Axel's take on Convention Center & Riverfront Park: #2 of 6 in Spokane, 7.6/10
The easiest first-visit base, especially for families, conventions and downtown events. The riverfront combines excellent access, strong hotels and distinctive surroundings, but offers fewer nearby choices and weaker value than downtown.
The river-facing side of downtown is the easiest all-round base for a first visit. Spokane Falls Boulevard puts the convention center, performing arts and Riverfront Park together, with the Centennial Trail along the water. Families get playgrounds and the carousel; delegates avoid a commute, and North Bank sports venues are reachable on foot.
Do not assume park-side means silent: concerts, conventions and games bring crowds. If independent bars and a different dinner spot each night are the point of your trip, favor the older downtown blocks farther west. For families, delegates and visitors attending North Bank events, however, this is the most straightforward choice.
- Best for: first-time visitors, families, business trips and conventions, sports fans
- Skip it if: You want the older downtown bar-and-theater setting; You dislike event-driven crowds
- Getting around: Walk the park and venues; City Line 1 and North Bank shuttle 11 serve nearby streets. GEG: Route 7 to the Plaza, then walk or connect.
- After dark: Evenings revolve around performances, park events and restaurants rather than an uninterrupted late-night bar circuit.
- Rates: Typical Axel rate $147 a night · usually 6% under the public rate
Where to stay in Spokane: every neighborhood ranked
Where to look in Convention Center & Riverfront Park
- Spokane Falls Boulevard. The straightforward choice for delegates and theatergoers, with convention venues and Riverfront Park together on the south bank. Hotels here: Best Western Plus City Center, The Davenport Grand, Autograph Collection, DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center.
- North River Drive. Favor the north bank for park walks, playground outings and sports events rather than a late-night bar circuit. Hotels here: Holiday Inn Express Spokane Downtown by IHG, Oxford Suites Downtown Spokane, Ruby River Hotel Downtown Spokane, Centennial Hotel Spokane.
- Riverpoint Boulevard. An eastern riverside base for university visits and trail walks, with convention venues reachable on foot. Hotels here: Fairfield Inn & Suites Spokane Downtown, Courtyard by Marriott Spokane Downtown at the Convention Center.
How to choose
- Choose Holiday Inn Express Spokane Downtown by IHG if included breakfast, free parking and helpful staff outweigh the uphill return walk.
- Choose Oxford Suites Downtown Spokane if your family wants spacious suites, included breakfast and an indoor pool.
- Choose The Davenport Grand, Autograph Collection if convention-center skybridge access and spacious contemporary rooms matter most.
What paying more buys
Cheaper Centennial offers riverside access but uneven housekeeping and extra fees. Paying more for Oxford Suites buys spacious suites, breakfast, parking and an indoor pool; Davenport Grand prioritizes contemporary room space and convention-center skybridge access. The premium is less compelling if park access alone is your priority, especially when Ruby River's outdoor pools suit your family. Typical rates with Axel here run from $104 a night at Centennial Hotel Spokane to $163 at Courtyard by Marriott Spokane Downtown at the Convention Center (last 30 days).
The best hotels in Convention Center & Riverfront Park, ranked by Axel's take
Each hotel scored for what it is by Axel's own review; the rate is one stay Axel priced this week, beside the public rate for the same dates.
- Holiday Inn Express Spokane Downtown by IHG 8.9/10, well-kept, limited-service hotel on a hill above downtown Spokane. A strong downtown base with standout staff, free parking and an uphill walk home. Why it's here: Standout staff and cleanliness with included breakfast and a free parking space. Accept: Uphill return walks, street noise and no pool.. $109 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
- Oxford Suites Downtown Spokane 8.9/10, comfortable 3-star all-suite hotel on the Spokane River. A strong riverside pick with generous extras, but room placement matters. Why it's here: Spacious riverside suites bundling breakfast, parking, an evening social and indoor swimming. Accept: Common-area noise and some worn decor; room placement matters.. $141 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
- Best Western Plus City Center 8.7/10, straightforward 3-star hotel in downtown Spokane. A strong downtown pick for clean rooms, welcoming staff and a worthwhile breakfast. Why it's here: Dependably clean rooms, welcoming staff and included breakfast opposite the Convention Center. Accept: Street noise, limited free parking and no pool.. $125 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
- The Davenport Grand, Autograph Collection 8.7/10, modern 4-star convention hotel in downtown Spokane. Spacious rooms and a prime downtown location make this a strong convention base. Why it's here: Spacious contemporary rooms and convention-center skybridge access for delegates and theater weekends. Accept: Large convention-hotel atmosphere, paid parking and an amenity fee.. $138 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
- Ruby River Hotel Downtown Spokane 8.6/10, casual mid-range riverfront hotel near Gonzaga and downtown. A strong riverfront pick for families, with room location key to quieter nights. Why it's here: Family-friendly riverfront grounds with outdoor pools, a playground and direct trail access. Accept: Poolside group noise, restaurant waits and a nightly resort fee.. $113 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Spokane Downtown 8.4/10, practical 3-star downtown chain hotel with free parking. A dependable downtown base with helpful staff, free parking and a few sleep trade-offs. Why it's here: A practical downtown family base bundling breakfast, free parking and an indoor pool. Accept: Some road noise, mixed bed feedback and alternate-day housekeeping.. $133 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
- Courtyard by Marriott Spokane Downtown at the Convention Center 8.4/10, renovated 3-star riverside business hotel near the convention center. A strong riverside base with refreshed rooms, but quiet isn't guaranteed. Why it's here: Refreshed riverside rooms with workspaces and trail access for business and university visits. Accept: Sound carries; breakfast and parking cost extra; no pool.. $141 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
- DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center 8.2/10, full-service 4-star convention hotel on Spokane’s riverfront. A strong downtown base with refreshed rooms, helpful staff and parking charges. Why it's here: Riverfront convention convenience with skybridge access, comfortable beds and helpful staff. Accept: Parking and breakfast charges; confirm pool availability and remaining work.. $100 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
- Centennial Hotel Spokane 7.8/10, large mid-range riverside hotel in the Davenport collection. A strong riverside base, with uneven housekeeping and extra fees to weigh. Why it's here: Cheaper riverside access for park outings and North Bank event weekends. Accept: Uneven housekeeping, busy-event check-in and extra fees.. $107 a night with Axel against $146 a night on Expedia for the same dates and party: $39 a night less (26%). Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
