Spokane, Washington
Park Lane Motel Suites & RV Pk
4412 E Sprague Ave
Spokane, WA 99212
509-535-1626
We are located across the street from the UPRR’s Spokane Valley yard. Some guests marvel at the movement of the trains in and out – some are annoyed with the whistles when the train enters and leaves the yard.
Submitted by Terry & Bobby Lynch
Ramada Limited
123 South Post
Spokane, WA 99201
509-838-8504
Clarification on what the Ramada's sales manager wrote - trains cannot be seen from all rooms. 1st and 2nd floors - visibility limited because you are lower than the tracks. Third floor is OK in that regard.
Rooms 301 - 310, views are perpendicular to the track. 301 and 306 are a bit iffy because view is partially blocked by portions of the building - roof supports etc. 302-305 are best, 307 and 308 are OK, 309-310 are so-so because you can't see the trains straight out your window, you have to stand next to it and look along the tracks. 311-314 are unacceptable, the first two because they are back in a corner with no view and the latter two because the design of the motel blocks most of your view. 315 and 316 are OK with the notation that your view is along the track, more or less parallel to it. You can see headlights of approaching eastbounds. Additionally, 316 has a view of signals at a control point about half a mile west of the motel, so you can tell if a westbound is lined up.
As far as not getting any sleep because of the trains, if you're a light sleeper, yes, this could be a problem.
Submitted by Dean Ogle 12.2.06
Although I have never stayed here personally, I did get a letter from the Personal Sales Manager advertising the place as a railfans dream. In it, she states: "We at the Ramada Limited Motor Inn, would like the opportunity to make you and your readers aware of our unique location adjacent to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe mainline here in downtown Spokane, WA. Our property offers an excellent, close-up view of BNSF, Union Pacific, and Amtrak trains passing through on "former" Northern Pacific elevated trackage! "The trains can be seen from all of our rooms; however, we have special 3rd floor rooms just for rail enthusiasts and photographers. Those wishing to have these superb photo angles and best railroad views should so "specify" when they make reservations. Reservations are strongly advised with "no room change". With the recent growth in rail traffic through Spokane, and BNSF's double-tracking project on their famous "funnel" between here and Sandpoint, ID., more than fifty (50) trains now pass our property every day!!!"
Looking west, from the 3rd floor, where I stayed in room 306 the July 23, 2003. The hotel is everything your summary says and then some. Train frequency during the day, is high, approaching 4-5 per hour, in both directions. It is quite high at night, too, and for this reason I don't think I'd stay there again because, not being a sound sleeper, I got very little sleep that night. The tracks are only 50-60 feet away and you can hear everything going by. Rooms 308 and below offer the best views and you really get your fill of trains.
Submitted by Tom Otoski
Shangri-La Motel
2922 W Government Way
Spokane, WA 99224
509-747-2066
Last June I stayed at the Shangri-La Motel in Spokane. Their rooms with balconies have a very good view of the BNSF Latah Creek bridge. A picture of this bridge is in the Trains' Guide to North American Railroad Hot Spots on page 185.
Submitted by Stew Winstandley