Bluebird Guesthouse

I have never stayed in a guesthouse before on vacation — my experiences ranges from hotels, motels, and AirBnBs. this was a great experience, the house has a cozy vintage feel. Free breakfast of pastries, coffee, and fruit in the kitchen in the mornings. Quiet neighborhood, ample street parking, and within walking distance to some of Portland’s great eats such as Pok Pok and Salt and Straw. I felt very safe staying here. Cute breakfast nook in the kitchen. My only complaint was that the wi-​fi didn’t work all weekend I was there so unfortunately have to subtract 1 star for that. Otherwise, would recommend this gem to anybody!

This was our first time staying in this kind of place and we LOVED it. Parking stinks in the area but the house is amazing. The area the house is in has bars, restaurants, shops, coffee shops… everything you can think of. I wish we had more time, we were only there for one night.
Our room was downstairs and had its own bathroom, which I was in love with. Claw foot bathtub? Yes please!

This is really an affordable gem in a cute, quiet neighborhood. I was able to make a reservation and check in after hours which was a relief after a long drive. Breakfast was simple but it was nice to eat in the very spacious kitchen. Walking distance from Hawthorne shops. I will definitely come back!

Nothing short of amazing. The house was built in 1910 and has all its original fixtures and furniture! It’s cozy and it felt like home. The hostess was friendly and she always had amazing coffee or pastries out to enjoy. The kitchen is spotless and had everything you needed if you wanted to cook your own meal. Its located to vintage stores, food, bars and pinball! This was our first time here and it most certainly won’t be our last. If your in Portland stay here!

I have never stayed in a place quite like this and now hope I can find one anywhere I go. I had the door code and instructions and just cared for myself from there. I had all of the amenities I wanted in a great historic house with a die-​for location with zero hassle. It was the best way I can imagine to experience a city rather than a sterilized mass-​produced hotel. It’s in a very safe-​feeling part of the city with a ton of fun restaurants, bakeries, ice cream parlors, etc. within an easy walk. I especially loved the stocked kitchen that would let me rustle up my own midnight snack or breakfast when I felt like it. Very clean and well maintained. Super comfortable bed. I cannot think of a single thing I’d change. Never met the owners/​operators (which was fine with me) but my hat is off to them for a top-​notch operation.

I discovered Division street and all the awesome bars and places to eat and I wanted to do food/​bar crawl and the Bluebird is right near the action. Such a wonderful house. We so enjoyed our stay.

We took our anniversary trip to PDX and stayed overnight at the Bluebird in the Gabriel Garcia-​Marquez room this mid-​week. Arrangements were made online and with the instructions in our email we were set.
Finding the place was easy with the assistance of google maps. Check in is 2 and we were there just after. As you can see from the others pictures we were greeted by old school charm with modern convenience in the public areas. Our room was spacious, clean, and cozy looking. As we dropped off our things before another adventure we looked forward to relaxing here later that night. On our way out we were welcomed by a nice young woman washing dishes, this would be the only time we ran into someone who worked here.
That night the bed was comfy, the WiFi was handy (we could still watch house of cards) and my partner enjoyed the soap. Good closet space for a short stay (complete with spa robes) and lots of drawers/​cabinets of the old built-​in variety. I personally enjoy windows and natural light and that was in no short supply, we especially loved the unique windowed and flicker-​lit built in dresser/​drawer (I supplied plenty of pix of our stay here too). Everything was clean (save what looked like a small old grey stain on the douvet) and smelled the same.
We explored the neighborhood and while chunks of Division were under construction there were still restaurants and shops and bakeries open which we took advantage of. Didn’t realize we were kind of across the street from the Oregon theatre for adult movies, but didn’t seem to be a bane or a bonus lol.
We didn’t eat or cook here, really only used the kitchen for storing leftovers in the fridge but it was stocked with fresh bagels and muffins in the morning. Only big complaint would be the lack of hot water, between just the two of us with moderate showers we actually ran out. oh, and there’s a water wand that looks lovely but for the life of me i could not see how it would work. Otherwise we loved it and will certainly return to the GG-​M room at the Bluebird.

Bluebird Guesthouse is conveniently located on SE Division St, where loads of restaurants/​bars/​cafes are merely at a stone’s throw. I stayed in room called Raymond Carver ($ 65/​nt), which was super cozy with a big and comfortable bed, a small desk and chair. There were plenty of tidy bathrooms, so I never had to wait around for someone to come out so that I could use the bathroom.
The kitchen was spacious and filled with tons of bagels/​other baked goods (GF options available)/tea and coffee. I rarely saw anyone hanging out in the common areas; the house was pretty quiet. There were parking spots in front of and around the house.
When I go back to Portland, I would definitely consider staying at this guesthouse again!

I stayed at the guesthouse for 3 days this past September. During my stay, a section of Division Street that runs in front of the guesthouse was closed for construction. This did make getting to guesthouse a little tricky since the bus had to take a detour. Nothing that Google Maps and a little walking couldn’t handle. During normal bus service, the bus stops really close to the guesthouse. There are a lot of bars, small shops, and restaurants next to the guesthouse on Division Street but they all unfortunately looked closed due to the construction. Soon after I arrived, I was informed by Nina, the manager, that I would be refunded $ 60 due to the inconvenience of Division Street being closed. I was given the refund without even asking for it which I thought was very classy.
I stayed in the Raymond Carver Room during my stay, which was big enough for a single person or a couple. I rented a bicycle for use during my stay here in Portland. I was instructed to keep the bicycle in the basement. According to one of the caretakers, most people who stay at the house don’t have a bicycle which I find surprising being that it is Portland.
Bathrooms (which are communal) and the common areas were neat and clean. I had no troubles accessing the bathrooms during my stay. As you can see from the pictures, the house has «character» and a cozy feeling to it. The kitchen was a little messy, but I’ll attribute that to some guests who didn’t bother cleaning up after themselves. The guests that I ran into were all cordial. I ran into a couple from Oakland, CA and we spent a few minutes chatting about the local attractions. There is a nice little backyard with a table and some chairs where I had my breakfast each morning.
There is complimentary breakfast food (bagels, muffins, pastries, etc.), coffee, and fruits. I particularly enjoyed the strawberry habanero cream cheese that was available but I think I may have been the only one who dared touch it during my stay!
If communal bathrooms don’t freak you out and you want something different than a standard hotel experience, I recommend this place.

This place has been perfect so far. In the middle of a trip up and down the coast from central California to the bottom tip of Washington, this has been the BEST place I have stayed. I even say it is the best place I’ve stayed out of ALL my trips, I take a vacation about once every couple of months; so basically about four-​six times a year.
Note: This is one of two homes.
The wifi here is fast and included with the room. There is a well stocked fridge for morning;bagels, cheeses, juice. And fresh ground and ready to brews coffee. A full kitchen to either cook in or sit at the adorable seating area and wish it was your kitchen. There is a great dining room area and very cozy living room with a small «red fireplace room» behind that. This is where our room was; the Marquez room. It was about $ 90 with tax and all but well worth every cent. This room has a private bath (the cheaper rooms do not but the other bathrooms in this house are just as CLEAN) but the Marquez room bath has a claw foot tub (the water didn’t get very hot though, I’m assuming someone else might’ve taken a shower before me). There is a very nice sized closet but TONS of extra storage in this cute window area of the bedroom. It held the two weeks worth of packed gear and newly added shopping bags that myself and the man had (we over pack by a lot too-​FYI). The bed is California king too :)
So! Over all. This place is amazing. There is also a separate little room off the kitchen by the back porch that has a computer to use and the backyard has a simple table and chairs setup. Along with the from porch has an abundance of seating to relax and watch the foot traffic or read a book.
Stay here and don’t bother going anywhere else. Although, if this place ever gets too busy when I come back I would be heartbroken to not stay here again.

I liked this place for the location and the price. It was a bargain and lots of stores/​eateries within a stone’s throw.
The downstairs rooms are kinda small as in squatty. I’m 5’3 and could reach without tiptoeing to touch the ceiling in the Gao Xingjian. Its also right by the laundry area. Also there are no curtains to pull if you wanna sleep in, so expect a sunshiny good morning.
Oh and it can get cold… really cold. Putting some extra blankets on the shelves would be a great idea. (Update, evidently I was just too silly to see the thermostat).
The house itself is rundown and has an old house musty kinda smell.
Breakfast is some tired old bagels and muffins and some really old and overripe fruit. I was happy with some tea and leftover voodoo donuts.
The people who work there stay out the way as best they can and smile kindly when you do see them.
They were even nice and accommodating after I had to make an adjustment to my length of stay.
Check in is so perfect. Requires no actual human contact. Awesome.
Sorry, but street parking is horrible for me… and it was almost a deal breaker … I didn’t have too much trouble finding a spot except on Saturday night. Still not too far of a walk back though.
The house is kind camouflaged so just look for foliage, steps and a gate.
*Just looking for a place to crash and a cup of Joe in the morning? You found a great place.

Quick run down of this charming guesthouse:
— No ankle-​biters. Kids under six years old are not allowed = super quiet.
— Most comfortable hotel/​hostel bed I’ve ever used. Good sleeps makes for happy travelers.
— Great location. For those that want to travel without a car this is a great home base. There is plenty to do in this area, plus it is easy walks to different neighborhoods, pubs, restaurants, shops, parks, bakeries. We rented bikes, cuz bikes are fun, but they are not needed. Between walking or bus #4 you could easily fill a weekend without need of a car. We rented from Clever Cycles, an awesome shop that is a pleasant 2 mile walk from Bluebird.
— This may be a negative for some, but it was a bonus for me: we never even saw the owners/​managers. We let ourselves in following their emailed instructions and just left the keys in the unlocked room when we left three days later. Zero hassle.
— The house is gorgeous. It is brimming with Craftsman touches, little nooks and crannies abound. One little nit is that I wish the bedrooms had hardwood floors; carpet gives me the heebie-​jeebies.
— Rudimentary breakfast fare (and coffee) are provided, but Portland is such a breakfasty town you should just go out and get yourself a salmon Benedict and a Bloody Mary with homemade pickled veggies. Really. Do that.
It was a lovely visit and I wouldn’t hesitate to stay at the Bluebird again.

We stayed two days in the Garcia Marquez room. The house is absolutely gorgeous and is perfect for a person who wants the charm of a bed and breakfast without the need to explain your entire life story to the owners and that nice couple from Kansas. The common areas are generously sized and wonderfully filled with character (built-​in sideboard in the dining room, gorgeous bookshelf in the living room, the air vent covers have a sort of filigree pattern, etc.) We really enjoyed it. Plus the 4 bus is right outside the front door. Would definitely stay again. By the way, it’s a pretty good deal, too.

I really loved this Guest House. In fact, I almost want to say it’s a 1 star so that way there will be space next time I’m in town. Close to businesses. Offer a decent breakfast (even gluten free baked goods from a local bakery, I was in heaven… I haven’t had a chocolate covered donut in awhile). Free parking right out front. A/​C in the room. Adorable patio areas complete with porch swing. Main floor is devoted entirely to the kitchen and common areas with rooms on upper floors. This was nice because at other places I’ve stayed, the kitchen is next to someone’s room and I’m an early riser…
Also, there’s a computer for everyone to use that sits in the backroom overlooking the yard. Kitchen has a cute little eat in breakfast nook. Our room had a skylight. Only downside was the rooms were a bit more expensive than other places I’ve stayed and there wasn’t an additional fold out bed or as much space as the other places.
Still loved this place though!

Bluebird is an excellent place to stay in Portland for a unique, affordable experience.
You can’t beat the location right in the heart of the bustling businesses on Division Street. There are so many little restaurants, bars, and shops, I could have easily stayed on this street and been entertained for days.
It’s easy to find a parking spot on the street right on Division or across the street a block or so away so this is very convenient.
The experience is like a bed and breakfast but a bit more independent for the guest. The owners and staff are there a bit in the morning but are almost invisible and keep to themselves.
I’ve stayed in the Sherman Alexie and the Beverly Cleary rooms.
You get juice, coffee, and muffins/​pastries and fruit in the morning so don’t expect a full breakfast but it’s plenty of food. This is a guesthouse, not a B&B.
They have a computer with internet access down in the kitchen area that anyone is free to use.
They have free wi-​fi but it’s not a strong signal upstairs.
If you’re in a double occupancy room they charge only $ 10 extra for a mattress on the floor and the 3^rd person which is very reasonable.
I am so close to giving them 5 stars but just can’t quite yet.
2 easy ways to improve the experience a bit:
–Stock the rooms with higher quality toilet paper. Yes, I’m looking at you, Scott bath tissue that feels like sand paper on your you-​know-​what.
–Make it more obvious for how to dispose of dirty towels and get new linens. I asked the woman restocking the rooms where to put our dirty towels and she told me about a laundry chute. After knowing this it was fine but since you don’t have someone coming in and cleaning your bathroom and changing the sheets it would be nice if the linen thing was a bit more obvious.
I’m not sure if this can be improved but the wireless is pretty spotty. Not a strong enough connection to stream video from an iPad.
These are small issues. These items aside, Bluebird is a charming, affordable choice in a great location! I have stayed here twice now and I will be back again for sure and have already recommended them to many people I know.

This place is so cute! I stayed here with a couple friends when I came down to visit Portland for the first time during the summer. Bluebird Guesthouse is a cozy guesthouse establishment with a bed and breakfast feel where it’s like you are staying at someone’s house. The place is semi-​hidden behind some foliage and it definitely has a rustic feel. It might get a little creepy at night with the creaky floors and interesting portraits on the walls, but other than that I find this place quite quirky and charming.
I liked how they provided free bedding, towels and wi-​fi. Our room was clean, and one of the patrons was kind enough to get us an extra futon for one of our friends. There are a couple bathrooms and showers scattered throughout the floor and I never had to wait in line for any of them. There weren’t that many guests staying at the place but they were all respectful and non-​disruptive. Oh and they provide free food! In the morning, you can go downstairs and help yourself to some bagels, muffins, fruit and coffee.
For the 3 of us, we each only had to pay $ 38 total for our one night stay. This is so much cheaper than staying at a hotel, and they provided a lot of free accommodations. If you are traveling to Portland, I highly recommend staying here for an excellent experience that is affordable at the same time.

I enjoyed my stay at BB Guesthouse. Was in Portland for a 3 day weekend where it rained the entire time. I didn’t have a car, but the #4 bus is very convenient for going downtown and along Division Street where there are lots of restaurants, yoga studios, etc. You probably won’t find a taxi unless you call ahead (so bear that in mind in deciding whether to stay in this part of town without a car).
I stayed in the Ken Kesey room which was quaint and cozy. Just big enough (I wouldn’t have two people because you can’t access the bed from both sides due to sloping roof line). The price is quite reasonable and everything was as promised (breakfast of bagels, pastries, coffee, juice). This room had a shared bathroom, but others have private baths. I thought it was kind of noisy because it’s an old house and the floors squeak and groan and you can hear people coming and going and talking, etc. Overall, it was fine and the people I met were nice as were the staff who are only there during the day.
Definitely not a typical hotel or even B&B experience. I liked it though and now that I know what to expect, I’d stay here again.

This place is so cute! Tucked away in a residential part of Portland, a short walk from Hawthorne and a short drive from Downtown, the Bluebird is a very cozy and comfortable place to stay on a budget.
I think the best way to picture the Bluebird is as a hostel for adult-​like people. This means less focus on catering to drunk Australians and more focus on being quietly charming. The atmosphere is super-​laid back. I never saw any staff my whole time there, but the place was immaculately clean and there were just enough little touches to make my day (paper in the morning? Check. Hot chocolate on a cold, wet evening? Check. Tasty muffins and bagels in the morning? Check.)
One thing I will warn you about this place is that the walls are thin. This means that if the couple down the hall is having sex, you will get to listen in, and I imagine that the opposite is true, as well. Just like at a regular hostel:)

I stayed in the E. Smith room. My boyfriend and I got here late, after everyone was asleep. The E.S. room is downstairs, in the basement.
Here is the problem: It stank. This room had such a terrible odour. I thought it was the bed. It was not. We could not figure out where this awful smell was coming from. There was only one tiny window in the room and it was already open (I imagine someone was trying to air the place out). It had to be the carpet. I can only imagine there was some kind of flood (sewage?) and the carpet was not cleaned or dried properly. We could not sleep and we didn’t know who to talk to since it was late and we had not yet met anyone who ran the place.
When I went to pay the next morning I informed them of the stench. I got a nonchalant shrug as a reply to my concern and a «oh, we’ll have a look at it». Honestly, I would have appreciated a refund.

You can’t beat this B&B for the price. Staff is incredibly friendly and there if you need anything. The rooms are cozy but very cute and supplied with whatever you need for your stay. I was worried it might be noisy at night with the rooms being so close to each other but with our fan going all night I didn’t hear a peep!
Bathrooms are SUPER clean and sharing was never a problem. My boyfriend and I stayed in the Sherman Alexie room one night and the Raymond Carver the next two nights. The Raymond Carver is definitely cozy but it was the perfect size for a short stay.
It was also really convenient having access to a full kitchen to save our food overnight etc. You don’t get this at a hotel. And the bagels and muffins in the morning were fresh and yummy!
Highly recommended!