An expansive but quiet and peaceful property, Tetherow Resort sits just on the edge of Bend, Oregon, in a spot that feels directly connected to the forest. At 700 acres, it’s a large property, but its forested layout feels more like an intimate escape than a sprawling megaplex. Hotel accommodations are the most approachable way to stay at Tetherow, though homier short-term rental-styled properties also available onsite.
Photos: Tetherow Resort
This Forested Resort Makes for a Peaceful and Luxurious Basecamp in Bend, Oregon
With rooms from around $150 per night, Tetherow sits just seven minutes from The Old Mill District and 20 minutes from Mt. Bachelor, in a great location for exploring Bend’s urban offerings and nature-focused pursuits. The property directly borders the Deschutes National Forest—meaning seamless access to many miles of trails. In addition to Tetherow’s 50 rooms of eco-friendly boutique hotel accommodations, the dog-friendly property itself also features a heated pool, multiple restaurants, a fitness facility, and an award-winning 18-hole golf course that became Oregon’s first Audubon-certified links. Here’s what it’s like to stay there.
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On-Site amenities at Tetherow Resort
Photo: Tetherow Resort
Don’t miss the heated outdoor pool and hot tubs. The pool area is also outfitted with cabanas, fire pits, and a generous patio space to unwind underneath Bend’s 300 days of sunshine. The fitness center has all the trappings of a fancy health club and features really beautiful views from the large windows at the exercise machines, so you almost forget you’re working out indoors. There are cardio and weight machines as well as a steam room and a sauna.
One of the coolest and most useful amenities of this property, however, is its shuttle service. The shuttle into Bend’s downtown area and Old Mill Mill area is complimentary for Tetherow Members and lodging guests, and trips outside of these areas are available for a fee. The shuttle service operates from 7 AM to 10 PM seven days a week, based on availability. Reservations are highly recommended, so plan ahead when possible. Visitors can even take the shuttle to Mt. Bachelor West Village Lodge for a skiing or snowboarding excursion, for $30 per person per day. The bus departs from Tetherow at 8 AM and 11:30 AM and offers return trips at noon and 4 PM.
Another random but fun amenity I learned about is the ability to “Borrow a Guitar” from the Tetherow team. These acoustic instruments are available as a complimentary, on-site rental service for guests.
Personally, I didn’t hit the links when I was there, but my father-in-law (an avid golf enthusiast) speaks very highly of this 18-hole championship semi-private course as one of the best destinations for a golfing trip.
Dining at Tetherow Resort
Photo: Tetherow Resort
You won’t go hungry while staying at Thetherow. I dined at The Row during my visit and thought it felt it was ideally elevated for a casual restaurant at a nice resort – It’s a space where you can just grab a beer and watch a sports game on the TV, or take the time to sit down for a nice dinner service that offers braised short ribs or a satisfyingly tasty salad enhanced with fresh salmon. Be sure to order a side of fries, either way, as they’re seasoned to perfection and a standout menu item in their own rite.
For smaller meals and snacks, there’s also The Cafe, open from 7 AM to 2 PM and serving morning favorites for breakfast, lunch, or brunch that include avocado toast, pizzas, sandwiches, and smoothies, among other lighter options.
Guest rooms at Tetherow Resort
Photo: Tetherow Resort
Photo: Tetherow Resort
I enjoyed the generously-sized sitting area in my Deluxe Corner King room. It felt perfect for relaxing after a day of outdoor exploration and was equipped with a warm, cozy fireplace, creating an air of extra homeiness within its four walls. The bed was extremely comfortable. I could’ve just spent my entire visit sleeping. And even though I happened to be visiting when it was drizzling and cloudy outside, the atmosphere didn’t feel gloomy – rather, it felt satisfyingly moody, and serene.
The bathrooms are stunning. Interiors of clean, white, crisp, and bright furnishings—large fluffy towels (a favorite amenity of mine) and in my room, a full-size tub adjacent to a large window that actually opened so that if you desired a scenic view during your soak, you could savor nature in ultimate relaxation.
I loved sitting out on the balcony and breathing in the fresh air. Mine overlooked the golf course, which was pleasant and great for people-watching. I couldn’t see much into the distance since the overcast weather made the mist from the fog hover just above the course off in the distance, but the whole experience made me feel secluded, as if I were immersed safely within a white cloud.
Sustainability
Photo: Tetherow Resort
Tetherow’s sustainability initiatives impressed me. I learned about their “Living roofs,” which are made up of native vegetation, and help preserve the property’s natural landscape. The vast majority of native vegetation on-site was either left untouched or replanted throughout the property during resort construction. The rock fascia on the buildings, patio, and pool being made up of tri-colored basalt mined from hole 13 of the golf course.
Don’t be surprised if you feel like you’re on a wildlife-watching tour while you’re visiting Tetherow. More than 45 different species of wildlife can be spotted on the property, including great blue herons, Rocky Mountain elk, deer, ducks, osprey, marmots, bunnies, coyotes, numerous birds, frogs, and bats, among other animals.
This is likely due to the on-site “wildlife corridors”—npreserved snags, rock, and brush piles throughout the property which are meant to help the seasonal migration of wildlife, and serve as a year-round natural habitat for smaller animals (check out the bridge between holes 2 and 3 on the golf course that leads to spy shelters, and you can see an example of a bat box near hole 6).
The East Cascades Audubon Society works with the property to protect various bird species by installing bird and bat boxes around the golf course. And the Cascade Bird Conservancy has placed 80 bird boxes for bluebirds and swallows around the resort, with 8 boxes available for Lewis’s woodpeckers (currently on the watch list for endangered species).
Extra insider insights
Photo: Tetherow Resort
Our pup was delightfully spoiled during our stay. We arrived to find a gift bag with a poem and a handwritten, personalized note in our room, along with homemade dog treats and sustainable waste bags. The on-site employees remembered his name each time we’d see them out and about on the property, and they gave him plenty of love. We felt very welcomed.
In fact, I was positively overwhelmed by the kindness of the staff during my overnight visit. They were delightful to talk with and very understanding about how I arrived much later than anticipated due to traffic and road trip setbacks on our way into town.
It felt like just as much of a home as it did a hotel, which from my experience is a tough balance to find when you’ve been on the road for a long time (as we had) and desiring somewhere you can settle in and be truly comfortable during your stay in mind, body, and even in spirit.
Other things to check out in Bend
Photo: Nicholas J Klein /Shutterstock
If you’re in Bend during the chillier seasons, be sure to embark on a Moonlight & Starlight Snowshoe Tour with Wanterlust Tours. It’s a truly magical experience. I found myself more connected with nature than I’d felt in a very long time. The guides are intelligent and talented at guiding the tour in a way that gives you a chance to learn—but also have fun.
I felt like a little kid on a field trip (a sentiment that was even further enhanced by the final part of the journey, a chance to enjoy soul-warming hot chocolate under the stars). Just be sure to dress warmly, wear sturdy, waterproof hiking shoes, and come into the experience with an open mind.
My favorite coffee shop in the city is Watershed Coffee Roasters (formerly Looney Bean Bend). This place has the most amazing back patio garden, and it’s located right on the river, which makes it perfect for a leisurely morning or afternoon of sitting, sipping, and contemplating life. I’ve been told their breakfast burritos are somewhat of a legend, too (don’t be surprised if there’s a long wait time for these – it’ll be worth it).
Overall, Bend is a fantastic spot to connect with nature and enjoy the fresh air in any season, and Tetherow is an ideal, restful place to set as a home base for adventures in and around the area. 