I took a chance staying here on the recommendation of a friend. I wish I hadn't, but you have to go there to know there I guess. First the good part. The heater worked. There was plenty of hot water and good water pressure. There were plenty of towels and they were clean. The floor is appeared to be clean. Now for the not so good part. The first thing I noticed when I walked in was a dirty rag that was probably used to clean the shower that was hanging over the shower curtain rail to dry. See attached photo. That was just nasty. The second thing I noticed was that the blankets on the bed just didn't feel clean. They felt grimy. Kind of like a pair of jeans that have been worn too many times between washing. There wasn't any visible dirt, but they did not feel clean and I can tell the difference. I stay in motels a lot and I'm surprised at how many comfortable beds I get and this one wasn't. It was uncomfortable. But at least when I got up in the morning and went to make a cup of tea two of the coffee cups, that I looked at were dirty. I took photos of them and attach them to the review. I don't know if Tim the manager who was not quite rude, but rather short with me on the phone is the person who cleans the rooms or somebody else but whoever it is, they are sloppy or lazier or whatever but they're not cleaning the rooms properly. I think the two stars is very justified in this case. I sure won't be coming back the extra hour drive to Condon will be well worth a good nights sleep in a clean comfortable room for 40 bucks more. read more

The place was quaint, quiet and came in clutch last minute. The owner, Tim, is a really nice guy. We were on the tail end of our camping trip and due to windy funky weather decided to get a hotel last minute and we ended up here luckily. It was clean and comfortable, had a fridge and microwave. I highly recommend this mom and pop hotel to anyone in the area and would gladly come again. My son loved the "rustic" look which he called Cowboy. Hands down a nice place to stay and the beds were comfy. Thanks Tim for the hospitality!!! read more

This is a delightful motel in a small town about a 30-minute drive from the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Be sure to take the short hike into Blue Basin -- a celadon-colored landscape like no other. Our room was charmingly outfitted with a moose theme. Pine paneling, a comfortable queen bed and a twin, small fridge, microwave, coffee-maker, AC and fans, cable TV and good Wifi. There were thoughtful little touches like creamers in the fridge and a "dog sheet" for pet owners. The long, front deck had a variety of porch-sitting options and tables for playing cards or drinking coffee in the morning. The town is small -- there's a market next door that serves meals from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., breakfast to burgers. They have a limited supply of groceries and beer. There are no other restaurants for several miles. We loved the River Bend Motel, and we'll be back. read more

This motel is located in a small town, Spray, Oregon, with a population not much more than 150 residents. I was visiting the area for a few days and this place was recommended to me. I stayed in one of their Tamarack rooms, since there was just me. The other rooms were larger and contained more beds than what I needed for just myself. The cost was $60 per night. The room was just right for my particular needs. I needed a place to crash at night while visiting the area. Comfortable full size bed. Clean room, linens and towels. Microwave. Satellite TV. WiFi connection included. The two Tamarack rooms have two shared bathrooms (with privacy locks) that are not connected directly to either room. As others may use this community bathroom (i.e. hunters, fishermen, hikers, cyclists, etc.), you probably don't want to leave personal items in the bathroom. I made my reservation through their web site. You will need to make a 50% payment of the grand total to reserve your room while the remaining is due at check-in. Personnel were friendly and helpful when I needed something. There isn't a restaurant or vending machines as part of the motel. However, right across the street is a local grocery / restaurant / gas station that is convenient. For what I needed on this trip, River Bend Motel was just what I needed. If I am in the area again, I will definitely use this motel. read more

A motel in Spray, OR? I thought we might be better off camping. Turns out we spent a very cozy and comfortable time there and didn't want to leave! Our room in the outdoor-themed motel had elk everywhere, except the salmon shower curtain hangers. I have to admit I'm a little soft for places like this, as they remind me of visiting various cabins when I was a kid. The thing is that they're never clean. Part of the charm, I always tell myself. Well this place was spotless. Not a bunny under the bed, not a wrinkle on a sheet. Microwave and fridge are provided, as are water cooler/heater, microwave popcorn, plates and plasticware, and in-room coffee. The front porch looks out on the main street, which on a weekday in September had a car pass by every few minutes. About half of the drivers looked over and waved, and one honked, leaned over, and waved. It was fully booked the night we were there and is probably very hard to get into during hunting or steelhead season. I hope to be back in the spring. read more

Cute! Our first room's AC went out so we were upgraded to a room that I think was a suite. The city is in a cell tower wasteland, but there is an old school phone on the porch for all the visitors to use. The manager (owner?) had an adorable dog. She was very wiggly and licky. Now, don't be a jerk and comment on the mineral stains in the jet tub. Well water just does that unless you blast it with acid. Omg loved the jet tub. The place is super clean. And the TV was the old unflat kind paired with a VCR. Retro :) read more

The River Bend Motel was great. It's situated in a really nice locale if you're interested in exploring the beautiful John Day River area and checking out the Palisade Cliffs, Painted Hills, etc. Our room was cute, tidy and extremely clean. It came equipped with comfy beds, a nice-sized fridge, microwave, coffee maker, water cooler and free Wi-Fi access. There was even a fancy-schmancy heating unit with digital interface and a TV and DVD, which was a nice touch. We were extremely comfortable over our three-day stay. When we had to leave unexpectedly for an emergency (cutting our pre-paid visit short by one day) the owners even refunded us a full day, a courtesy which they were not obligated to offer (and which we didn't expect or ask for), but which we greatly appreciated. There is a grocery store conveniently located up the street along with the Riverbend Bar & Grill, whose friendly staff serves up yummy, home-cooked comfort food. Their hearty breakfasts include good, old-fashioned biscuits and gravy---the perfect indulgence for a lazy weekend morning. (Not a dish that's ideal for the wheat-grass, clean-livin' folks, but you are *missing out* if you don't try them). We'll be back! read more

This place is as cute as a button. Spray is just over the halfway mark when I'm driving to my hometown. You know right about the time when I haven't seen a coffee shop that's open in a long time, more tumbleweeds and wind turbines than people, and the deer are starting to play chicken with my vehicle. I'm pretty stoked to now know I have a relatively cheap and extremely comfortable place to lay my head if I decide to stop. Last weekend we passed through with a group on a cycling trip and we got to stay in one of the bungalows. We stayed in the wolf themed bungalow. Again, cute as a freaking button. A really nice comfortable bed was perfect for my sore body after a day of riding. We had some friends at the motel and others in the other bungalow and in the retreat house, so we pretty much had the run of the place. Our bungalow had a bathroom, coffee machine, refrigerator, microwave, A/C, water cooler, television and some more wolf decorations than I have ever seen accumulated in one place until now. My only complaint was housekeeping forgot to pull the used coffee filter from the previous visitors. Not a big deal as everything else was very clean. We paid group rates, but per the website, the bungalow runs $80 per night. The motel rooms run $70 per night and peeking inside our friend's room, it appeared to be similar. What I would really recommend is renting the retreat house. It sleeps 6, has a full kitchen, washer and dryer and a wonderful deck with a grill and a sweeping view of the John Day River. $180 per the website. Bring your friends. Bring your family. Heck, bring me, I'll gladly visit here again. read more

I'm gonna give it 5 stars, because for what it is, I've never had better. First things first, this is not a service oriented establishment. I went my whole stay, and the only employee I saw was the one who was cleaning the other rooms. Because there are only 5 units, and the same folks also earn the Retreat House, the office is not manned all the time. Upon arrival, there was a phone on a desk outside the office, and a piece of paper with a phone number saying call to check in. I did so, and was told since I had done my reservations online, I was good to go. We had rented The Suite, and she told us the door was unlocked, and the key was on the table. Feel free to call back if I had any problems. Well. There were no problems. The Suite was perfect. Walk in the front door, there is a little table, a hideway bed love seat, and a queen bed. There is a little kitchenette with a fridge, microwave, sink, toaster over, and plates, cup and utencils. Through a door, there was a 2nd bedroom with another queen bed, and then a SPACIOUS bathroom with a nice jetted tub. Plenty of towels, bathtub and sink were clean. The decor was done in what my wife calls a tasteful North Woods Lodge...it was very cute and very cozy, and very comfy. I paid $100 for The Suite, and as someone who occasionally stay in Seattle and Portland, I was blown away by what I got for that price. Thank Gosh for rural settings. The only negative at all is because I am baby who gets hot in the summer. With the bedroom door closed, the back room got warm. The A/C unit was in the front room, and without freezing the kids, I couldn't keep the back room as chilly as I usually like it to be. read more

I gave this motel four stars not because of its intrinsic quality, but relative quality. The rooms were clean, attractive to the cabin-style aficionado, and everything worked. Standard appliances were all there, and there was even satellite TV. The beds were comfy and Spray is very quiet, so I got great sleep. The staff is very friendly and helpful. We met another couple there who just go to get away from the city. The motel and its environs are a welcome break and they just sit and relax, and maybe walk the dog now and then. The River Bend Motel is so different from most motels I've been in, where you just hope you can get most of a night's sleep. read more

If you're passing through this area of the state, the River Bend is your only option in Spray, but fortunately it's a good one. My daughter and I spent a night here while exploring the fossil beds, museums, and ghost towns in the area. I would echo all the previous positive comments- microwave, fridge, tv, wifi, clean and comfortable beds and bathroom. We stayed in the Elk room and it was great. The price was very reasonable for all you get. The couple that run it are friendly and helpful. We would stay again if we make a return trip to the area... read more