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Zen themed private retreat in NW Portland.

Photo gallery for Zen themed private retreat in NW Portland.

Zen rock garden at front of home. Please park on the curb alongside this garden.
Japanese Zen garden
Our Home--the Vrbo apartment is on the lower floor with separate entry.
Stairs to the right of home leading down to separate apartment entry
Door to apartment

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 283.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor space
  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi
  • Mountain view

Explore the area

Map
Portland, OR
  • Portland Japanese Garden
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Moda Center
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Oregon Zoo
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Portland, OR (PDX-Portland Intl.)
    ‪32 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Main Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Full Bathroom

Bathtub or shower

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchenette
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Zen themed private retreat in NW Portland.

Peaceful 900 sq. ft. apartment with private deck on cul-de-sac at the edge of Forest Park. A short walk to the Alphabet District--Portland's trendy shopping and eating area. 1.5 miles from downtown. Spacious living area with well equipped kitchenette, dining area, large screen TV with Xfinity service. Large bedroom with new queen-sized bed, desk, and ample closet. Bathroom with shower/ bathtub. An optional Japanese-style room with tatami flooring and queen-size futon for an additional $50/night, Meditation pillows available upon request.
The space
★ ★ CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: This flat is THOROUGHLY STERILIZED before each booking.

More about the apartment: The kitchenette is equipped with microwave, induction cooktop, electric kettle, toaster, electric cooker, rice cooker and small refrigerator. Ideal for self catering. The newly remodelled and decorated sitting room and master bedroom are spacious and both give onto a lovely deck overlooking Forest Park. The queen bed is firm with a pillow top with hotel-quality organic bamboo sheets. The bathroom has a bath/shower combination with rainfall shower head, bath towels are made of organic cotton, and heated towel rack. An optional Japanese-style room is available for an additional $50/night and can accommodate another couple or allow for two singles who wish to have their own bedroom, or just as an add-on space to relax and/or meditate. We have also recently installed a two-person infra-red sauna to relax tired muscles and add to your overall well-being which is available upon request for an additional $20 per usage. Only minutes from the hustle and bustle of town, with easy access to Portland's many parks and trails, the suite offers a peaceful retreat for reflection and relaxation whether you are visiting on business, pleasure or both. Private access and parking.

Guest access
Guest access is a private staircase and secure door through the cedar fence at the right side of the home. Parking is available on the curb in front of the home alongside the Japanese garden.
Self check-in by keypad. Check in: 3:00 Check out: 11:00 (both negotiable).

Other things to note
• Hosts have an Australian Labradoodle named "Lotte" and a tabby cat named "Tilly" who are very sociable, but are not allowed in the guest suite.
House Rules:
• Our apartment is a non-smoking environment, please observe the non-smoking rule.
• No pets.
• We also ask that you take your shoes off in the entry area as we have a no shoes policy in the apartment.
• No parties or large groups unless by prior agreement with hosts.

License number
19-122137-000-00-HO

Property manager

Mary-Yoko Mughan
Premier Host

Languages

English, French, German, Japanese

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Mountain view
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 13–17
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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
No smoking in the apartment or on the deck. Please take off your shoes in the entryway before entering the apartment
Please observe quiet time between 10 pm and 7 am
If booking the Japanese style tatami room, please do not wear shoes or slippers on the tatami mat flooring.

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, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number 19-122137-000-00-HO

We should mention

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

About the area

Portland

Located in Portland, this apartment is in the city centre. Washington Square Mall and Cascade Station are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Check out an event or a game at Moda Center, and consider making time for Oregon Zoo, a top attraction not to be missed. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Portland, OR

What's nearby

  • Portland Japanese Garden - 6 min drive - 3.1 km
  • Portland State University - 7 min drive - 3.6 km
  • Moda Center - 9 min drive - 4.6 km
  • Oregon Zoo - 9 min drive - 5.9 km
  • Oregon Convention Center - 9 min drive - 5.4 km

Getting around

  • Portland Union Station - 15 min drive
  • NW 23rd & Marshall Stop - 18 min walk
  • Portland International Airport (PDX) - 32 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Pizza Thief - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Casa Del Matador - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Great Notion Brew - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Stepping Stone Cafe - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪The Fireside - ‬19 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Zen themed private retreat in NW Portland. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Zen themed private retreat in NW Portland.?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Zen themed private retreat in NW Portland.?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Zen themed private retreat in NW Portland. located?

Located in Northwest Portland, this apartment building is 1 mi (1.6 km) from Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center and within 3 miles (5 km) of Moda Center and Oregon Convention Center. Oregon Zoo is 2.6 mi (4.2 km) away. NW 23rd & Marshall Stop is 18 minutes by foot and NW Lovejoy & 22nd Stop is 19 minutes.

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. 49 out of 49 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 49 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 49 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 49 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 49 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

TK M.

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

Immaculate

We came to Portland for an alumni event at the University of Portland. Our VRBO stay could not have been better! The host was very welcoming and helpful. The space itself has everything you need to be comfortable and it could not possibly be more clean!! So impressed with this stay we will definitely be back for another stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mikal D.

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

Zen hideaway

Lovely space, quiet neighborhood, great location. I will happily stay here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael M.

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

Portland Paradise

The apartment was even better in person than in the pictures. Beautifully appointed with a gorgeous view, it had so many little niceties as well: multi-plug chargers in both bedside end tables, a towel warmer, a few snacks and an incredible Zen meditation room.Mary-Yoko and Terry couldn't have been friendlier and more welcoming. We had tea and croissants with them one morning. They are world travelers who have led very interesting and successful lives. It's at the end of a dead-end street so it's very quiet but still near to the Pearl District. Loved it!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Domonique J.

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

Perfect Portland Getaway

This place is tucked away in the trees making it a delightful little getaway while still being close to all the bustle Portland has to offer. The host really took the time to stock the apartment with all the things you might need with additional thoughtful touches to make it feel cozy. The sauna js a real big perk as well!!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Duane L.

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

Such a lovely little hideaway

Thank you for creating a peaceful and nurturing space. We truly enjoyed every minute. We had just what we needed. Nestled among the trees was perfect for the rest we needed. We were grateful to have such gracious hosts. May all who enter here, experience the same peace. Thank you!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

beth h.

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

Great place in a very nice neighborhood

Very nice place. Spacious living room, comfortable bed, balcony with great view. Located in a very nice neighborhood. Very friendly and helpful owners. Highly recommended!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Fred M.

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

Great host and property!

Very well appointed and comfortable!!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jackie B.

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

Lovely Retreat

We really enjoyed our stay at the "Zen themed retreat". Very relaxing and quiet. It was just a short drive to all the wonders of Portland. We loved it.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jerry M.

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

Peaceful place to rest and relax

My wife and I totally enjoyed our stay at Mary Yoko’s place in the northwest section of the city. Lovely and quiet location to relax after exploring Portland. Mary Yoko is a wonderful host and we hope to return at some point in the future!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie K.

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

Lovely Zen lodging

We came to Portland to visit our daughter for 7 days. This Zen Retreat VRBO was a fabulous find! Located up windy roads the drive there was lovely. The living area room is spacious with great interior design, lovely furniture, indirect overhead lighting and a compact kitchenette. Spacious lovely bedroom. Great natural light through large windows overlooking one of the many steep oregano forested areas. Attached to these rooms is an incredible, beautiful, authentic Japanese meditation room with an innfrared Saunna to one side of the meditation area. A highly recommended place to stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Excellent west side location, very private.

Great west side location, close to Washington Park. Comfortable ground floor 1 bedroom with upscale furnishings and a deck. Felt very private and secluded, perched on a steep hillside. We chose the rental based on its location to Washington Park and its neighborhood. The area has the wired Portland vibe without the accompanying dystopia. Our only problem was arriving late while the hosts were on a vacation - this is a hard place to identify in the dark!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Peggy G.

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

Wonderful place

Als je in Portland wil verblijven is dit echt een aanrader! Rustige ligging in een mooie buurt. Het appartement is mooi ingericht en heel proper. Ook mogelijk om zelf iets te koken. En Mary-Yoko en Terry zijn superlief en geven je nog extra informatie. Voor ons verdienen ze een dikke 10!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amy J.

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

Perfect Portland Getaway

This beautiful home in the hills was just what my wife & I needed while spending time in the city. We felt like we were in a treehouse, as the apartment is snuggled in luscious green foliage - allowing for restful sleep, as well as very peaceful morning coffee on the rear deck. The home is immaculate and comfortable. We look forward to staying again in the future!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lionel S.

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

A peaceful retreat

Loved our stay! Our wonderful host was welcoming and helpful. Everything was clean and very well maintained. The perfect location for what we wanted. Quiet and tranquil environment but close enough to all the fabulous restaurants, coffee shop etc of the gorgeous Alphabet District.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Betsy H.

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

Relaxing home base!

My partner and I LOVED staying here - from the super comfortable bed to little details like the charging outlets inside the nightstand drawers and the towel warmer, to the optional sauna, it was a fantastic home base for our Portland adventures. We loved exploring the neighborhood nearby, and also appreciated being so close to both Forest Park and the Arboretum. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

John M.

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

Perfection

We absolutely loved our stay here! It was the perfect home base while we explored the Portland and surrounding areas. We even ventured 90 miles west to Astoria and Cannon Beach for a taste of the Oregon coast. What a treat that was! The rental is spacious, clean, on a quiet street, and has everything you need for a relaxing stay. It’s close to all of the businesses Nob Hill and the Pearl District offer. Mary-Yoko was the perfect host; incredibly knowledgeable about the surrounding area and nearby things to do. I highly recommend seeing Wahkeena and Multnomah Falls, 30 minutes outside of Portland and short 1/4 mile hikes to incredible falls. We will definitely look to see if this rental is available next time we travel to Portland. Thanks for everything Mary!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carrie G.

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

Spacious zen retreat

Very tastefully appointed and spacious apartment in a beautiful neighborhood! Had everything we needed and a very comfortable bed. The location is up in the hills in a beautiful forested setting but is still close to all of the restaurants and shops just down the hill. We enjoyed our stay and would definitely recommend
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Florence K.

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

Cozy and safe

We loved the space, the light from The windows and every amenity we needed. Mary-Yoko was a fabulous host/
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

A Portland Gem

How lucky we were to find Mary-Yoko's wonderful apartment. The house sits on a beautifully wooded hillside above Portland. She has converted the lower level into a serene retreat complete with a private balcony that made a great spot for morning coffee. The interior is spacious, very comfortably furnished, and accented with interesting artworks. Mary-Yoko welcomed us and suggested a few restaurants as well as hiking trails nearby, one of which house we took shortly after arriving. We found everything we needed in the apartment. We were pleasantly surprised that a place that felt so removed from city bustle, could be so close to city amenities. Very convenient. We loved it and would stay there again in a flash given the chance.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa M.

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

Lovely spot in great area of Portland!

Wonderful stay in gorgeous, forested area close to parks, dining, Japanese gardens. The unit was fully equipped for a relaxing trip to Portland. We felt like we were in a treehouse retreat! Thank you for sharing your beautiful place, Mary-Yoko!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

kelly h.

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

a japanese inspired sanctuary

I loved it!! This was my first experience with any VRBO in my entire life and it was well beyond my expectations. It's even better than the photos because those cannot convey the peacfulness of the place. It is so high up in the trees with a deck to sit on for breakfast or a sunset glass of wine...and yes, they have actual proper wine glasses. The house is in a gorgeous and safe neighborhood as well. I walked every morning at sunrise to breathe in the beautiful landscapes, gardens, and variuos views of the mountains across the river. It's very hilly. I always felt comfortable and safe walking around there. The woodland trail to Pittock Mansion is super close by too, if you want to do some forest bathing in the giant trees. The place is very private with well appointed cooking things, pretty tea pots, basic spices etc. The box of cooking stuff I mailed to myself was totally unnecessary. Since I was there for 8 nights, the kitchen set up was reall important to me. I loved the big soft couch and the nice books to look at. So many fun dvds so choose from too. No problems with the internet. Oh, and this is so unusual compared to my regular hotel stays...the lighting is perfect! What a relief to have so many choices of atmosphere. By the way, if you are a foodie like me, lots of great restaurants and cool shops very very close by. I was spending a lot of time at the Portland Japanese Gardens, so this place was the absolute perfect compliment to that. Lovely!
Stayed 11 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alanna H.

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

Beautiful apartment

My partner and I had a great stay in this beautiful apartment. Well situated, clean, good light, very comfortable.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

roxanne h., colorado springs

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

Lovely sanctuary

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Zen Garden. The neighborhood is beautiful, quiet and we felt very safe. The only recommendation we would offer is a full length mirror installed.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mahwren E.

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

Beautiful and Serene

This was our first time renting a place like this and we couldn't have had a better experience. Mary and her husband were very accomodating letting us arrive early and even stay late. They even went as far as opening another one of their rooms so that my 16 year old son and I didn't have to share a room. It was very clean and so peaceful. The perfect place to come home to after all of the hussle and bussle of the city.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Trishia H.

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

Perfectly Portland

While this property is attached to the owners home- it always felt like we had our own space. Access to a balcony, private stairs. Well equipped with all of the essentials. The space was warm and inviting. As were the owners. We walked 20 minutes to downtown for coffee, food, etc. Close to trailhead. Beautiful neighborhood. Felt remote and accessible to the city all at the same time.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

About the host

Hosted by Mary-Yoko Mughan

Host profile image
Retired professor of anthropology married to a professor of international business. We share a love for travelling, intercultural studies, and are conversant in many languages including French, Spanish, German and Japanese.

Why they chose this property

Our home enjoys the best of nature and nurture--nestled among the trees of Forest Park (America's largest urban park), yet just a 15 minute walk down to town.

What makes this property unique

More about the apartment: The kitchenette is equipped with one-burner induction cooktop, microwave, electric kettle, toaster, rice cooker and small refrigerator. Ideal for self catering. The newly remodelled and decorated sitting room and master bedroom are spacious and both give onto a lovely deck overlooking Forest Park. The queen bed is firm with a pillow top with hotel-quality organic bamboo sheets. The bathroom has a bath/shower combination with rainfall shower head, bath towels are made of organic cotton, and heated towel rack. The optional Japanese-style room is available for an additional $50/night and can accommodate another couple or allow for two singles who wish to have their own bedroom. This room is also furnished with an infra-red sauna. Only minutes from the hustle and bustle of town, with easy access to Portland's many parks and trails, the suite offers a peaceful retreat for reflection and relaxation whether you are visiting on business, pleasure or both. Private access and parking.

Languages:

English, French, German, Japanese

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests