
Suncadia Resort
Best for multi-day outdoor-focused stays with pools, spa, golf and on-site dining.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Suncadia Resort is a four-star Cascade mountain resort in Cle Elum focused on on-site recreation, pools, spa, golf and multiple dining venues—good for families and activity-driven stays. Hampton Inn Ellensburg is a midscale, reliable chain hotel near Central Washington University and the Yakima River—good for budget-minded travelers, campus visitors, and short stays.
Updated · about 20 miles (32 km) apart

Best for multi-day outdoor-focused stays with pools, spa, golf and on-site dining.

Best for convenient, budget-friendly stays near Central Washington University and the Yakima River.
When Suncadia Resort wins: choose Suncadia if you want a destination property with multiple pools (including waterslides and a year-round Lodge Pool), an on-site spa and many on-property activities that make a multi-night stay feel like a resort vacation.
When Hampton Inn Ellensburg wins: pick Hampton Inn if you need a simple, dependable overnight or mid-length stay near Ellensburg attractions, Central Washington University, or the Wild Goose Casino — especially if a free buffet breakfast and easy highway access matter.
Bottom line: Suncadia is a full-service mountain resort built for leisure stays and family activity; Hampton Inn is a practical, lower-cost option for travelers who want straightforward rooms and convenient access to Ellensburg-area sights.
| Category | Suncadia Resort | Hampton Inn Ellensburg |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Four-star mountain resort focused on recreation, dining and events. | Midscale, university-area chain hotel focused on convenience and value. |
| Location | 3600 Suncadia Trail, Cle Elum—I‑90/Cle Elum River corridor, resort campus. | 2705 Triple L Loop, Ellensburg—near Yakima River Valley, Wild Goose Casino and Central Washington University. |
| Size (rooms) | 250+ rooms across The Lodge, The Inn and homes/condos. | 80 guestrooms. |
| Ages / family friendliness | All-ages resort (children's pool, playground; kids under 17 stay free with an adult). | |
| Pools & water features | Multiple outdoor pools (including Lodge Pool open year-round), indoor pool with waterslides, hot tubs and family splash areas. | Indoor pool (1) with pool hoist; no waterslide or resort-style pool complex listed. |
| Restaurants & bars | Several on-site dining options (The Source Plates & Pours, Stovehouse, Swiftwater Cellars/Hoist House, River Bar, Nellie’s, food trucks and outlets). | No signature on-site restaurants listed; typical hotel common-area TV and vending; complimentary buffet breakfast provided. |
| Spa & wellness | Glade Spring Spa & Wellness with treatments, steam room, outdoor soaking pools and day-pass option. | Fitness center open 24 hours; no full-service spa listed. |
| Meetings & events | Extensive event space (multiple ballrooms, outdoor venues, up to 700-capacity Rialto Ballroom). | Conference space ~474 sq ft (one meeting room), business center and banquet facilities suitable for small meetings. |
| Accessibility & family policies | Accessible rooms and services noted; resort wristband required for some facilities; pet-friendly in designated rooms (fee). | Multiple mobility/hearing-accessible room types, wheelchair-accessible public spaces, pool hoist on site; pet fee and service-animal rules apply. |
| Typical stay type | Leisure/resort, multi-night stays, activity-focused vacations and events/weddings. | Short stays, business or campus-related travel, and regional stopovers. |
Suncadia sits on a resort campus beside the Cle Elum River corridor with easy access to I‑90 and outdoor attractions.
Suncadia is a destination property set away from town with outdoor access and drive-time to bigger airports.
Hampton Inn sits in Ellensburg near the Yakima River Valley and Central Washington University with straightforward highway access.
Hampton Inn provides a convenient base for Ellensburg-area stops and short stays rather than a standalone destination.
Suncadia offers a wide range of room types from lodge rooms to condos and one-bedroom suites.
Book Suncadia for larger suites or condo-style layouts when you want more space or a kitchen-like setup.
Hampton Inn Ellensburg offers standard midscale rooms with options for mobility and hearing accessibility.
Hampton Inn is predictable and practical—good accessible options and standard modern amenities for short stays.
Suncadia is stronger for dining with multiple restaurants, a winery, a pool bar and seasonal casual options.
Choose Suncadia if you want varied on-site dining from quick coffee to fine dining and wine tasting.
Hampton Inn provides limited on-site food service focused on a complimentary buffet breakfast and grab-and-go options.
Hampton Inn covers essential breakfast and light snacks but not the multi-venue dining scene of a resort.
Suncadia’s signature draw is its resort recreation: pools, waterslides, golf and a broad activities program.
Suncadia is the pick for families and active travelers who want on-site recreation and pool variety.
Hampton Inn offers straightforward hotel recreation that supports fitness and relaxation for travelers on the go.
Hampton Inn covers basic fitness and a pool for guest convenience, but not resort-scale leisure offerings.
Suncadia combines a full-service spa with event venues and occasional live outdoor entertainment.
Suncadia supports both relaxation (spa) and events with sizeable meeting/wedding capacity and occasional live programming.
Hampton Inn provides practical meeting space for small groups and easy access to local nightspots in Ellensburg.
Hampton Inn is suitable for small business meetings and as a base for local evening activities, but not a wellness/resort hub.

Suncadia — multiple pools, waterslides, kids’ programming, family-friendly dining and plenty of activities on-site.

Suncadia — full-service Glade Spring Spa & Wellness with treatments, steam rooms and day-pass access.

Hampton Inn Ellensburg — close to Central Washington University, Wild Goose Casino and downtown Ellensburg.

Hampton Inn Ellensburg — predictable midscale rooms and a complimentary buffet breakfast.
Suncadia — it offers 36 holes across two championship courses, on-site golf services and a resort layout suited to multi-day golf stays.
No. Suncadia charges a nightly resort fee that covers certain resort services (not meals); Hampton Inn provides a complimentary breakfast but other meals are pay-as-you-go.
Hampton Inn Ellensburg — it’s closer to the campus and local attractions, and designed for short, convenient stays.
No — Suncadia has a full spa and multiple resort-style pools including waterslides; Hampton Inn has a single indoor pool and a fitness center but no full-service spa listed.
Explore how Suncadia Resort stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·