I took a solo trip to Portland, Oregon, for my 40th birthday and was so excited to plan my itinerary. I planned to visit natural wonders like the Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls *and* Rose City attractions like Powell’s, the Portland Japanese Garden, and all of the delicious restaurants in PDX. As such, I knew I wanted to stay somewhere close to everything -- including the airport -- and wanted to live like a local for the weekend, so I decided to go the Airbnb route. I navigated over to Airbnb, entered my parameters -- trip dates, budget, location -- and hoped for the best.

I had no idea that I'd actually happen on what I think might be *the* best Airbnb in Portland, Oregon: this Urban Cottage, a guest favorite with shining 5-star reviews, a seasoned Superhost, and an outdoor sauna, to boot! I booked this Rose City rental and was immediately contacted by the Airbnb owners, which was a positive sign of the amazing experience to come.

Nestled behind an adorable red home on a cul-de-sac in Southeast Portland, this Urban Cottage is a treasure among Airbnb rentals in PDX.

After eight hours of air travel, a three-hour time change, two flights, and one rental car drive through an unfamiliar area (though I do have to give PDX drivers props for being incredibly patient with this out-of-towner), I arrived at my Airbnb exhausted and in desperate need of a break.

I found exactly what I needed -- and more -- at this impossibly charming Airbnb.

The owners of this Airbnb are Superhosts, which is a designation awarded to hosts that go "above and beyond" to provide excellent hospitality for their guests. Hosts can qualify for Superhost status regardless of the type of property they rent out, such as a single room or a mansion.

The Urban Cottage's Superhosts truly lived up to this esteemed title. From texting me ahead of time asking when I'd be in and following up with the door code, area restaurants, and FAQ about some of the attractions I was visiting -- Multnomah Falls, for example, requires a timed use permit via Recreation.gov to moving their car so I could have a coveted driveway spot, the hospitality here was second to none.

Oh, and this rental was spotless -- absolutely the cleanest Airbnb I've ever stayed at. And I'm *very* picky about cleanliness!

I can only compare the hospitality to what you'd get at a B&B, but this was so much better-geared toward my travel needs and wants. This being my 40th birthday weekend, I wanted to disconnect and give myself time and space to enter this new era with joy and gratitude, and the solace and warmth I felt during my stay at the Urban Cottage Airbnb in Portland was perfect.

In addition to a bedroom wherein I had the best sleep of my life and a living space that included lots of natural light (and a skylight!) for gazing out at those tall Oregon pines, "extras" like smart technology, natural soap/detergents, and a high-end washer/dryer (which proved invaluable for washing my clothes after flights *and* hikes) made me feel comfortably at home.

The real pièce de résistance (and admittedly my raison d'être for booking this Portland Airbnb), however, was its titular sauna. Located just outside the door (next to an adorable rock garden), this cedar sauna was EVERYTHING.

Inside, the smell of warm cedar was intoxicating, and the owners' clear instructions made it easy for me to get everything set up. If you're worried about feeling claustrophobic, don't be! The glass door to get in/out of the sauna let in a ton of natural light *and* allowed for gazing out at the beautiful backyard foliage.

This was the most glorious way to decompress after my travels and adventures in Portland and truly, I cannot recommend this Airbnb enough. What a hidden gem!

If you find yourself feeling the pull of PDX (and truly, what a town -- I left part of my heart in Portland), I highly recommend heeding the call of your wanderlust and making this Urban Cottage Airbnb yours for your adventures in Portland, Oregon.