Brasada Ranch Review: Is This A Good Resort For Your Family Vacation To Bend?
Bend, Oregon has so much to offer for a family vacation. Where is the best place to stay while you experience it all? Our unbiased Brasada Ranch review gives you the pros and cons of this upscale resort.
Thinking of heading to central Oregon for a family vacation? Brasada Ranch has likely popped up in your search of where to stay in Bend.
Brasada has become a popular and well-rated lodging option, ripe for experiencing all the town has to offer. It’s a unique property with a different take on visiting the area.
For starters, it’s located on 1,800 acres. A horse pasture, a plethora of trails, and space to roam are hallmarks of the property.
And it’s not just vacationers who enjoy the on property perks. Brasada’s real estate includes a development of multi-million dollar homes. Residents also have access to the amenities like restaurants and recreation facilities at the resort.
We recently stayed on property with two of our kids. And we’re giving our two cents in a Brasada Ranch review to help you determine if it’s a good choice for your Bend family vacation.
Location of Brasada Ranch Resort
Brasada Ranch is located in Powell Butte, Oregon, making the location something we would list under both the “pro” and “con” columns in a sense.
On the one hand, most visitors come to enjoy Bend. Yet, the resort is actually a 30-minute drive to town. So enjoying the many breweries, food trucks, and restaurants that the town has to offer requires a bit of a drive.
With limited restaurants (and restaurant hours) and no sizable store nearby, dining definitely requires some pre-planning as well.
The same can be said of enjoying activities. For example, onsite activities like the super fun pool slide has limited hours. And off-property activities like Bend museums are, you guessed it, a 30-minute drive.
But, my glass half full friends, never fear. There really is a cup from which you can drink.
That more remote location also means you’re surrounded by central Oregon’s beautiful high desert landscape. It’s an interesting divergence from greener areas near Bend’s rivers and streams. With more room also comes… well… more room. As you’ll see in the next section, Bend’s family friendly lodging option provides more space than traditional hotel rooms. And that’s something easier to find in settings outside of town, like Brasada Ranch.
So, this is the personal preference, pick your poison part of our Brasada Ranch review. Personally, we loved the high dessert setting but did miss being a little closer to more restaurants and activities.
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Brasada Ranch Accommodations
Brasada Ranch Resort features a variety of accommodations for different lodging needs. Two-bedroom cabins, ranch guest rooms and suites, and cascade bungalows are all on property.
Two-Bedroom Suites:
The most convenient accommodation family option, and the only option for those with kids under 14, are Brasada’s two-bedroom cabins.
The Ranch has 65 two-bedroom cabins. They come with or without a hot tub and most overlook the golf course. Cabins have one smaller bedroom with a king bed and master bath. The master bath has a soaking tub, shower, separate toilet area, and vanity. This bathroom opens to the kitchen and living area as well.
The second bedroom also has a king bed and is significantly larger, although with a much smaller bath. This bedroom features a small coffee station with microwave and a desk. The attached bathroom has a small vanity, shower, and toilet.
The living area is furnished with a tv, leather couch and chairs, and a coffee table.
The cabin’s full kitchen has seating at a table as well as a bar area. It’s well stocked for cooking and eating-in. The patio also has a table and chairs for eating outside.
The cabin decor is casual with hardwood floors, brown leather seating, and brown wooden furniture.
The layout was just a bit odd for us because two queen or even twin beds in one bedroom would have been more ideal for the kids. It also made it a little difficult to determine which bedroom is the master. The decor wasn’t quite as updated as some similarly luxury resorts, but still nice. These are admittedly picky points though and overall we liked our accommodations.
ranch house guest rooms, suites and cascade bungalows
Brasada Ranch also houses a few choices for those with kids over age 14 or adults traveling without kids.
Guest rooms and suites sleeping up to two people are located near the main check-in area.
Cascade Bungalows are Brasada’s newest lodging option, which caters to adults only. Bungalows are situated close to the main building. They feature a gorgeous modern design with sunken living room and private outdoor hot tub. (Yes, I’m a little jealous of you, kid-free vacationers.)
Oregon’s neighbor is worth checking out too. You might also like:
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On-site dining
Restaurants at Brasada Ranch include 3 main options. We found the food to be really good, if a bit limited because only one restaurant, the Ranch House, was open during most of our stay. None-the-less, the options include:
Range Restaurant & Bar: Brasada’s more elegant restaurant that often features live music. Hours and days open vary according to season.
Ranch House: Open only summer through fall. Casual dining that got a thumbs-up from our kids. Take-out available as well.
Ranch Platters: No prep meals guests can order and cook in their cabins for a no-fuss dinner.
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Activities and Amenities Offered At Brasada Ranch
So what’s there to do while staying at Brasada Ranch? Here are some of the activities guests can enjoy:
Spa Brasada: The small resort spa has a variety of treatment though limited hours.
Athletic Center: Equipped with cardio and strength-training equipment, an indoor pool, and hosts occasional fitness classes.
Golf: 18-hole course as well as pro shop.
Horseback riding: Our whole family loved taking a trail ride together. The one-hour ride included a short instructional intro and a short loop near the equestrian center.
Biking and hiking trails: Trails range from paved roads to gravel paths with epic views at the top. We found biking them was the best way to see the breath-taking grounds.
Pool and hot tub: Many cabins have private hot tubs. Indoor and outdoor pools and a hot tub are located near the Athletic Center as well.
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Service at the Resort
It’s no secret that hospitality jobs can be difficult. So, how does Brasada Ranch stack up in this regard?
We felt the resort’s staff really shined. They were exceptionally friendly and helpful, attempting to go out of the way to make our stay great. The front desk staff, restaurant servers, athletic center attendants, and housekeeping staff were all facntastic. They always had smiles on their faces and seemed anxious to help.
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Tips for visiting Brasada Ranch
If Brasada’s ranch-style living is calling your name for your Oregon family vacation, here are a few tips to make sure your stay is fantastic.
Stop at a grocery store prior to arrival. The on-site General Store has limited options. You’ll want to shop for groceries before arriving on property.
Know that you’ll need a car or will need to arrange transportation while visiting if you plan to spend time off the Ranch. Uber and Lift can be iffy to the property.
Consider renting a Ranch Rover to get around property. It’s the resort’s form of a golf cart and can be driven by those 18 and up. They book up though, so reserve one before your stay.
If you’re planning on biking, consider renting bikes off property. We highly recommend Ride2You Bike Shop. They saved the day when bikes weren’t available for our stay and were similarly priced compared to renting at Brasada.
Check hours and make reservations early for restaurants and the spa if you have your heart set on enjoying them. Spa and restaurant reservations can book up. And hours can be limited, especially during slower times of the year.
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Summing It All Up
So is Brasada Ranch a good choice for your family vacation to Oregon?
The Ranch is no doubt a beautiful property with super friendly staff and a unique setting. We think it’s best suited for families who:
Have a car while on vacation and don’t mind the 30 minute drive into town;
Or want to stay on property throughout their stay and potentially cook-in for at least some meals;
Don’t need a kid’s club (older kids can enjoy a game room, tennis and pickle ball courts, and a basketball net);
Don’t need a large variety of on-site restaurant choices;
Want a more remote ranch-style setting;
Want to stay during the high season or only on the weekend during less busy seasons (dining and amenities were pretty limited during the weekdays of our fall vacation);
Enjoy a more adult-oriented atmosphere.
