1 Block to Walla Walla University | 4BR/3BA Sleeps 9 | Fenced Yard, Fire Pit,...

Fall is when this house earns its keep. The evenings turn cool, the gas fire pit comes on, somebody pulls the blankets off the Adirondack chairs, and the whole group ends up in the backyard under the string lights. In the morning, campus is a one-block walk.

Blue Gables is a fully renovated 1920s craftsman in College Place, Washington, one block from Walla Walla University. Four bedrooms, three full baths, sleeps nine. It is built for the autumn trip where the whole family comes: Family Weekend, homecoming, a recital or a game, a campus visit, or Thanksgiving with everyone under one roof.

The renovation kept the original craftsman architecture — the peaked gables that give the house its name, the wide plank floors, the trim and the built-ins — while delivering a kitchen, bathrooms and fixtures that feel completely new. It is the rare historic house where nothing needs a workaround.

WHY MULTI-GENERATIONAL FAMILIES BOOK THIS ONE

One block to campus. Walk to programs, performances and ceremonies instead of circling for parking on a busy weekend.

A main-floor king suite with a private en-suite bath. Grandparents, or anyone who would rather not take the stairs, get the best room in the house and their own bathroom with it.

Three king beds plus a three-bed twin loft. Nobody is assigned a pullout, and the kids get a floor of their own.

A kitchen that can genuinely cook a holiday dinner and a table that seats eight, opening straight onto a fenced backyard with a gas fire pit and blankets. Heat throughout, so a November stay is as comfortable as a September one, and a fence that makes the yard easy for pets and for parents of small children.

THE SPACE

Living Room
The main floor living room has the kind of warmth that makes a large group want to stay in. An original 1920s fireplace with tile surround, craftsman mantle and built-in shelving on both sides anchors one wall; it is an architectural feature and is not operational. Wide plank floors, a large woven area rug, a brass globe chandelier overhead. The leather sofa and accent chairs seat the group comfortably, and the Roku smart TV is ready for the nights you stay in. The room opens directly into the dining room, keeping the main floor open.

Kitchen
Fully rebuilt with white shaker cabinets floor to ceiling, new countertops, and stainless steel appliances throughout: full-size refrigerator, dishwasher, electric range and over-the-range microwave. Counter space is generous enough for real meal preparation, which matters when the group is cooking together in November. A coffee grinder, electric kettle and Keurig are ready for the morning, and a rice cooker, cookie sheets, muffin tins and a full set of knives and utensils are on hand for longer stays. Pantry basics are stocked, plus zip-top bags and foil. The kitchen door opens to the backyard.

Dining Room
An oval dining table seating eight sits under a brass chandelier on a scalloped jute rug, with a direct sight line into the kitchen so the cook stays in the conversation. For groups that spill over, the living room accommodates easily with additional seating. Outside, a six-seat patio dining set under an umbrella handles the warmer afternoons.

Bedroom 1: Downstairs King Suite
The main floor primary suite is the most accessible and most private bedroom in the house. A king bed, a private en-suite bath with a walk-in shower and built-in seat, a new vanity and a gold arched mirror. The right room for grandparents, for guests avoiding stairs, or for the couple who wants separation from the group.

Bedroom 2: Upstairs King
The first of two upper-floor kings. Slanted craftsman ceiling, hardwood floors, brass hardware, woven rug, window blinds. Quiet and removed from the main floor.

Bedroom 3: Upstairs King
The second king upstairs, same finish and design as Bedroom 2. White bed frame, paired nightstands with globe lamps, windows on the quieter side of the house.

Bedroom 4: The Twin Loft
Three twin beds under a slanted ceiling with multiple windows and a boldly patterned woven rug. Games and books provided. Children claim it immediately, and larger groups use it as flexible overflow. It is the most distinctive room in the house.

Phone chargers at every bed.

Bathrooms
All three were renovated with the same hand: white shaker vanities, gold hardware and fixtures, gold-framed arched mirrors throughout. The downstairs en-suite has a walk-in shower with a built-in seat. The second downstairs bath has a walk-in shower with a bench. The upstairs bath has a shower and tub combination. All three fully stocked for your arrival.

Backyard
In autumn this is the best room in the house. A gas fire pit with seating around it and blankets provided. Overhead string lights already strung, which matters when the sun is down by five. Open lawn with cornhole and lawn games, a six-seat patio dining set under an umbrella, and a fully fenced perimeter with privacy from the street. It opens straight off the kitchen door.

Laundry
A full-size washer and dryer on the upper floor, convenient to all three upstairs bedrooms. Detergent provided.

LOCATION

College Place, Washington sits at the western edge of the Walla Walla Valley, and Blue Gables sits at the center of College Place. The address is what makes this house work: on campus without a hotel, and close enough to everything else in the valley that you are not spending the visit in the car.

On campus:
One block to the Walla Walla University campus. Two blocks to the WWU Church. Three blocks to the Atlas coffee shop. Walk to Family Weekend events, homecoming, performances, ceremonies and campus tours.

On foot from the front door:
Roger's Bakery, half a mile north on College Avenue — maple bars, apple fritters and fresh donuts made daily, a walk that earns itself every morning. Andy's Market, half a mile south — a full grocery and deli, which covers a family dinner or an entire Thanksgiving run without the big-box drive.

Ten minutes by car:
Wine Valley Golf Course, one of Washington's top-rated public courses, and autumn is the season to play it. Patisserie for French-trained pastry and espresso. Maple Counter for breakfast and brunch. Graze, for seasonal ingredients in a relaxed neighborhood setting. Downtown Walla Walla, with locally owned shops, restaurants and coffee, all walkable once you park. Pioneer Park, where the fall color is worth the walk.

Worth the drive in autumn:
The Blue Mountains turn in October, and the drive up Kooskooskie or out toward Bluewood is an easy afternoon. The valley's vineyard roads are at their best in the same weeks, when the vines color up before the first frost. Whitman Mission National Historic Site and Fort Walla Walla Museum are both ten minutes out.

Getting here:
Walla Walla Regional Airport (ALW) is 15 minutes away, with direct flights from Seattle and Portland. Rideshare availability is limited in College Place and Walla Walla. A rental car is strongly recommended.

Parking: up to six vehicles in the paved driveway, free.

PERFECT FOR THIS FALL

Families coming to Walla Walla University for Family Weekend, homecoming, a performance or a campus visit.

Thanksgiving with the whole family in one house rather than scattered across hotel rooms, with a kitchen and dining room equal to the meal.

Extended family reunions and milestone gatherings that call for a real kitchen, a table everyone fits around, and a backyard.

Groups of six to nine who would rather share one great house than split across two or three hotel rooms.

Autumn getaways to the Walla Walla Valley, when the Blue Mountains turn and the golf is at its best.

GUEST ACCESS

Blue Gables is an entire private home, yours for the duration of your stay with no shared spaces. Check-in is at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 10:00 AM, with self check-in by keypad so a late arrival is never a problem. The property is managed by Oasis Escapes, and your host is available by message and responds promptly.

OTHER DETAILS TO NOTE

Damage Deposit: A damage waiver is included as part of your cleaning fee, covering accidental damage during your stay. Intentional damage will be your responsibility.

Rental Agreement: A link to our rental agreement will be sent to you to sign before check-in. ID verification will also be requested by a 3rd party — no personal information is stored.

Televisions: Use your own streaming subscription services (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc.) and log out of ROKU guest mode at the end of your stay. You may want to bring your own laptop and HDMI cable if you have a special app you prefer watching.

Safety: Fire extinguishers, first aid kits and a flashlight are located throughout the home. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are also located throughout the home.

Exterior Cameras: Two cameras cover the driveway and entry points for safety — none inside.

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, no charcoal, and no candles or open flames anywhere on the property.

The living room fireplace is an original architectural feature and is not operational.

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

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

Travel insurance is recommended for changes due to weather, illness or unexpected travel disruptions. We follow the cancellation policy in effect at the time of your booking.

BOOK IT

If your family is planning a Walla Walla University weekend, a fall visit to the vall