Coming down from Portland we are booked on the coast and then we are booked in Crater Lake Lodge...on the way back to Portland we have 3 nites to get back up to Portland and thought we would spend some time in Bend. Where would you suggest we stay...our coast stops include Stephanie Inn, Overleaf Lodge and possibly Tu Tu Tun.

I should have asked is Bend the best stop or are there other suggestions...

My favorite place to stay is SunRiver Resort - but its not in Bend- just a few miles out -
love it there - lots of biking and walking trails/ river sports - etc

and if you want to go into Bend its just a short jaunt

Yep, sunbum is correct. I am sitting at my vacation home in Sunriver at this moment. Just got back from a jaunt to Bend for shopping. It's about a 15-20 min. drive from Sunriver.

This area has a lot to do. High Desert Museum, Newberry Volcanic National Monument, rafting on the Dechutes. The resort has golf, horseback riding, pools, bike riding, etc. The restaurant is nice as is the Trout House Restaurant. Most of the Lodge rooms hae just been refurbished.

Or if you want to stay IN Bend, you could stay at McMenamins Old St Francis School. There is a soaking pool and movie theater (free to hotel guests, I think.) You could do all of the above things but walk to dinner. Enjoy! CJ