Clackamas River House is a bed and breakfast located in Oregon City, Oregon, nestled between a wooded hillside and the Clackamas River. The property features a pond, a waterfall, a gazebo, gardens, and a sitting area at the river bank. Two units are available for reservation, one being located on the second floor and the other on the main floor of the house. Both rooms have private bathrooms. Breakfast is served daily to those staying at the bed and breakfast, with the meals served depending on guest preferences and dietary restrictions. Reservations are available throughout the year, with summer being the busiest time. Activities common for visitors to participate in include floating the river, hiking, weddings, and various museums. Specific attractions include Little Crater Lake around Mt Hood, an 1850s baker’s cabin, movie scenes from Twilight, many world-class waterfalls, and a 1911 church, which is a popular wedding venue among visitors.
Oregon City, Oregon, is home to the Clackamas River House, owned and operated by Marc and Susie De La Bruere. On the quarter-acre premises where the bed and breakfast is located, there are two units available for reservation. The Jacuzzi Suite is the downstairs unit and is often desired since there are no stairs involved. This room features a view of the Clackamas River. There is a sitting area with a desk that adorns this space, as well as an electric fireplace. As the name implies, it has a relatively large jacuzzi tub. The bathroom for this unit is connected to the bedroom. The Jacuzzi Suite is popular given that the Carver event center hosts many weddings which are right across the river from Clackamas River House. The Log Cabin Suite is the second unit available for reservation; this one is located on the second floor of the house. This unit has individual air conditioning and heating separate from the rest of the house for the convenience of visitors controlling their own environment. A sitting area with a couch overlooks the river. It has a table, small fridge, microwave, plates, and utensils. An additional room in this suite offers private access to a TV for movies. From the movie room, there is a large deck complete with a table and chairs. The deck overlooks the backyard. The Log Cabin Suite is more commonly booked by those staying for more than one night since it offers more space than the other unit. Amenities available for both units include internet access and off-street parking for anyone staying at the property.
According to Marc, breakfast is pretty much made from scratch using organic foods. Meals are not the same each morning, but common things that are served at the bed and breakfast include parfaits, a fruit smoothie, omelets, sausage, and french toast. “We also cater to people’s needs,” says Marc, explaining that they are willing to accommodate patron’s dietary needs or switch the time breakfast is served if needed. In regards to dietary restrictions, Marc says they address these when guests first book with them. Typically, breakfast is served between 8:00 to 10:00 AM.
Common areas in the Clackamas River House include a living room with a TV and a backyard with various outdoor features. The outdoor area is adorned by a gazebo with a fireplace, waterfall, pond, and a covered sitting area where patrons eat if the climate is relatively warm enough. Marc comments that the bed and breakfast will occasionally do an evening get-together when the owners and guests start a campfire and roast a "delicious dessert." Then, with the help of a laser light device, the backyard presents what looks like fireflies twinkling all over. If guests bring their own river equipment, such as tubes and kayaks, Marc mentions that he is willing to “chauffeur” them five miles up the Clackamas River for some gas money. Once there, they can float down to an area that is within walking distance of the bed and breakfast. Marc has often joined in on the river float. If people are unable to bring their own equipment, a rental company in town is available to them.
The area where the Clackamas River House Bed and Breakfast is located offers a relatively wide variety of outdoor recreational activities. Activities in the area include floating the river on kayaks or tubs, fishing, hiking, and visiting various attractions. Some attractions in the area include the Columbia River gorge and its many waterfalls and hiking trails. Mt Hood's timberline lodge and the many trails are quite unique up into the snow for a picnic in August. Close by is an 1850s baker’s cabin, a museum dedicated to the Oregon Trail, and a 1911 church where relatively smaller weddings are held. In all, Marc says there are a total of two venues available for weddings within half a mile of the house. Another notable thing that Marc mentioned about Clackamas River House is that the business is about 25 minutes from the local airport and downtown Portland, Oregon. If visitors are willing to travel about an hour away from the bed and breakfast, they would have access to a dozen world-class waterfalls where they can walk behind the water. Marc notes that "it's an amazing experience."
There are three restaurants within walking distance of the bed and breakfast that Marc recommends to his guests. Stone Cliff Inn is his first recommendation, which is more of a "high-end" restaurant and a place where scenes from the movie Twilight were filmed. The Carver Hangar is the second suggestion, which serves a variety of food, such as pizza, burgers, tacos, and steaks. The third is Shelly’s Echo Inn serving daily specials.
Guests have been found to book at the Clackamas River House due to its relatively convenient location. One visitor left a review saying, “This is a fantastic location if you feel like being just enough removed from the city while still being able to access it. The hosts are generous and inviting. I have had many great conversations with the owner, Marc, during my stay here.” Marc reports that one of his biggest goals for his visitors is to help them “feel like family” when staying at his bed and breakfast. Invitations to sit around the campfire, allowing them to pick what time breakfast is and what they eat or be surprised.
Marc and his wife, Susie, strive to "make folks feel like family." If visitors have questions about the area, where to shop, or what to do, Marc and Susie are willing to help. However, the owners emphasize that they try to only interact with guests based on what they are comfortable with. Clackamas River House can also be a weekend retreat place for a quiet rest. If guests are interested, they are welcome to join in on a Bible study around the subject of their choice. Overall, Marc and Susie try to meet the needs of occupants as much as possible and provide a personal space for all visitors.
Policies to note when staying at the property include the prohibition of pets and indoor smoking while on-site. There are no policies regarding the age of children; however, the owners ask they be well-behaved when staying at the house. Furthermore, all calls regarding reservations are made directly to the bed and breakfast, and Marc personally handles those affairs.
The Clackamas River House is open year-round for reservations, with the summer—between June to October—being the busiest season of operation for the bed and breakfast. "There isn’t a typical demographic of guests who stay at the house," says Marc. He reports that they receive—among other demographics—couples, retirees, and people from other countries. Additionally, they receive “quite a few” repeat patrons.
Marc started the Clackamas River House Bed and Breakfast in 2006 and has been operating it for the past 16 years. He and Susie are the original owners of the business. Before the bed and breakfast opened up, Marc reports that he spent a year fixing up the building and preparing it to receive guests. Changes he made were mainly cosmetic, specifically painting, putting in the jacuzzi tub, adding the log wraps, and transforming the backyard into a "little piece of heaven."
The owners explained that they were inspired to start their own bed and breakfast after staying at other businesses and enjoying the atmosphere they typically had. Since starting the business, Marc notes that his favorite part of the job has been getting to know people and trying to help them enjoy their travels.
17850 S. Clackamas River Drive
Oregon City, Oregon 97045
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Marc and Susie De La Bruere
