Run Oregon loves running – that’s no surprise. But we also love the Pacific Northwest and all that it has to offer. Running is a part of us, but it does not fully define us. In our “Make a Day of It” feature, we aim to showcase some great local non-running events and highlight where to run and how to make the most of your experience!
We haven’t made our way to Central Oregon for a while, so we were pumped to check out the progress on the new Waypoint Hotel in Bend.
Check out our previous stay at the Waypoint Hotel here!
First the Running:
When we travel, for work or leisure, we are always looking for lodging that provide us with a nice basecamp that is near to running options. Though it is a little bit of a repeat spot from our last stay – we would be remiss to not mention the ease of access to the one of my favorite locations to run in Bend – the Deschutes River Trail. Head west from the hotel less than a half mile and hit the access point at Pioneer Park. From there, head north and experience some non-technical trail running adorned with amazing views of the Cascade Mountain Range.
The trail reaches its northernmost conclusion just over 4 miles from the start and I’d recommend running this entirety if you can. However, just getting out on this trail for any length of time is wonderful enough. If you are looking for more miles, there are some offshoots on this trail (such as the relatively short and challenging, Archie Briggs Canyon Trail)
However, we wanted to highlight new (to us) spot to run. This location may not be as close to the Waypoint Hotel as the DRT is, but they are still an easy drive to get to.
The Riley Ranch Nature Reserve is less than a 10 minute drive from the Waypoint Hotel. Within the Reserve there are a few short loops of trails (~1.5 soft trail and 1.25 more technical trails), with the benefit of a connector up to Tumalo State Park. We put in about 7 miles (see our IG reels here and here) total tackling all the trails here. It’s really quite a unique area with canyon floor, rimrock cliffs, and a more rugged and “untouched” feel to it than many locations in Bend.
Here is a link to a Strava run that we did during the our stay. Regardless of where you choose, there are so many options a short distance away from the Waypoint Hotel. It’s literally a perfect running basecamp.
The list of Central Oregon races is too numerous, so I’ll just leave you with a link to our Race Calendar for events within 25 miles.
Our Room:
Bend has a lot of great places to stay, including big name hotels and an abundance of vacation rentals. We have stayed in a handful of hotels over the past few years that utilize a growing trend of revamping and renovating old hotels and turning them into something more local and relevant. The Waypoint Hotel is doing this and have created a superb and affordable spot in the desirable Bend downtown corridor.
When we stayed at the Waypoint Hotel last Fall, they were still working on renovating the property and some of the rooms. We were lucky enough to try out a newly redone 2 queen room and were really impressed. Now that the property is completely finished, there are additional opportunities to check out.
For us, this new room was the 630 sq. ft. Family Suite – a perfect option for those who travel with families or perhaps with a running group for the Bend Marathon. The suite came with a main room of two queen beds and a separate room with an additional queen. For those with kids, the ability to separate adult from child is helpful for staying sane during family trips.
We were happy (and unsurprised) to see that the same feel from our previous stay is evident in this room – a nice balance of being both simplistic and yet full of amenities at the same time. I am a huge fan of hotel rooms with no carpet and the hardwood vinyl flooring in the room is really a blessing. The walls have been seemingly updated with a beautiful mountain motif from our last stay.
The rooms also have a lot of the basics – wifi, microwave, mini-fridge, coffee maker, and TV – so if you aren’t up to exploring Bend in its full magnitude, they have you covered.
Refueling:
When we visited last year, the Waypoint Hotel provided a grab and go breakfast. This has been modified and they no longer serve breakfast. However, fear not! Their onsite food card – Angry Salsa – makes a mean breakfast burrito (open Tuesday – Sunday from 6:30a-1p). We highly recommend this.
Obviously, Bend is home to some of the areas best breweries and you should definitely hit up a few (all?!) during your stay. While all are great, we recommend first stopping in at Boneyard – an easy half mile walk from the hotel. Some of our other favorites:
Great Outdoor Spaces:
- GoodLife
- Crux
- Bend Brewing
Delicious Beer:
- Boss Rambler Beer Club
- Spider City Brewing
The OG’s:
- Deschutes
- Worthy
- Cascade Lakes
However, if you are getting in late, or just want to grab a beverage to relax with on site, the Waypoint has eight taps of local beer and cider (along with wine). You can do a lot worse than grabbing a glass and sitting by the firepit.
Now that it is summer in the High Desert, it was great to check out the on-site outdoor pool and hot tub. Though both were operational last time we were here, even a mildly heated pool didn’t really call to us in those 45 degree mornings. However, the 70+ degree days of this trip definitely did.
They continue to have cruiser bikes for rent at only $10/hour. This a great option for those who want to naturally experience Bend and the PNW without having to attempt to locate parking along the way. And given the Waypoint Hotel’s proximities to both downtown and a number bikeable trails, the city is yours to explore. Call ahead and ask for mountain bikes and/or electric options as well.
Overall:
The look from the outside of the Waypoint Hotel showcases something clearly new and fresh, but still relatively unassuming. It doesn’t have the glitz and glamour of luxury hotel lodging (nor the price tag that many Bend hotels have attached), but you can still tell that there is a commitment to revitalization. Upon stepping into the lobby, its all the more evident with wall murals depicting the Central Oregon outdoors, a luxurious fireplace warming weary travelers, and a great outdoor space with multiple fire pits that demand relaxation.
The Waypoint is an amazing addition to the Bend hotel scene. It’s just a stone’s throw away from everything you want in Bend.
Highly recommended!
Waypoint Hotel Details:
Address: 1415 NE 3rd St, Bend, OR 97701
Phone: (541) 382-7011
More about Waypoint Hotel:
Waypoint Hotel is a newly renovated, boutique hotel, just off Highway 97 in Bend’s Mid-Town. This hotel includes a spacious lobby featuring 8 local brews and ciders on tap, outdoor fire pits, and an on-site food truck serving comfort food. A grab-and-go breakfast is complimentary with each night’s stay. Whether traveling for work, pleasure, or a bit of both, our location is ideal to meet, retreat, and have some fun.
Many thanks to Waypoint Hotel for allowing us to check out their property! Please read our transparency page for info on how we do our reviews.
