Luxury weekend away for newlywed couple's wedding gift in Washington or Idaho

P.S.
I have checked Booking.com, etc., but not knowing the area I feel a bit lost in the search, so I hope some of the many PNW forum members can help.

Hi Judy, Quinn's Hot Springs Resort at St. Regis, Montana is a place my daughter & husband love to go for anniversaries. It’s only 1 1/2 hours from Coeur d’Alene.

https://www.quinnshotsprings.com/

Another option would be a quick, direct flight from Spokane. My daughters & I met up in Boise for a girls weekend and stayed downtown. That’s a 1-hour flight. We stayed at the nice Grove Hotel which was very nice, plus there’s a lot to do & hopefully some special events, too, while they are there.

Jean,
Thanks for the ideas. I will check them out.

A very fussy friend goes yearly to the Sparkling Hill Resort and Spa outside Vernon on Lake Okanagan in BC. She raves about everything, especially the facilities and the food. Oh and it’s adults only (16+). The Okanagan is a lovely area and lots to do. It is very popular in the summer for family holidays so gets booked up quickly.

If someone offered me a night or 2 here, I would accept
https://www.salishlodge.com/

google indicates it's 265 miles from Spokane Valley, so real close to a 4 hr drive,

What about Sun Mountain Lodge in Winthrop or Suncadia in Cle Elum. Both of them are about 3 1/2 hours from Spokane and are in beautiful settings with spas, etc.

Also, for a cute European alpine village feel, there’s Leavenworth. It’s on Highway 2 heading towards Seattle. I haven’t stayed in any of the resorts or hotels - just a nice B&B. Hopefully someone from Seattle can provide details of which place they recommend. It used to be my husband & my short getaway when we lived near Seattle (if we didn’t go to a nice boutique hotel near Bellingham.)

Jean, I'm curious about the "nice boutique hotel near Bellingham." Can you share the name?

Why not just write them a check.

Jean--Are you thinking of the Chrysalis? That was one I was thinking of, but wasn't sure if it was too far of a drive.

Jean--We go to Leavenworth fairly often. The Bavarian Lodge is very nice and right across the road from the heart of downtown. The Enzian Inn is supposed to be very nice too, but I have not stayed there. The BL is one that I have stayed at multiple times and it is a favorite of ours.

What a generous gift! I'm all for giving experiences instead of things. I have just a couple of cautionary items based on your description. First, you noted that they don't have a flexible working schedule. Just be sure the gifted nights can be used at any time without restriction, and if there is an expiration to use it be sure to call to the couple's attention. Second, if you decide to give funds instead of a specific experience, try to avoid using any kind of Visa or Mastercard branded gift card. When I retired extremely generous colleagues gave me three separate Visa cards to use for travel. Unfortunately, you have to charge the exact amount on the card to use it up fully and sometimes merchants won't accept prepaid cards as partial payment. As I had a RS tour scheduled, I was fortunate that tour office generously waived their standard billing practices and allowed me to make multiple payments using the different cards, but it required several phone calls and a lot of patience from the office staff. Third, it may go without saying, but if you choose an international destination be sure they both have current valid passports for travel.

CL, your caveats are noted. geovagriffith, yes, we may write a check, but I want to be sure they don't use it just for everyday expenses and bills, and instead have something indulgent.
To everyone else, I will be sure to check all your suggestions. For added info, they have a 13 year old (hers from former marriage) and a baby who will be one in June. There are family members to watch the kids, so a weekend of pampering and romance would, I think, be appreciated. I hope to find something and can work this out.

Thank you everyone! I will reply if/when I make a decision.

Yes, the Chrysalis near Bellingham is where we stayed. (Too far for this couple.). A funny story: I booked two massages for my husband & I for one of his birthdays for a weekend at the Chrysalis- probably the second of four times we stayed there. When I surprised him, I found out that he didn’t want a massage (but loved the weekend), so I had two massages and left the last morning feeling as relaxed as butter!

Jean...Ha ha. Love the butter reference!

My husband and I spent a very nice weekend at the Salish Lodge about 30 years ago. It has a wonderful restaurant and the room had a fireplace and a large soaking tub. We didn't partake of any of the spa treatments offered but I would expect them to be on par with the rest of the resort. I haven't stayed at Sun Mountain Lodge but have had some very nice meals there.

Thank you Trotter.

Walla Walla has many boutique hotels and excellent restaurants. And it us only about 2 1/2 hour drivefrom Spokane.

Columbia River Gorge? I attended a conference at Skamania Lodge years back and thought the scenery and the lodging great at the time. And Walking Man Brewing in Stevenson is still there!

No suggestions on location, but if you do give them a weekend stay at a nice hotel, also give them some cash for dinners/meals.
My BFF when she got married (in early 40s) was in a similar situation and didn't ask for gifts.
They received a generous weekend away gift at a luxury hotel with breakfast included, but far from town. They struggled to find places to dine without breaking their bank account since the hotel restaurant was waaaay out of their price range.

I hear you Joy. Other family members are planning on "enhancing" the gift if that's what we give. Now I just need to check out all the suggestions.

To all the moms, grandmas, stepmoms, godmothers, (and aunties too)...Happy Mother's Day!

I live in Boise and it’s a fun city to visit, but The Inn at 500 Capitol would be more romantic than the Grove Hotel.

Thank you Janet.

Here is a unique place to stay in Preston which is off i-90 east of Snoqualmie and before Issaquah. They are treehouses and would be a cool play to stay with a winery nearby in Carnation and restaurants in the area. https://www.treehousepoint.com