The Coeur d'Alene Resort, Idaho

The Coeur d’Alene Resort will always be at the top of my list as a recommended destination, not only because of its world class amenities, but it is the birth place of my Dad and where my parents were married in 1984. We own an investment property in town and frequent the area regularly, always staying at our second home, the Resort.

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho the “Playground of the Pacific Northwest” has been discovered by people from all over the world and is especially visited by Southern California residents. A short drive from the Spokane, Washington International Airport, upon entering the resort grounds, you feel as though you’ve just arrived to a small place in heaven. 

After checking in and walking into your room, you veer out through a large full glass wall into one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Surrounded by pine covered mountains you can’t help but wonder if this view is real? 

Once your settled into your room and ready to explore the area, just outside the resort is downtown Coeur d’Alene, a small friendly town that is full of small unique shops and antique stops. There is also hiking around Tubbs hill or you can catch the boat shuttle to the golf course on either the “Eagle” or “Double Eagle” to check out the grounds. 

Perhaps you’d like to reserve a spa visit? Needless to say, there is plenty to do, or you can simply find a seat at the Resorts dockside and enjoy watching the activity coming in and out of the boat docks. 

The Resort golf course is home to one of the best known icons in golf, the famous 14th hole floating green. In addition to this highlight, course architect Scott Miller has masterfully designed a layout encompassing a total of 200 lakeside acres. Fairways are surrounded by beautiful ponderosa pine trees and the “crack” of your driver within this area echoes unlike any other course I’ve played. Great par 3’s, tricky greens that call for either a bump-n-run or a soft pitch, and premium driving accuracy all make for an inspiring round. 

I certainly would suggest playing the resort course twice during your stay, however, the hotel has an arrangement with another wonderful course, Circling Raven, that is built within 620 acres of wetlands, woodlands and Palouse grasses on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation. You can arrange transportation to Circling Raven from the Concierge and it is about a 20 minute scenic drive.  

In addition to golf, amenities at the resort include a world class spa and multiple dining options including Beverly’s that is more of a formal setting, or for a more casual atmosphere, The Boardwalk Bar or Cedars Floating Restaurant. We love Cedars and never pass on their salad bar! Also, you must try a Huckletini at Cedars, a real treat …

Speaking of huckleberries, as you already know, I’m not only a dessert connoisseur, but add pancakes to the list. My favorite breakfast in the whole world is at the floating green restaurant at the golf course for huckleberry pancakes. Please trust me, you have to try.

Another local favorite located outside of the resort just a few steps away is Hudson’s Hamburgers, a fifth generation family owned restaurant with only one thing on their menu, hamburgers. This is an old school, simple burger and down to earth atmosphere that we eat at every day that we’re around town at lunchtime. That’s if we can get a stool. With just a few available, you can expect to stand and wait, but everyone does and no one complains.

I can’t say enough about the entire experience at The Resort in Coeur d’Alene. The staff, amenities, golf course, access to downtown, transportation to and from the airport and overall serenity of the town, there is nothing like this place in the Pacific Northwest. I highly recommend this trip and one last thing, have you ever gone fly fishing? Well, you can do that here too.