The Davenport

I had no idea that this lovely lady resided any where close to my city. Oh I had heard people vaguely mention a stay at this place, a wedding reception, a woman’s retreat. But I was not prepared for what I was about to encounter. We traveled just two hours north of where I live to spend a weekend in this grand hotel to celebrate my daughter's sister -in-law's graduation from Whitworth in Spokane WA. From the minute I stepped into to this lobby I was spell bound. My goodness, I felt like I had been transported back in the early 1900's. This lovely hotel that was almost completely demolished in the 90's was lovingly and at great expense restored to its original grandeur. I was amazed. As my husband was checking us in and trying to get us up to our room, I was oblivious. Finally he just set down our bags till I was through gawking. Apparently when this place hit it's hay day your could address "The Davenport" on a piece of mail by just it's name from any where in the world and it would find it’s way to this remote bit of sumptuousness. The hotel made the city of Spokane famous! Queens, princes, princesses, Herbert Hover, and Charles Lindberg were some of the guest of this up scaled retreat.

There were no less than three ballrooms that adorned the Davenport.

The whole upper story around the lobby was a walking tour museum. I was so blown away by this jewel in the Pacific Northwest. We ended up spending most of our time right in the hotel. Who needed shopping (I had blown my wad on the roses anyway!) when you could just sit by the gorgeous fire place and sip a glass of wine, or slurp a Starbucks coffee in all that wonderful ambience.

We were treated by our host to a lovely dinner in the hotel that night and a final lunch the next day. Let’s just say I am going back! The host’s wife and I have already planned a girl’s weekend in October to see The Phantom of the Opera when it comes to town. And hopefully my sister will join us from Montana.

This weekend I could imagine for a just a moment how the rich and famous must have felt so long ago…