Accommodations

Bend [1] is the largest full-fledged resort town in Oregon [2]. On holidays or ski weekends, it’s hard to find a decent room if you don’t have reservations, although during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, rooms and deals often abound.

A profusion of cut-rate motels just off the main drag makes it possible to put a roof over your head without putting a dent in your pocketbook. For a comprehensive list of motels, see www.visitbend.org [3].

Under $50

Most of the less-expensive motels are along 3rd Street. Although listed as “less than $50,” during busy weekends in the middle of the summer the prices may creep a little bit higher. One reasonable bet is the Westward Ho Motel (904 SE 3rd St., 541/382-2111 or 800/999-8143, www.westwardhomotel.com [4], $35), which has a small indoor pool and microwaves and fridges in the rooms; pets are welcome.

$50–100

Just south of downtown, on the edge of the Old Mill District, is the Mill Inn B&B (642 NW Colorado Ave., 541/389-9198 or 877/748-1200, www.millinn.com [5], $60–100). Originally an early 1900s hotel and boarding house, it has been remodeled into a 10-bedroom inn. The least expensive rooms have a shared bath, but many have private baths, and some rooms adjoin to accommodate families. All rates include a full breakfast, and ski and golf packages are available. Add access to a washer and dryer, a refrigerator, and a hot tub, and you’ll understand why advance booking is a necessity.

Up the road toward Mount Bachelor [6], find the
Entrada Lodge (19221 Century Dr., 541/382-4080, www.entradalodge.com [7], $79 and up), a rather standard motel in an exceptionally nice setting. It’s nestled in among the ponderosa pines at a nexus of hiking and mountain bike trails that can take you toward town or down to the Deschutes River (about a 20-minute walk). A small pool, a large hot tub, a rather basic breakfast buffet, and in-room microwaves and refrigerators are the amenities. It’s a good place to bring your dog…and a pleasant place to take dog walks.

$100–150

Set just above the Deschutes River on the road to Mount Bachelor is the
Seventh Mountain Resort (18575 SW Century Dr., 541/382-8711 or 800/452-6810, www.seventhmountain.com [8], $109 and up), a great spot for families. It is located five miles outside of Bend [1] on Century Drive in the Deschutes National Forest. Bedroom units, fireside studios, and condos are available in the $109–370 range. Their outstanding recreation department plugs the kids into nonstop fun, leaving parents free to enjoy grown-up pursuits. Ice-skating, cross-country skiing, and snowmobile trips are available during the winter months, and rafting, swimming, tennis, golf, and more are offered during the summer. Ask about their ski, rafting, or golf packages.

McMenamins Old St. Francis School (700 NW Bond St., 541/382-5174 or 877/661-4228, www.mcmenamins.com [9], $114 and up) is right downtown, but it is in its own little world surrounded by gardens with quiet sitting areas. Rooms in this historic 1936 Catholic school are nicely appointed with televisions, telephones, wireless Internet access, hair dryers, private bathrooms (showers only), and nice bathrobes to wear on the way over to the wonderful Turkish-style soaking pool. Guests also have free admission to movies at the school theater. In addition to the standard rooms, several cottages are available.

Good dollar value is found at the Bend Riverside Motel (1565 NW Wall St., 541/388-4000 or 800/284-2363, $109 and up), although the least expensive guest rooms don’t have a riverside view, and none of them are particularly swanky. Rooms vary widely, so it’s good to take a look, especially if the view is important to you.

The Riverhouse Resort (3075 Business Rte. 97 N., 541/389-3111 or 866/453-4480, www.riverhouse.com [10], $119 and up) is situated along the Deschutes River at the north end of town. Although this hotel features a conference center and other business amenities, it’s also a good place for vacationers. The rooms are well kept and equipped with wireless Internet access, microwaves, and refrigerators. Pets are permitted, and guests have access to indoor and outdoor pools, an exercise room, and tennis courts. There’s also a golf course on-site.

Right downtown, the Phoenix Inn Suites (300 NW Franklin Ave., 541/317-9292 or 888/291-4764, $144 and up) is a good choice for business travelers or for anyone who wants spacious guest rooms, although some of the “suites” don’t exactly fit the usual definition of that term (they don’t have separate rooms for sleeping).

Mount Bachelor Village Resort (19717 Mount Bachelor Dr., 541/452-9846 or 800/452-9846, $119 and up) is a couple of miles from downtown, just off Century Drive. Some of the units, which include a wide variety of condos and hotel room suites, overlook the Deschutes River. The guest rooms are some of the nicest in Bend [1]. It’s easy for guests to get onto the Deschutes River Trail [11], and they can also use the adjacent Athletic Club of Bend, the most upscale gym in town.

$150–200

Downtown, the new Oxford Hotel (10 NW Minnesota Ave., 541/382-8436 or 877/440-8436, www.oxfordhotelbend.com [12], $159 and up) was still under construction when we visited in 2009, but it promises to be a stylish and ecofriendly hotel in a great location.

Close to downtown, Drake Park [13], and Mirror Pond is Lara House (640 NW Congress St., 541/388-4064 or 800/766-4064, www.larahouse.com [14], $189 and up). This large three-story house was built in 1910 and features six large bedrooms with private baths. All rooms are furnished with antiques and reflect individual grace and charm. A delicious homemade breakfast is served in the bright solarium overlooking the colorful gardens and Drake Park [13]. A large hot tub helps loosen aching muscles after a long day of skiing, hiking, or other outdoor sports. Call ahead for reservations.

Pine Ridge Inn (1200 SW Century Dr., 800/600-4095, www.pineridgeinn.com [15], $149 and up) is a small romantic inn above the Deschutes River near the foot of Century Drive, not too far from downtown. Guest rooms are spacious (mini-suites and larger suites) and well decorated; you’ll pay about $40 extra to look at the river.