Soaking Up Summerland in B.C.

May 14, 2012

The homey, organic feel of the Okanagan Valley is well served by the Summerland Waterfront Resort & Spa where everything the valley has to offer is at your fingertips and condominium-style accommodation makes the destination feel like a home away from home.

The resort, located on Lake Okanagan between Kelowna and Penticton, B.C., conveniently resides in the heart of the valley’s wine country. Visitors with a car can explore the myriad of vineyards and wineries as well as local farms and organic produce stands until day’s end. However, the resort also offers a lakeside, heated pool, dining options, boat rentals and a boardwalk for an evening stroll.

While Local, the on-site restaurant, is a great choice for five-star dining, the valley is bursting with fresh produce, handpicked fruit, orchards, wine and more. During my visit, I found that I had the most fun prepping appetizers and entrees in the kitchen and enjoying them on the balcony at sunset, overlooking the lake. However, Local does offer a fantastic menu filled with fresh ingredients and is a great option for brunch as well as lunch or dinner.

All of the rooms at Summerland are suites, offering full kitchens, dining areas, fire-places, flat-panel televisions, iPod docking stations, DVD players, high-speed, wireless Internet access and more. Deluxe Studio Suites offer a queen-size bed and can sleep two to four people (some rooms have a sofa bed). One Bedroom Suites offer a choice of a queen-size or a king-size bed and can sleep up to four with a sofa bed. The Two Bedroom Suites — ideal for families or couples sharing — feature a king-size bed in one bedroom and a queen-size bed in another, 1½ to 2 bathrooms and a sofa bed. These sleep up to four adults and two children.

Room categories are offered with either lakeside views — which my husband and I preferred — or bluffside views.

In addition to being a great fit for families and couples, Summerland also has meeting space that can accommodate up to 150 people, making the property an ideal choice for small groups and corporate retreats as well as wedding parties.

Also on-property is a boat rental facility and a day spa. The Beyond Wrapture Mind and Body Care Day Spa was the first day spa in the Okanagan area, opening its first location in Kelowna more than 17 years ago. The spa opened a location at Summerland Waterfront Resort in 2008 and offers a New York-themed ambience with a Madison Avenue Manicure Bar and the Central Park Pedicure Station. The spa offers a traditional massage menu that includes couples massages as well as a hair salon and barbering facilities.

Boat rentals are offered on-site by SWR Boat Rentals. The company rents a wide variety of motorized watercraft, including Katana and Malibu boats, Crest Pontoon boats, Yamaha WaveRunners and more. Guests can also rent kayaks, canoes and pedal boats.