Sumner was established in 1853 in anticipation of the Northern Pacific Railroad. The town was called Franklin until the Post Office Department requested a name change to avoid confusion between similarly named communities. After a town lottery, the town was named Sumner after abolitionist Senator Charles Sumner.
Today, Sumner is a lively city with a hometown feel. The community hosts part of the region's Daffodil Parade, which takes place in four parts in Sumner, Tacoma, Puyallup, and Orting. It's also served by Sounder commuter rail with direct connections to Seattle, Tacoma, and much of the Puget Sound region. Best of all, Sumner offers easy access to surrounding cities thanks to its convenient highway connections, making it a great home base for anyone exploring the area.
Whatever your reasons for visiting Sumner, you'll want to find the right hotel that allows you to explore everything Puget Sound has to offer.
Is there an ideal season to visit Sumner, WA?
The best time to visit Sumner is in early fall from September to October. This season is a sweet spot for tourists who want to experience lingering warmer temperatures without having to deal with the crowds. Fall also ushers in discounted hotel rates throughout the Puget Sound region, giving you a chance to visit all the important autumn festivals on a budget.
Hotel deals run rampant around Sumner in the winter, but it's not the best season for sightseeing. If you don't mind sticking to the indoor attractions, November through February is a magical season brimming with holidays festivals and winter sports. You can even use Sumner as a jumping-off point for journeying to the Cascade Range or Mount Rainier for a little skiing.
Budget travelers will appreciate trips to Sumner in the spring. Hotels haven't yet raised their rates to summertime highs. Plus, with the kids still in school, tourist season has yet to kick in, giving you plenty of opportunities to explore without dealing with crowds or traffic. Just remember that the Daffodil Festival takes place every April, with the Grand Floral Parade occurring on Sumner's Main Street. Unless you book your room in advance, you might have trouble finding a central accommodation during this popular event.
Summer is unsurprisingly the area's peak tourist season. Hotels from Sumner to Seattle increase prices and fill up rooms quickly, so try planning your trip several weeks in advance to get the best reservation. Local events worth checking out include Rhubarb Days, the Classy Chassis Car Show, and Carnival of Madness. The Sumner Arts Commission also hosts Music Off Main and Movies Off Main every Friday in July and August, respectively.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Sumner, WA:
Sumner by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts demonstrating mean nightly cost trends by star rating class in Sumner, WA. You can use these charts to calculate the most cost effective time to book a room in Sumner during the year.
Are there luxury hotels in the Sumner area?
4 Star Average Prices: $269.00
If you prefer more upscale accommodations near Sumner, you're in luck.
Holiday Inn Express Suites Sumner provides a central location convenient to Mike N Terry's Outdoor Fun Park, Puyallup Fairgrounds, and Wild Waves Water Park. The highly rated hotel features a fitness center, an indoor pool, a spa tub, a business center, express check-in, event facilities, and free parking. Guests can also enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast each morning. In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs with cable programming, DVD players, mini fridges, hair dryers, work desks, safes, and complimentary toiletries.
Hampton Inn & Suites Tacoma/Puyallup is an exceptional suburban hotel with all the extra amenities you're looking for. The property boasts a beautiful indoor pool, a fitness center, a 24-hour business center, free newspapers in the lobby, event facilities, a meeting room, free parking, and concierge services. You'll also love the delicious complimentary breakfast buffet. Guest rooms feature LCD TVs with cable programming, microwaves, mini fridges, work desks, hair dryers, and free toiletries.
Another great option in Puyallup is the BW Premier Plaza Hotel & Conference Center. Enjoy an indoor pool with an operable glass door that stays open in the warmer months, giving guests access to comfy sun loungers and patio tables. The hotel features a business center, a bar, a convenience store, free newspapers in the lobby, free parking, a ballroom, concierge services, a fitness center, and complimentary Wi-Fi access. Guest rooms are well appointed with mini fridges, microwaves, flat-screen TVs, hair dryers, work desks, newspapers, and toiletries.
Does Sumner, Washington offer budget hotel options?
3 Star Average Prices: $111.90
Finding an affordable hotel near Sumner is easy if you expand your search to include nearby communities like Puyallup, Fife, Auburn, and Federal Way.
Motel 6 Tacoma Fife is an affordable pet-friendly option with an outdoor pool, guest laundry facilities, a 24-hour front desk, and complimentary wireless internet access. Coffee and tea are available in the common area and there's ample on-site parking for free. The guest rooms are basic but feature flat-screen TVs with cable programming, wood-effect floors, and modern decor.
Rodeway Inn & Suites is another budget option in Fife that allows pets. This hotel features an on-site fitness center, a gift shop, laundry facilities, a safe deposit box at the front desk, and a complimentary continental breakfast. In-room conveniences include cable programming, coffee makers, free local calls, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Red Lion Inn & Suites Federal Way is a great option for families with small children because it features an indoor pool with waterslides. Additional amenities include a spa tub, a convenience store, a 24-hour business center, a multilingual staff, free parking, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Guest rooms include work desks, free bottled water, phones with free local calls, cable TV, mini refrigerators, and complimentary toiletries.
