The breakfast area features lots of seating and takes advantage of the third-story views. 

A new hotel has opened in Madras, built by Richard and Sandy Priday, who also built and own the Inn at Cross Keys Station. The new hotel, called the Bunkhouse, adds capacity, as well as rooms with kitchenettes for longer stays to Cross Keys Station.

The Bunkhouse is a passion project for the Priday’s. “We love Madras and the community here,” said Richard Priday. “It’s where my roots are, and we want to show Madras the upscale space that they deserve to have.”

Construction on the $6.2 million project began in 2021, and the hotel is now open. The Pridays own several hotels across Oregon, but Sandy and Richard say Madras is a special place. His family started ranching in the area in 1870. He remembers his parents investing themselves in the community. He grew up here and graduated from Madras High School.

The hotel features what Sandy Priday describes as “Classy Rustic” décor. It features lots of rustic wood, metals, leather and hides, along with unique pieces like a canoe light fixture and mantel piece from a Mississippi tobacco factory. Sandy picked out much of the décor, but also highlights the work done by their entire team, including their sons Court and Rory, Troy Clark and Angela Ostrander, who manages a number of the hotels.

“We wanted to create something that didn’t feel like a box,” said Sandy. “We wanted to make something that feels like home.” 

The 50-room property sits slightly uphill from the Inn at Cross Keys, on a piece of property Richard describes as “The gateway to Central Oregon.” Outside sit about a dozen ghost trees, the shells of trees that are over 200 years old.

Inside the lobby, the décor illustrates a true Western feel, with large leather sofas, sheep hides and rustic brick flooring. “We wanted to honor the history here and what Madras and the people come from,” said Sandy. “We’ve got cowboys and Native Americans and sheep herders and farmers, and we wanted to honor all of them in the décor.”

The history also comes into play with the name Bunkhouse. “Growing up on the ranch we always had a bunkhouse where everyone stayed; it’s just a part of ranch life,” said Richard.

The rooms also feature this décor, with tooled leather desk chairs and leather headboards imprinted with the logo of the Bunkhouse. Wooden beams grace the ceilings and large armchairs fill out each room. This hotel includes kitchenettes designed for longer stays, as well as rooms with bunkbeds for groups with children. 

The breakfast area of the hotel provides a unique view of Madras from the third-floor balcony, which overlooks the city. The daily breakfast brings a variety of foods for patrons, and the room has balcony access and an indoor, outdoor fireplace.

The Bunkhouse is now open for patrons, and the Priday’s hope to host a grand opening in July, when the weather is nicer.

“We hope we’ve given the community something to be proud of, something they can use as well, and something that really shows off Madras,” said Sandy.