Moving back to Boise has finally allowed me to start exploring the surrounding areas that I missed so much while I was away. I’ve spent a lot of time checking out the wonderful hidden gems of Idaho. But haven’t had a good opportunity to do a weekend trip out of state. So, when I got the opportunity to go to Bend, Oregon for the first time (!!) and stay 2 nights at the riverside hotel, Riverhouse on the Deschutes, I couldn’t pass it up.
No kidding — this hotel was one of the many reasons I needed to go to Bend in the first place. That and breweries. And the proximity to nature. And the food. Okay, there might have been a number of reasons. But the Riverhouse on the Deschutes was number one.
I also did a search for ‘where to stay in Bend’ and this hotel was one of the first to pop up. I mean, just look at this view!
Where to Stay in Bend Oregon
Getting to Bend and Riverhouse on the Deschutes
If you’re coming from Boise, the drive to Bend is about 5 hours 20 mins which isn’t too bad if you have company. If you are one of my Idaho people reading this, just know that there are NO gas stations after you get to Burns, Oregon so be sure to fill up there. The Riverhouse on the Deschutes is right outside of downtown and located directly on the Deschutes River.
If you’re flying, most people fly into Redmond, Oregon and drive about 20 minutes to get to Bend. You can also fly into Portland and then drive about 3 hours.
Just about every single person I’d talked to before going to Bend had raved about this little town surrounded by river and mountains. I got a huge list of recommendations from my instagram stories (thanks guys). But I will say this, one weekend is NOT enough time to see Bend. In fact, I completely wish I would have had 4 days and am already planning on making a trip back!
What’s also funny is that Jack’s mom told me that when Jack (my boyfriend) was 3, they stayed at the Riverhouse on the Deschutes! So, I felt it was my duty to check it out 27 years later. Let’s just say, I was not disappointed!
Where to Stay in Bend, Oregon: Riverhouse on the Deschutes
Riverhouse on the Deschutes Lobby & Check-In
The first thing I noticed upon walking into the reception area on Friday night was that it was super lively and not just from guests of the hotel! There were people at the bar, people in the restaurant. And people enjoying drinks on the patio right on the river. I felt like I had just entered “the spot” to hang out on a Friday night and felt at home right away.
The check-in staff was super accommodating and asked if I needed any recommendations for my stay. Luckily, I had a whole slew of great things to do in Bend and didn’t need a ton more. The hotel lobby has had recent upgrades and gives off a modern and cozy vibe that fits perfectly into the riverside setting. The main lobby is in a different building than the rooms, making each room quiet and free of outside noise.
Rooms
The rooms at the Riverhouse on the Deschutes are spacious. And they are also dog-friendly! If I had a dog, I would have brought it because of all the outdoorsy activities there are to do in Bend. The rooms were comfortable and had the standard amenities like wifi, coffee maker etc. But this one was kicked up a notch with a view of the river from your bed.
That being said, I highly recommend getting a riverside room so you can sit on the patio in the morning to enjoy your coffee by the water. We stayed for 2-nights and it was the perfect amount. Although I could have stayed in Bend a lot longer than I did.
Grounds & Amenities
Riverhouse on the Deschutes is exactly what the name states. It’s literally ON the Deschutes river. They even have a little walking bridge and a walking path you can visit to enjoy the river close up.
We opted to do a Wanderlust Tour, which you can book alongside your hotel room at the hotel if you want to see more of Bend. We ended up doing a kayak trip on Paulina Lake (in a large crater). And ended up spending most of the day exploring the area.
If you come back from a tour and want to warm up, or cool down, they also have an indoor, outdoor pool and hot tub, which I thought was pretty awesome. Also, if you’re one of those people that works out during vacation (sorry I’m not) they have a full gym inside as well.
I didn’t get a chance to go, but If I had more time I would have gotten a treatment at the newly opened DRIFT Spa. You guys, this place looked amazing and they have all sorts of body treatments, massages, nails, waxing and facials to pamper you right up. Next time, I’m going.
The On-Premise Restaurant: Currents
Right when we first walked in, I knew I needed to get myself out to the patio of Currents for a cocktail. Luckily, we got reservations for Saturday night. And so we got to watch the sun go down by the river. We were also very impressed by the food, cocktails and overall vibes at the restaurant.
I had a filet mignon cooked to perfection and they even accommodated my friend’s vegan restrictions. Our cocktail was potentially the highlight of my evening and we got to look out to a view of an old cabin across the water that was originally part of the set on an old Katherine Hepburn movie!
Price
Rooms at Riverhouse on the Deschutes are fairly reasonable and usually sit in the range of $150 to $230 a night depending on the season and timing. Feel free to click here to see the most recent prices for your dates.
Final Observations
My overall stay here was incredible and if you’re trying to decide on where to stay in Bend, this might just be your place. I’d say this hotel is the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation and you can’t really beat staying right on the Deschutes river.
If you are going to spend a lot of time downtown or are at breweries and need to get back, I recommend making sure you have a car or that you’ve downloaded the Uber or Lyft apps. Since the Riverhouse is a few minutes past downtown Bend and not necessarily walkable from downtown, that might be something to consider when booking. However, The Riverhouse is also ony a 30-minute drive to Mt. Bachelor and a 12-minute drive to Cascade Lakes!
We loved being a guest at this beautiful secluded hotel. And I honestly cannot wait to come back!
A huge thank you to Riverhouse on the Deschutes for hosting me for 2-nights and for providing a wonderful stay in Bend, Oregon. As always, all opinions are my own and I will never promote something I don’t personally use and believe in, regardless of who foots the bill.
Some of the above links are affiliate links and I will earn a tiny percentage of the sale if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the Traveling Spud!
PIN IT:
Awesome Pictures. I think so this trip creates fantastic experience to all.