The aptly-named Wunderground was just right for our two-night stay in Astoria. Perfectly situated in the heart of the commercial district, yet distinctly situated one level below the street, with private parking- what a gem!
The owner, Jeff Daly, built out the space using reclaimed materials, whimsical items, and a plethora of locally-sourced memorabilia. His photographer’s eye pulled together a unique VRBO, perfect for short stays. Longer stays might wish for a full-sized coffee maker and more dedicated space for clothing in the bedrooms.
Nice touches of note were the snacks, chilled water, several cans of beer & bottle of wine provided by the host.
The kitchen was stocked with enough cookware, utensils and other essentials to allow for frustration-free meal prep and clean up. The large table was great for games as well as meals, though the seating was lower than optimal for the table height.
The hall half-bath felt a bit exposed with its port-hole window in the barn-style door…a consideration if traveling with friends. The full bathroom was well stocked with towels, travel-sized shampoo, two robes and hair blow dryer. The high-end shower/steam bath was a treat!
Both bedrooms had good quality mattresses and bedding. Each had windows that looked into the “underground”, with bi-directional window fans for ventilation.
We really appreciated the books of Art Wolfe’s photography, the “Playa” book on the history of Burning Man, as well as the three informational binders (local eateries/local attractions, instructions for remotes/lights, etc, and a bit of personal history).
Jeff responded promptly to my one texted question, and followed up the next day to see if we needed anything. Having lived in Astoria for most, if not all of his life, he knows the area intimately and is an engaging resource.
You can’t go wrong here if you enjoy ingenuity, history and have a sense of humor!