My Tiny House Village FAQ

The list is simply too long to include here! Suffice it to say, however, that everything you need to make and eat a basic meal, shower, and sleep soundly is included.

Our listing itself, however, does contain those precise details and if you have any questions or very specific needs (oven, AC, minimal stairs, microwave, etc…) please ask!

In short, if the accommodation you have rented does not include the ammentiy you need, we likely have another one on site that does.

All of our tiny homes have been lovingly and thoughtfully designed by your host, Michelle, and every inch has been considered to provide as many ammenities as possible for your basic needs like showering, sleeping, cooking and eating.

And, during the warmer months that consideration extends outside to the large attached decks which provide additional lounging and cooking spaces with BBQ’s.

(Most of our guests are quite surprised as how much we can fit into a such small space!)

With that said, however, please do review the features, photos, and amentiites list CLOSELY to make sure your specific desires or needs for a flushing toilet, desk area, a bed that does not require a ladder to access, an indoor shower, or a lounge area; is included with the accommdation you have chosen.

If you do not see what you need, please ask because we will likely have another home that includes those features.

Each tiny home has a slightly different bathroom set up. All of them, however, include a shower (some are inside and some are outside) and a cedar loo toilet (either in the bathroom or in an outhouse or the camper’s bathroom adjacent to the tiny home.)

They do not, however, have sinks.

A sink simply will not fit in a tiny home bathroom so our guests use the kitchen sinks for brushing their teeth or shaving. (mirrors are included)

The ultra comfy beds in our tiny homes are either twin beds or queen size.

In consideration of a large variety of guests and their needs, our homes are equipped with 1 - 2 beds and sleep between 1 and 3 people.

Some of our beds are easily accessible from the floor but some do require a ladder to access or the need to climb up from the bed below.

All of our tiny home bathrooms have cedar loo toilets.

They have been carefully designed and tested by our staff and thousands of guests and provide an easy to clean, safe and sanitary option and are very easy to use with the following helpful (and funny!?) instructions:

How to Use the Cedar Loo-Style Toilet

Step 1: Lift the lid and SIT DOWN

Guys, we would really really really prefer that you not stand and pee into the toilet. It’s not exactly the “view” we would prefer that our guests to remember from their stay. Ideally, if the weather outside isn’t frightful, there are many bushes and trees outside that would no-doubt welcome your company.

Step 2: Do your business

How you do your business, is your business. We don’t judge.

Step 3: Clean up

Place all soiled paper in the toilet and toss in a handful or two of fresh cedar chips from the adjacent container. One large handful will do to eliminate odors, we promise. And, although you will likely not notice them, there are also moisture absorbing pellets under the cedar chips to ensure the chips do not become easily saturated. (Which causes the odor)

Step 4: Open the Window and/or Fan

We anticipate that some of you may be very sensitive to normal smells in the bathroom. To address this, please turn on the bathroom fan or open a window.

Step 5: Close the lid

In order to maintain a smell-free environment, this cedar loo-style toilet relies on the lid being closed so the cedar oils can do their job. We do realize you may miss the “whoosh” sound that is normally generated, so if you’re really longing for that experience, you can download an app on your smart phone (“Toilet Flushing Sounds” by Leafgreen) that will help to replicate the peace you feel knowing your business is now done.

Step 6: Pull and Knot the Bag

Once per day, please remove the bag, knot the top below the drawstring handles, and place it in the grey metal garbage can nearby. Allowing liquids to build up creates an unsightly scene than is easily avoided with this simple and sanitary method of disposal. Another bag has been prepped and is ready for use, no additional set up is required.

Step 7: Be Happy

In a household of only two people, over 6500 gallons of water per year are used for flushing. After using this loo-style toilet you can be happy knowing that your waste will be responsibly disposed of in a manner which does not require chemicals or excessive water use.

All of our tiny homes are available to rent 365 days a year.

With the exception of the the Outlook (our primitive A Frame cabin) they all include easy-to-use electric heaters.

The Outlook does not have any heat or plumbing and is popular for our guests seeking a unique camping-like experience.

All of the “larger” tiny homes (not the Bird House) also include AC.

The morning of arrival your host will message you with arrival instructions, a door code, and your parking spot assignment.

Check in is at 4 pm unless otherwise agreed-upon.

The morning of your check out your host will message you again with a reminder to review our easy-to-follow check out protocols which include dish washing and garbage disposal instructions. (additional cleaning instructions are provided to pet owners)

Check out is at 11 am.

Early check in and late check out times may be available for an additional charge.

We do recommend guests who will be checking in after dark to bring their own flashlight.

Also, since there is no cell service in our Longview WA canyon, a red landline phone is on the porch of the main cottage to reach your host if you are having any check in difficulties or have any questions.

For a harmonious coexistence in our cozy space, we kindly ask you to consider these simple guidelines to make the most of your pet-friendly stay:

1. To ensure everyone's safety, we request that pets remain leashed when outside.

2. We have a no-pets-on-the-furniture policy. That includes beds and lofts too!

3. Our general limit is two pets per stay, unless we've chatted and made special arrangements.

4. Cat lovers, bring your own litter box along for your feline friends.

5. We've got you covered with pet waste bags—please use them for clean-ups, every single time.

6. We're all about quality time together, so no leaving furry friends alone in the homes. Not even in crates.

7. Oopsie moments happen! If they do, there are handy cleaning supplies under the sink.

8. A little daily sweep will do wonders, and is sorely needed and required, to keep fur from taking over.

9. Guests at our Creekside Cottage, we've set up a pup relief area (with a sign!) to save the lawn. Feel free to use it, or any other spot on the property except the front lawn.

10. To keep things fair and square, we're now requiring a refundable $150 pet deposit, due 14 days before your stay. It's all about trust. If we all play by the rules, your deposit is returned to you 48 hours after check out. Just know, after any major rule-bending (extra laundry, cleaning, or upholstery work), it's not gonna’ come back to you. Plus, intentional rule breakers might face extra fees. Let's keep things snazzy!

The forest surrounding your accommodations is a home for bunnies, skunks, barn owls, quail, hawks, eagles, otters, bobcat, cougar, coyotes, elk, deer, feral cats, raccoons, mice, squirrels, ants, bees, wasps, beetles, mosquitos, and numerous other potential forest hazards and creatures. Keeping your pets on a leash, will help avoid any accidental and potentially unfortunate encounters.

The morning of arrival the host will message our overnight guests with their parking spot assignment.

Due to the limited supply of parking spaces all are STRICTLY assigned and most are marked with the name of the guest’s accommdation to help them easily identify it, even in the dark!

If more than 1 parking spot is required, upon request, additional parking spaces can also be, and must be, assigned.

Please note, to avoid the chaos of unexpected cars and visitors, ALL visitors (non paying guests) must be approved in writing well in advance of their arrival.

Visitor requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis and approval may not be assumed since, first and foremost, our obligation is to our paying guests and their quiet enjoyment of their tiny home.

As well we cannot allow unfettered parking and access to the homes for safety and security purposes.

In each tiny home there is a Helpful Household Handbook which includes a helpful list of great places to eat, visit, and hike.

In a nutshell, you won’t have to go far to find good food, great views, and places to make fun memories. All of our tiny homes are within an hours drive of many popular tourist sites, beaches, and Portland Oregon.

A list is also included on our webite and your hosts are available 9 am - 9 pm via text or phone with additional ideas and resources for your enjoyment.

We have two robust wifi networks at the Retreat and the speed and reliability varies greatly from one accommodation to the other.

Guests are encouraged to reveiw the details of their individual accommodation’s wifi notes, and ask questions, to ensure the wifi they need is appropriate for their use. (professional or personal)

We now have a camp store called the “Camper's Closet” with convenient online ordering for onsite purchasing of items or services you may need or want during your stay, like...
* Firestarter and Smores Kits
* Laundry Room Reservation
* Organic and gluten free Trader Joe's wines, snacks and food items
* Grocery, Charcuterie, and Flowers Delivery for Special Occasions
* Phone Charging Cords and Collectible Destination Stickers

Laundry room use and some services do require a few days’ notice but placing your reservation is a breeze using the following link:
https://app.thehost.co/store/1065/

The Camper’s Closet is located on the deck on the main cottage. (the white house with the blue trim)

If you would like to purchase items spontaneously during your stay, you can also scan the QR code on the Camper's Closet door to access our online store.

For all purchases and reservations, after you place your order, you'll receive an email (separate from your accommodation reservation) describing how to access the items you have purchased.

Winter storms bring rain and wind and during your stay you may experience a power outage if downed trees or other factors affect the power lines.

Our local utility, Cowlitz County PUD, does an EXCELLENT job of keeping us all informed of when we can expect the power to be restored and I encourage you to check their website for said updates.

1) In the event of a power outage, we will lose your ability to use cell phones since we rely on our WIFI network for cell usage.
2) There is a landline phone on the porch of the main cottage for emergency use and communication during power outages. It is not affected by loss of power. Our address and my contact information is also noted on the wall by the phone.
3) The closest location to get good cell reception, to check for outage updates on the PUD website, or use your cell phone, is at the end of Abernathy Creek Rd where it meets Hiway 4. There are 2 convenient gravel lots there for parking.
4) Please bring a flashlight.
5) During a power outage, please do NOT flush toilets, shower, or use the water unless it is absolutely necessary for washing hands or cooking. (some of the homes have propane stoves) The entire Retreat, and all of the guests, will be sharing only the few gallons left in the holding tank until power is restored.
6) Due to the unpredictable nature of outages, we do not offer refunds for inconvenience of these events and HIGHLY recommend you purchase travel insurance from AirBnB or your online booking provider to cover your loss in the case that you will need to relocate.

We look forward to hosting your adventure and hope we will not experience any outages and hope you won’t have to heed any of our advice noted herein.