Best Resorts in Washington

Overlooking Snoqualmie Falls, the Salish Lodge & Spa makes guests forget they are less than 30 miles from downtown Seattle. These rustic yet refined accommodations are set in front of some spectacular waterfalls. While tourists will come for an hour just to snap a photo and move on, hotel guests can savor the atmosphere all day long. And despite its eerie past (the Salish was the setting for many macabre scenes in David Lynch's mystery television show "Twin Peaks"), guests feel exceptionally comfortable in the accommodations here. You'll be tempted to stay in your cozy room with its wood-burning fireplace and oversized bathtub. According to recent guests, one drawback is the price: The room rate, dining and resort fees all add up to an expensive stay. A few who hosted events at this property also experienced some miscommunication and weren't pleased with the event coordinators. Guests are more complimentary of the Spa at Salish Lodge, saying the treatments are worth the splurge. 

About 80 miles southeast of Seattle in picturesque Cle Elum, Washington, Suncadia Resort caters to travelers who want some recreational activities along with their rest and relaxation. Visitors can opt to stay in the Inn or the Lodge, but take note that the 18-room Inn has a more intimate and personal feel than the 254-room Lodge. The two options share amenities, however, which include the playground, Frisbee golf and regular golf courses, a large pool area, a well-equipped fitness center and the Swiftwater Cellars winery. Guests can also indulge in the on-site spa or participate in seasonal events like Winterfest and the Harvest Festival. The picturesque atmosphere was a high point for many visitors. On the other hand, some say the property was understaffed during their visit (but noted that the Suncadia staff members they encountered were friendly and accommodating).

When you think of casino hotel rooms, you might picture grimy and bizarrely themed cubicles. But on the outskirts of Spokane, Washington, Northern Quest Resort & Casino will defy all of these impressions. Recent visitors rave about the clean, spacious and well-furnished accommodations, and a number of guests single out the gigantic bathrooms, complimentary Wi-Fi and 42-inch flat-screen TVs as particularly appreciated amenities. Northern Quest also boasts 46,000 square feet of gaming space, a Native American-inspired La Rive Spa, an indoor pool and multiple restaurants and bars. 

For more than 100 years, Alderbrook Resort & Spa has offered a reprieve from everyday life. Spend the day on the fairways, dig for clams for dinner and spend the evening watching the sun set over the Olympic Mountains and Annas Bay. Guests say that this resort, roughly an 80-mile drive southwest of Seattle, makes for a fun and comfortable retreat. Although some say that the decor needs updating, most visitors like the chocolate and sage color palette found in the guest rooms (which also feature complimentary high-speed Internet access, HD televisions and honor bars). For a more intense dose of R&R, spend the morning getting a marine algae body wrap at the in-house spa before stretching your legs on the grounds' hiking trails. Kids of all ages will enjoy the game room that features nine gaming stations with Xbox 360s and 37-inch TVs. At the end of the day, sit down to dinner at the property's well-regarded restaurant, which specializes in fresh, local seafood.

The Semiahmoo Resort receives praise for its idyllic setting between Semiahmoo Bay and Drayton Harbor on a skinny peninsula very close to the Canadian border. So to fully take advantage of the magnificent scenery, guests suggest you take a turn on one of the two golf courses with their bayside fairways. However, some travelers were disappointed with their overall experience. Reportedly, the rooms deserve a facelift (despite amenities like flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffee makers and pillow-top beds), and the staff lacks the hospitality guests expect. Still, even the displeased visitors liked having beach access, the chance to indulge at the on-site spa and five dining options to soothe those hunger pangs.