If you’ve been following us closely on Instagram, you probably know all about Pronghorn Resort in Central Oregon by now. You know that it’s beautiful, you know that it has electric scooters, you know that their cocktails are almost too pretty to drink (almost), and you probably know that it’s located right in the heart of picture-perfect Central Oregon.
But there’s only so much we can share through photos and videos on Instagram… so here we are. Dedicating an entire blog post to the beauty of Central Oregon, our stay at the luxe Pronghorn Resort, and the many adventures we had during our 3-night getaway.
Because we’re still not done talking about it.
THE LOCATION
Located about 30 minutes outside of downtown Bend, and set on more than 640 acres, Pronghorn is so much more than a resort, it’s a destination. Not only are you surrounded by Central Oregon’s 1,000-year-old Juniper forest, but you’re also encompassed by the glorious Cascade Mountain Range. No matter where you turn or where you look, the views at Pronghorn Resort will take your breath away… and don’t even get us started on the sunsets!
We loved the location for obvious reasons (it’s a high desert oasis and beautiful), but also because of its convenience to other Central Oregon towns and activities. We were 30 minutes from Bend, 45 minutes from Sunriver, and 30 minutes from Redmond. Pronghorn has that high desert oasis setting and yet there’s an endless amount of adventures and day trips just miles away…
THE CENTRAL OREGON EXPERIENCE
Speaking of adventures, you can’t go to Central Oregon without visiting the Deschutes River. Everyone knows this. (And if you didn’t, now you do!) We’ll take it a step further and say that no trip is complete without an experience ON the Deschutes River - whether that’s floating, kayaking, or white water rafting! This time around, we opted for the latter… and holey moley was it fun!
Sun Country Tours does an EPIC one-and-a-half hour white water rafting trip called “The Big Eddy Thriller” that includes class III white water rapids and picture-perfect scenery. Not only did we master the Big Eddy rapids (like total champs), but we had the time of our lives rafting along the Deschutes. HIGHLY recommend!
THE PRONGHORN EXPERIENCE
Whether you decide to spend your days exploring outside of Pronghorn, or whether you decide to relax and enjoy the resort is up to you. There’s no doubt that Pronghorn Resort is a destination in and of itself. You name it, they have it.
Pronghorn has two Top 100 18-hole golf courses, a newly renovated spa, several restaurants, outdoor pools, biking trails, a fitness center, daily activities, and SO much more. If you feel like kicking back and taking it easy, you don’t have to ever leave the property!
Everyday we spent time swimming in Huntington Lodge’s new adults only pool, that’s complete with cabanas and poolside beverage service. Pair that with the stunning mountain views, and it truly felt like paradise!
We spent a morning perfecting our swings at their world-class driving range, where we “ooed and awed” over the way they stack the golf balls. The folks at Pronghorn go above and beyond to make your experience special, even in the little things!
One day we decided to rent their motorized scooters (which are available hourly or for the full day) and we had the time of our lives! The bike trail that winds around the Pronghorn property is beautiful, and the scooters are SO much fun - they go up to 20mph!! (Now I know what I’m asking Bobby for this Christmas…) ;)
THE HUNTINGTON LODGE
We have to take a minute and talk about Pronghorn’s new Huntington Lodge, which made its debut just over two months ago. It’s EVERYTHING. The chic, modern decor, the welcoming lobby bar, the warm textiles, the spacious rooms and panoramic views of the Cascades… we could go on and on. It’s luxurious and grand without feeling stuffy or pretentious, and the stylish touches don’t go unnoticed. The guest rooms are perfectly appointed with modern architecture, wood furnishings, elegant bedding,the comfiest bathrobes, private terraces, and in-room fireplaces. And let’s just say, if/when we ever buy a home, the Huntington Lodge will be our inspiration.
We’re juuuuust a tad obsessed.
THE DINING
There’s no denying that some of the best restaurants in Bend are at Pronghorn Resort. We sipped on craft cocktails and ate farm-to-table cuisine at their luxurious culinary experience, Cascada. We enjoyed the fresh, healthy breakfasts at the Trailhead Grill each morning (we’re still dreaming about their Power Green Smoothie), and we spent as much time as possible relaxing at The Coyote, the new lobby bar inside the Huntington Lodge. We’d go back to Pronghorn Resort just for another round of their signature cocktails!
Outside of the resort, Bend happens to be one of our favorite “foodie cities” in America. We like to joke that we go to Bend solely for the restaurants! Some of our favorites include:
McKay’s Cottage: Mouth-watering breakfasts, set in a 1916 craftsman bungalow. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
The Sparrow Bakery: Come for the “Ocean Roll” (their famous pastry), stay for the breakfast sandwich (SO good!) and the iced coffee. This bakery is a must-visit every time we’re in Bend!
Spork: Latin American-Asian-African fusion (quite the combo, right?!) that almost always has a line out of the door. It’s well worth the wait.
Crux Fermentation Project: One of the best places in Bend (in our opinion) to have a beer (or two) and watch the sunset. Their on-site food trucks are all great, too!
Spoken Moto: We love this brewery for three reasons: they have an extensive drink menu that includes coffee, they have live music on the weekends, and everyone is so friendly. Plus, the beer is outstanding, too!
Packing your bags yet? We sure hope so. Central Oregon is one of those places that we’ll keep coming back to. And now that we’ve become obsessed with the Pronghorn Resort, we REALLY won’t be able to stay away for long… who’s joining us next time?
