Historic Davenport Hotel in Spokane, Washington
Spokane’s Historic Davenport Hotel has a long rich history. As a verified luxury hotel, it was designed with some of Europe’s most grand hotels in mind. Opened in 1914 by Louis Davenport, the Forbes Travel Guide four-star hotel saw near-immediate success as it became a destination for celebrities, politicians, and tourists seeking the newest in luxury hospitality.
Rooms
Custom-designed mahogany furniture and fine fabric window draperies seal each room with the vintage feel of the original hotel. One of the biggest definers of luxury is in the high-thread-count linens, custom Davenport pillow-top mattresses, and state of the art quality bath amenities from Lady Primrose. The vanity area in each room features marble counters, an over-sized walk-in shower, and a deep soaking bathtub all in marble. Perfect for a couple’s quick getaway, any of the fireplace suites are sure to make your stay at the Davenport that much more romantic. If you can’t leave Fido home for the weekend, the Historic Davenport is pet-friendly, so bring your four-legged companion the next time you visit Spokane.
Food & Drink
Palm Court Grill
The Palm Court Grill is the hotel’s signature restaurant. The seating spills into the ornate lobby and the eclectic menu features steak, seafood, and a variety of other splendid pasta and dinner dishes. The building's historic architecture and delicious food complement the impeccable service of the Davenport staff. Aside from being a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence recipient winner, The Palm Court Grill also has some famous dishes like the Crab Louis salad. Chef Edward Mathieu created this salad over a century ago for the owner, Louis Davenport. The hotel still serves the salad according to the century-old recipe and complements it with a dash of contemporary spice. Offering choice cuts of beef, fresh fish, and crab, with the region’s finest wines, the Palm Court Grill Menu will not disappoint. The Davenport starts with the best Midwest corn-fed beef available for all their house steaks, prime rib, and French dip sandwiches. Finish off your meal with any of the Palm Court’s house-made desserts, believed to be the best in the city. Some dessert fan favorites you should try when you visit the Palm Court Grill include the popular chocolate ganache tort, apple crisp, creme brulee, or the famous Davenport sundae topped with the hotel's signature peanut brittle.
Crab Louis Salad
Palm Court Grill
Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, The Palm Court Grill features seating for groups of up to 30 people and a full menu. Known for their traditional champagne Sunday brunch served in the hotel’s grand ballroom, it is an over-the-top affair that features champagne, decadent desserts, and much more. For special events, reserve the private dining room for a peaceful setting for wedding rehearsal dinners, birthdays, and luncheons for generations of guests. If people-watching is your thing, you’ll enjoy the tables set in the historic lobby. Plus, tables near the fireplace offer classy and cozy feels. Find a meal for any appetite throughout the day.
Peacock Room Lounge
The Peacock Room Lounge has a timeless elegance with a classic style of interior design that showcases the large-stained-glass peacock mural on the ceiling over the bar. Most come for their signature, award-winning double martini's, but others will stay for their sweet tooth fulfilling dessert menu. Open every day at 4 pm, the Peacock Room Lounge is Spokane’s classiest cocktail bar. Mingle with friends and loved ones under the 5,000 pieces of stained glass ceiling exuding all the fun and flamboyance of the Jazz Age. Located in the thick of downtown Spokane’s entertainment district, theatergoers define the lounge as the main spot for pre and post-show drinks.
Espresso Bar
Located in the lobby, the espresso bar is a prime location to meet friends, colleagues, or get a little work done with complimentary Wifi. Here you’ll find a variety of Starbucks coffee drinks, muffins, scones, and other delicious homemade pastries and cookies. Davenport staff bake all items in the hotel bakery every morning.
Roof Garden Terrace Bar
New York isn’t the only city with cool rooftop bars. The Historic Davenport recently opened the Roof Garden Terrace Bar after seeing the success of the Grand Terrace Bar--another rooftop bar with views of Riverfront Park and the clocktower. The Roof Garden Terrace used to have an outdoor pool for visitors to the hotel but, today the patio pavers remain where the bottom of the pool deck landed. This new hot nightlife spot in Spokane opens for the season beginning in May and weather depending will be open through September. Open from 3 pm to 10 pm, enjoy appetizers and cocktails while you take in the essence of downtown Spokane.
Spa
Tucked in the underground level of the four-star property guests will find the restored Davenport Spa. Find a mid-city oasis of serenity and rejuvenation at the Davenport Spa and Salon. The Grecian lobby alludes to the tranquility that awaits you as any accumulated stress of your daily life begins to dissipate in the Davenport’s calm atmosphere. Allow the trained hands of expert massage staff to pamper your sore muscles, ease your mind, and re-energize your soul.
Home Store
The Davenport Home Store specializes in spreading the luxury of the Davenport Hotels to its visitors so you can invite luxury into your own home. It goes without saying that when Davenport puts its name on something it’s known to be of excellent quality and so it is with everything available at the home store. You’ll find bedding, bath items, apparel, stationery, home furnishings, and the celebrated Davenport mattress. Also nestled in the store is Davenport Confections which boasts hand-made, gourmet soft peanut brittle that is bound to make your mouth water. This signature peanut brittle, created in the Historic Davenport kitchen, uses the finest ingredients, and confectioners still pull the brittle the old-fashioned way on a marble slab, two pounds at a time.
Weddings
Known as Washington’s most romantic hotel, according to Reader’s Digest, the Historic Davenport is a premier full-service wedding venue in Spokane, Washington. As an added testament to the hotel’s romance, a hidden marriage proposal was at some point a woodworker worked in a section of the wood trim before you enter the Hall of Doges. Today, his message lives as a fun challenge for guests to find the words etched, “Will You Marry Me” in the grain of the hotel’s wood trim on the second floor. From proposals to weddings, the hotel’s historic architecture and glittering rooms, and intricate handcrafted details make it a venue that will dazzle every wedding guest. Along with a dedicated wedding planning staff and an in-house chef, they team up to assist couples in creating the perfect wedding day. With unparalleled charm, the Historic Davenport is a priceless local treasure among wedding venues, and it's a top setting to celebrate the gift of love.
History
On September 1, 1914, the Davenport Hotel opened as a destination in and of itself and it was soon known to be one of the world’s grandest hotels. Under the watchful eye of Louis Davenport, architect Kirtland Cutter constructed the hotel with dignified aesthetic interiors for an unsurpassed facility. The hotel was a place where guests could experience world-class service and inviting warmth. Davenport’s natural talent for restaurant and hotel management gave hotel guests from presidents and celebrities to humbling traveling salesmen and romanticizing couples a level of comfort and hospitality that would make the hotel and Spokane legendary. The hotel in its prime made Spokane famous as it introduced the world to the city of Spokane. Spokane transformed from a big country mining town to a metropolis with the construction of this exceptional hotel. Since then, the Historic Davenport has served as an iconic beacon of culture and refinement through the Spokane region.
The Davenport's Decline
During the war years, shortages of labor and supplies led to difficult years for the Davenport Hotel Spokane. The beautiful lobby skylight was even blacked out as a civil defense measure. Then, in 1945, Louis Davenport sold the hotel at the age of 77. He later passed in 1951. The hotel’s successive owners during the 1950s and 1960s led to a drastic decline in the quality of service. Renovations made to the hotel and its furnishings diminished the feel and appeal of the once distinguished hotel. The Davenport closed in 1985 and a threat of demolition hung over it like a black cloud for years. In 1986, community leaders formed The Friends of the Davenport, who organized and worked to prevent Spokane’s crown jewel from demolition until they could find a new owner to restore it to its former glory.
Grand Once Again
Finally, in 2000, after several false starts by well-intentioned yet unsuccessful owners, Walt & Karen Worthy bought the hotel for $6.5 million. An established Spokane property developer, Worthy launched a multi-million dollar restoration for the once-beloved Davenport Hotel. With respect for the hotel’s history and a dedication to detail and taste, the Worthy’s restored the Davenport to its former glory. The skylight would once again flood the lobby with the light of day. They gutted guest room floors and appointed newer, larger rooms. One of the only rooms saved in the 2000 renovation was the circus room, handpainted in the mid-1930s. The Worthy's restored everything from the intricate paintings on the walls to the original colorful balloon light fixtures.
Too deteriorated to be saved, the original Davenport Restaurant and Pennington Hotel did not survive the renovation. However, the Hall of Doges was extracted, stored, and then reinserted above the new entrance. Worthy was intentional to incorporate some of Cutter’s original exterior features. Additionally, the hand-painted frescoes, ornate woodwork, and European-inspired marble were all methodically restored including the gold leaf around the lobby’s hearth and year-round flaming fireplace.
In September 2002, the Davenport Hotel reopened fully restored to its former dreamy elegance. Today, the hotel serves as a major factor in the revitalization of the downtown Spokane area as well as a regional landmark and masterpiece of the acclaimed architect Kirtland Cutter. Housing Spokane’s oldest and most exquisite ballroom is just one feature that has helped the Davenport earn a prized spot on the National Register of Historic Places. One of America’s most exceptional hotels is once again the centerpiece of Spokane, attracting guests from near and far.
About the Author
Mackenzie De Gon
Digital Marketer & SEO Writer
Mackenzie is a local digital marketer based in Spokane, WA. She is always looking for the next outdoor adventure via local hiking trails, camping spots, or ski resorts. Mackenzie and her husband are self-proclaimed donut critics and are on the hunt for the best donut in the region. You can find her working or meeting friends for an amazing cup of coffee at Indaba on Riverside.