Hotels in Spokane, Washington

Spokane Introduction

From its Art Deco downtown to the pioneering pavilions of Expo ’74, the first environmentally themed World’s Fair, Spokane is a stimulating combination of heritage and cutting-edge modernity. This former mining town became one of the most important centers of rail transportation in the western US during the railroad boom of the 1890s, subsequently diversifying into logging and agriculture. Today, the city has reinvented itself yet again as a vibrant cultural center and popular winter-sports destination, thanks to its spectacular location in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Hotels in Spokane

Spokane prides itself on its visitor-friendly attractions, and Spokane hotels are geared up to cater for the city’s year-round appeal. Familiar national brands offer value-for-money bases to explore the area, and you’ll find that discount hotels in Spokane offer all the standard amenities, such as high-speed WiFi and buffet breakfasts to fuel you up for the day. Enjoy the facilities of a well-appointed inn with an open-air pool and fitness suite, or benefit from convenient free parking in a spacious highway motel. Book early to get the best Spokane hotel deals, especially in winter—the challenging ski slopes and snowboard runs of Mount Spokane are just a 30-mile drive away.

Where to stay

Stay on the Riverfront to enjoy the enduring legacy of Expo ’74 and be within walking distance of the city’s popular cultural attractions and buzzing restaurants. Discover the heritage sights at close quarters by checking into a hotel in Spokane’s old town—The Historic Davenport, Autograph Collection is an iconic landmark from Spokane’s railroad heyday that has played host to A-listers from Bob Hope to Taylor Swift. Stay close to the airport, around 5 miles west of downtown, to take advantage of a wide selection of cheap Spokane hotels, or head east along Interstate 90 to Spokane Valley for friendly traditional motels and retro diners.

Things to see

Spokane made its mark on history with the high-profile hosting of Expo ’74, the first World’s Fair to be created around an environmental theme. The fair’s lasting legacy lives on in Riverfront Park, one of the city’s most popular visitor attractions. Among its iconic structures are the US Pavilion, built to showcase the latest IMAX movie theater technology, and the Great Northern Clocktower, a striking reminder of Spokane’s influential railroad heritage. The INB Performing Arts Center, housed in the former Washington State Pavilion Opera House, promotes a year-round program of opera, musicals, and celebrity concerts. Another much-cherished landmark is the Looft Carrousel, which dates from 1909 and was specially restored for the World’s Fair—a magnificent example of the work of carousel carver Charles I.D. Looft. Today’s vacationers can still enjoy the spectacular views that greeted Expo visitors from the scenic gondola SkyRide over the Spokane Falls.

How to get to Spokane

Interstate 90, running east–west from Missoula to Seattle, provides the main road access to Spokane, along with US Highways 2 and 395. Spokane International Airport, an easy 15-minute drive from downtown in regular traffic, handles flights from a number of American cities, including the major hubs of Seattle and Portland. Spokane is also an important stop on Amtrak’s Empire Builder route from Chicago to Portland and Seattle, a legacy of the old BNSF Spokane, Portland, and Seattle freight line. Travel in Spokane is operated by the Spokane Transit Authority via a fleet of buses serving downtown and beyond.