Overall impression The Lodge Retirement Community is consistently described across reviews as a beautiful, well-designed, brand-new senior living community (opened in 2019) with a strong lodge/bed-and-breakfast and studio vibe. Reviewers repeatedly highlight the bright, airy architecture, tasteful artwork and local artist enhancements, high-quality lighting fixtures, and sweeping views of the Three Sisters and Black Butte. The facility projects a resort-like feel rather than a clinical assisted living environment, and many reviewers noted a warm, welcoming tour experience and a home-like atmosphere in residents’ rooms and common areas.
Facilities and location Physically, The Lodge scores very highly in reviewers’ minds. Rooms are described as large and spacious, the community is single-level with convenient layouts that place rooms near doors and meeting areas, and there are ample opportunities to access the outdoors. Amenities called out include a theatre room, activity room, massage services, an on-site hair salon, and spaces for crafts and music. The property benefits from its scenic location near the town of Sisters, Oregon—small-town charm combined with reasonable access to Redmond and Bend. The one consistent aesthetic complaint was the landscaping: reviewers felt the grounds could use more mature trees and shade to match the otherwise polished look of the facility.
Staff and care quality Comments about staff are overwhelmingly positive: reviewers describe staff as friendly, helpful, responsive, and caring. Specific praise includes staff helping residents get organized, being gracious during tours, and supporting family needs. Personal anecdotes—such as an active 95-year-old resident, a successful 100th birthday celebration, and residents remarking that their loved ones love their space—paint a picture of strong day-to-day social and emotional support. However, while staff performance and interpersonal care are praised, reviewers also raise concerns about the clinical and regulatory side of care (see Management and licensing below). Notably, The Lodge does not offer memory care and reviewers explicitly state there is no medical assistance on-site; this suggests the community is best suited for independent or lower-level assisted living residents rather than those who need higher medical or memory-related care.
Dining and activities Dining receives consistent, enthusiastic praise. Multiple reviewers singled out the on-site chef, commenting that the food is delicious, the menu is well done, and daily specials are excellent. The culinary program appears to be a strong selling point and contributes to the resort-like ambiance. Activities and programming also get positive marks: arts and crafts, music, massage, and other social events are available and appear to foster a supportive, engaged resident community.
Management, licensing and policy concerns A significant and recurring negative theme centers on management, licensing, and payer-policy issues. Several reviews report that the facility surrendered its license or otherwise withdrew certain services, and that Medicaid-supported residents lost services as a result. There are direct allegations that prospective residents were encouraged to move in with assurances about Medicaid coverage or services that were later withdrawn—reviewers label these actions as misleading. These are serious concerns because they affect continuity of care and financial arrangements for residents. While the on-the-ground staff are described as compassionate and competent, these management-level issues represent a major pattern that prospective residents and families should investigate thoroughly before making decisions.
Who this community fits and what to verify Based on the reviews, The Lodge is best suited for seniors who desire a newer, attractive community with strong dining, social programming, and friendly staff, and who need independent or light assisted living services rather than memory care or intensive medical support. Prospective residents should confirm specific scope-of-care limits (what medical or nursing services are provided), whether memory care is available or can be accommodated in the future, and the community’s current licensing and payer acceptance (especially Medicaid). Given documented reports about license surrender and service withdrawals, verify current licensing status, written service agreements, and any guarantees or conditions tied to financial or Medicaid coverage before committing.
Bottom line The Lodge garners high marks for facility quality, staff warmth, dining, and social life—presenting as an attractive, bright, and community-oriented option for independent or lightly assisted seniors. However, recurring and serious management and policy concerns related to licensing and Medicaid-related service withdrawals are a material negative that potential residents and families must investigate and clarify. If those regulatory and financial issues are resolved or verified to your satisfaction, the community’s physical attributes, staffing culture, and programs make it a compelling choice for the right residents; if not, the lack of memory care and reports of service interruptions could pose significant challenges.
