Versatility in occasion, approachability in luxury, and self-guided hospitality. Surround yourself in the Central Oregon landscape at Brasada Ranch. Rated #8 Best Resort in the U.S. by the 2022 Condé Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards, you will not regret adding this to your top travel list.
Traveling with Children
The beauty of Brasada Ranch is that you feel like you are at home, but still on vacation. It's incredible how they have mastered this balance. We traveled to Brasada Ranch with our two young children (4 and 1 yrs) and we filled our two days without leaving the resort. Here are the highlights for our family :
Indoor and outdoor pools. The indoor pool area allowed for everyone in our family to enjoy the water. Our kids loved smashing around in the safety of the children's pool, and the floor-to-ceiling windows allowed for us to still enjoy the views. Moving outdoors, the pools are heated and the hot tubs are expansive.
All Things Horses. Our children are too small to enjoy trail riding (children must be 8+), but they love feeding the horses treats. Guests are provided treats by Brasada, depending on the season the treats can be found at the Ranch House or the General Store, located directly across from each other. Once you have secured the appropriate treats, guests can walk to the horses. The walk takes roughly 5 minutes - just be sure to watch for cars on the driveway!
Children Activities. Brasada does provide childcare and age appropriate attractions. This is just one of the many reasons we love bringing our family here. We haven't personally used the Parent's Night Out option - would love feedback from any parents that have used it! When you visit the pool, take a left at the check-in counter - you will find arcade games, children toys, and a large chalk wall. Our kids wanted to spend hours here! Brasada was doing some construction outside this area, perhaps more activities for the kids?
We needed to be budget conscious, so we opted for a two-bedroom Sage Cabin with a hot tub. My in-laws traveled with us, so we kept both of our children in our bedroom. Even with a portable crib and queen-sized air mattress in addition to the Brasada King Bed, the room had plenty of room. We drove to the resort, so we were able to pack these additional items. I'm sure Brasada would be able to assist you with any sleeping arrangements you need. When you make reservations, the concierge will be in contact with you via text a few weeks prior to your arrival. The concierge can help you book reservations, and answer any of your questions.
Dining with Children
All of the dining options at Brasada Ranch are welcoming to kids. We decided to grab simple groceries on our way and make dinner. The Sage Cabins have the basic kitchen items, plus a gas barbecue. When traveling from the Willamette Valley, the best place to grocery shop prior to Brasada is in Redmond. Another options are the Ranch Platters. As I mentioned, we were on a budget. I'm sure they are absolutely delicious. If you try these, please let me know your thoughts.
The next morning, we enjoyed breakfast at The Ranch House - both of our kids practically licked the plates clean. They loved the pancakes, and wanted nibbles from our plates. Prior to our visit, the concierge assisted us with making reservations at The Range for dinner. Each dish was delectable - we wanted this to be our one 'splurge', so we allowed ourselves to order the oysters as the appetizer. The adults enjoyed the salmon, short ribs, and lamb ragout - our kids begged for bites and kept wanting more. My kids love tomatoes, and the chef was incredibly kind to cut some up as their side dish. As the sun was setting, you want to make sure to grab some pictures from the lawn at The Range. This is a must! The lighting is absolutely gorgeous for photos, and you get a full view of the Cascade Mountain Range.
Lastly, our other must at Brasada Ranch is roasting s'mores. The kit comes with everything you need : homemade marshmallows, rich chocolate bark, homemade graham crackers, and roasting sticks. My mouth is watering thinking about these s'mores.
Adult-Only Adventure
We have traveled to Brasada Ranch without children - birthday and anniversary celebration. If you have the budget, I would recommend a room in the Ranch House. The hot tub is shared, but exclusive, to the Ranch House suites. If you are looking for a completely private experience, consider the Sage Cabins. Traveling with your dog? They have dog-friendly Sage Cabins as well.
Cascade Pool. We haven't personally enjoyed the Cascade Pool, this is new since traveling here without our children. We walked up to the gate and looked around, it looks just as described : luxe + peaceful.
Spa Brasada. It's been a few years since I enjoyed the spa. It's located in the same building as The Range - from what I remember, it wasn't quite as impressive as the remainder of the resort. The services were wonderful, but it was connected to the golf club and I felt out of place. I will need to try it again someday and report back.
Golfing. My husband played the full 18 holes during a previous visit with my parents. He really enjoyed the course! Almost all of the cabins have a view of the golf course, so it's fun to wave hello, or watch a few strokes, if you aren't participating.
The area surrounding Brasada has trails for running or hiking. The fitness center and studio are equally impressive. I was able to pop into the studio prior to our departure for a 45 minute self-led yoga session. Brasada also has tennis and pickleball courts for your leisure.
During this particular stay, we didn't need to leave the property. In the past, we have ventured to Bend for the day. If you are traveling from the Willamette Valley, a stop in Sisters is encouraged! We have also made the trip to Brasada for a meal while staying at Sunriver. I will say that Brasada is a splurge, so you might consider finding a more budget friendly accommodation and visit for a splurge meal, round of golf, or the spa.
My parting thoughts on Brasada Ranch : it is one of our favorite places to visit in Oregon. We find it's always worth the effort to save up for a weekend, both as a family or as a couple. Due to the cost, we tend to only visit in the off-season. Check-out Brasada's current specials to plan your trip.
Questions about our trip to Brasada? I would love to answer any thoughts or questions you have. Cheers!
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