A Rare Retreat by the River

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Photo gallery for A Rare Retreat by the River

A riverside view with a patio area featuring outdoor furniture and a small garden.
A kitchen with wooden cabinets, a white microwave, a stove, and a dishwasher.
A living room with a sofa, a coffee table, a TV, and a window with curtains.
A bedroom with a bed, a desk, and a chair. There is a window providing natural light.
A living room with a black sofa, a coffee table, a floor lamp, and a framed picture on the wall.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Made for relaxation
    Top-rated for comfort — guests feel right at home here.
  • Garage parking available
    Enjoy the convenience of garage parking - a rare offering in the area.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Walk to Willamette River

Popular amenities

  • Balcony or patio
  • Spa pool on site
  • Toys
  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator

Explore the area

View map
Oak Grove, OR
  • Place, Willamette River
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Oregon Convention Center
    ‪23 min drive‬
  • Place, Moda Center
    ‪23 min drive‬
  • Airport, Portland, OR (PDX-Portland Intl.)
    ‪32 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 3)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Futon and 1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only · Outdoor shower

Spaces

Deck or patio
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

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Frequently asked questions

Is A Rare Retreat by the River pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at A Rare Retreat by the River?

There is free parking nearby.

What time is check-in at A Rare Retreat by the River?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at A Rare Retreat by the River?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is A Rare Retreat by the River located?

This family-friendly Milwaukie guesthouse is located on the waterfront, steps from Willamette River and within 6 mi (10 km) of Clackamas Town Center and Oregon City Shopping Center. Oaks Amusement Park and Oregon Museum of Science and Industry are also within 9 miles (15 km).

A Rare Retreat by the River Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 22 out of 24 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 24 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 24 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 24 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 24 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is a lovely, quiet, relaxing place to stay yet only minutes from shopping, walking/biking trails, and public transportation into Portland.
Stayed 10 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We liked the quiet/relaxing location. Our host was very friendly and accommodating.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice quiet property along the river. Host was wonderful to work with.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a fantastic stay at this property. It has terrific views of the river and a very restful feeling to it. The host was very gracious and provided us breakfast for our first morning; which was appreciated especially as we arrived late the previous night. We were centrally located to every thing we wanted to see in the area, but had comforts of home. Would recommend to others.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful location and property!

Beautiful, peaceful spot. Met our needs perfectly. Very friendly and responsive host. Would certainly stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great little get away

The place was very nice. It was clean and very quiet. The yard was lovely with east access to the river. We would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful, quiet spot

Gorgeous area with very nice accommodations. Will be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Phenomenal stay

The place was above expectations and had everything we needed for a nice relaxing stay. The bed was so comfortable. The hosts even set up the grill for us one night. I would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Christmas with family.

This place was a perfect location for us to be near our kids and granddaughter for Christmas. Clean, quiet and comfortable with very responsive hosts. We’ll stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

River Retreat

We stayed 3 nights while visiting family in Portland. Location was perfect for downtown proximity and walks along the river. Beautiful apartment, plenty of space, well stocked kitchen, and our host was delightful!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very clean and comfortable place to use as a home base while touring colleges. Therese was quick to respond for any needs or questions.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Close to everything, but so peaceful

Therese's rental is great. There is plenty of space and the rental much larger inside than the pictures show. Great location need everything you need, but set off main rd so very peaceful stay along river. A must stay if you're staying for any length of time in the area.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spacious home away from home

So much more than we expected, pics don’t do it justice. Therese was lovely.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful, friendly, beautiful on the river

Therese is lovely & welcoming w quick replies. Couldn’t have asked for a more restful and enjoyable time. Her family is delightful wo being intrusive. Views of river! Exactly as described, immaculately clean, kitchen/appt well stocked. Comfy bed. Kayaks ready to use. Will come back again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Check in - fine.Kitchen- D/W: could not tell what cycle you were using.Lite bulb under microwave out.
Stayed 21 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Location and Host

We stayed eight nights at this rental. We were in town visiting family in Sellwood and Milwaukie so the location was perfect for us The location is in a quiet neighborhood on the river. We liked having all the amenities of home. We couldn’t think of anything we needed that wasn’t there for us to use. The place was also clean and comfortable. Therese was a great host. She accommodated us when we wanted to have a cookout on the back patio with some family. Definitely recommend this rental. We will rent again next time we come to town.
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful

They got is specific breakfast food. The place was. Very clean. The river is right out back. We got to watch sea lions at sunset. The bed was very comfortable and the comforter is great. We loved it.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely stay on the river.

My husband and I stayed at Therese’s lovely guest unit for 4 nights recently. We chose it for its close proximity to family. The unit had everything we needed with its full kitchen, roomy bathroom, and spacious bedroom upstairs. Our adult daughter stayed one night on the pull out couch. The best part was the view of the river and the lovely backyard. Also it was totally quiet making sleep very easy. Plenty of private parking too. Therese was very kind and accommodating and we would be happy to stay there again.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet retreat

Super clean and very peaceful.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in

Beautiful location, comfortable accommodation

It is a lovely site, even in the rain. The owner did not communicate with me prior to my arrival regarding check in, though I wrote to her twice, so I just showed up, and the door was open. The place was clean, but only 1/2 roll of toilet paper, so had to re-stock paper products while there. Also, when the wind blows, there was something loose on the building that made a noise all night long. It sounded like someone tossing a basketball at the house. Otherwise, the kitchen was nice, eggs and fruit and bread in the frig, coffee in the freezer, and a nice French press to make the coffee. Met the owner once; very nice.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Great experience for our first time using VRBO

The place was even better than we expected, the hostess was gracious and the home was very clean with lots of little extras that we did not expect, we will look for this VRBO every time we come to visit Portland
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019
Verified review

8/10 Good

Nice and quiet

Clean and comfortable (except for the heat wave) was fun and relaxing watching the river activities.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Wonderful stay!

We loved staying at Therese's place by the river! The location is central to many Portland activities yet is in a quiet and beautiful location on the river. The guest house is clean, comfortable, nicely decorated, very well equipped and even stocked with a nice variety of breakfast foods and coffee. Also very nice to have a washer and dryer in the unit. We would definitely stay here again and highly recommend to others!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

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