1 Block to Walla Walla University, Main-Floor King, 4BR/3BA Sleeps 9, Fenced...

FALL AT BLUE GABLES — ONE BLOCK FROM WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY

You have made this trip before. Somebody books a block of hotel rooms, the family ends up scattered across three floors, and everyone meets in a lobby for breakfast that nobody enjoys. Then you spend the weekend driving back and forth to campus, hunting for parking.

There is a better version of this weekend, and it is one block from the university.

Blue Gables is a 1920s craftsman in College Place, fully renovated, one block from the Walla Walla University campus. Four bedrooms, three full bathrooms, room for nine. Family Weekend, move-in, a recital, a game, a campus tour, Thanksgiving with everyone under one roof — this is a house built for the trip where the whole family comes.

WHY THIS HOUSE WORKS FOR MULTI-GENERATIONAL FAMILIES

The main-floor king suite is the reason most families book this one. It sits on the ground floor with its own private en-suite bathroom, a walk-in shower with a built-in seat, a new vanity and a gold arched mirror. French doors open toward the backyard. Grandparents do not have to negotiate a staircase, and neither does anyone traveling with a knee, a hip, or a baby that finally fell asleep. Everybody else takes the upstairs rooms.

Upstairs there are two more king bedrooms under slanted craftsman ceilings, hardwood floors and quiet windows on the far side of the house. Then there is the twin loft — three twin beds under a characterful sloped ceiling, with books and games and a bold woven rug. It was designed with kids in mind, and they tend to claim it within about four minutes of arrival. A portable privacy screen is here if whoever sleeps up there wants it, and larger groups use the loft as flexible overflow.

Three kings and a twin loft means nine people sleep in real beds. Nobody is on a pullout, nobody is on an air mattress in the living room, and nobody is negotiating over who got the good room, because there are three good rooms.

THE KITCHEN THAT COOKS A HOLIDAY DINNER

This is where the house shows its investment, and in October and November it is the room that matters most.

White shaker cabinets run floor to ceiling over new countertops. There is a full-size stainless refrigerator, a dishwasher, an electric range and oven, and an over-the-range microwave. For mornings there is a coffee grinder, an electric kettle and a Keurig. For longer stays and holiday cooking there is a rice cooker, cookie sheets, muffin tins, a blender, a toaster and a full set of knives and utensils. Pantry basics are already here — oil, salt, pepper, spices, cream and sugar — along with zip-top bags and foil, so the first grocery run is short.

The kitchen door opens straight onto the backyard, and the dining room sits in a direct sight line, so whoever is cooking stays in the conversation instead of exiled from it.

THE DINING ROOM

An oval table seats eight under a brass chandelier, on a scalloped jute rug. This is the table for the Thanksgiving meal, the birthday, the late card game, and the morning everyone lingers over coffee before walking to campus. Outside there is a six-seat patio dining set under an umbrella for the warmer afternoons that fall still hands you in September and early October.

THE BACKYARD — THE BEST ROOM IN THE HOUSE THIS TIME OF YEAR

The backyard is fully fenced and private from the street. There is a gas fire pit with seating around it and blankets provided, and string lights already strung overhead for the early sunsets. There is an open lawn with cornhole and lawn games, a six-seat patio dining set, and a door that opens directly into the kitchen.

In fall this is where the evening ends. The sun goes down early, the fire pit comes on, and the group that was scattered across campus all day ends up in the same place. The fence also means pets and small children can be outside without anyone standing guard.

THE LIVING ROOM

The original 1920s fireplace anchors the room, with its tile surround, craftsman mantle and built-in shelving on both sides. It is an architectural feature and is not operational — but the house is heated throughout, so November evenings are genuinely comfortable. Wide plank floors, a large woven area rug, a brass globe chandelier, a leather sofa and accent chairs with room for the whole group, and a Roku smart TV for the nights you stay in.

THE BATHROOMS

All three were renovated with the same hand — white shaker vanities, gold fixtures and gold-framed arched mirrors, with nothing mismatched or left over from a previous decade. The main-floor en-suite has a walk-in shower with a built-in seat, the second main-floor bath a walk-in shower with a bench, and the upstairs bath a shower and tub combination. All three are fully stocked before you arrive.

A full-size washer and dryer sit upstairs, convenient to all three upstairs bedrooms, with detergent provided.

ONE BLOCK TO CAMPUS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE CLOSE

Blue Gables puts you where you actually need to be for a Walla Walla University trip: on campus without a hotel, and close enough to everything else that you are not spending the visit in the car.

On foot from the front door:
- 1 block to the WWU campus
- 2 blocks to the WWU Church
- 3 blocks to Atlas coffee
- Half a mile north on College Avenue to Roger's Bakery, for maple bars, apple fritters and donuts made fresh daily. It is a walk that earns itself every morning.
- Half a mile south on College Avenue to Andy's Market, a full grocery and deli — everything for a family dinner or the Thanksgiving run without the big-box detour.

Ten minutes by car:
- Wine Valley Golf Course, one of Washington's top-rated public courses. Fall is the season to play it.
- Downtown Walla Walla, for locally owned shops, restaurants and coffee, all walkable once you park.

Worth the drive in autumn:
- The Blue Mountains turn in October. The drive up Kooskooskie or out toward Bluewood is an easy afternoon.
- The valley's vineyard roads are at their best in October, when the vines color up before the first frost.
- Whitman Mission National Historic Site, with guided trails and open grounds, ten minutes out.
- Fort Walla Walla Museum, a 700-acre historic preserve with trails and pioneer exhibits.
Getting here: Walla Walla Regional Airport is 15 minutes away, with direct flights from Seattle and Portland. Rideshare is limited in this valley, so a rental car is strongly recommended. Six vehicles park in the driveway.

WHO THIS FALL IS FOR

- Families coming to Walla Walla University for Family Weekend, move-in or a campus visit
- Parents making the trip for performances, concerts, recitals or games
- Multi-generational families who need a main-floor bedroom with its own bath for grandparents and upstairs rooms for everyone else
- Thanksgiving with the whole family in one house instead of scattered across hotel rooms
- Groups who would rather share one great house, with a real kitchen and a backyard, than split across three hotel rooms

WHAT GUESTS SAY

"The house was perfect for our group and provided just what we needed. Comfortable beds and pillows which made it hard to leave. House was described accurately and our host was responsive and attentive. We are finding another excuse to come back. Very convenient to WWU campus."

"We had a wonderful time staying here. The house itself is beautiful and easily sleeps multiple adults, and the kitchen was extremely well stocked. We all marveled at how well everything was updated, so the charm of an older house was paired with modern conveniences and thoughtful additions like pantry items."
HOW IT WORKS
Fall dates around campus events go to the families who plan early. If your weekend works, take it — and message us before you arrive with any questions at all.

Other Things to Note
Cancellation Policy: We follow the cancellation policy in place at the time you booked, as shown in your confirmation. If there is any chance you may need to cancel, we recommend purchasing travel insurance at checkout. Refunds are not provided outside the booked policy for weather, illness, or travel disruptions.

Pets: Pets are welcome at Blue Gables, and the fully fenced backyard makes it easy. Please let us know in advance register your pets for a small fee each, and clean up after them in the yard. We also ask that you crate them if they are left alone and that they not get upon the sofas or beds.

No Smoking: There is a strict no-smoking policy, inside and out, for the benefit of all guests with allergies. Any known abuse of this policy may result in a substantial fine.

Events and Gatherings: Events are allowed by written permission only. Please message us before you book to tell us what you have in mind, and an additional fee may apply. Unapproved events and parties are not permitted.

Outdoor Cameras: There are no exterior security cameras on this property.

Fire Pit and Open Flames: The gas fire pit in the backyard is provided for guest use. Please turn it off before going inside or to bed. No wood fires and no candles or open flames anywhere on the property.

Fireplace: The living room fireplace is an original 1920s architectural feature and is not operational. The home is heated throughout.

Stairs: The staircase to the upper floor is steep, with railings on both sides. Guests with limited mobility will be most comfortable in the main-floor king suite.

Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM out of respect for the neighborhood.

Damage Protection: A damage waiver is included with your cleaning fee and covers any accidental damage during your stay. Intentional damage will be your responsibility. Please let us know of any damage so we can remedy