Friendly Bike Guest House

Firstly, genuine people do exist. Chris is a genuine person, ready willing and able to help. Being close to the school I was attending in Portland, the hostel became a Hub for me and fellow students; for studying, gathering and was a safe secure location for my belongings and bicycle. If your attending the United Bicycle Institute while staying in Portland, this is the unofficial dorm.
Overall, Chris did what ever he could to accommodate my needs and everyone staying there. Besides there being a whole bicycle repair shop, and lock up with in the vicinity, the hostel offers rental bicycles, maps and a friendly face for your stay in Portland.
Pricing was superb, service was awesome, and the Owner (s) are amazing, compassionate people that upkeep a Amazing hostel.
Clean, serene, ideally located… this place is truly a friendly bicycle guest house. Need more places like this around the US.
Chris, thank you for everything.
(*PS he went out of his way to do a huge favor for me… again genuine people exist and are necessary in this world. I’m grateful.)

Made a weeklong trip to Portland/​Seattle for the first time, & I have to say this was the best place I could’ve come. Will admit I felt a bit uneasy when I first came in, but everything turned out great! Chris greeted us first coming in & showed us to our room. Which was a private room on the 3^rd floor. We had our own private entrance & passcode which was nice. We got upstairs to see a very clean kitchen/​common area. A nice spacious bathroom for the top floor to share. There were three rooms on the top floor. Ours was the one furthest down the hall. We shared our space with a nice guy visiting from Belgium for part of our stay & an older woman for the remainder of our stay. It was quiet, nice, & private. (Oh & clean!!!)
Chris was so great! Told us about all the places we should check out & see. All the local little streets with shops & restaurants.
The guesthouse is not too far from downtown Portland (it was about a 20 minute walk for us). There are little shop/​restaraunt streets near the guesthouse which have a true Portland feel for them as well. Chris has loner bikes that he is happy to let you borrow. Free WiFi.
Really great place to stay! Highly recommend it. Can’t wait to come back on my next trip here :)
Made a weeklong trip to Portland/​Seattle for the first time, & I have to say this was the best place I could’ve come. Will admit I felt a bit uneasy when I first came in, but everything turned out great! Chris greeted us first coming in & showed us to our room. Which was a private room on the 3^rd floor. We had our own private entrance & passcode which was nice. We got upstairs to see a very clean kitchen/​common area. A nice spacious bathroom for the top floor to share. There were three rooms on the top floor. Ours was the one furthest down the hall. We shared our space with a nice guy visiting from Belgium for part of our stay & an older woman for the remainder of our stay. It was quiet, nice, & private. (Oh & clean!!!)
Chris was so great! Told us about all the places we should check out & see. All the local little streets with shops & restaurants.
The guesthouse is not too far from downtown Portland (it was about a 20 minute walk for us). There are little shop/​restaraunt streets near the guesthouse which have a true Portland feel for them as well. Chris has loner bikes that he is happy to let you borrow. Free WiFi.
Really great place to stay! Highly recommend it. Can’t wait to come back on my next trip here :)

This place is awesome. I stayed 3 nights in the double private room. The bathrooms and kitchens were always clean and I really liked the key-​code system for entering the house. More practical than keys and safe. Chris, the owner, is super nice, friendly, and helpful. It is also in a really great neighborhood, easy walking distance from lots of eclectic bars, restaurants and shops. 15min bike ride to downtown. If you have the opportunity, definitely stay here!

Wow. Unbelievable phone experience with the jerk that owns this place.
He was offended by me asking innocent questions and by my attempts to clarify these questions and my innocent intentions, and told me I could not stay there.
These questions were: 1) the size of the lockers in the common area, so I could make sure my suitcase would fit if I was to leave it there prior to check-​in and after check-​out (in response to him telling me that he was not sure a carry-​on would fit and that the other option would be to leave it out in the open in the common area); 2) what guests do if there is a problem, with no staff being present (which I only asked as a follow-​up to him telling me he was «not there much» and that no one would be in the common area besides the guests, because there is no staff and thus no check-​ins or tours); and 3) how guests receive the code to the door (after he told me guests use a code to get in).
He bizarrely responded to each of these questions with «I don’t think this is a good fit» instead of answers, and ultimately shouted at me «I don’t want you staying here if you think there is going to be a problem.» He wouldn’t let me respond and explain my position and intentions. It was an absolutely grueling conversation. I had only been trying to get an understanding of how things work and whether my suitcase would fit in the locker, and I only had these questions because of the new information he was providing to me, none of which was posted on the website. I was not assuming there would actually be a problem. My questions were meant literally; they did not have hidden meaning behind them. They were not meant accusingly or rudely in any way. I desperately tried to explain this as he kept interrupting to tell *me* not to raise *my* voice and tell me I couldn’t stay there. Well, sorry if my voice was louder than you wanted, but when you are being repeatedly misunderstood and told you can’t stay somewhere you were really looking forward to staying, due to asking innocent questions, it is a bit unsettling, and when the other person will not stop shouting at you, the only chance of getting a word in to clarify things is to raise your voice. I managed to get in at one point, «I don’t understand why you are acting this way,» and his response was to laugh at me.
I’m sitting here shaking because I can’t believe what just happened. This guy was very nice on the phone with me yesterday when I inquired about availability and bike rentals, and today he seemed like a completely different person.
In response to Chris’s comment below:
Considering that the reason I did not stay there — and the reason I wrote this review — is that you would not ALLOW me to stay there due to asking innocent questions… no, you should not «take solace» in the fact that the only negative reviews here are from people who have not stayed there.

I stayed at the Friendly Bike Guest House for a little over a week and it was a great experience! The house was very clean and well maintained with space below to work on bikes as well as store them. Chris and his wife were available whenever needed and were both friendly as well as able to provide more ideas for Portland excursions then I could include even if I tried.
I would highly recommend the Friendly Bike Guest House to anyone interested in experiencing the culture of Portland. I look forward to the next time I can come to Portland and plan on staying at the house again!

Although we won’t be staying here, I just want to give a shout out to the great customer service Chris provides. I was planning a trip to Oregon, and somehow the booking ended up not being what we needed, however all throughout the process he was very kind and responsive, and ultimately restored my faith in businesses such as these. If I ever take a trip up to Portland again I will absolutely book here, I’ll just make sure everything is set in stone long before my trip. Thank you so much Chris for being so kind and helpful!

Website said space. Nobody answered phone, so I took a bus to investigate. Girl let me in because it was cooler inside. I called a Nice guy who was likely owner but they were full. The girl who lived there and let me in booted me out when she thought the owner was coming. She showed zero compassion and care for me, regardless if I was simply looking, desperately, on my phone for a place to stay. Way to help people!!! Forget this place.
To Chris. You are correct. However, I judge places by their guests to some extent. It was HOW she said it. It’s like a student at a school being rude. The school’s reputation takes a hit. She simply had neither tact nor compassion. I biked 4200 miles and represent the cycling community well. She does not. Of course you can’t be blamed. You seem very nice, but my review stands. And if she broke some rules that is poor communication. The community suffers, sorry.

I stayed at the FBGH for two weeks in the bunk room while attending UBI (one block away). The bunks were extremely sturdy and comfortable. The house was always clean and the roommates were great! Chris and Laura came around quite often and they were fantastic hosts. This was my first experience in a hostel (age 56) and it is the standard any others will be compared to. I don’t think it can be beat. Its location is right on a pedestrian/​bicycle/​shopping/​dining corridor. Bus stop is right at the corner also. No need for a car here! I highly recommend the Bike House to anyone. Very comfortable and welcoming! Thank you Chris and Laura!

I have absolutely nothing negative to say about my stay at FBGH. Even before arriving here, I had spoken with Chris over the phone to discuss the best choice of rooms for my girlfriend and I. He proved to be straightforward and affable, which was a perfect reflection of our stay.
We ended up staying in one of the private Full-​size rooms on the third floor. Our room was neat and tidy, had plentiful choices for blankets, was finished in lovely greens, and we had two towels waiting for us on the bed (we’d forgotten to bring them, which Chris and his wife seemed to know psychically). Our shared areas (bathroom, kitchen, and living area) were all just as spotless and well-​maintained. The dishwasher was out at the time, but my hands were working just fine. There were some nice overstuffed chairs and couch in the common area with a choice of board games, puzzles, and books. Aside from Friday and Saturday night, when pretty much all of Portland is out having a good time, the whole third floor was serene.
While there, we met a host of folks from around the world, each of them as pleasant as the next. Never once did I feel unsafe or that my valuables were in danger of being swiped. Instead, an instant camaraderie was formed with everyone we bumped into. Chris was always available through phone or text, though I never had any issues to report.
If you’re looking for a great, relaxing stay away from the generic, sterile rooms of the major chain hotels and would like the chance to meet and interact with people of the same ilk, don’t even bother looking anywhere else.

We stayed here Feb 2015.
Lovely lovely home! We fell in love with the place as soon as we walked through the door of the 2^nd floor. The living room is cozy, the kitchen is stocked with all the basics you need to cook (you gotta buy your own groceries!), and the room we stayed in was spacious. The bathroom is big and clean.
Visiting Portland, we were always out and about and never got a chance to meet the owner, but he gave us his phone number and was readily available if we had any questions.
Many of the people who were staying there were students of a bicycle mechanic school nearby, so everyone was very chill, down to earth, and friendly.
Get it? Friendly Bike Guesthouse! It sure was!
Good location, close to stores and restaurants. A few blocks away from the bus stops. I believe the bus stops are on Vancouver, but I recommend walking down Mason or Skidmore to get to them (those streets are better lit, there’s people and traffic). AVOID WALKING DOWN SHAVER, we came across a shady looking person who followed us off the bus. That street is kinda dark and there’s not much pedestrian traffic going down it. Our guards were up, and luckily we lost him.
Not to take away from the guesthouse, just a heads up to be aware of your surroundings, especially if you’re not from the area.
This is our second time in Portland, but our first time staying at the guesthouse. We had a wonderful time staying there and it will be the place we will stay at the next time we visit!

My stay here was perfect. The last hostel I stayed in was a busting location full to the brim some nights, with the occasional shenanigans. So that’s what I expected here. A bunch of sweaty, rowdy bicyclists.
Nope. It was quiet, clean, and Chris was very helpful. He sent me the code to get in, let me know a more private bed was available, and was very easygoing.
When I say it was quiet, I mean it! I can’t assume it is always like that, but I felt like I was the only person staying there most of the time. There was never a line for the bathroom, and no messes in the shared space. I didn’t even hear people rustling around getting ready as I slept. But then again, I was usually gone in the evenings, getting back in and crashing around 1:00am.
I did nothing but sleep and shower here, but I could have easily hung out here and made dinner. The kitchens were both clean and had plenty of counter space and spacious tables.
The area around is beautiful, and even though it is a couple of blocks from the public transit route from the airport, it was an easy, safe, scenic walk.
Impressively, when I couldn’t connect to their internet, Chris troubleshot it, bought a new router, and set it up before I left! That’s dedication.
And don’t tell him, but although I can and do occasionally ride a bike, I wouldn’t consider myself a avid bicycler– I certainly didn’t bring one with me, and I still had a great time.

This place is amazing! Chris is a nice guy and really runs a good operation. Super clean and comfortable for an amazing price. Perfect for our 3 day stay with zero hassle

Stayed here for around 2 weeks while traveling through Portland and fell in love with the place. Such a great friendly vibe, clean and accessible to all Portland has to offer. It was more of a home than a guesthouse. Chris is a brilliant host and everyone I encountered staying there was awesome. Can’t recommend it enough.

Excellent stay, especially for the price. The house was clean and cozy and the shower worked better than the one I have in my apartment. Everything I wanted to see was in easy biking distance from the house and Chris was super friendly and knowledgable about the area. He was also very cool when I forgot to pack up my stuff on my last day (I was a little too anxious to get to Forest Park and it completely slipped my mind). I think most places would have forced me to leave my hike immediately but Chris just had the cleaning crew bag my stuff up and it was all there when I finally got back. I would definitely stay here again.

If you’re going to visit Portland this is an excellent place to stay. Chris knows a lot about the city and is very friendly. The other guests were respectful and awesome to get to know. This is not your typical hostel. It is clean, spacious and a place where you would want to chill during the day as well. I loved my time here and will definitely be visiting again!

Great place to stay! Chris was very accommodating and provided us with everything we needed not to mention what a great guy he is. The place is a gem, you can tell they remodeled the place top to bottom. Chris even has a little bike shop in the basement for tuning up your bike. The neighborhood is close to all your basic needs including restaurants, pubs, health food store and more. I would definitely stay here again.

FBGH was the first «hostel» I’ve ever stayed in, and I have a feeling I was spoiled by the experience.
The house itself was in gorgeous condition, and a great location. Near a lot of the newer areas of Portland where there are really great places to stop by and check out to get a feeling for what the local vibe is like.
Chris is also a wonderful host. He was there each morning with plenty of suggestions of things to do nearby (like the aforementioned local hotspots) and provided great conversation before we headed out each day we were there.
If I’m ever back in Portland (which I can’t see why I wouldn’t be) and need a place to stay, this will be #1 on my list. Affordable, charming, and great management.
Thanks for everything Chris!

Great place to stay and everyone there was as into bikes as I was! It’s located right next to food and transportation to get around Portland. Cheap and clean too!

I couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay during my time in Portland. Chris is the Frickin’ man and is unbelievably chill and accommodating. He also has an amazing friendliness filter as everyone I’ve came across during my stay was respectful and affable. Heck, last night, during post-​class pow wow, someone knocked on our door, introduced himself as a someone who worked in the neighborhood and gave us a fresh loaf of bread!
The guest house spans two floors and is a mix of three room styles: private room, semi-​private room with two beds, and a bunk room with four beds. There’s a communal area complete with a living room, dining area and kitchen if you feel up to cooking. I definitely recommend this place if you’re traveling alone or with a group. While most of the people who stay here attend the nearby bike school, there are also a handful of other travelers and it’s nice to come home (yeah, I called it home when I was in PDX) and share your day with people from all over the country. There are nearby bus stops for getting downtown and to other areas of Portland if you don’t bike, and tons of amazing dining options, including Lincoln and Tasty n Sons.
Can’t wait to go back.

my BF booked this place for us to stay during our birthday trip to the pacific northwest. because we are both cycling enthusiasts, we wanted to truly experience Portland («bicycle capital») instead of just staying at a hotel. Chris, the owner, was super nice to us from the very start… everything from booking the place to being a great concierge the moment we arrived.
We were able to use their loaner bikes here, which helped save some money. they weren’t the best bikes but they were doable and we got around on them without any issues. my BF did have a small mishap with one of the tubes on his bike, but Chris recommended a small little bike shop down the street where we could get a replacement tube. (that’s another review).
The guesthouse is REALLY clean and totally upgraded. from the outside, it looks like any other cottage in the neighborhood but once you step inside, it’s like stepping into ikea. we met a few of the other house guests staying there and they were all really nice. the bathrooms and kitchen were all kept really clean. we stayed in the private room near the kitchen, never had any issues with noise from other house guests. the weather got pretty cold but the wall heaters (which apparently are pretty common in the northwest) worked so well that it even got a bit too hot in our room.
Portland isn’t very big and we were able to cruise on the loaner bikes up to Mt Tabor and into downtown (financial district) and into china town and pearl district all in one day. the location of the guesthouse is just perfect. it’s a short distance to downtown, by short i mean either public transit or ride bikes. the block where the guesthouse is located has a good variety of eateries including a Hopworks Bike Bar (our favorite), a peruvian restaurant, deli, ice cream shop and a few other little places. there’s also a REALLY good ethiopian restaurant just a short walk down the block too. if you want to walk a little further, go to Mississippi street (about a 10 min walk) and there’s a strip of restaurants and shops including Amnesia Brewery.
we had a really nice stay here and highly recommend this place to anyone who is visiting Portland.