Davenport Hotel and Tower

When people in Spokane say "I'll meet you at the fireplace," they mean the one at the Davenport Hotel in the heart of the city. Lit by hotelier Louis Davenport in 1914 when the hotel first opened, the fireplace had been constantly kept burning until the hotel closed in 1985.

In 2002, present-day owners Walt and Karen Worthy reopened the hotel and re-lit the fireplace as a tribute to Louis Davenport's standards of hospitality. A romance story from the start, Walt and Karen dated at the Davenport Hotel in 1970. Never did they dream they would one day buy it, restore it, and operate it. It is their only hotel, and it is luxurious. So much so that it was selected by Conde Nast as a "Top 100" and "Gold List" hotel.

Attracts a Well-Healed Clientele

A member of Historic Hotels of America, the Davenport served as home to seven sitting U.S. Presidents and numerous celebrities, including Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Cher, Jerry Seinfeld and Neil Diamond. Today it's recognized as a peer to the top hotels in the world-a remarkable achievement considering the short time it's been re-opened.

Florentine in style, the hotel was the largest and finest commission of the architect Kirtland Cutter. While the lobby is reminiscent of an Italian piazza (complete with a central fountain and pillared streetlights), my favorite room is the Hall of the Doges. Inspired by the Palace of the Doges in Venice, it was rescued intact from the original Davenport's restaurant and re-positioned in the new Davenport Hotel.

A View from Every Room

While suites include fireplaces, all rooms are luxurious and offer city views and/or South Hill views, private baths, fine linens, and custom made Davenport Pillow Top mattresses. Many also feature hand-painted original oils. The room décor is European classic in the Hotel and international travel in the newly opened Tower.

Our favorite room is the Presidential Suite, with a balcony affording Southwesterly views of Sunset Hill and the South Hill. Other Suites we can recommend are the Governors Suite, Davenport Suite, Cutter Suite, Parlor Suite and Honeymoon Suite (and it's not just for newly weds!)

The Birthplace of the King Louis Salad

With three different venues for eating, Mardi and I are continually finding new favorite dishes. The Palm Court Grill open for breakfast, lunch and dinner is all about fresh seafood, with an extensive wine list and homemade desserts (my weakness is their hot fudge sundae sprinkled with homemade soft peanut brittle). But a must-have is the signature Crab Louie, named for the original hotel owner. And yes, this king of salads originated in this very hotel!

In the Tower, the Safari Room Fresh Grill offers a full menu for all three meals and also serves a late night menu. For music and after dinner drinks, the Peacock Room is lively and fun.

Voted Spokane's "Best place to have a drink!", one of their excellent martinis is the perfect end to an afternoon of shopping at nearby River Park Square or strolling along Riverfront Park. And if your stay includes a Sunday, Mardi and I highly recommend the Champagne Sunday brunch in the Hotel.

We use the Davenport as our base to explore Eastern Washington -- and never fail to stop in at Arbor Crest Winery the wines and the views are spectacular.