I couldn't believe the fabulous deal I found for our Spring Break vacation. It was a brandspankin' new, top-rated, 3-star hotel within walking distance of Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane. And I got it for $64 a night - when the less-highly-rated joint down the street was charging twice that much, even including the AAA discount!

Mom was proud. I was pleased with my work. And the visit was going quite nicelyhellip;until I found out why such a wonderful hotel was available so cheaply.

We arrived last Wednesday and gawked at the gorgeous lobby. It was two stories high, with ornate chandeli...