Sugarloaf Mt. Motel

This budget motel aims to provide leisure travelers the basics they need for an inexpensive stay in Bend, Oregon. The main building is three stories and has an elevator, and there are more rooms in two-story buildings across the parking lot. Exterior hallways and parking all around the building makes it easy to access rooms. Inside, the lobby is a modest space featuring a lot of wood and a leafy motif. Guests enter in a tiled hallway by the front desk where there’s free water and an empty vending machine. A sunken room to the side has a lounge with a TV and the breakfast area, and a prominently displayed stuffed cougar is the centerpiece of the space. The area is clean and organized, but feels a bit crowded, even when there aren’t people checking in or eating. Many guests find the hotel satisfactory for the price, but others complain of housekeeping and maintenance issues. 

Sugarloaf Mountain Motel is in northern Bend, Oregon, just removed from downtown and many of the other hotels in town. It is on a busy road behind a gas station and is surrounded by stores and chain restaurants such as Burger King, IHOP, and Subway. It’s a six-minute walk to the Bend River Promenade, a shopping area with department stores and a range of chain shops. It is an eight-minute walk to the Sun Mountain Fun Center where there are mini-golf, bowling, bumper cars, and other family entertainment. There’s a public bus stop just across the street for farther trips. 

The River’s Edge Golf Course is a four-minute drive away. Quaint downtown Bend, with its shopping, bars, and cafes, is a nine-minute drive from the hotel. It is a 14-minute drive to the High Desert Museum -- a fun, hands-on experience for kids. The slopes at Mount Bachelor -- good for skiing, hiking, or biking -- are a 35-minute drive away. Redmond Municipal Airport is a 20-minute drive from the hotel, and Portland International Airport is just over a three-hour drive away.

Rooms are modestly appointed with a generic, albeit mostly contemporary look that is neat and uncluttered. A white-and-brown palette creates a warm atmosphere, and lovely artwork depicting mountain scenes adds embellishment. Beds are queen-size -- there’s either one or two, depending on room size -- and rooms include a desk and dresser with a couple of drawers. All rooms have a coffeemaker and a TV -- some are old tube-style and others are flat-screens. Some rooms also come with mini-fridges and microwaves. Rooms near the highway have some traffic noise, but those in the back and away from the pool are quieter. Bathrooms are simple, most with a curtained shower/tub combo, and a sink outside the bathroom. A hairdryer and free toiletries are provided.

Unsurprisingly for a motel, there are few features here, but a seasonal outdoor pool is a highlight. It is set in the parking lot, away from most rooms, on a fenced-in concrete patio with a few loungers and tables. Breakfast is a free continental buffet with choices like biscuits with gravy, cereal, fruit, boiled eggs, and make-your-own waffles. The hotel has some pet-friendly rooms. There’s plenty of free parking around the building, including for RVs and trailers. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.