I’ve stayed at a lot of hotels in my nearly 40 years. Some of my favorites included the Grand Hyatt on Kaanapali Beach Mandalay Bay in Vegas and the suite at Desert Wind Winery in Prosser. While Spokane’s gem may always be The Davenport Hotel, my recent stay at Northern Quest Resort and Casino exceeded my expectation and set a new benchmark in my mind.

Bottom line for those who won’t stay to read the rest of the review: Northern Quest is an oasis in Eastern Washington. Whether you are looking for a quick getaway vacation or a modern hotel with all the amenities for your extended stay in Spokane, Northern Quest Resort and Casino should be one of your first choices.

Whether you are staying in the 450 sq ft Classic King room (which I’ve previously stayed in) or the 900 sq ft Superior Suite (the digs on this visit), you can expect modern decor, top notch finishes in every room, and extra attention to detail rarely found in other local hotels (or national chains). Personally I was impressed with the choice of tile and texture in the bathrooms and entry way. Speaking of bathroom, you may never want to get out of the shower. The classic rooms have an extra large shower (big enough for two if you need) with three adjustable body spray jets. The suites boast a digitally controlled shower heaven with an overhead rain shower, three adjustable body spray jets and a hand held.

Superior Suite Bedroom

Superior Suite Living Area

I’m always happy to see amenities like a Keurig single brew coffeemaker, iPod docking station, and large flat screen TV’s (even in the bathroom). The bathroom (and hall in the suite) have a motion sensor night light so you don’t stub your toe when having to get up in the middle of the night. While the bed was a little on the soft side for my taste, the linens were very high end as well.

While the room begs to just enjoy its comfort, the best part of Northern Quest are all the activities to enjoy outside the room. Everywhere you turn you will be impressed with the details, finishes and thoughtful touches. During this stay and a previous stay, I enjoyed The Fireside Lounge, Impulse (nightclub), The Q sports bar (with dozens of TV’s and a massive 30′ big screen), Liquid, and the amazing Masselow’s restaurant (review coming soon).

400 words into this review and I’ve not even mentioned the casino, luxurious spa or spacious event areas. Other than a quick tour, I didn’t partake in any of the services at La Rive spa, but I was relaxed just from walking through the space. The full service spa is tops on my list for the next visit.

The 30' Screen at The Q

Northern Quest’s casino is impressive. I love Las Vegas and try to get there once a year. I’ve stayed at 7 hotels there and probably visited another 20. While Northern Quest may not boast the size of casino floor of MGM Grande or the over the top decor of The Bellagio, there are rows and rows of slot machines and every table game you could imagine. My game of choice has become Craps and NQ does a fantastic job. The table managers and staff are incredibly informative, quick and make even the most intimidated gambler feel welcome.

The room rates at Northern Quest are very impressive for a resort of this caliper. From their web site listings it looks as if a classic king room is only $139 per night (with occasional deals and packages) and the superior suite was only $299 per night. The pricing at the restaurants, bars and even the room service prices were in line and didn’t leave me feeling gouged.

Looking up from La Rive

Lastly, the service at NQRC was impeccable. The valet (although quite busy during check in) was quick, the on staff concierge (a rarity in Spokane) was helpful, and even the glitch with the in room TV was quickly fixed by an onsite technician. My only complaint about Northern Quest would be the casino floor ventilation. Smoking is prohibited in the casino and after a few hours I feel stuffy and effected by the smoke.

Only 10-15 minutes from Downtown Spokane, Northern Quest Resort and Casino is on my list of continual must stays. I can’t wait to get back to Masselow’s for Filet Mignon, a beer at The Q, and another hour in the heavenly shower. What happens in Vegas, happens in Airway Heights.

Get the details on Northern Quest Resort and Casino. Their web site has virtual 360 degree tours of all the rooms and spaces.

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*Room and dinner was provided complimentary, review was not guaranteed based on this compensation