Oxford Suites Spokane set along the Spokane River, is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery including mountains, lakes, and forests, and offers easy access to downtown attractions.
Chasing Waterfalls Again, This Time in “Lilac City”
Okay, so maybe I didn’t actually chase a waterfall but I did look forward to seeing the Spokane Falls in Washington state. In fact, until I researched Spokane, I had no idea there would be so many fun attractions to add to our “must see” list. Spokane is a charming city with an interesting history. Besides the city’s motto, “Near Nature. Near Perfect,” it is also referred to as the “Lilac City” because of Spokane’s abundance of lilac bushes and the annual Lilac Festival.
Interesting facts: Founded in 1873, Spokane was named after the Spokane tribe of Native Americans. It’s the second-largest city in Washington and it’s known for its production of apples, cherries, and wheat. The Spokane River runs through the city offering a variety of outdoor activities like whitewater rafting, kayaking, and fishing in addition to skating, hiking, and biking. You can also visit many art galleries, theaters, and other historical and cultural attractions.
About Oxford Spokane Suites
We flew into Spokane International Airport, rented a car, and took a leisurely 9.5 mile drive to the Oxford Suites Spokane. With so many fun sightseeing activities planned, we were simply looking for a comfortable hotel suite that would provide ample space for two couples and more importantly, be affordable for a 4-night stay. The Oxford Suites Spokane was in our target location, offered a large family suite and the rate was reasonable compared to others. If you’re unfamiliar, the Oxford Collection of hotels include 17 locations across Washington, California, Idaho, and Oregon.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this hotel chain but it turned out to be a very pleasant experience especially that it was nestled along the Spokane River. Breathtaking nature views are always a treat for me. The hotel is in close proximity to a variety of attractions such as Riverfront Park, Centennial Trail, Gonzaga University, Spokane Convention Center, and the Spokane Arena, where the Spokane Chiefs hockey team plays. The neighborhood around the hotel was walkable to shops, restaurants, pubs, and clubs.
Free Breakfast and Other Amenities at Oxford Suites Spokane
From the scenic views of Spokane River to the delicious restaurant and heated indoor pool, the Oxford Suites Spokane offers thoughtful amenities. As for the look, the hotel takes the coolness of the city and brings it inside to the modern look of the hotel lobby, public spaces, and guest suites. But more than the look and amenities, it was the friendly staff that caught our attention as soon as we arrived. Rather than just check us in and “send us to our room,” they took the time to be sure we understood the hotel perks.
And speaking of perks, I must mention the 24-hour gift shop (came in handy for late night snacks), complimentary parking, fitness center, business center, and guest laundry room (fee). Pets are also welcome at Oxford Suites Spokane, a quiet enough location to keep pets relaxed and comfortable.
Oxford Bistro Restaurant
The onsite restaurant and lounge serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails with a menu of delicious comfort food favorites and perfect snacks for afternoon breaks.
Complimentary Hot Breakfast
I always appreciate a hotel stay that includes free breakfast but the Oxford Suites Spokane elevated the typical free continental breakfast. We were offered a daily HOT breakfast.
Oxford Social Hour
This fun evening event is for hotel guests to enjoy before heading to dinner. Each guest is offered one complimentary drink and appetizer type foods, held in the Oxford Bistro restaurant.
Perfect Sleeping Accommodations For Traveling With Friends
We booked a two room family suite that offered the four of us plenty of space to chill out, chat, and relax. With the extra bedroom, the family suite provided ample private sleeping quarters as well. Our room overlooked the river but we did not have a balcony.
The living room area featured two queen beds, sitting area, sofa, and television. The private bedroom featured one king bed and a television. The décor was very nice from the granite countertops to the comforting, neutral colors. We didn’t select a suite with a kitchenette area as we weren’t planning to spend much time in our suite. The room did have a coffee and tea kettle ideal for an occasional cup of tea and coffee.
Other room amenities were standard from a bedside USB port and charging station, in room safe, iron/ironing board and hair dryer to an alarm clock, microwave, high-speed WI-FI, premium bedding, and more.
Spokane Falls and Our Other Favorite Attractions in Spokane
The hotel staff was very friendly and helpful, providing us with directions and recommendations to get around the Spokane area. There is a hotel shuttle for guests traveling within a mile radius but we chose to bundle up and take the brisk walk. Highlights for us included Riverfront Park, Spokane Falls, Manito Park, and Frank’s Diner.
Riverfront Park, known as the heart of downtown Spokane, boasts 100 action-packed acres for outdoor adventures and outstanding nature views. Onsite, there is a classic 1909 Looff Carrousel, a 650-foot long Numerica Skate Ribbon (park area for skating), and a terrifying Numerica SkyRide gondola that literally gave us a birds-eye view of the Spokane Falls.
And speaking of Spokane Falls, you can actually hear the water rumbling in the distance! So before you even see it, you can hear it. As you get closer, you’ll appreciate the power of the flowing water. I won’t go as far as saying it was as impressive as Niagara Falls but it was still a treat to see in person up close.
The 90-acre Manito Park is located minutes from downtown. It’s an awe-inspiring landscaping mecca with playgrounds, walking and biking paths, pristinely manicured lawns, playgrounds, ponds, flowers, topiary shrubs, and gardens in addition to a greenhouse conservatory and a café.
The Red Wagon Meadow, located on Spokane Falls Boulevard, features a HUGE 12-foot-high, 12-foot-wide, and 27-foot-long replica of the classic Radio Flyer wagon. It’s a fun photo opportunity. And this might sound crazy, but you must stop and see the “Garbage Goat,” a copper and brass goat statue that is not only a local landmark but one that actually “eats” small pieces of garbage.
As for food, there were plenty of dining options just steps away from the hotel in Spokane. We enjoyed typical Italian, American, and Asian meals but Frank’s Diner was our favorite food and the most memorable experience. You see, it’s housed in real, vintage railcars, a unique dining experience for sure. I highly recommend the Great Nana’s Meatloaf Sandwich and the Bread Pudding for dessert.
Key Takeaways
- Located along the Spokane River near Riverfront Park and Downtown Spokane
- Courteous, helpful, and professional staff
- 125 spacious suites ideal for short and long stays
- Great for business travel or relaxing vacations
- Convenient restaurant onsite
- Complimentary hot breakfast
- Evening social event with free drinks and appetizers
- Free parking plus EV Charging (fees)
- 24-hour gift shop
- Pet-friendly suites (fees)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is there a restaurant onsite at the hotel?
Yes, food is served at the Oxford Bistro Restaurant & Lounge. You can also enjoy small bites at the Oxford Social, where guests are offered complimentary drinks and appetizers.
- Is this a pet-friendly hotel?
The Oxford Suites Spokane is pet friendly but additional fees apply. Special pet-friendly suites feature ample space to keep pets comfortable.
- What type of business venues does the hotel offer?
The hotel offers flexible business spaces for a variety of occasions and events. A dedicated team is assigned to each event to help coordinate onsite catering, A/V capabilities, and more.
- Are there accessible guest suites at the hotel?
There are a variety of accessible features available including roll-in shower with grab bars, adjustable handheld shower handle, and a lowered vanity sink.
- Is travel insurance a good idea?
While travel insurance is not mandatory, it should always be considered when planning a vacation. Plans vary to cover travel delays, cancellations, lost luggage, medical expenses, and more.
Final Thoughts
We had a terrific stay at Oxford Suites Spokane from start to finish. We had a restful stay as the hotel was quiet. The suite was spacious enough for four of us and we all agreed that the beds were comfortable and the room was impressively clean. The convenient location along the Spokane River made it easy to explore downtown Spokane. I must credit the hotel for helping us experience the ideal vacation to build happy memories with good friends.
Author Bio: Originally from Long Island, New York, Donna Wright now calls Deland, Florida her home. An avid traveler, she has journeyed by air, land, and sea, to many cities in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean to exciting destinations like California, Arizona, Las Vegas, San Diego, Myrtle Beach, Lake Tahoe, Reno, and more.
This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered travel or consumer advice. Inn amenities, prices, policies, and availability may change. Readers should verify all details independently and use their own judgment when planning travel