Best Downtown Hotels and Stays in Spokane
Downtown hotels in Spokane cluster around Riverfront Park, the Spokane Convention Center and the Davenport district, and 18 properties in this guide are close to the city centre. The best choices sit within a short walk of the river and the SkyRide, such as The Davenport Grand, 100 metres from the park, and Best Western Plus City Center, across the street from the Convention Center. Because downtown rates and parking rules vary, compare the real walking distance and confirm parking before you book. Walkers can reach most sights on foot.
Downtown Spokane is compact and walkable, with the Spokane River and its falls at the center, Riverfront Park left over from the 1974 World's Fair, and old brick blocks housing theaters and bars. The Fox Theater, the Bing Crosby Theater and the Knitting Factory keep evenings busy, and the Davenport district anchors the hotels (street parking is limited on event nights, so plan ahead).
Where to stay
How close each downtown hotel really is
Staying downtown in Spokane means walking to the park, theaters and restaurants, and often paying for parking or finding limited spaces. A few hotels here, such as Quality Inn Oakwood and several airport properties, are described as downtown stays though they sit miles away. Choose the hotel by its actual distance to Riverfront Park and the Convention Center (read the distances below).
For the park, start with The Davenport Grand, only 100 metres from Riverfront Park and connected to the Spokane Convention Center. The Louie sits under 1 km from the SkyRide and Riverfront Park and lends free bicycles to guests. Hotel Ruby is a 5-minute walk from the park and one block from the Fox Theater and the Bing Crosby Theater, which makes show nights simple. Each of the three cuts the daily walking time to the river, the carousel and the falls (Hotel Ruby parking is limited and paid). Each of the three keeps the park within reach on foot.
For the Convention Center, choose DoubleTree by Hilton City Center, which connects directly, or Best Western Plus City Center, which stands across the street. Courtyard by Marriott sits on the river a 10-minute walk away, and Holiday Inn Express Downtown is 8 minutes on foot with free parking and a barbecue patio. Each saves the shuttle on a conference day and keeps the commute short in snow or heat (book early for big events, since rooms near the venue go first). Check whether your event is inside the Convention Center, because hotels attached to the venue let you skip the weather entirely.
For the district feel, The Davenport Tower, the historic Davenport Hotel and Montvale Hotel put you among the older blocks. The Tower offers an indoor pool 8 minutes on foot from the park, the Davenport adds a spa and three restaurants, and Montvale sits 140 metres from the Knitting Factory with complimentary atrium coffee. These three suit guests who care more about atmosphere than about a chain breakfast (parking terms vary by hotel, so ask before arrival). Check the district's evening events before you book, since a concert at the Knitting Factory can mean street noise until late.
For value, Fairfield Inn Spokane Downtown has an indoor pool and free parking, La Quinta Inn & Suites has free private parking and a minimarket, and Oxford Suites gives each suite a fridge and a microwave 400 metres from Spokane Centre. Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown-South sits 1.5 km from the Convention Center with a highly rated breakfast and an indoor pool. These trade a few minutes of walking for lower daily costs (a short ride covers the distance). Parking, breakfast and pool access are the three costs to compare, because the closest hotel is not always the cheapest overall.
A traveler's perspectiveI recommend The Davenport Grand for a downtown stay built around the Convention Center, since it connects to it directly and sits 100 metres from Riverfront Park, with an airport shuttle from 05:00 to midnight. For a river-facing room with a balcony, I would pick the Courtyard by Marriott Spokane Downtown instead, a ten-minute walk from the Convention Center.
Hampton Inn & Suites Spokane Downtown-South
Spokane
184 reviews
Indoor pool and hot tub with a top-rated breakfast
Check availabilityWhy guests love itA family that values a calm, well-run stay will find it here: spacious rooms, an indoor pool and hot tub, and a breakfast with pancakes, fruit and pastries that guests rate highly. Riverfront Park is 1.9 km away, close enough for a short drive and a day out. Family rooms keep everyone in one space, and the outdoor seating helps in summer (parking is free and pets are allowed).
Hampton Inn Spokane Airport
Spokane
327 reviews
Indoor pool, hot tub and hot breakfast near the airport
Check availabilityWhy guests love itA family flying in will find the sequence easy: a free shuttle from the airport, an indoor pool and hot tub before dinner, and a hot breakfast the next morning. The microwave and fridge in each room help with snacks, and the convenience store covers forgotten items. Riverfront Park is a 15-minute drive away, so sightseeing is easy with a car (parking is free and pets are allowed).
Hotel Indigo Spokane Downtown by IHG
Spokane
803 reviews
Restaurant, bar and room service 100 metres from live music
Check availabilityWhy guests love itFor a show night, the setup is simple: the Knitting Factory is 100 metres away, the bar is downstairs and room service covers the late meal. Daytime outings are short, with the SkyRide 700 metres away and Riverfront Park 1.3 km. Rooms have a desk and a flat-screen TV, and family rooms are available for small groups. Parking is private on site and pets are allowed.
Davenport Hotel, Autograph Collection
Spokane
407 reviews
The historic Davenport with a spa and three restaurants
Check availabilityWhy guests love itFor a milestone weekend, the Davenport is the kind of place that sets the tone: the Palm Court Grill for a quiet dinner, the Peacock Room for a nightcap and the spa for a slow afternoon. Rooms look over downtown Spokane, and the tennis court and bicycles give active guests a reason to leave the lobby. Riverfront Park is a 5-minute drive away (pets are allowed).
Oxford Suites Spokane Downtown
Spokane
381 reviews
Suites with a kitchenette feel and a free airport transfer
Check availabilityWhy guests love itFor a family staying several nights, the suite format is the draw: a sofa area, a desk, a fridge and a microwave mean breakfast happens in the room. The free daily airport transfer simplifies arrival day, and Gonzaga University and Spokane Arena are both about 1 km away for game weekends. Pets are allowed, so the dog stays with the group (parking is on site).
Holiday Inn Express Spokane-Downtown by IHG
Spokane
448 reviews
Patio with barbecue, free gym and free parking downtown
Check availabilityWhy guests love itA family with a car will find the practical parts line up: free parking, a fridge and microwave for packed lunches, and a patio with barbecue facilities for a summer evening meal. The Children's Museum of Spokane is a 4-minute drive, and Gonzaga University is within 1 mile for campus visits. The daily breakfast gets everyone moving, and vending machines handle late drinks (pets are allowed).
The Louie, A Davenport Hotel, Autograph Collection
Spokane
34 reviews
Free bicycles and city views, under 1 km from the SkyRide
Check availabilityWhy guests love itA family travelling by electric car will notice the charging station first, then the free bicycles that make Riverfront Park an easy ride. Family rooms look over the city, and the restaurant's family-friendly ambience and dietary options help with picky eaters. Babysitting and child services are offered for a parents' evening out. The airport is 9 km away, and luggage storage covers early arrivals.
The Davenport Grand, Autograph Collection
Spokane
556 reviews
Attached to the Convention Center, 100 metres from the park
Check availabilityWhy guests love itOn a short city stay the location does the work: Riverfront Park is 100 metres from the door, the shops and galleries are within 5 minutes' walk, and the airport shuttle runs from 05:00 to midnight. Rooms are roomy enough for a small family, with privacy curtains for early mornings and a marble shower after the walk. An espresso in the lobby starts the day before the park opens (the concierge is on site).
Courtyard by Marriott Spokane Downtown at the Convention Center
Spokane
155 reviews
Floor-to-ceiling windows on the Spokane River
Check availabilityWhy guests love itA family arriving after the restaurants close can still get dinner snacks from the 24-hour market, which is the kind of detail parents remember. Rooms with a balcony and big windows face the river, so the view entertains the children before bedtime. The walk to the Convention Center is about 10 minutes, and breakfast at the bistro keeps the morning simple. Plan the afternoon around Riverfront Park and the river path.
Best Western Plus City Center
Spokane
159 reviews
Across the street from the Convention Center
Check availabilityWhy guests love itFor a family visiting a tournament or show, the walk is short: the Convention Center is across the street, Riverpark Square is two blocks away and Riverfront Park is 10 minutes on foot. Rooms have a fridge and microwave for packed snacks, and the daily breakfast covers the first meal. Covered parking is first come, first served, so arrive before the evening rush (pets are allowed).
Quality Inn Oakwood
Spokane
492 reviews
Heated pool open around the clock on the north side
Check availabilityWhy guests love itA family rolling in from the interstate after dark will find the pool still open, which settles the kids before bedtime. The fridge and microwave in the room handle snacks and leftovers, and the free café breakfast saves a first-morning stop. The dog comes along without fuss. The trade-off is distance: downtown Spokane is five miles away, so every sightseeing outing is a short drive, not a stroll (parking is straightforward on site).
The Davenport Tower, Autograph Collection
Spokane
380 reviews
Safari-inspired rooms and an indoor pool downtown
Check availabilityWhy guests love itLooked at as a couples' weekend, the Tower makes sense: the pillowtop bed, the marble shower and the indoor hot tub give the evening a slower pace, and Riverfront Park is an 8-minute walk away. Dinner stays in the building at The Safari Room Grill and Bar, and fresh fruit and towels in the fitness centre are small touches. Pets are allowed for those who bring a dog (the airport is 12 minutes by car).
Fairfield Inn Spokane Downtown
Spokane
103 reviews
Indoor pool and hot tub in the city centre
Check availabilityWhy guests love itIn a downtown stay with children, the indoor pool decides the evening: it stays open through winter, and the hot tub is there for parents. Free parking removes one daily worry, and the breakfast spread of pancakes, fruit and warm dishes feeds a family before Riverfront Park. The airport is 11 km away, so the first and last day are easy to plan. The style is standard, not special.
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).
DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center
Spokane
256 reviews
Connected to the Convention Center, beside the river
Check availabilityWhy guests love itFamilies visiting for a tournament or convention save the most time here, since the venue is attached and nobody has to find a parking spot. The seasonal outdoor pool is a treat in summer, and breakfast at Shutters Cafe is cooked to order. The river path starts a few steps outside, handy for burning off energy. In winter the pool is not an option, so plan other evening activities.
Centennial Hotel Spokane
Spokane
732 reviews
Outdoor pool and Atrium Café close to downtown Spokane
Check availabilityWhy guests love itSeen from a family's side, the practical rooms carry this hotel. A fridge and microwave handle packed lunches, the outdoor pool gives the children a reason to head back after a day at Riverfront Park, and the atrium café means dinner needs no second drive. Downtown sits 1.5 miles away, close enough for a short ride but far enough that nobody walks to the carousel. Bring the dog if you like (pets are allowed).
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Spokane Downtown
Spokane
1,653 reviews
Free parking and a minimarket in the city centre
Check availabilityWhy guests love itA family arriving with a loaded car will like the free private parking and the full-day security, which take two worries away at once. The minimarket handles milk and snacks, and the continental breakfast starts the day without a restaurant stop. Rooms are family-sized and clean by guest reports. The Convention Center is 1.1 km away, so a short walk or ride gets you there (pets are allowed).
Hotel Ruby
Spokane
296 reviews
Red-accented boutique rooms in the Entertainment District
Check availabilityWhy guests love itA couple heading to a show will like the setup: the Fox Theater and Bing Crosby Theater are a block away, Riverfront Park is 5 minutes on foot and the lobby coffee never stops. Rooms are compact and playful with red accents and art, with a fridge and microwave for late snacks. Parking is limited and paid, so arrive with a plan. The dog is welcome (pets are allowed).
Local tips
- 1Book The Davenport Grand or DoubleTree City Center if you need a hotel connected to the Spokane Convention Center for a conference.
- 2Walk to Riverfront Park, because hotels like The Davenport Grand and Hotel Ruby sit within 100 metres to 5 minutes of the park entrance.
- 3Ask about parking costs before booking, since Hotel Ruby has limited paid parking and Best Western Plus City Center offers covered spaces first come, first served.
- 4Check theater calendars at the Fox Theater, the Bing Crosby Theater and the Knitting Factory, because they decide how busy the streets are at night.
- 5Book months ahead for Hoopfest in late June and Bloomsday in early May, since downtown rooms are scarce on those weekends.
- 6Check the real distance for hotels near the airport, because Quality Inn Oakwood is five miles from the center and needs a car.