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Peaceful Retreat on the Columbia in the Heart of the Portland Vancouver Area

Photo gallery for Peaceful Retreat on the Columbia in the Heart of the Portland Vancouver Area

Front Porch Looking out at the Columbia River
Front Porch with hanging baskets
Barbecue on the front porch
Lots of natural light and 360 river views
Warm and Cozy Heat N Glow Fireplace

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 383.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 3)

Bedroom / Office

1 Single Bed

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Peaceful Retreat on the Columbia in the Heart of the Portland Vancouver Area

Are you looking for a peaceful place for three months or more? This unique floating home is the perfect getaway while you’re in Portland on an extended stay. Located on Hayden Island, this 2 bedroom, one bath 900 sf home provides a warm and inviting retreat on the water, right in the heart of the Portland Vancouver metro area.

Drive, walk, bike or kayak to restaurants and shopping. Or take an easy 8 minute walk to the main transit center for both Max (Portland) and C-Tran (Vancouver) mass transit. Includes off street parking and secure gated access.

Curl with a cozy fire on the overstuffed comfy sofa or relax with a book in front of the large windows as wildlife and boaters go by. Entertainment and amenities include a Roku TV, Bluetooth sound system and WIFI internet.

The full kitchen includes all new appliances and everything you need for a longer stay. There is casual seating around the breakfast bar or dining at the table for up to 6. There is a full-size washer and dryer in the bathroom.
Slink back into a deck chair and enjoy your morning coffee. Grill up a culinary delight outside and entertain family and friends at the outdoor table with seating for up to 6.

The master bedroom has a comfortable memory foam mattress, roomy closet and 6 drawers in the 2 nightstands. The smaller bedroom doubles as a study with a twin Captains bed with 4 large drawers for extra storage.

The efficient Heat N Glow gas high efficiency fireplace with remote in the main living area and electric wall heaters in the bedrooms and bathroom keep this home warm and comfy.

Out back there is a large deck with a tender house, swim float and optional boat slip.

This private, quiet gated community offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of a bustling city. Off street parking for a car. This home can accommodate up to 5. The sofa coverts to a sleeper for overnight guests and the second bedroom has a innerspring twin mattress.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
HOA Quiet hours are 10pm to 8am.
HOA requires background criminal and credit checks for every adult on the reservation.

Important information

You need to know

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 and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Portland

Located on the waterfront, this houseboat is in North Portland, a neighbourhood in Portland. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Tom McCall Waterfront Park and popular attractions include Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and Oregon Zoo. Ready for a night out? Consider McMenamins Crystal Ballroom and Roseland Theater. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and waterskiing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and ecotours.
View more Houseboats in PortlandOpens in a new window
Map
Portland, OR

What's nearby

  • Jantzen Beach Center - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Delta Park East - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Portland International Raceway - 2 min drive - 2.0 km
  • Portland Expo Center - 3 min drive - 1.7 km
  • Waterfront Park - 3 min drive - 3.1 km

Getting around

  • Delta Park-Vanport Station - 4 min drive
  • Vancouver Station - 13 min drive
  • Portland International Airport (PDX) - 15 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Denny's - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Panera Bread - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Ruse Brewing Crust Collective - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Peaceful Retreat on the Columbia in the Heart of the Portland Vancouver Area pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Peaceful Retreat on the Columbia in the Heart of the Portland Vancouver Area?

As of 26 March 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Peaceful Retreat on the Columbia in the Heart of the Portland Vancouver Area on 14 February 2026 start from NZ$145, 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 Peaceful Retreat on the Columbia in the Heart of the Portland Vancouver Area?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Peaceful Retreat on the Columbia in the Heart of the Portland Vancouver Area?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Peaceful Retreat on the Columbia in the Heart of the Portland Vancouver Area?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Peaceful Retreat on the Columbia in the Heart of the Portland Vancouver Area located?

Located in North Portland, this houseboat is within a 15-minute walk of Jantzen Beach Center and Columbia River. Delta Park East and Portland Expo Center are also within 2 miles (3 km). Expo Center Station is 24 minutes by foot.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 7 out of 7 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 7 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alicia K.

Charming Floating House

We had the opportunity to spend three glorious months on this cozy and charming floating house. Great east and west views, quite and convenient to shopping, restaurants and attractions. We had everything we needed, beds were very comfortable all of the appliances, internet, etc. worked great. We have great memories from our stay! Thank you for being a great host and taking care of this gem, so we can come back and stay for the years to come!
Stayed 91 nights in Jun 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kelly H.

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

Amazing Little Getaway and Short Term Housing

Traveling nurse: stayed for 3 months. Wish it was longer. Very safe, gated community. Easy access to Portland hospitals. Family visited on weekends. We docked our 17 foot bowrider and it was amazing to just jump on the boat for a ride after work. If you’re a travel nurse or just looking for a great family getaway, I highly recommend.
Stayed 91 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kathy M.

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

Restorative

I couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay. James’ floating g home was such a treat. Incredibly comfortable, well-stocked & such a beautiful setting. Thank you for opening your home!
Stayed 91 nights in May 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Diane W.

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

We loved the boat house. Such a fun experience.

The property is great and in a good location in the marina.
Stayed 91 nights in Oct 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anne L.

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

Fabulous Summer on the River

We stayed in this floating home from late May till the beginning of September, and it is, as advertised, a very Peaceful Retreat on the Columbia. We miss being there, enjoying morning tea, cocktails or dinner on the deck, watching the parade of boats go by, chatting with the very friendly neighbors, and enjoying the wildlife all around us. There were many different species of ducks, geese, a great blue heron who hung around the moorage, and we even saw a beaver while there. James was a wonderful host who made the check-in process so easy for us and has his home stocked with everything you need. He keeps the house in great repair. The house was clean and appliances all worked great. Our family and friends in the area loved to come to this unique home and experience being on the river with us. We enjoyed launching our kayak off the back dock and jumping in the water to cool down. Also, walks around the moorage allowed you to see many different floating homes and meet interesting people who live in a very special community. The location was convenient drive to downtown Portland or go north and spend some time in revitalized Vancouver, WA.. You could also ride a bike or walk to TriMet to get to downtown. We made day trips up the Gorge and to Mt Hood. We also spent a nice afternoon in Astoria on our way back from the Oregon Coast and were still home in time for dinner. We cannot wait to return and roll on the river again soon.
Stayed 91 nights in May 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marlys E.

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

Good stay

Enjoyed our stay
Stayed 59 nights in Jan 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elaine G.

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

BEST PLACE to STAY in PORTLAND!

We just spent August thru November on this floating home & cannot say enough good things about it. I don’t even know where to begin… James’s floating home was the most comfortable VRBO that we have ever rented. We’ve been using VRBO since 2008, at least 1 to 3 times per year. Everything was thought out & versatile. Comfortable seating & beds and the kitchen did not leave you for wanting anything. The front porch is covered is heaven, we spent many days/evenings out on it. The home’s location in the Moorage could not be better! You see the sunrise out the front windows & the sunset out the back. I loved getting up early in the AM & watching the fog roll in & then just magically disappear. It is pure entertainment watching… every sort of watercraft that you can imagine, plus people fishing, swimming, sail surfing etc. The wildlife is so entertaining, there is even a resident beaver & birdsong fills the air! The moorage is well maintained, as well as being well lite. We walked most nights up & down all the boardwalks & enjoyed the ambiance the lighting offered. I don’t know how many floating homes there are, but there must be at least 150 & they are all different, from sophisticated to whimsical it is pure entertainment. Across from the gated parking lot from the Moorage is a huge shopping center (which can’t be seen from the floating homes), it has Target with a nice sized grocery store, Home Goods, Home Depot, Restaurants etc., so if you don’t want to drive anywhere you don’t have to! The moorage is located right off I5 which makes it ideal to tour OR & WA. You can get to the Zoo, Japanese Gardens, downtown Portland within 10 minutes, Columbia Gorge about a 30-minute drive. Across the river is Vancouver which has a wonderful Riverwalk, is only a 5-minute drive… I could go on & on! James is a jewel. We’ll be back. If you considering an extended stay in the Portland area, I can’t recommend this place enough! It deserves 10 STARS! THANK YOU SO MUCH JAMES!
Stayed 135 nights in Jul 2020

About the host

Hosted by James Vanson

Host profile image
I've been an Oregon native since 1970. I grew up enjoying all the northwest has to offer and I am particularly drawn to the water. I love to sail or just spend quality time on the river with my family.

Why they chose this property

This was my Dad's home and has always been a very special place to me. There is a wonderful sense of community. This comfy and fun Portland home is loaded with charm and appeal. We have made tasteful updates but still tried to keep the charm and warmth of the home's original bones. I'm offering this home to like minded individuals who desire the comfort of home and tranquility of life on the river.

What makes this property unique

Sip coffee from your porch as ducks and kayakers paddle by. Just an 8 minute walk to a Main transit hub for Portland (MAX) and Vancouver (C-Tran) or hop one of the largest network of biking roads that will take you anywhere in the Portland area. Portland is the third best city for biking according to Bicycling Magazine.

This home is being offered as a long term rental with a minimum 90 night stay and up to 11 months. Because this is a gated residential community, we require a full background and credit check prior to approval.
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