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Family Vacation in Oregon: Sunriver Resort Review
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Mulling over a family vacation in Oregon? Sunriver Resort, part of Destination Hotels & Resorts, is on the family travel cult list for Northwest resorts we love. I uncovered the 10 top reasons parents love Sunriver Resort with kids recently on the CB! blog. If you’re inspired to learn more and planning a trip to the resort, there are things to know.
Sunriver Resort Review for Families
Sunriver Accommodation Options
Sunriver boasts a vast array of guest rooms, suites, and homes over 3,800 acres; this is a beautiful thing in terms of choice, but figuring out where to stay can be overwhelming.
Our group of four adults and five kids ages 3-14 stayed in connecting Lodge Village Suites. These suites include kitchen facilities so we were able to cook some meals at home. That said, the kitchen is a tight space so we opted for breakfast and lunch in the room, but ended up bringing in take out dinner most nights, which enabled the kids to play on our massive lawn through the evening.
The suites all have private decks and it was fantastic to relax outside each evening during sunset with so much room for the kids (and dogs, the resort is pet-friendly) to spread out outside.
TIP: Much of Sunriver is in flat forestland and many of the accommodations are in a wooded setting. Our Lodge Village Suite was located right next to the main lodge with on open view of the Meadows 10 Golf Course and had stunning views of Mt. Bachelor. The views vary greatly given the size of the resort; if this is important to you, be sure and confirm the exact view of your unit ahead of time.
The homes are extremely popular as families get a true home-away-from-home set up.
TIP: If you book accommodations through the Resort (versus renting directly from a homeowner) you get resort perks including access to the concierge desk, Lodge Village pools and resort hot tubs, the SHARC Complex, the Sage Springs Club and Spa, and Access to the Caldera links nine-hole golf course.
SHARC Complex
SHARC is the homeowner’s aquatic and recreation center. As a resort guest you get free access to the facilities. It’s pleasure central for families with massive indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a toddler water play zone, lazy river, and two waterslides.
There is a network of lifeguards available during peak periods during so parents don’t have to be chasing older kids around the pool. The onsite café means families can comfortably camp out all day.
Bike Barn
Resort guests get access to an on-demand shuttle, but bikes are THE way to get around Sunriver as paths run everywhere. There are trailers for young kids and bikes that come in all shapes and sizes.
Another perk is the ability to trade bikes during a stay. We checked out cruisers and mountain bikes as there are some phenomenal entry level mountain bike rides in this part of Central Oregon.
Golf
We aren’t golfers but golf is a huge draw for the resort as each of the resort’s four courses have been designed by a famous course designer, including the family-friendly Caldera Links.
Our kids did a few Junior Golf instruction for ages 7-17 ($25 per clinic). The clinic is just an hour but with that in mind, they picked up a few new skills and enjoyed themselves.
Tennis
There are indoor and outdoor courts and a Junior Tennis program for beginner and intermediate players for ages 7-12 ($12)
Stables
Our kids did a horse camp one morning where they learned to saddle and care for a horse and then embarked on a trail ride. Our group loved the opportunity to have an A-Z horse lesson in a working stable.
TIP: The stables offers one hour group or private rides, in addition multiple hour options. If you go for just an hour, the terrain won’t change much. You will basically just be riding in the woods around the resort. If you are looking for a big scenery change, a half day or more ride is the best option.
Marina
The Deschutes River runs right through the resort and a day on the water is certainly a favorite activity for school age and up kids. Families can raft, canoe, and kayak. There are group or independent float trips available.
TIP: The river runs slowly and this is a few-hour activity. Pack a meal so you can stop on the side and enjoy the trip. There is no easy access off the river between the put in and put out locations.
Fort Funnigan
Our youngest family member did a few days of Fort Funnigan. This facility is key as it enables families to divide and conquer so everyone gets some me time. The program is for ages 3-10 and requires reservations. It runs year-round with special programming over holidays. Activities include crafts, games, and swimming. Fees run from $40 to $75 per child, per session.
The Outpost hosts additional family outings and activities from Friday Family S’mores to Making Memories Workshops where families can create gifts for one another and friends.
Sage Springs
I indulged in a spa treatment at Sage Springs, their lovely full service facility. Parents enjoy a wide range of treatments using locally sourced products and an extensive fitness center offering personal training and classes.
Food
We tried the numerous food outlets spread around the resort. We loved biking to dinner and also bringing pre-cooked meals into our suite thanks to Marcello’s tasty Italian restaurant offering take out. The food is all good and well-priced for the quality. A resort grocery store in the main village offers a surprising array of fresh produce and meats for families who choose to cook in for the night.
Bend is just a 20-minute drive away with an excellent selection of restaurants and shops. We spent one evening in Bend, but loved the convenience of dining in the resort.
Skiing
Skiing is a major activity here over the winter months as the much-loved Mt. Bachelor is just a 20-minute drive from the resort. A fee-based shuttle is available to the ski area over the winter months.
I get why families return to Sunriver year-after-year for vacation. It’s got something for everyone at an appealing price point in a gorgeous, hassle-free setting with an average of 300 days of sunshine each year. What’s not to love?
Ready To Book?
Want help booking a room at Sunriver? Use the Check Availability button on our Sunriver Resort kid-friendly review page, and a Family Vacation Consultant will follow up to ensure you have the details you need to have the best vacation ever in Oregon.
Editorial Note: Sunriver Resort offered us a media rate for our stay. As always, our opinions are our own. Photos by Amie O’Shaughnessy
Relevant Links:
10 reasons families love to vacation at Sunriver Resort
Cozy Winter Ambience and Snow-Covered Fun at Sunriver Resort in Oregon
Winter Fun for Families in Bend, Oregon
A Kimpton Northwest Love Affair, Hotel Monaco Seattle update
Written By
By Amie O’Shaughnessy
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Don’t forget that besides the main lodge and private homes, there are Professionally Managed Vacation Rentals (Homes and Condos), and hundreds of them at that! It’s much more enjoyable to vacation in a home rather than a room. They also offer amenities such as SHARC access, Mavericks Fitness Aquatic and Recreation access, Mt. Bachelor Lift Ticket Packages, bikes, and discounts at local stores and eateries. A Professionally Managed Vacation Rental is a fantastic way to enjoy Sunriver!