Best luxury hotels in Spokane, WA: top upscale stays

If you want a five-star-style hotel experience in Spokane, it helps to start with one practical reality: Spokane is better known for luxury-leaning, upscale, boutique, and polished downtown hotels than for properties with clearly verified official five-star ratings. When a formal or semi-formal label does appear, travelers are more likely to see terms like four-star, AAA Four Diamond, upscale, or boutique. In this guide, “five-star-style” means the strongest local alternatives for travelers looking for a more elevated stay; it does not mean every property listed here holds an official five-star rating.

That difference matters in Spokane, where the feel of a trip can shift within just a few blocks. A classic grand hotel, a modern tower, and a smaller boutique property can all be excellent choices, but each suits a different kind of traveler. If you are planning an upscale stay, it is worth deciding on the pace and setting you want before you book.

Real story

I once booked a downtown Spokane boutique stay and showed up in trail shoes, carrying a paper cup of gas-station coffee, and asking where the ice machine was. The front desk handed me a keycard with the kind of smile usually reserved for confused relatives, and I rode the elevator with a couple in eveningwear while my backpack thumped into a very expensive-looking vase. In the room, I spent five full minutes trying to turn on the lamp before realizing I was standing in the closet. The hotel was gorgeous; my energy was not.

Have a story of your own? Share it in the comments below.

Spokane’s luxury hotel scene: what actually counts as an upscale stay here

Spokane has a smaller upscale hotel scene than you would find in a larger destination. The strongest options are usually the city’s most polished, best-located, and most comfortable hotels. That is often the most useful way to compare them, because the right choice usually comes down to whether you want historic character, modern convenience, or a quieter boutique atmosphere.

Booking sites and rating organizations do not always use the same standards when describing hotels. In Spokane, it is more helpful to judge the stay itself: how the room feels, how easy it is to get downtown, and whether the hotel matches the kind of trip you are taking. This guide focuses on the properties that come closest to what many travelers mean when they search for a five-star-style Spokane stay, without making unverified official five-star claims.

The key local factors are straightforward. Downtown access matters if you want to walk to meetings, theaters, or dinner. Riverfront proximity matters if you want views and easy access to park space. Parking, fitness access, and room quiet can matter more here than travelers might expect, especially in a smaller luxury market where the differences between properties are fairly specific.

Best luxury hotels in Spokane, WA: top alternatives to official five-star hotels

Note: This list focuses on the strongest luxury-leaning stays in Spokane proper, based on traveler experience, location, comfort, and overall polish. It does not claim verified official five-star status for these properties. Confirm any current star, diamond, or travel-guide rating directly before booking if that status matters to your trip.

This guide includes Spokane’s strongest luxury-leaning stays, even when the better description is upscale, boutique, polished downtown, or riverfront rather than formally five-star.

Hotel Area Status or positioning note Style Best for Standout feature
The Historic Davenport Hotel, Autograph Collection Downtown core Autograph Collection hotel; no official five-star status verified for this guide Grand historic hotel Special occasions, classic luxury Most iconic old-world atmosphere
The Davenport Grand, Autograph Collection Downtown near the riverfront and convention area Autograph Collection hotel; no official five-star status verified for this guide Modern high-rise Business travel, event weekends Easy, contemporary downtown base
The Davenport Tower, Autograph Collection Downtown Autograph Collection hotel; no official five-star status verified for this guide Contemporary upscale Short stays, couples, practical luxury Central location with a less formal feel
The Louie, A Davenport Hotel, Autograph Collection Downtown Autograph Collection hotel; no official five-star status verified for this guide Luxury boutique Boutique luxury, couples, design-minded stays Smaller Davenport option with a polished boutique feel
Montvale Hotel Downtown Historic boutique hotel; no official five-star status verified for this guide Boutique historic Travelers who want character and intimacy Smaller scale and stronger sense of place
The Centennial by Davenport Hotels Downtown riverfront Davenport Hotels property; no official five-star status verified for this guide Refined modern stay Riverfront stays, arena visits, convention access Riverfront setting near Spokane Arena and the convention area

Quick picks: fastest way to choose

If you want... Start with... Why it fits Check before booking
A grand, classic hotel for a special occasion The Historic Davenport Hotel, Autograph Collection It has the strongest historic atmosphere and the clearest sense of occasion Current parking setup, room location, and any event-weekend rates
A modern base near meetings or the convention area The Davenport Grand, Autograph Collection It is polished, contemporary, and convenient for downtown event logistics Event-night parking, walking route to your venue, and conference-date availability
A central upscale stay without a formal mood The Davenport Tower, Autograph Collection It keeps you downtown with a more relaxed contemporary feel Whether parking is valet, self-parking, or garage-based during your dates
A polished boutique-style Davenport stay The Louie, A Davenport Hotel, Autograph Collection It offers a smaller-scale Davenport option for travelers who prefer boutique design Arrival logistics, parking arrangement, and room type
A quieter historic boutique feel Montvale Hotel It is smaller and more intimate than the larger downtown hotels Parking setup and whether the room location suits your noise preferences
Riverfront access with arena or convention convenience The Centennial by Davenport Hotels It works well for Riverfront Park, Spokane Arena, and the Spokane Convention Center area Parking details, river-facing room availability, and event-date demand

The standout Spokane upscale hotels, compared by setting and experience

The Historic Davenport Hotel, Autograph Collection

The Historic Davenport Hotel, Autograph Collection, is Spokane’s most traditional upscale stay. It has the strongest sense of occasion in this group, with a grand, classic character that suits anniversaries, weddings, and travelers who want the hotel itself to feel memorable. When people talk about Spokane’s most recognizable upscale hotel address, this is usually the one they mean.

It is also one of the easiest upscale choices for a first visit because it sits in the downtown core. You are close to the city’s main blocks without having to plan around long transfers or complicated logistics. If your idea of an upscale stay includes atmosphere as well as convenience, The Historic Davenport is the closest overall match.

The Davenport Grand, Autograph Collection

The Davenport Grand, Autograph Collection, is the most modern-feeling of the major upscale options downtown. It works especially well for business trips and event weekends, when convenience can matter as much as style. The mood is polished and contemporary rather than formal, which makes the hotel easy to use as a working base.

Choose this one if you want a newer-feeling room and a location that keeps downtown simple. It is not built around old-world charm; its strength is ease. For travelers who expect to spend most of the day out and want a comfortable, capable place to return to at night, that may be the right tradeoff.

The Davenport Tower, Autograph Collection

The Davenport Tower, Autograph Collection, sits between classic and modern. It keeps you close to downtown while feeling less ceremonial than The Historic Davenport Hotel, Autograph Collection. That makes it a good fit for travelers who want an upscale stay without a stiff or overly formal mood.

It is especially useful for shorter visits. If you are in Spokane for a couple of nights and want a hotel that handles the essentials well while still feeling polished, the balance here is appealing. You get the central location without adding more formality than you may want.

The Louie, A Davenport Hotel, Autograph Collection

The Louie, A Davenport Hotel, Autograph Collection, is a Davenport boutique option that deserves a place alongside the main luxury alternatives, especially if you want a smaller-scale stay rather than a larger downtown hotel. It is a strong fit for travelers who like the Davenport connection but prefer a more boutique setting.

Compare it directly with Montvale Hotel if your decision comes down to boutique atmosphere. The Louie is the better starting point if you want a polished Davenport-branded boutique feel, while Montvale Hotel is the stronger fit if historic character and a more independent sense of place matter most.

Montvale Hotel

Montvale Hotel is a boutique option, and much of its appeal comes from its scale. It feels smaller and more intimate than the larger downtown hotels, which gives the stay a quieter personality.

Montvale Hotel is a strong fit if you want more sense of place and a less busy atmosphere. It is not trying to compete with the bigger towers on grandeur. Instead, it offers a more personal stay, which can be exactly what you want after a day of meetings or sightseeing.

The Centennial by Davenport Hotels

The Centennial by Davenport Hotels is a polished downtown riverfront option near Riverfront Park, Spokane Arena, and the Spokane Convention Center. It works well for travelers who want to stay by the river while still having access to downtown events, meetings, and park space. Its rooms and public areas have a cleaner, more contemporary style than the historic properties, so the appeal is practical rather than ceremonial.

It is also a sensible pick for guests who prefer a modern room profile and straightforward access to downtown, the riverfront, and nearby venues. The experience is more restrained than grand, and that restraint is part of the point. If your priority is a clean, comfortable, well-placed stay that still feels upscale, it deserves a place on the shortlist.

Which Spokane hotel fits your trip: business, couples, event weekends, or sightseeing

Matching the hotel to the trip type narrows the choice quickly.

  • Business trip: The Davenport Grand, Autograph Collection, is the clearest fit if you want a modern downtown base with easy access to meetings and event spaces. The Davenport Tower, Autograph Collection, is a solid alternative if you want the same central convenience with a slightly softer feel.
  • Couples’ weekend: The Historic Davenport Hotel, Autograph Collection, is the best pick for atmosphere. Montvale Hotel is the better alternative if you want something smaller, quieter, and more intimate; The Louie, A Davenport Hotel, Autograph Collection, is the Davenport boutique option to compare if you want a similar smaller-scale feel with a more polished luxury angle.
  • Event weekend: The Davenport Grand, Autograph Collection, usually makes the most sense, because location and logistics matter more when downtown is busy and you do not want to overthink transportation.
  • Sightseeing and riverfront time: The Historic Davenport Hotel, Autograph Collection, gives you the most central classic stay, while The Centennial by Davenport Hotels works well if you want a riverfront location near Riverfront Park, Spokane Arena, and the Spokane Convention Center.
  • Short stay with minimal fuss: The Davenport Tower, Autograph Collection, is often the practical sweet spot. It keeps you central without feeling overly formal.

If you are choosing between two hotels, pick the one that makes your itinerary easier. In Spokane, that often matters more than one extra amenity you may not use.

Booking the right Spokane upscale stay: location, parking, and seasonal value

The real value of an upscale Spokane stay often comes down to details that are hard to judge from a room photo. Parking can affect the total cost in a meaningful way, especially if you are staying downtown and keeping a car with you. Check whether the hotel uses valet parking, self-parking, or a nearby garage, and compare any nightly parking fees before assuming the lowest room rate is the best deal. Walkability matters too, because being able to move on foot can save time and keep your evening from revolving around traffic or parking.

Riverfront access is worth prioritizing if your trip centers on Riverfront Park, Spokane Arena, the convention area, morning walks, or traveling with someone who will appreciate easy outdoor space between plans. If your itinerary is mostly restaurants, theaters, meetings, or downtown nightlife, a more central downtown hotel may be more useful than a riverfront setting.

Seasonal timing can also affect the choice. Summer weekends, holiday periods, convention dates, and Spokane Arena event nights may tighten availability quickly, especially for the most desirable room categories and higher floors. If you care about a specific view, a quieter room, or a larger suite, it is usually smarter to book earlier than to hope the best inventory remains open later.

Compare the full stay cost, not just the nightly rate. A hotel that looks slightly more expensive may turn out to be the better value if it puts you in the right part of downtown and reduces your parking or transportation needs. For many travelers, that is what separates a good stay from a smooth one.

Always verify current room types, parking details, seasonal policies, and any official rating language on the hotel’s official site before booking. Spokane’s best upscale stay is usually the one that fits the neighborhood as well as the room. For classic downtown style, The Historic Davenport Hotel, Autograph Collection, leads the list; for modern convenience, The Davenport Grand, Autograph Collection, is the easiest base; and for a smaller, more intimate feel, compare The Louie, A Davenport Hotel, Autograph Collection, with Montvale Hotel to decide which boutique style fits your trip best.