hotel between George, WA and Spokane, WA?
 

We're flying into SEA, seeing some friends on Friday night and then driving Saturday morning to George, WA for a show at the Gorge. The next day we're flying out of Spokane on our way back to Boston. Thus, I'm looking for a hotel that is between George and Spokane. About an hour towards Spokane would be absolutely perfect. Any ideas for me? Seems to be a rural area.. I can't find much.


Thanks!

As you've discovered, there is very little between George and Spokane but wheat fields . I've stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Moses Lake, it's on I-90 about 30 minutes from George, probably an hour or more if you're in traffic leaving a concert at The Gorge. Moses Lake is 1 3/4 hour or so from GEG. The other place you might look is Ritzville, there's a LaQuinta and a Best Western right on I-90. Ritzville is an hour from George not counting concert traffic, and an hour from GEG. My feeling is if you're going to drive to Ritzville, tough it out and drive the rest of the way to GEG. I stay at the Hilton Garden Inn right off the airport grounds a lot, it's a nice hotel and very convenient to the airport.

Depending on when your flight is, you might consider staying right next to the Gorge at the Cave B Inn, if they have any rooms available. (I live in Wenatchee, an hour away, and the last time I had dinner there they said they were sold out every weekend through the end of the year.) At least check out the web site and see what you're missing.

http://www.cavebinn.com/

Thanks! I think we're going to do what you recommend, just drive all the way to GEG. Once we get out of concert traffic it should be a fairly easy drive, yes?

We'll check out the Hilton Garden Inn. Thanks again!

Part of the Gorge experience is staying in the campground afterwards!

You need to go for the full experience. ^

I viewed the Cave B Inn and it was very amazing. The Cliff Houses directly overlooking into the gorge with your own square of grass in front. Judging from all the cars costing in the six figures parked near the grape fields I figured it was well out of my price range. But actually looking it was a mere $200 - $300. Well worth it if you have the time during the summer.

Last time I saw Bob Dylan at the Gorge I did the campground. Traffic to get out is a nightmare. Took us several hours to get out the parking lot. There is a science to it so pay special attention on where to park to get out after the concert.

The operative phrase here is "once we get out of concert traffic." Yes, once you get on I-90 it's a straight, relatively flat drive to GEG. I do the drive pretty often and just set my cruise control on 75. You'll be there before you know it. The Hilton Garden Inn has directions on their web site, but it's pretty easy to find. You'll see the airport on your left as you approach Spokane. Exit Hwy 2-West (exit 277B) and go about 3 miles. The hotel is on the left just before you get to Airway Heights. If you get to the entrance to Fairchild Air Force Base, you've gone too far.

Beautiful, thanks!

Coming from Seattle to the show, does it make sense to drive "around" the venue to enter from the East as opposed to the West? Will that make getting out and on our way on 90E any easier?

Plan carefully. 20,000 people and one exit out of the parking lot!

Park as close to the exit as you can, even if that means a hike to the concert area. Have you checked out the Gorge web site? It sounds like you can pay extra for "premier parking" with easier access to the exit.

"PREMIER PARKING: $25 per Vehicle

The Gorge will now offer secure Premier Parking with easy convenience access and exit from the parking lot. Premier Parking patrons will be able to access the adjacent beer garden and purchase a special $5.00 combo beer/hot dog package.

Access to the early entry line will be provided."

http://www.hob.com/venues/concerts/g...neral_info.asp

I'd sure pay $25 to not have to sit in a line of traffic for a few hours, plus you get a beer and hot dog for only $5 more!

Looks like you buy the premier parking through Ticketmaster:

http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/958249

The Costco in Wenatchee sells $100 gift cards to Cave B (good at the hotel, spa, and/or restaurant) for $79.95. I don't know if other Costco locations have them, they're not listed online. If you decide to go to Cave B, it might be worth coming through Wenatchee to pick up some, it's a pretty easy 20% discount. By the way, Tendrils, the restaurant at Cave B, is very good.