Vicinity of Olympia

Olympia [1] and the bedroom communities of Tumwater [2] and Lacey are chock full of chain motel options, particularly clustered around the I-5 corridor.

Those in town looking for a place to get comfy during an extended stay might do well to look into Tumwater Inn & Suites (5895 Capitol Blvd. SW, Tumwater, 360/943-8391, www.tumwaterinnsuites.com [3], $59–77 d). This extended-stay place caters to government workers in town for the legislative session and has a four-night minimum, with discounted weekly and monthly rates available.

Not far from Olympia in the small town of Rainier, 7C’s Guest Ranch B&B (11123 128th St. SE, Rainier, 360/446-7957, $75–100 d) is an excellent choice for penny-pinching B&B enthusiasts. This small establishment is set in a ranch home with three guest rooms on 10 sprawling acres. The honeymoon suite has its own big bathroom. Guests are welcome to take advantage of the hot tub and gazebo outside. A full farm breakfast is served, and kids are welcome.

Olympia’s [1] newest hotel destination is Great Wolf Lodge (20500 Old Highway 99 SW, Grand Mound, 360/273-7718, $319–529 for four) a combination resort and water park that packs enough fun on its grounds to keep a family happy for a whole weekend. This enormous indoor facility has six slides, a six-story tube ride, three pools, a giant treehouse water fort, and more than 100 lifeguards to look after the kiddies. For mom and dad, there’s a 12-room spa on premises. In short, this is the perfect in-town cure for the rainy season blues. The spacious rooms are pricey, but all rooms are suites, and the rates are typically for four people and include two-day passes to the water park for each guest. Many rooms can accommodate up to eight, with an extra charge of $30 per person beyond four.