Guide Cottage: Bright, quiet and walkable in the PNW's best city

28/12/2021

Bellingham: Three great tastes that taste great together.

Our favorite fun fact (also courtesy of The Good Time Girls) about the consolidation Fairhaven, Sehome and Whatcom into one city is the decision to name the new city "Bellingham" instead of "Whathaven."

23/10/2021

One of the most fun aspects of the hospitality business (at any scale) is introducing people to the things that make a place special.

We're always updating our "Best of Bellingham" guide, which is organized by "outdoor activities," "indoor activities" and, of course, an ENORMOUS section about food.

Suggestions are warmly encouraged.

Check out this poster designed by Elizabeth O'Donovan.

21/10/2021

Honestly? The most exciting part of hosting is finding ways to make folks feel welcome and appreciated.

20/10/2021

Fall color comes to our little garden in the PNW.

17/10/2021

Who loves a reading nook? There’s nothing like curling up with a classic, a cup of something warm and a cozy, freshly laundered blanket after a rainy day of adventures.

14/10/2021

When you have a dog-friendly rental, it shouldn’t be surprising when you find dog-friendly guests. Our basset, Dusty, wants to be a lap dog with folks he likes — and he loved our terrific guest B.Q. (This is one of several reasons we keep a supply of lint rollers in the cottage.)

13/10/2021

It turns out that 730 square feet can feel both airy and cozy. Curved walls, cuddly nooks, lofted ceilings and plenty of windows may be required.

12/10/2021

Pro tips! We’ve learned SO much from friends and mentors who work in hospitality — and the most important thing is to communicate (and keep a sense of humor).

11/10/2021

People are the best. In the hustle and bustle to get ready to have guests through your home, it can be easy to forget all of the pleasures and serendipity of meeting new folks, but that’s part of why we first started traveling with Airbnb in the first place. We’ve been so lucky with our kind guests — and astonished by their thoughtfulness and joy in making a person-to-person connection that lingers.

09/10/2021

Clear fall and winter nights just call out for a cozy wood fire.

09/10/2021

Fall brings grapes to our baby grape vine, but the best part might be how every plant in the garden, from grape vine to blood grass to sedum, starts going deep into its autumn colors.

08/10/2021

“Fully equipped kitchen” can mean a lot of different things to . What does it mean to us? All the tools we’d want for everyday cooking (and a few nice surprises, like a waffle maker).

07/10/2021

Today in “Moms Know Things,” my mother insisted that Guide Cottage needed a guest book and, well, they turn out to be pretty cool after all.

04/10/2021

Remodeled boho? Amazing architectural salvage? Quirk plus comfort? We’re so proud to show you our space.

04/10/2021

Y’all. It’s been a hard struggle to get ready for our first guest.

I. Cried. (The heater in question: We’re upgrading our hot water heater and I asked if they’d prefer to have that done during their stay.)

25/09/2021

Still plennnnnnty of finishing touches (for instance: a bathroom mirror), but the cottage is coming together at last.

25/09/2021

It’s terrific how having a place to gather for a meal makes everything feel like home.

23/09/2021

Y’all, after four months of tripping over extension cords, WE HAVE POWER IN THE COTTAGE. Muahahah but also: oh, thank heavens.

22/09/2021

Fave free activity: Walking around Bellingham to see all of the amazing murals and public art. This new addition is particularly wonderful:

Local artists Jason LaClair and Gretchen Leggit pair up to paint the Forest St. mural and tell the story of the "salmon people."

21/09/2021

Another important co-host task for a pet-friendly rental: Testing dog-friendly throws in case some puppy wants to sit on the bed. Still struggling to reach the dials on the washing machine, but great at soliciting help from his friends.

20/09/2021

If you're willing to drive 20 minutes north of Bellingham, there are some things the amazing travel guide Rick Steves would like to show you.

18/09/2021

It’s tough to find a great co-host; The American Dream Dusty Rhodes got paint on his velvety ears helping to prep .

15/09/2021

Our micro-office is nearly done! It passed the “morning full of work” test beautifully 💻

15/09/2021

Are you a big nerd for Rick Steves' approach to travel?

Then check out his visit to Bellingham (and if you don't know Rick Steves yet, prepare to BECOME a nerd): https://www.bellingham.org/ricksteves

Washington State's most famous European traveler, Rick Steves, put his jet-setting ways on hold for the summer—so we took this opportunity to bring him up to Bellingham and surrounding Whatcom County for a

15/09/2021

We’re still doing electrical and finishing work, but it’s finally time to start sliding some furniture into the cottage.

14/09/2021

Spent a non-zero percent of my day trying to decide whether to use this cicada cabinet k**b in lieu of a curtain holdback. Creepy or quirky? We’ll find out!

12/09/2021

Pro tip: Get yourself a painting crew that can also DJ your Sunday afternoon. (Yes, he’s putting together custom playlists for the cottage.)

12/09/2021

Renovations aren’t always fun, but when you’re painting at night, at least they’re chiaroscuro.

12/09/2021

In every room, closet and cubby we paint. If you don’t do this, are you OK?

11/09/2021

Who loves a good before and after? Our floors were beautiful and so, so thirsty. Um, not that we know anyone like that.