THE OTTER HOUSE PDX | HOUSEBOAT | FLOATING HOME | DREAMBOAT
Come float through time at my houseboat and soak in the breathtaking scenery of the Columbia River. Stunning views all the way to Mt St Helens and Mt Hood along with a wide range of aquatic wildlife make this a unique spot to stay in PDX. You will see ducks, geese, swallows, hummingbirds, osprey, heron, jumping fish with occasional sea lions, beavers, and otters playing around the house, which is how my house got its name, The Otter House. It is located in Portland proper allowing easy access to all things PDX. It is a quick 15-20 minute drive to the airport and to downtown Portland. The house comes with two sit-in kayaks and a 13' paddleboard for guests. Jetski's and boats are available for rent nearby. Tie up your boat to the swim float, as long as its less than 20ft long and 7ft wide.The seasonal outdoor living room takes advantage of gorgeous sunrises and stunning sunsets every day!
THE MIGHTY (FUN) COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
Dab a toe before you take a plunge. The river is chilly. Remember, it is snow melt from the surrounding mountains. Once you've decided to go for it, you can jump in the river right off the swim float. There is also a 4 step ladder at water level to get in and out of the river that is graded for 350lbs. The current can be strong depending on if its high tide or low tide. The columbia river rises and falls two times a day in sync with the pacific ocean. There are a variety of different kinds of floaties, an electric pump, and rope to tie off. I always encourage guests to kayak or paddle over to the Island Cafe for lunch and an island style frozen beverage. There is a secret beach you can only access from the river that I have treasure-mapped in the welcome book. There is a waterproof bluetooth speaker for you to enjoy indoors or outdoors and feel free to take it along for your kayak trip or treasure hunt. I know some early 2000’s west coast hip hop vibes out really well while paddling up the river.
*BRAND NEW* HIMALAYAN SALT CAVE SAUNA
This year, we added a Himalayan Rock Cave Infrared Sauna with Chromotherapy to the house. Chromotherapy is the process of restoring balance to the body by applying color. Light penetrates deeply into your joints, muscles, tissues, while also speeding up the oxygen flow and increasing circulation. Chromotherapy colors often follow the colors of the seven chakras. Infrared healing rays are felt on our skin as warmth, and are absorbed by our bodies to help them detoxify, relax, improve circulation, recover faster, sleep better, age well, and help us feel good. Relaxing in a Himalayan Salt Sauna feels like you are in a womb. You feel very safe, very comforted and very protected. There is so much simplicity in just sitting in a Himalayan Salt Sauna for 15 minutes. Himalayan crystal salt creates negative ions, which have the ability to combat the effects of free radicals while producing a relaxing sensation. Much like the feeling you get at the ocean, or immediately following a storm, air charged with negative ions suppresses serotonin within the body, thereby instigating higher energy levels and positive moods. The power of fresh air is our life-blood, it affects every part of our body.
TWO NEWLY REMODELED WASHROOMS
The Otter House has been closed for the Fall 2022 and Winter 2023 while both bathrooms underwent complete remodels. Both bathrooms are *BRAND NEW* and ready for you to indulge in their sparkly amenities. The primary bathroom is a mini Otter House Spa floating on the water. Pour yourself a glass of wine or mix up your favorite mocktail and slip into a therapeutic bath in the newly refurbished clawfoot tub. Grab your favorite book or turn on your favorite podcast and settle in for a real treat. Use any of the essential oils and a sprinkle of dried rose petals to take your bath to the next level. Portland is the City of Roses after all. If cleansing is what you are going for, you can have a sweat in the sauna, enjoy some detoxifying green tea, and purify with a face mask and an Epson soak afterwards. Portland Juice Company even delivers their customizable Juice Cleanses directly to the door! The second bathroom is a vibrant mix of bright peonies and sparrows surrounding a stand up shower with unique rose gold fixtures and enough space for two under the 10” rainfall shower head. Everything is brand new so I ask you to be gentle with everything to preserve its fabulousness, pop, and style!
TWO BEDROOMS | ONE QUEEN & ONE FULL
(small twin size stow-a-way rollup)
The Otter House has two bedrooms; one with a queen bed and the other with a full size bed. Both beds are Avocado Mattresses; Avocado Organic Mattresses are handcrafted in California with only the finest naturally nontoxic and 100% certified organic materials.. Lay your head down in comfort on bamboo pillows while nuzzled up between California Design Den's lavish 800 thread count sheets, with a medium weight down alternative duvet. And just imagine, the river is flowing underneath you. You will wake up feeling rested EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
LAUNDROMAT | FLUFF & STUFF
There is a brand new washer/dryer in the house. I use hypo-allergenic laundry soap on the sanitize cycle between every guest to keep the laundry fresh and clean and without any scents that overpower and cause discomfort for scent sensitive folks. There is a small ironing board and a tiny iron just in case you need to press any garment.
TELEVISION | WIFI
The house has very fast Wifi. It includes Roku, Netflix, Hulu, HBO go, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime. The back bedroom has its own TV and there is another TV on wheels that lives in the living room. That TV can be rolled into the primary bedroom or, during summer it's fun to roll it outside to the deck for movie night on the river.
CHEF'S KITCHEN | Because I am one.
The kitchen is fire! The Otter House has a great kitchen. The only downside is that the kitchen does not have a gas range but there is a gas grill outside. It has a glass ceramic top range instead. There is a 12 piece Le Creuset set and every tool you could dream of including high quality sharp knives, a steel, a mandolin, a toaster, coring devices, pickling equipment, blender, microwave, tortilla press, mixers, grinders, mortar & pestle etc. There is a pantry filled with the basics and I encourage you to help yourself to those. This kitchen is equipped with Professional Platinum Cookware as well as a giant stock pot for a Dungeness crab crab boil during season! There are crackers and claws for breaking crab down. You will find herbs, spices, seasonings, oils, vinegars, sauces, local hot sauces, and condiments. With the freshest ingredients this country has to offer, I highly suggest you shop locally and cook up some delicious meals while enjoying all that Oregon has to offer. The Portland Farmers Market at PSU on Saturdays is the most epic Farmers Market in the country... hands down... bar none. You will find other recommendations for other markets, restaurants, things to do, must eats, must sees, and must do’s in the welcome book!
COFFEE
Coffee is my thing. It has my heart. I am one of those Portlanders. Enjoy an abundance of local coffees - we have some of the best roasters in the world. And so, I share that deep love with you.
At the Otter House you will find:
- Glass Chemex with Fine Mesh Cone
- Ratio 8 cup with Thermal Carafe
- Breville Barista Express, Espresso Machine
- Bodum French Press
- Baratza Encore Electric Grinder
GO FISH
Fishing is available right off the deck of the Otter House. I have caught everything from salmon and trout to steelhead and sturgeon. There are three fishing poles, a small tackle box, and I always keep bait in the freezer. Make sure you have a day pass for fishing from the Oregon Fishing and Wildlife website https://myodfw.com/
WARNING | AN ODE TO LIFEJACKETS
If anyone goes out on the water, they are required to wear or have a lifejacket on or with them. Any children under the age of 12 years old must wear a lifejacket at all times on or off the water. This means 100% of the time when they are outdoors, they MUST be in a lifejacket. If you are given a warning and have to be reminded a second time, you will be asked to leave the property. It's that simple. The river is too powerful making it too dangerous for kiddos to play without safety protocols and active enforcement. I have lifejackets in all different sizes.
DAYVENTURES
Explore downtown and hit up Powell's Books, Voodoo Donuts, Sizzle Pie Pizza just a 15 minute drive away. Multnomah Falls is a 30 minute drive. If you want to hit the slopes, Mt. Hood is a 90 minute drive away. You can be on top of Mt. Saint Helens in about 90 minutes as well. My favorite little riverside town on the Washington side is called Stevenson which is just over the Bridge of the Gods. SO MAJESTIC! From Portland you can be to the Oregon Coast in about 90 minutes. Depending on which way you go, Newberg, McMinnville, and other parts of wine country are all about 30-45 minutes into the drive toward the coast.
TID BITS
Please be mindful of your noise level as everything echoes off the water.
Please be respectful of our quiet community.
Please be careful as the river is moving a lot faster than it looks.
Please be cautious as the river is very cold.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Jantzen Beach Center3 min in auto - 2.4 km
Portland International Raceway3 min in auto - 2.1 km
Portland Expo Center3 min in auto - 2.4 km