Hotel Ruby

The eye-catching, bright-red exterior with a “Life Is Art” sign announces that this is not your typical chain hotel. The quirkiness continues in the small, deep-blue painted lobby where a photo booth invites guests to share their stay on social media. Large, music-themed murals displayed on the hotel’s exterior brick pay homage to the surrounding arts district where historic theaters host a wide range of music acts. The center of activity at this hip hotel is its trendy Sapphire Lounge that features craft cocktails and daily happy hour specials. The hotel’s breakfast is served here as well. Its dark decor with bench seats and cube tables and seats is illuminated by modern dangly chandeliers and large windows that look out on busy downtown streets. Whimsical wall decorations and the colorful, backlit bar add style. Like the hotel itself, the lounge stays busy with concertgoers and couples enjoying a night out on the town. 

The Hotel Ruby is in the heart of Spokane’s downtown arts district and within walking distance to a plethora of destinations. It’s surrounded by popular theaters that host concerts and other events. It’s a two-minute walk to the Bing Crosby Theater and a four-minute walk to the Fox Theater. The Knitting Factory live music venue is a three-minute walk. Scenic Spokane Falls is a five-minute walk, as is the Spokane River Square. The Riverfront Park is an 11-minute walk, and the Spokane Convention Center is a 14-minute walk, nine-minute bus ride, or four-minute drive. Spokane International Airport is a 12-minute drive or 23 minutes by bus, and the campus of Gonzaga University is a five-minute drive or 20 minutes by bus. There are several shops, restaurants, and other hotels in downtown that are within a two- to five-minute walk from the hotel.

The character and charm of the public spaces continues in Hotel Ruby's guest rooms. Modern, hip flair can be found in the music-themed artwork hanging on walls and the mid-century, sputnik-style chandeliers on ceiling. Rooms are sparely furnished with black-laminate nightstands, headboards, and a matching desk, but their color is bumped up by red painted walls and boldly colored upholstered chairs. Standard Rooms come in single queen, single king, and two double bed options. All rooms include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms feature marble tile framing in glass walk-in showers and white tile floors. Small, rust-colored laminate vanities are stocked with individual toiletries and hairdryers. Suites offer significantly more space and include a second vanity sink outside the bathrooms. King Suites include a queen sleeper sofa, while Queen Suites have two queen beds. The Deluxe King suite adds a kitchenette. Views are primarily of the hotel parking lot. 

Past guests report that noise from adjacent rooms can be heard rather easily, and the hotel can get loud after guests return from concerts or other downtown activities. Weekends tend to be busier -- and noisier -- than weekdays. Maintenance issues, such as ventilation and heating problems, have also been reported. 

Features at Hotel Ruby are fun and focused on its young concert-going clientele. The hotel’s Sapphire Lounge serves a free continental breakfast each morning that comes with locally roasted coffee. The lounge also offers housemade flatbreads and a few appetizers when it opens in the late afternoon each day. Daily happy hour drink specials are offered as well. Free coffee is available throughout the day at the front desk, and some nearby restaurants offer delivery services to hotel guests. Next to the front desk is a free photo booth where guests can take their photos and share their stays at the hotel on social media. The lounge can be used for small meetings, and a meeting room at the nearby Bing Crosby Theater can be rented by hotel guests, based on availability. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the hotel. There is a fitness facility with various cardio and weight-training equipment and free weights located in the hotel’s sister property, Ruby2, which is one block away. Guests are offered free bikes to borrow while staying at the hotel, and parking is on-site for a small fee. There are coin-operated laundry facilities on-site. Pets are welcome with a surcharge.