How to Find Hotels in Sandpoint, Idaho

Sandpoint is a resort community located in Northern Idaho along Lake Pend Oreille, one of the largest lakes in the U.S. and the largest lake in Idaho. This area is quickly becoming popular with residents and out-of-state visitors alike.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access

Know Your Destination

1. Check out a map. Sandpoint is located between Schweitzer Mountain and a large lake. You can choose between waterfront accommodations or accommodations closer to the mountain ski slopes.
2. Open yourself to the ambience. Sandpoint is known as an area that attracts creative people and artists. A large proportion of the city's residents have moved here for the scenery and inviting ambience.

Book Transportation

3. Drive to Sandpoint. U.S. Highway 2 will get you to Sandpoint from Spokane, Washington. Other highways that go through Sandpoint are U.S. Highway 95 and U.S. Highway 200.
4. Take Amtrack to Sandpoint. You can take Amtrak to Sandpoint from Seattle and Portland if you are coming from the west. From the east, there is service from Chicago to Sandpoint. Sandpoint is the only major city in Idaho with Amtrak passenger service.
5. Fly to Sandpoint. The nearest international airport is in Spokane, Washington, about 80 miles to the west. Sandpoint also has a small regional airport.

Choose Your Accommodations

6. To book accommodations, contact Official Idaho Vacation and Travel Planning Guide at [phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources below).
7. Make your reservations early. Sandpoint only has about a dozen hotels and they can be fully booked at times.
8. Know that Idaho is RV-friendly. Sandpoint has three public campgrounds where you can hook up your RV in addition to five commercial facilities with RV hookups.
9. Know that accommodations in Sandpoint can run in excess of $100 a night. If you're on a budget, focus your hotel search on the downtown area, where rooms are available for less than $50 per night.
10. Investigate vacation rentals. A number of homeowners rent out lodgings in Sandpoint. Listings can be found on vacation rental sites.
11. Consider accommodations at a bed-and-breakfast inn. Some even offer private docks and boat ramps.

Explore the City

12. Shop at Coldwater Creek. This national chain's headquarters and flagship store are situated in the downtown area.
13. Ride a roller coaster at Silverwood Theme Park. You'll also find a large, family-friendly water park here as well as a classic railroad that circles the park.

Tips & Warnings

• Many major mid-priced chains have locations in Sandpoint. You can go directly to the Web sites of these chains to check availability and book accommodations online.