Hotel #1- Crossland Economy Studios, Spokane Valley, Washington

The drive from Great Falls, Montana to Seattle, Washington is a long one; just over 645 miles. Since we were leaving on a Saturday after work we didn't want to have to drive the whole way in one shot. I consulted Mapquest to find a half-way stopping point and decided on Spokane, Washington, which only left four and a half hours to be driven the next morning. Since amenities and exact location were not a concern for this particular stay I decided to use Hotwire to make my reservation.

For those of you who are not familiar with Hotwire, they are an operating company of the much larger travel website Expedia. Hotwire specializes in selling opaque hotel accommodations, airline tickets, and car rentals. Opaque meaning that the specific hotel, airline, or car rental agency is hidden until your purchase is complete. Because of this, they are able to offer deep discounts and higher star-rated properties at lower star-rated prices. While this type of arrangement occasionally comes in handy it can feel a little like playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey with your travel plans.

I found a one-star property in Spokane Valley for $33 for our one-night stay and booked it immediately. Overall, my Hotwire gamble worked out fairly well with only a couple of snags. The first problem we encountered was finding the hotel. The sheet I printed out from Hotwire listed the hotel as an Extended Stay America, and then underneath said Crossland/Spokane Valley. We drove right past it the first time expecting to see Extended Stay America. After checking the address we went back and saw that it was actually Crossland Economy Studios, and in really small print, an Extended Stay America Hotel.

We didn't arrive at the hotel until around midnight. When we tried to check in at the office we saw that it was closed, with a sign instructing after-hours guests to use the phone out front to dial a number for assistance. The sign further advised that it may take up to an hour for someone to arrive after hours. I was slightly irritated that not only did the information I received from Hotwire not mention that special arrangements would have to be made for after hours check-in, but when I called the hotel directly the day before to confirm my reservation it wasn't mentioned either. So I was really relieved when a woman showed up to let us in about five minutes later. Problem solved.

Our room at Crossland Economy Studios was nice. It was obviously a budget hotel, but things were nice and clean, and there was a full kitchenette complete with mini fridge, stove, microwave, and cabinets stocked with pans, dishes, and silverware. The pillows were plump, the bed comfortable. We got a great deal for the price we paid so we took the mini glitches in stride. Crossland Economy Studios is perfect for budget-conscious, business, or long-term stay travelers. If given the opportunity I wouldn't mind staying with them again.

As for Hotwire, I would recommend the site for people who are just looking for a great deal and aren't too focused on the particulars of their accommodations. I will probably use them again to book travel reservations for short trips where specific amenities are not a concern.

The Reason

My husband, Ty, called me at work one day to excitedly tell me that his favorite band Opeth was playing in Seattle, Washington, as part of the metal Progressive Nation tour. Living in conservative central Montana metal acts, especially death metal ones, don't come near us often. As I said before, Opeth is Ty's favorite band, and has been for years. The opportunity to see them live defined this trip as, not just a vacation, but the culmination of a dream for him. Around the same time that we decided to go to Seattle, Ty started writing for the metal website metalunderground.com. They arranged for Ty to interview Opeth guitarist Fredrik Akesson, making the trip even more meaningful.

Though my brother, Matt, and I aren't really fans of heavy metal, we definitely wanted to come along for the experience. Besides, out of all the music my husband listens to Opeth has to be one of the bands that I enjoy more than most.

For me, the main draw to Seattle were all the museums, restaurants, shopping, and attractions. Also, being really passionate about eco-conservation, I couldn't wait to visit such a diverse, green-friendly city.