Best Dry-Climate Desert Stays in Spokane
Desert stays in Spokane need a straight answer: the city sits in the dry Inland Northwest, not in a true desert, with hot sunny summers and under 20 inches of precipitation in a typical year. Three hotels on the airport side of town suit this dry-climate theme: Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Spokane Airport, Best Western PLUS Peppertree Airport Inn and Ramada by Wyndham Spokane Airport, all near the open plateau at Airway Heights and the I-90 corridor. Carry sunscreen and water in July (rooms with air conditioning matter from June to September). Water, shade and an early start matter more here than any pool.
Spokane sits where pine forest meets dry plateau: the Spokane River cuts a green line through town, while the land to the west flattens into the scablands carved by ancient floods. Summers are warm and dry, winters are cold, and wildfire smoke can arrive in late August, so a flexible plan helps (check air quality before outdoor days in the heat).
Where to stay
Spokane's dry side, west of downtown
The dry-climate stay is a fair description of Spokane's west side. Summer days run hot and bright, evenings cool fast, and the landscape west of the city turns to open scabland and wheat country. These three hotels share I-90 and airport access, which makes them practical for road trips, golf days and early flights (book air-conditioned rooms early for July and August).
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Spokane Airport is the most direct: it stands on airport property, 200 yards from the terminal, with a free airport shuttle, free parking and a daily hot breakfast. Indian Canyon Golf Course and Northern Quest Casino are 3 miles away, and Gonzaga University is 8.6 miles by road. It suits arrivals, golf days and families on tight connections, and the dry plateau is right outside the door (the front desk and business center run 24 hours). Bring a light jacket for the cool evenings, because the plateau drops in temperature quickly after sunset even in midsummer.
Best Western PLUS Peppertree Airport Inn sits just off I-90, minutes from the airport and Northern Quest Resort & Casino, with a complimentary 24-hour shuttle to both. Rooms include air conditioning, a microwave and a refrigerator, which matters in July, and an indoor pool cools down the evening. Dog-friendly rooms are available, and a Denny's breakfast voucher is offered for the morning. Guests can also use the guest laundry on longer trips (extended airport parking is possible with advance arrangement). The dry air also means pool towels dry fast, which helps travelers who plan a swim after a day of golf or driving.
Ramada by Wyndham Spokane Airport stands in the airport complex, 2 minutes' walk from the entrance, with a free buffet breakfast, an indoor pool, a hot tub and an outdoor fireplace and garden. Fairchild Air Force Base is 9 miles away and Indian Canyon Golf Course is 5 miles. The setting is dry and open, with plenty of sun on the terrace, and Remington's Lounge and Grille serves dinner on site (a free airport shuttle and free parking are included for guests). Staff at the front desk can suggest early-morning routes for walking before the sun climbs, which is the best time on the plateau.
Beyond the hotels, the dry side of Spokane offers practical outings. Riverside State Park has trails above the Spokane River, the Finch Arboretum is a short drive from the airport hotels, and the Centennial Trail suits early-morning cycling before the heat arrives. Late-summer afternoons can reach the 90s, so start early and keep a bottle in the car. Downtown and Riverfront Park are about 15 minutes away by road (carry water on every outing in July and August). Photographers like the low evening light over the open plateau, and the dry air keeps views clear on most summer days from July to September.
A traveler's perspectiveSpokane is dry rather than a true desert, so I would choose a hotel for its practical comforts: Ramada by Wyndham Spokane Airport, two minutes' walk from the terminal, adds an indoor pool, a hot tub and an outdoor fireplace. My advice for evenings out is Best Western PLUS Peppertree Airport Inn, whose free 24-hour shuttle runs to Northern Quest Resort & Casino.
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Spokane Airport
Spokane
99 reviews
200 yards from the terminal with a free shuttle
Check availabilityWhy guests love itA family with a 6 a.m. departure will appreciate how little there is to manage here: the terminal is 200 yards away, the shuttle takes the luggage, and a hot breakfast is waiting. The microwave and fridge handle bottles and snacks, and the seating area gives parents a place to sit once the kids are asleep. Sightseeing is a drive away, so this works best as a flight-day stop (parking is free).
Ramada by Wyndham Spokane Airport
Spokane
1,632 reviews
Two minutes' walk from the airport with free breakfast
Check availabilityWhy guests love itA family on a travel day will like how little there is to plan: the entrance is 2 minutes away on foot, the shuttle is free and the buffet breakfast comes without an extra charge. The indoor pool and hot tub use up the children's energy, and the garden with an outdoor fireplace gives parents a quiet spot. Riverfront Park is 15 minutes by car (pets are allowed).
Best Western PLUS Peppertree Airport Inn
Spokane
131 reviews
Just off I-90 with a 24-hour shuttle
Check availabilityWhy guests love itA family on a long I-90 day will like that the hotel is minutes from the exit, with free parking and a pool waiting indoors. The guest laundry is useful after a week on the road, and the 24-hour marketplace covers late snacks. Breakfast arrives as a voucher for the Denny's next door, which suits kids who want pancakes. Dog-friendly rooms mean the pet travels too (the airport shuttle helps for the fly-out).
Local tips
- 1Pack sunscreen, a hat and a refillable bottle, because Spokane summers are hot and dry and shade is thin on the plateau west of downtown.
- 2Choose rooms with air conditioning confirmed, since Best Western PLUS Peppertree Airport Inn provides it in every room and July afternoons can reach the 90s.
- 3Walk or cycle early at Riverside State Park or on the Centennial Trail, because the morning air is cooler and the light is better for photos.
- 4Use the free shuttle at Peppertree and Ramada Airport to reach the airport or Northern Quest Resort & Casino without worrying about parking.
- 5Check air quality in late August and September, since wildfire smoke can drift into the Inland Northwest and limit outdoor plans for a few days.
- 6Book Fairfield Airport for early flights, because the terminal is 200 yards away and a hot breakfast is served daily before departure.