Hotel at a Glance: Brasada Ranch

Luxury and peaceful isolation meet at the 4-star Brasada Ranch, a sprawling, 1,800-acre property tucked between Oregon’s Cascade Mountains and several national forests, 15 miles from the nearest town. Take in the view from your rustic yet elegant room’s outdoor seating area, terrace, or balcony. The many miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails that wind through the property are also at your doorstep. Head to the onsite equestrian center to hit the trails on a Mustang or Draft-Cross horse.

• Notable awards: Brasada Ranch was voted the Best Resort in the Pacific Northwest in the Conde Nast Traveler 2014 Readers’ Choice Awards, and received a 2014 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.
• Luxury accommodations: The Ranch House suites come with a gas fireplace and access to an outdoor hot tub and fire pit.
• Sip a local microbrew at the Ranch House restaurant, which serves a rotating menu of dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. After dinner, roast housemade s’mores over a wood-burning fire pit.
• Relax with a massage, facial, or body treatment with natural, locally sourced products at the onsite spa.
• Relax beneath the stars in one of the five outdoor hot tubs. Or hit the indoor lap pool for a complimentary aqua fitness class, one of four free fitness classes.
• Kids’ club: The Hideout keeps kids and teenagers busy and active with air hockey, a rotating climbing wall, snowboard simulators, a playground, and gaming consoles.
• Things to do in winter: Popular activities range from skiing at nearby Mt. Bachelor to a guided snowshoeing tour through Deschutes National Forest.

Powell Butte, Oregon: Biking, Climbing, and Microbreweries on the Sunny Side of the Cascade Range

The Pacific Northwest sometimes has a reputation for dreary weather, but in central Oregon—situated just east of the Cascade Range—there are roughly 300 days of sunshine a year. Powell Butte is located just 15 minutes by car from Redmond and around 20 minutes from Bend. It’s right near Deschutes National Forest, where mountain bikers can zip along riverside biking trails and whitewater rafters can paddle downstream.

Rock climbing and fly-fishing are also popular, particularly at Smith Rock State Park, a craggy river canyon located about 30 minutes from the ranch. More than 1,000 climbs make up the area, including the Monkey Face, a 350-foot-high pillar that juts out from a cliff in the shape of a simian.

Oregon is known for its award-winning microbreweries; there are seven in the area that one can find by following the Bend Ale Trail. Or instead hop aboard Bend’s Cycle Pub, a bar on wheels powered by its participants. The mobile pub circles downtown Bend, giving sippers a chance to enjoy some brews as they scope out the downtown scene.

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