Washington State stretches from the Pacific Coast to high desert wine country, and Best Western Plus properties are strategically spread across this diverse geography - from the Olympia capital region to the Columbia River Gorge and the Yakima Valley. These hotels consistently deliver a reliable mid-range experience with included breakfast, indoor pools, and free parking, making them a practical anchor for road trips, family travel, and business stays across the state.
What It's Like Staying in Washington State
Washington State is not a single destination - it's a collection of distinct regions separated by mountain ranges, rivers, and dramatic elevation changes. Driving between Seattle's Puget Sound area and the arid Yakima Valley means crossing the Cascades, a journey that can add around 2 hours to any itinerary depending on your starting point. A car is essential for nearly all destinations covered in this guide, as public transit is limited outside of the greater Seattle metro area.
Visitors range from wine trail tourists in the Yakima and Columbia Valley corridor to outdoor enthusiasts targeting Mount Rainier, the Okanogan Highlands, or the Columbia River Gorge. Crowd patterns shift sharply by season - summer brings peak pressure to eastern Washington wine destinations, while the Olympic Peninsula and western side see consistent rain-driven off-peak windows in late fall and winter.
Pros:
- Enormous geographic variety allows road-trip itineraries combining mountains, wine country, coast, and city in a single trip
- Free parking is standard at most mid-range properties outside Seattle, eliminating a major urban cost
- Family-friendly infrastructure is strong across eastern Washington, with pools, playgrounds, and open driving distances
Cons:
- Interstate 90 and Highway 2 mountain passes can close or require chains in winter, disrupting cross-state travel plans
- Many towns in eastern Washington have limited dining options after 9pm, requiring advance meal planning
- Wildfire smoke from late July through September can affect air quality significantly in eastern and central Washington
Why Choose Best Western Plus Hotels in Washington State
Best Western Plus sits in a clearly defined lane in Washington State's lodging market: above budget motels but without the premium pricing of boutique or resort properties, typically landing around $120-$160 per night outside peak season. What makes the brand particularly practical here is the consistent inclusion of free hot breakfast, indoor heated pools, and ample free parking - features that directly offset travel costs on multi-night road trips through the state. Indoor pools matter more in Washington than in most states, given the unpredictable weather across both sides of the Cascades.
Room sizes at Best Western Plus properties in Washington State tend to be larger than what you'd find at comparably priced urban hotels, with standard rooms generally offering a microwave, mini-fridge, and a dedicated work area. Business travelers benefit from the reliable Wi-Fi and business centers, while families appreciate the suite-style layouts available at most locations. The trade-off is that these properties lack the design character of boutique stays and are typically positioned along commercial corridors rather than in walkable town centers.
Pros:
- Free hot breakfast included at most locations reduces per-day travel costs noticeably on longer trips
- Indoor heated pools available at nearly every property, usable year-round regardless of Washington's weather
- Disability access and family room configurations are consistently available across the brand
Cons:
- Properties are generally located on highway commercial strips, requiring a car for any meal or activity beyond the hotel
- Design and atmosphere are standardized - travelers seeking local character or boutique aesthetics won't find it here
- Availability can tighten significantly during summer festival weekends in wine country towns like Sunnyside and Prosser
Practical Booking & Area Strategy for Washington State
Washington State's highway network largely determines where you should base yourself. The I-5 corridor - running through Lacey, Olympia, and Washougal - connects major western population centers and offers the most flexible routing for travelers moving between Portland and Seattle. For eastern Washington wine country, Sunnyside and Prosser sit directly on I-82, making them efficient base camps for exploring the Yakima Valley AVA without backtracking. Zillah's Best Western Plus is particularly well-positioned for accessing multiple wineries within a short drive, while also being close to Yakima Air Terminal for fly-drive itineraries.
In northern Washington, Omak operates as a remote hub near the Okanogan National Forest and Colville Reservation - bookings here should be made well in advance if traveling during the Omak Stampede rodeo in August, when the town fills to capacity. For the Columbia River Gorge area, the Washougal/Camas property gives access to both Oregon and Washington sides of the gorge. Book at least 6 weeks ahead for summer weekends in wine country towns, where local events drive occupancy to near-maximum. Lacey and the Olympia area offer the best combination of state capital access, wildlife refuge proximity at Nisqually, and freeway convenience for travelers heading north or south on I-5.
Best Value Stays
These properties offer strong amenity packages - including free breakfast and indoor pools - at accessible price points, making them practical choices for families, road-trippers, and budget-conscious business travelers across Washington State.
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1. Best Western Plus Lacey Inn & Suites
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Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
fromUS$ 96
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2. Best Western Plus Vintage Valley Inn
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Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
fromUS$ 104
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3. Best Western Plus Peppertree Inn At Omak
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Hurry – almost gone at this price!
fromUS$ 98
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4. Best Western Plus Grapevine Inn
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Hurry – almost gone at this price!
fromUS$ 97
Best Premium Stays
These two properties offer enhanced positioning - one along the Columbia River with gorge access, and one in Washington's premier wine-producing city - delivering a notch above the standard highway motel experience in their respective regions.
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5. Best Western Plus Port Of Camas-Washougal Convention Center
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Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
fromUS$ 112
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6. Best Western Plus The Inn At Horse Heaven
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Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
fromUS$ 110
Smart Travel & Timing Advice for Washington State
The best window for most Washington State itineraries covered in this guide is late May through mid-June or September - after summer crowds arrive but before the peak July-August heat in eastern Washington, and outside the wildfire smoke season that can affect the Okanogan, Yakima, and Columbia Gorge areas from late July onward. Summer weekends in wine country towns spike hotel rates sharply, with Prosser, Sunnyside, and Zillah reaching near-full occupancy during harvest events in October - the single busiest booking month for Yakima Valley properties.
For the Lacey/Olympia and Washougal properties on the I-5 and Columbia River corridors, pricing is more stable year-round but peaks during major state legislative sessions in Olympia and outdoor event weekends in the gorge. A stay of 2 nights is the practical minimum for wine country bases; Omak and the Okanogan Highlands reward 3-night stays given the driving distance from other hubs. Book eastern Washington properties at least 8 weeks ahead for any summer weekend, and check for local festival dates - Omak Stampede, Prosser Wine and Food Fair, and Sunnyside Harvest Celebration all compress availability dramatically in their respective windows.
