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Two major freeways, Interstate 90 and Interstate 82, pass through the cities of Ellensburg and Yakima, where you'll find the highest concentration of lodgings. A few independent motels are available, but the majority are independently operated under familiar chain names. At the far northeastern end of the region sits Suncadia Resort, offering possibly the finest accommodations in the area. Several bed-and-breakfasts are also available, particularly in the lower Yakima Valley, near the plethora of wineries in the area. It is always prudent to call ahead for reservations, but the busiest tourist times include the third week in April, for Spring Barrel Tasting, and from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Popular with outdoor recreation enthusiasts, this posh boutique lodge in rugged Yakima River Canyon contains 10 spacious two-bedroom suites with full kitchens and offers a bounty of amenities and activities, including fishing and hunting guides, rafting trips, hiking trails, and superb dining. For a peaceful retreat in the wilderness, this riverside resort is hard to beat.
Set on a ridge overlooking the Cle Elum River, with spectacular views of the pine-covered Cascade Mountains, this upscale 6,000-acre resort offers elegant rooms in a stone-and-wood lodge, most with gas fireplaces. There's a slew of amenities, including the superb Glade Spring Spa, set amid lush gardens and offering a full menu of treatments, massages, and facials. You'll also find indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, saunas, a spacious exercise room, an amphitheater that doubles as an outdoor skating rink in the winter, two of the region's premier golf courses, and 40 miles of hiking and biking trails. Portals restaurant serves inventive Pacific Northwest fare, and there are several other dining options on the property.
