It doesn't take long at Brasada Ranch, the delightfully fun family destination 20 minutes from Bend, Oregon to discover there is a problem here. But a problem only the best of summer resorts could appreciate.
When you look at the full list of activities offered for a summer stay, there is simply too much to do in the brief period you may have. Golfing, biking, fishing, eating, walking and trail exploring, swimming in two pools, experiencing the scenic landscape. The list goes on and on. It’s the type of problem you would most like to have if you have a few days or even a week to explore the 1,800 acres, located halfway between the more known towns of Bend and Redmond in Central Oregon.
The area is known for great golf and the hugely scenic Peter Jacobsen and Jim Hardy design here does not disappoint, but the variety of activities for every member of the family is what makes this place unique.
Of course, there is the newly added non-stop airline service from Dallas-Fort Worth allowing you to take off from your North Texas home in the morning and begin your list of activities in the same afternoon, a simple 20-minute drive from the Redmond Municipal Airport.
“We’re not a hidden secret any longer, people have started to discover how nice this is and how many choices you have,” said Brasada Ranch head golf professional Kyle Johnson. “We are doing a ton of weddings here and have golf and a new practice facility among many other things.”
But where to start? That carries its own set of lodging choices as well. The resort complex has 98 luxury cabins which are big or small enough for an entire family, a buddy’s trip, bachelor parties or even a babymoon with friends. They range in size from 2- to 6 bedrooms and include covered parking, bike racks and large BBQ grills, many which overlook the golf course.
For the smaller crowd or just a couple’s weekend, you might want to choose the 1 bedroom Bungalows, a dozen or so, which recently opened and located directly overlooking the adults-only pool and snow-capped mountains.
The compact units each include a sunken living area with couches, an outdoor patio and automatic window blinds to block out the evening sun. Plus, two large screen TVs, an outdoor, private hot tub and shower. In addition, you have your own golf cart to take anywhere on the property. If that’s not enough, there is the breakfast delivered to your door each morning in a brown wicker basket with a single knock on the door. No need to pick out what you want on the menu, you get one or two of everything.
Choices, choices start from the beginning of your Brasada Ranch trip.
Brasada Ranch is smart enough to know that if the kids are having fun and kept busy with activities, then they will continue to bring the parents back regardless of the number of problematic choices to make. That’s why the multi-story athletic center and sundance pool are a centerpiece of the fun.
Down the stairs you will find a full resort pool with a multi-story yellow, twisted water slide for kids and parents brave enough to plunge into the cold water. There is also a lazy river to float on inflated water tubes here, plus a large indoor pool when it gets too hot, too cold or too wet for the outdoor variety.
There is a tiki colored bar with all kinds of kids and adult drinks and food along with an indoor puzzle and game room, a fitness facility, retail shop and even a separate yoga and workout building.
No wonder there is separate golf cart, car and bike parking at the athletic building. Next door there are tennis and pickleball courts with their sounds echoing throughout the resort. Of course, if all the choices are just a bit too stressful there is the modern Spa Brasada, with a variety of innovative treatments with separate locker rooms and steam facilities.
The golf course, one of the original amenities here, opened in 2007 and was designed by Oregon native and longtime PGA Tour player Jacobsen and partner Jim Harby, and it offers some stunning views of the entire property and mountains with holes either rising or falling 200-300 feet at a time on the par 72 layout.
The course can play as long as 7,300 yards from the Big Jake Tees a tribute to its popular local designer, but most golfers play it much shorter with multiple teeing options on each hole. One thing which is mandatory is a fully charged golf cart as the steep terrain makes walking nearly impossible or strongly discouraged as one pro told me. “We have a lot of wide fairways to encourage fun play,” says Johnson, “but with challenging and scenic hole designs which makes players want to come back again and again.”
Next door to the large practice range is the three-bay golf shed which was opened in August of 2022. It carries all manner of technology and is both heated and cooled for golf 24-7-365, if that’s your main choice. Johnson gives lessons to both resort guests and golf members, some 210 who blend seamlessly with the visitors.
In fact, not surprisingly, many of the full-time members started out as visitors who finally gave up making all the choices in their limited time and decided to just have it all here.
Next to the Golf Shed is the Equestrian Club where you can stable your own horse or just take part in regular trail rides. Two stocked fishing lakes are nearby as well.
Of course, if all you want to do is stretch out by the pool and rest, there is the adult only pool with a large hot tub and chaise lounges on the lawn. Local weekend concerts are also staged as well.
All that activity has to make a person hungry and again you have the choice of the three-meal Ranch House restaurant, open daily, perfect for families with indoor and outdoor dining and fire pits and the more upscale Wild Rye dinner spot. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday with a $142 steak and $50 very yummy and juicy hamburger. From there you can ride your bike or walk over to the supply house for afternoon ice cream and snacks.
“Brasada Ranch is a place of immense natural beauty, elevated amenities and shared moments that bring people together,” said Sara Sherman, Brasada director of sales.
That’s more code words for lots of choices, but all good, and well worth the nonstop journey to escape the North Texas summer heat for a unique family or couples experience.
For more information, go to www.brasda.com or [email protected], 866-373-4882.
