The Coolidge House Bed and Breakfast is located in the center of the city of Ashland, Oregon. Raised on a hill along the town's main street, the home is a two-story Italian Victorian model built in 1875. There are six guest accommodations at the Coolidge House Bed and Breakfast, each themed differently. Each room includes an ensuite bathroom and a flat-screen television. A small cottage at the rear of the property also holds a guest suite complete with a full-sized living area and kitchenette. A two-course breakfast is served every morning at 9:00 AM, along with cookies and wine every afternoon. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival takes place two blocks from the Coolidge House Bed and Breakfast. There are several additional attractions in the area, including the Crater Lake National Park.
The Coolidge House Bed and Breakfast is located on the main street of Ashland, Oregon. The home is raised up on a hill and set back from the main road giving the home privacy and views overlooking the foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range. The historic home sits on one acre of land and is surrounded by a grassy lawn with cobblestone pathways. Towering two stories high, the home is painted robin's egg blue, with white trim and a thatched roof. A large sign sits at the front of the home. Trees line the entire property’s borders enclosing the acre.
Two large balconies are located on each level of the home. Steps lead up to the front entry and onto the large front porch. Both the ground-floor patio and second-floor balcony are fully furnished with dining sets, rocking chairs, and bistro tables. In the side yard of the home, there is a large courtyard with a wood pergola and a small gazebo. This area is where breakfast is commonly served when the weather permits. Offstreet parking is available at the back of the home, as well as on-street parking at the front of the home. Typically guests will walk along Main Street for their everyday activities, so when their cars are parked, they don’t move them.
Inside the home, there are six guest accommodations. One of the rooms is on the main floor, while the remaining five are on the second floor. Each room is themed. The decorations inside the home reflect the history of the property with Victorian-era architecture, antique decorations, and collected artwork. Few alterations have been made to the home’s original floorplan from when it was first built in 1875. There are multiple gathering spaces for guests on the ground floor, such as the living room and dining area. A small office is also located on the ground floor where guests can refer to the property host for questions, as well as check in and out.
Located on the ground floor, the Parlor Suite is the most popular of the guest accommodations at the Coolidge House Bed and Breakfast. The room was designed to cater to romantic getaways, seeing as how as it has a private entrance. The room was originally the main parlor of the historic home. Ten-foot high ceilings, oak flooring, bay windows, and warm-colored wallpaper surround a king-size bed, a wardrobe, and an ensuite bathroom. The bathroom features a large jacuzzi tub and a separate shower.
The remaining upstairs suites are each themed. The Dickens Suite can accommodate up to three guests with a small sofa and double bed. Dickens prints and books, original wood flooring, and European accent furniture fill the room. The Garden Suite has an adjoining sitting room with a twin-sized bed and a relatively sizable shower stall, and the Rose Room has matching wallpaper and quilts on the bed. The Sun Suite is the largest of the inn’s suites. Overlooking Ashland, this king bedroom suite has a gas fireplace, a dining table, and a small sofa. The ensuite bathroom has a step-up Jacuzzi bathtub and a separate shower.
Separate from the home, there is a small cottage called the Grape Arbor Cottage. It was named after the grapevines located at the entrance of the home. These vines were planted in 1925. The cottage has a full living room, a gas fireplace, and a kitchenette, and a separate bedroom. The cottage is recently renovated and does not feature as much historical decor; instead, the space is outfitted with some modern and eclectic furnishings. The large bathroom inside the room has a double shower and large vanity.
All of the upstairs bedrooms have access to the upstairs balcony. Additional amenities included with each room and suite are outlets for charging devices, mirrors, wardrobes, fresh linens and towels, free wireless internet, flat-screen televisions, and cable television. Select rooms also have fireplaces and jacuzzi bathtubs.
Also added to the guests at the Coolidge House Bed and Breakfast stay is a full breakfast every morning. The morning meal consists of two courses. First, guests are brought a cup of coffee or tea which is prepared to be served at 7:00 AM. The meal is served at 9:00 AM in the dining room or in the courtyard surrounded by the property’s English garden. Light foods such as yogurt parfaits, tropical fruit plates, and fruit smoothies are served in the first course. The entrees vary depending on the day but may include smoked salmon quiche, blueberry pecan French toast, yeast-raised waffles, or baked sour cream omelets with grilled polenta. Fresh fruit muffins, scones, and butter biscuits are always served alongside these dishes.
Every meal can be prepared to meet vegetarian preferences or dietary specifications. Guests are encouraged to let the bed and breakfast host know upon check-in, and they will be accommodated. In the afternoon and evening, chocolate cookies are often left out along with a cheese board for guests to snack on while spending time on the balconies or in the main living room.
The Coolidge House Bed and Breakfast can be described as a “historical retreat.” Jordan Parker, the owner of the property since 1986, wants every guest who enters his inn to feel comfortable and that they have everything they could possibly need. Jordan is described by many as "friendly" and has been welcoming guests for over twenty years; because of this, he has spent a long time building the Coolidge House Bed and Breakfast culture. To achieve the level of comfort desired for his guests, Jordan spent a year remodeling each of the property rooms to keep them clean, up to date, and complete with modern amenities.
In addition to his guests' comfort, Jordan makes preserving the history of the home one of his highest priorities. Instead of knocking down all of the walls in the home and starting over, Jordan stripped the areas that were decaying and left up most of the original Victorian trim work and architecture. After adding electricity to the home and redoing all of the flooring, he refurnished the space with antique pieces, floral wallpaper, and period-inspired artwork. Jordan is also well versed in the history of the house and shares it with his guests often.
Interaction with the guests at the Coolidge House Bed and Breakfast is common for Jordan. During the morning meal, Jordan will often eat alongside his guests, getting to know them and introducing them to each other. The afternoon cookies and evening wine hour is also another way Jordan can interact with his guests in a more relaxed setting. Living on the property, Jordan is frequently available to attend to guests’ needs and answer questions. “We were welcomed with lemon water, tea, and cookies. Jordan was a wonderful host, so helpful and friendly,” said a recent guest at the bed and breakfast.
Guests of the property have left generally positive reviews on Google Reviews. Each room also has a guest book where patrons are encouraged to leave feedback regarding their stay, and if any improvements could be made. Most reviews include comments on the building's location and gourmet breakfast, as well as the hospitality of the host. A guest at the inn remarked, “Breakfasts are delicious and shared by all guests. We've met so many wonderful people around Jordan's table. The house is an easy walk to plays and shopping. Rooms and beds are very comfortable and quiet.”
There are many repeat guests at the Coolidge House Bed and Breakfast. A recent comment says, “We have come to Ashland for over 20 years and have stayed at the Coolidge house.” The typical demographic has in the past been primarily older couples and individuals from the ages 50-70; however, as of recently, many younger guests have been visiting the home, changing the demographic to the ages 30-70. Guests staying for multiple nights are typically older, while younger guests usually pass through in just a day or two.
When there are vacancies at the Coolidge House Bed, and Breakfast, a large sign at the entrance of the town is lit for guests to see as they pass through. The sign has proved useful in attracting many last-minute guests to the Coolidge House Bed and Breakfast. Jordan is the owner and property manager but also has a small staff. Two local women help with the housekeeping and preparing breakfast, and a gardener manicures the yard once a week.
The Coolidge House Bed and Breakfast is two blocks from the downtown plaza. This gives guests a four-minute walk from the downtown plaza restaurants and shops and a thirteen-minute walk from the Hald and Strawberry Parks. Popular activities in the area include visiting wineries, golfing, white water rafting, hiking, and biking. Guests will often travel to the nearby Crater Lake National Park or the historic town of Jacksonville. Additionally, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is held in Ashland and holds features theatre productions almost year-round. Lithia Park is another popular attraction in the area.
In the Plaza, there are several high-end restaurants as well as pubs and family-friendly diners. The High Pepper is one of Jordan’s suggestions; here, they sell a variety of Asian cuisine. Another popular restaurant is La Bricola. This high-end Italian restaurant serves northern-inspired Italian dishes. The Amuse recently opened in the area in 2021. This restaurant serves french-inspired dishes.
The Coolidge House Bed and Breakfast was built by Orland Coolidge in 1875. Orlando was the first nurseryman in Ashland and built the Italian Victorian home for his family. He was extremely specific in the design and location of his home. He wanted views of the nearby mountains while still being located on main street near the downtown plaza. So a compromise was made, and the home was built on a hill, still standing there today. Brad Parker purchased the inn in 1986. Upon purchasing the property, it was in disrepair and was being used as two separate apartments. When Brad purchased the home, there were not many bed and breakfasts in town, and he knew he wanted to transition the space into an inn of sorts.
Over the next few years, Brad renovated the home, preserving as much of its original beauty as he could. Brad also added the victorian replica cottage behind the home. Brad passed away in 1997, and the property was passed on to his brother Jordan. Jordan is grateful for the opportunity to continue his brother’s legacy. He loves the history of the property and the community of Ashland. Many of Jordan’s closest friends started as guests in the Coolidge House Bed and Breakfast. The property is open year-round with an increase of guests during the late spring, summer, and early fall when the Oregon Shakespeare Festival takes place.
137 North Main
Ashland, Oregon
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Jordan Parker
