minutes from downtown Portland. Nature-inspired touches invite you to slow down and unwind. Guests often describe the space as peaceful, welcoming and more beautiful in person. You can also reserve our handcrafted outdoor wood-burning sauna and refreshing cold soak for an added wellness experience during your stay. The space Our private basement apartment is designed for comfort, ease... and a deeper exhale. It accommodates up to 3 guests (4 depending on age and size), and works beautifully for solo travelers, friends, couples and small families. The living space is simple, clean and thoughtfully arranged so you can settle in without effort. Guests often comment on how peaceful, clean, and intuitively prepared everything feels - from clearly organized essentials to the small touches that make daily living flow effortlessly. The mid-century kitchen is fully equipped: with a full-sized refrigerator, induction 2-burner cooktop, toaster oven, toaster, electric kettle, coffee maker, and a well-stocked selection of cookware, oils, spices, teas, creamer and local coffee. Whether you're preparing a quick breakfast before exploring Portland or settling in for a quiet evening meal, you'll have everything you need. The plant-filled bedroom features a queen-size bed with organic cotton and wool bedding. The living area offers a comfortable futon for additional sleeping, along with an open sitting space designed for rest, complete with books, natural textures, meditation chairs and a yoga mat. Fast Wi-Fi, thoughtful lighting and the peaceful atmosphere make the apartment an inviting place for reading, writing, working remotely or settling in for a longer stay. Families especially appreciate the handcrafted wooden toys, books, puzzles and creative play materials that invite imagination and time together. You’ll also have access to a washer and dryer, natural cleaning products, and materials chosen for comfort and sustainability. Tucked into the backyard garden, guests may now reserve our handcrafted outdoor wood-burning sauna and cold soak for an additional fee. Originally built decades ago as a small playhouse, the structure was lovingly restored by our family into a simple wellness retreat. It's become one of our favorite guest experiences, especially on cool mornings, rainy afternoons and quiet evenings beneath the trees. Every detail has been thoughtfully prepared so you can arrive, settle in with ease, and simply feel at home. Guest access You’ll have full private access to the apartment, with a separate entrance and keypad for easy self check-in. Arrival is part of the experience. Follow a softly lit stone path through the garden to your downstairs entrance in the backyard. The apartment is a lower-level/basement apartment accessed by an outdoor staircase. Free street parking is available directly in front of our home. Public transit is close by, with a bus stop within walking distance and the MAX line less than a mile away. The neighborhood is quiet, walkable and lined with mature trees and nearby paths, parks and green spaces. We’re conveniently located between Sellwood, Woodstock and downtown Milwaukie, with easy access to downtown Portland, local cafés and restaurants, farmers markets, antique shops, bike paths and neighborhood events. A favorite neighborhood café is a pleasant 5-minute walk, perfect for an easy start to your day. Other things to note Our family lives upstairs in the main house above the apartment and follows a regular rhythm, with quiet evenings and simple mornings (quiet hours 10pm–6am). You can hear muffled footsteps, movement and voices during our comings and goings. Our small urban micro-farm is part of what makes staying here unique. The space includes friendly chickens, shy quail, three cats and two dogs... (Cora, our older dog, and Thea, a new-to-us 2 yr. old Golden Retriever). Both dogs are friendly and joyful, and you may hear a bit of excitement from Thea during transitions of the day. We also care for two honeybee hives that help pollinate the gardens surrounding the property. If you're curious about the bees or would enjoy a closer look inside the hives, we're happy to share more about beekeeping whenever timing allows. During the growing season, we're delighted to share a sampling of fresh eggs from our backyard flock, along with herbs, fruits and vegetables from the garden whenever available. We maintain a smoke-free and vape-free environment and ask for your mutual respect of our home and land. This is more than a place to stay. It's a lovingly tended refuge, meant to restore and inspire. We can’t wait to welcome you.