Coeur d'Alene Places to Stay

Hi:

We are traveling to CDA in mid April. My boyfirend is returning from Iraq (non-military personnel) and we wanted a different location then our normal spots (tropical). We had heard alot about this area, we are East Coast metropolitan folks but enjoy the outdoors. We exercise, play golf, hike, etc... but LOVE our relaxing time on the beach...just taking it easy is our goal for this vacation. I have recently read about the CDA resort and the reviews are REALLY bad. It seems the hotel needs a major update. The resort is the type of place we would normal stay, but the reviews worry me. Any other suggestions or do you feel the resort is OK. We want the spa and golf and upscale ammenities (just as pictured on the website). We also want some ideas of things to do but not overschedule. We will probably be there for 4 days coming from Seattle (5 hours away..correct?) Looking forward to all those CDA experts out there. Thanks so much in advance.

Coeur d'Alene Places to Stay

Hi visitingidaho

Seattle is just about 5-6 hours away depending on the weather. April is warming up and you shouldn%26#39;t have any delays.

We%26#39;ve stayed at the resort a few times and have enjoyed it. Some of the rooms have an incredible view of the lake, the buffet is good, the restaurants are pricey but very good, and the location is great for walking. Downtown Coeur d%26#39;Alene is only about 6 blocks long and the resort is right there. There are some cute little antique stores as well as some upscale boutiques and quite a few restaurants and bars within a 3 minute walk. If you like to hike, Tubbs Hill is minutes away and if you want to rent bikes, the centennial trail runs along the lake and offers some great views and there%26#39;s a rental place across the street from the resort. There%26#39;s also a public beach and park next door which won%26#39;t be too crowded in April, but not sure it will be warm enough to spend too much time relaxing on the beach.

The resort itself is in need of some updating. The rooms are clean and spacious, but some do feel a little dated. I think it fits well with the atmosphere of the town, but some have been disappointed. This year the resort is spending a bunch of money to remodel, but I believe it won%26#39;t be started until May (that could change -- hopefully it won%26#39;t be in the middle of your trip).

To be honest, there are some decent motels in the area, but nothing even close to the resort. If you golf, you can%26#39;t beat the resort%26#39;s course, though there are a few new courses opening up that are supposed to be outstanding. Circling Raven is about 25 minutes south on Hwy 95 and is also a world class course. The CdA Casino and resort is there and if you like to play slots, this is the best casino in the area by far. Also some good hiking spots in that area, too. You%26#39;re farther away from downtown, but it%26#39;s the only other place I%26#39;d suggest that comes close to the CdA Resort.

If you%26#39;re here on April 23rd, that%26#39;s when the lake cruises start. Unfortunately only the short cruise will be running (the rest start in May), but I%26#39;d definitely suggest taking it.

I%26#39;ll post a link to a ';things to do in North Idaho';, but a few I%26#39;d suggest.

Take a drive to Wallace. It%26#39;s about 35 minutes East on Hwy 90 and is an old mining town. The whole town is a historical monument and it has a really neat feel to it. There%26#39;s a few restaurants, but I like the 1313 Club for a good lunch. Not sure if the tours will all be open yet, but there%26#39;s an underground mine tour and a bordello museum (the city was a renowned brothel until VERY recently). The town of Kellogg is close by and they feature some outdoor concerts as well as the world%26#39;s longest gondola ride! On the way back you%26#39;ll drive past Wolf Lodge and if it%26#39;s near dinner time, the best steaks in North Idaho are at the Wolf Lodge Inn. You%26#39;ll probably need reservations, but it%26#39;s a neat place to dine and not insanely expensive.

If you go north from CdA you can reach Sandpoint in about 55 minutes. It%26#39;s a cute little town on Lake Pend Oreille and it%26#39;s fun to walk around and look in the shops.

If you like to golf, hike, bike, cruise, shop, etc. I think you%26#39;ll have a fun time, and though it may be slightly in need of an update, in my opinion, the resort is the place to stay.

Have a great time!!!

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