If you walk into the lobby of The Historic Davenport Hotel Autograph Collection on a Tuesday afternoon, the first thing you notice isn’t the gold leaf or the massive marble pillars. It’s the smell. It’s this specific, slightly sweet, old-world scent of peanut brittle and expensive wood polish. It hits you immediately. This isn’t one of those sterile, glass-and-steel boxes where every room feels like a carbon copy of a Marriott in Des Moines. This is something else entirely. It’s a survivor.
Spokane, Washington, isn't always the first name on a luxury traveler’s bucket list, but the Davenport changed that back in 1914 and, honestly, it’s still doing it today. When Louis Davenport opened these doors, he wasn't just building a place for people to sleep. He was building a palace. He wanted the best of everything: the first air conditioning system in a U.S. hotel, a pipe organ that could shake the dust off the rafters, and a lobby that looked like a Spanish Renaissance courtyard.
For a while, it almost didn't make it.
The hotel sat derelict for years. Most people thought it was headed for the wrecking ball in the 80s. But Walt and Karen Worthy stepped in, dropped something like $38 million of their own money into the restoration, and brought the Davenport Hotel Autograph Collection back from the edge of oblivion. They didn't just paint the walls; they tracked down the original blueprints and restored the hand-painted ceiling frescoes. Now, as part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, it manages to bridge that weird gap between "grandma’s fancy parlor" and "modern high-end hospitality" without feeling cheesy.
What People Get Wrong About the Davenport Experience
People hear "historic hotel" and they immediately think of drafty windows, cramped bathrooms, and Wi-Fi that cuts out if you look at it funny. That’s not the case here. The Davenport Hotel Autograph Collection is actually surprisingly tech-forward under the hood, even if the surface looks like a 1920s movie set.
The rooms are a bit of a trip.
You’ve got these massive, custom-made "Davenport Lusso" beds. They’re famous. People actually buy them to ship home because they’re that comfortable. And the bathrooms? They’re huge. You aren't squeezing into a tiny stall; you're getting marble walk-in showers that feel like they belong in a modern spa. It’s this weird, cool juxtaposition where you’re looking at a vintage-style mahogany desk while charging your iPhone 17.
One thing that surprises people is the scale. This isn't just one building anymore. The "Davenport" name now covers a few different properties in downtown Spokane—the Tower, the Lusso, the Grand—but the Historic Davenport is the soul of the operation. If you stay at the others, you’re getting a great room, but if you stay at the Historic, you’re staying inside a piece of Pacific Northwest history.
The Hall of Doges and Other Spaces You Shouldn't Skip
The Hall of Doges is probably the most famous room in the building, and for a good reason. It’s the oldest ballroom in the city. During the massive renovation, they actually lifted the entire room out of the building with a crane to preserve it while they worked on the foundation. Think about that for a second. They literally suspended a ballroom in mid-air to save it.
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Then there’s the Isabella Room.
And the Marie Antoinette Ballroom.
The names sound stuffy, sure. But when you’re standing under those chandeliers, it feels less like a museum and more like you’re part of some secret club. It’s where the city’s elite have been getting married and making deals for over a century. You can almost feel the ghosts of the jazz age.
Eating Your Way Through Spokane’s Living Room
You cannot talk about the Davenport Hotel Autograph Collection without talking about the Crab Louis. Legend has it the dish was actually invented here (though a few places in San Francisco might fight you on that). Louis Davenport himself supposedly perfected the recipe. It’s basically a massive pile of Dungeness crab, hard-boiled eggs, and a signature dressing that they still guard like a state secret.
It’s served in the Palm Court Grill.
The Grill is basically the heart of the hotel. It’s where you go for a power lunch or a fancy dinner, but it’s surprisingly approachable. You’ll see guys in suits sitting next to hikers who just came off the Centennial Trail. That’s the vibe of Spokane in general—it’s "low-key luxury."
And then there's the Peanut Brittle.
They make it in-house. It’s not that rock-hard stuff that breaks your teeth. It’s light, airy, and they give you a little sample when you check in. It’s a tradition that started with Louis Davenport and it’s one of those small touches that reminds you you’re in an Autograph Collection property. They’re supposed to have "exactly like nothing else" as their motto, and the candy definitely fits.
The Peacock Lounge: Where the Night Actually Starts
If you want a drink, you go to the Peacock Lounge. It’s dominated by this massive, 1,500-piece stained-glass ceiling mural of—you guessed it—a peacock. It’s ornate. It’s loud. It’s beautiful.
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The martinis here are legendary. They’re huge. They come with the little sidecar shaker so you’re basically getting two drinks for the price of one. It’s the kind of place where you lose track of time. You sit down for "one quick drink" and suddenly it’s 11 PM and you’re talking to a stranger about the best fly-fishing spots on the Spokane River.
The Reality of Staying Here in 2026
Let’s be real for a minute. Is it perfect? No hotel is.
Parking in downtown Spokane can be a bit of a headache, and valet at the Davenport isn't exactly cheap. If you’re a minimalist who likes that "all-white-everything" Scandinavian design, the Davenport is going to feel like sensory overload. There is gold. There is velvet. There is ornate carving on literally every surface. It’s "maximalist" before that was a trend.
Also, because it’s a historic building, the layout can be a bit of a labyrinth. You might take the wrong elevator and end up in a hallway that looks identical to the one you just left. But honestly? That’s part of the charm. It’s a building meant for wandering.
The Location Factor
The Davenport Hotel Autograph Collection sits right in the middle of the downtown core. You’re two blocks from Riverfront Park, which is easily one of the best urban parks in the country. You’ve got the Spokane Falls right there—especially in the spring, the sound of the water is intense.
You can walk to:
- The Bing Crosby Theater (he was a Spokane local, by the way).
- Numerous craft breweries (Spokane’s beer scene is underrated).
- The Fox Theater, which is another Art Deco masterpiece.
- Dozens of local bistros and coffee shops.
You don't really need a car if you’re staying here unless you’re planning to head out to Mt. Spokane or Lake Coeur d'Alene. Everything worth doing in the city center is within a ten-minute stroll.
Why the "Autograph Collection" Label Matters
Marriott’s Autograph Collection is a weird beast. It’s not a "brand" in the traditional sense where every hotel has the same carpet and the same breakfast buffet. Instead, it’s a collection of independent hotels that use Marriott’s booking system and rewards program but keep their own soul.
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For the Davenport, this was a win-win.
It keeps its local identity. It remains "Spokane’s Hotel." But, you get to use your Bonvoy points. You get the reliability of a global service standard. If something goes wrong with your room, there’s a massive corporate infrastructure to make it right, but the person helping you at the front desk likely grew up in the Inland Northwest and knows exactly where you should go for the best huckleberry pancakes the next morning.
Practical Advice for Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip to the Davenport Hotel Autograph Collection, don't just book the cheapest room available. Try to snag one of the historic rooms. They’re the ones with the real character. The rooms in the newer wings are nice, but they don't have the same "I’m in a 1914 palace" energy.
Check the Event Calendar.
Spokane hosts "Hoopfest" (the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament) and "Bloomsday" (a massive 12k run) every year. During these weekends, the hotel is packed. It’s a blast, but if you want a quiet, romantic getaway, avoid those dates.
Do the Self-Guided Tour.
The hotel actually has printed pamphlets or digital guides that explain the history of the different rooms. Spend forty-five minutes walking around the mezzanine. Look at the old photos. Read about the celebrities who stayed here—everyone from Elvis to various U.S. Presidents has walked these halls.
The Sunday Brunch.
It’s expensive. It’s decadent. It’s also legendary. If you’re there on a Sunday, just do it. It’s one of those "bucket list" meals in the Pacific Northwest.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
When you arrive at the Davenport Hotel Autograph Collection, do these three things to get the most out of it:
- Request a high-floor room facing the park. The views of the city lights and the nearby clock tower are worth the ask.
- Visit the candy shop early. The handmade peanut brittle often sells out of the smaller, gift-sized boxes by the end of the day. Grab yours when you see it.
- Use the skywalks. Spokane has an extensive skywalk system. If it’s raining or snowing (which happens a lot), you can navigate a huge portion of downtown without ever stepping outside.
The Davenport isn't just a place to sleep. It’s the anchor of Spokane’s identity. It represents a time when people built things to last forever, and luckily for us, the Worthys and the Autograph Collection made sure it actually did. Whether you're there for the history, the crab salad, or just a really good night's sleep on a Lusso mattress, it’s one of those rare hotels that actually lives up to the hype.
For the best rates, aim for mid-week stays in the shoulder seasons—late spring or early fall. The city is beautiful then, the crowds are thinner, and you can usually find a corner of the lobby to call your own for an hour or two with a good book and a coffee. That's when the hotel really shines; when you can sit back and realize that for a little while, you're part of its long, storied timeline.
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