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WorldWeb.com Travel Guide
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Nestled in the heart of southern
British Columbia's Okanagan Valley,
on the eastern shore of Okanagan
Lake, a paradise known as Kelowna
offers residents and visitors the best of all worlds. Cradled by the Canadian
Rockies, Kelowna is heaven for hikers, nature lovers, wine aficionados and snow
fiends. The Big
White Ski Resort is less than an hour away, a patchwork of charming vineyards
await wine connoisseurs within 10 minutes of downtown Kelowna, and sandy beach
playgrounds welcome sun-seekers to the refreshing waters of Lake Okanagan, home
of the legendary lake monster, Ogopogo.
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Statue
of Ogopogo in City Park, Downtown1 |
The largest centre in the Thompson-Okanagan
region, Kelowna is also the fastest growing city in the valley as its attractive
lifestyle beckons more and more people from Vancouver.
Kelowna's main industries of orchard fruit, wine, IT, forestry and boat manufacturing
support a strong economy which attracts a significant number of business travellers.
The throng of vacationers drawn to Kelowna's pleasant climate,
stunning scenery and big-city sophistication, and the steady stream of those arriving
on business, affirm Kelowna as a bustling, yet tranquil visitor destination.
As a major tourism and business centre, Kelowna offers a wide choice of accommodation
options for travellers of all tastes and budgets. Hotels,
motels, bed
& breakfasts, resorts, hostels
and campgrounds accommodate visitors
all year round.
Helpful Links
To help visitors plan their travels, WorldWeb.com's
Kelowna accommodation information is just a click away via these useful links:
Accommodation Directory—This
is a complete Kelowna accommodation directory containing detailed information
about hotels, B&Bs, luxury resorts, campgrounds and more. With links to accommodation
websites and interactive maps, this directory is designed to help visitors find
the right place to stay based on their personal preferences.
Secure
Room Reservations—Check for Kelowna room availability and then make
secure online room reservations for participating properties with this convenient
link.
Maps—The Kelowna
map can assist visitors in choosing where to stay by not only indicating where
accommodations are located, but also where they are in relation to attractions,
restaurants, shops, tours and transportation.
GETTING THERE
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| The
Road to Kelowna2 |
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As an increasing number of
travellers choose to fly to Kelowna, the Kelowna
International Airport is rapidly climbing the ranks of Canada's busiest
airports. Daily direct flights from Seattle,
Victoria, Vancouver,
Calgary, Edmonton
and Toronto provide ease
of access from all directions. The airport is located north of downtown, off Highway
97 which takes travellers directly into the city's centre.
Highway 97A connects with the Trans-Canada Highway in the north, providing road
access from Vancouver in the west, and Calgary and beyond in the east. The 97
passes through the centre of Kelowna and continues south into Washington,
USA. Highway 33 leads directly
to Kelowna from Rock
Creek in the south where it connects with Highway 3 to Vancouver, through
Osoyoos.
Accessing Kelowna by bus is made easy and comfortable by Greyhound.
This nation-wide coach service provides transport to and from Kelowna via destinations
across Canada and connections
to the USA.
ORIENTATION
Kelowna is approximately 400 km (240 mi) east of Vancouver, 600 km (360 mi) west
of Calgary and 150 km (90 mi) north of the US border. The city covers an area
of about 260 sq km (100 sq mi), bordered by Okanagan
Centre to the north, the Rockies to the east and south, and Okanagan Lake
to the west. South-east Kelowna largely consists of rolling fields, orchards and
vineyards. Glenmore area to the north and Rutland to the east also offer a taste
of horticulture and wineries, with many quieter bed and breakfasts located in
these areas. The fast-paced centres of downtown, Rutland and South Pandosy are
sprouting with chain hotels and motels.
As mentioned above, Highway 97 runs through the centre of Kelowna from the north,
crossing the lake over Canada's largest floating
bridge to Westbank.
Most of the major chain hotels and motels are found along this highway, between
the airport and city centre.
For travellers relying on public transit, Kelowna
Regional Transit System frequently and efficiently takes passengers around
the city and to the surrounding region. Queensway Station is the central bus terminal,
located in the heart of downtown. Some major routes to and from Queensgate Station
include Route 1 running south along the lakeshore, Route 7 north to Glenmore,
and Route 11 east to Rutland. Route 23 heads north to Lake
Country, stopping at the airport on the way.
For those who prefer to be behind the wheel, many rental
companies provide cars and trucks to suit all personal travel needs.
WEATHER
Kelowna boasts a very agreeable climate which is generally dry and mild. Long,
hot summers, moderate winters and pleasant temperatures in between set Kelowna
as a year-round travel destination. The average high during the peak of summer
is 27ºC (81ºF), the average low during the middle of winter is -7ºC
(19ºF). Seasonal activities such as skiing at the Big
White Ski Resort, golfing at the region's many golf
courses, wine
tours and boating
entice visitors from January to December. Major events
and festivals are also big attractions, including summer's Wakefest;
Kelowna's biggest beach party with the world's best wakeboarders, Wine
Festivals held every season, and the Okanagan
Film Festival in spring.
Summer is Kelowna's peak tourism season, drawing the crowds with its pristine
lake beaches, fragrant orchards, romantic vineyards and hike-worthy pine forests.
Reservations for accommodation
and tours
are recommended from June to September.
POPULAR LODGINGS
Owing to the popularity of Kelowna among tourists, the area caters to visitors
extremely well. Kelowna is a relaxing destination where travel is easy and accommodation
abounds.
Hotels & Motels
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Downtown
Kelowna at Night3 |
The convenience and privacy
of hotels and motels
suits travellers of all types. Many of these can be found in the centre of town,
in close proximity to attractions,
shopping and restaurants.
The Cultural
District, encompassing a few blocks downtown on the waterfront, offers
a medley of fascinating attractions, including the Arts
Centre and Prospera
Place; a 6,000-seat event facility which is also home to the Kelowna Rockets
of the Western Hockey League. The Wine
Museum, Kelowna
Museum and the B.C.
Orchard Industry Museum are also located here.
Just a couple of blocks from the Cultural District, along the waterfront on Abbott
Street, the Prestige
Hotel pampers guests with their four and a half star elegance and services.
An indoor pool, hot tub, fitness centre and day spa are located at the hotel,
and their spa, skiing and golf packages offer a complete holiday experience. Guests
can familiarize themselves with Kelowna's mysterious lake monster, Ogopogo,
by visiting his statue in the nearby City
Park.
Also located in the downtown heart, on Harvey Avenue (Highway 97), visitors can
find affordable rooms at Accent
Inn and Kelowna
Motor Inn. Accent Inn offers many amenities including a heated outdoor
pool, whirlpool, sauna, fitness room and pet-friendly rooms. Kelowna Motor Inn
is another good-value option for the dollar-conscious traveller. Its simple, modern
rooms and suites include kitchenettes and some come with a Jacuzzi. They also
offer many amenities, including a heated indoor pool, steam room, restaurant and
free Internet access.
Heading out toward the airport on Highway 97, a few hotel options exist in the
Rutland area. Only moments from downtown and minutes from the airport, this area
also enables direct access to many vineyards, wineries and orchards. The dependable
and affordable chain hotel, Holiday
Inn Express provides attractive, comfortable rooms, fitness facilities,
and golf and ski packages. The Best
Western Inn is another reliable chain choice, offering well-appointed
room and kitchenette suites, complimentary continental breakfasts, fitness facilities,
two outdoor hot tubs and a full-service day spa.
Lakeshore Road, which runs south along the waterfront, also offers many accommodation
options, including a couple of hotel and motel choices. Siesta
Inn is a family-oriented motel offering real value for money. Just one
block from the beach, the inn has spacious, tidy suites with full kitchens for
self-catering, indoor and outdoor pools, a hot tub and sauna, and pleasant picnic
areas.
Bed & Breakfasts
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| Hanging
on the Grapevine4 |
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A more personal experience
served with delicious home-cooked breakfasts and local hospitality waits within
a plethora of bed
and breakfasts in and around Kelowna. Generally located in quieter suburban
neighbourhoods, many bed and breakfasts in Kelowna come with the added benefit
of having local vineyards
and orchards almost at their doorsteps.
In the south of Kelowna an assortment of bed and breakfast properties enjoy a
country setting. Surrounded by trees, Cozy
Corner Bed & Breakfast offers a private, self-contained guest cottage
that comfortably accommodates four people. Located on Lakeshore Road, not only
are wineries and orchards just steps away, but so is the beach.
Situated among orchards on Todd Road, Loft
with a View treats guests to beautiful leafy vistas from its light and
spacious two-bedroom carriage house. Fully private and self-contained, continental
breakfast provisions are supplied. Another tranquil bed and breakfast option located
in the south is Sunny
Side B&B on Bedford Road. This luxurious property offers guests a
swimming pool, hot tub, putting green, deluxe continental breakfasts and bookings
for wine tours or golf.
Accommodation in the Glenmore area also plonks guests at vineyard gates. The
Grapevine Bed & Breakfast on Longhill Road is an upscale country-style
lodging offering gourmet breakfasts and services. A swimming pool, hot tub and
ski lockers are features of The Grapevine, along with popular tours of local world-class
wineries. Surrounded in landscaped grounds, Otella's
Wine Country Inn also indulges guests with luxurious rooms, gourmet cuisine,
Okanagan wine and a number of gourmet and wine lovers packages.
Crossing the Floating
Bridge, an impressive feat of engineering, takes visitors across the lake
to Westbank. This area
is also classed as wine country, with a number of well-known vineyards
and wineries. Bed
and Breakfasts are the preferred accommodation
type here and plenty meet the demand.
Resorts
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The
Grand Okanagan Lakefront Resort5 |
Vacationers requiring total
relaxation, pampering and complete holiday packages have a wide choice of swanky
resort-style accommodations
in the Kelowna area. The famous Grand
Okanagan Lakefront Resort is a holiday destination in itself. Centrally
located in the Cultural
District, The Grand sits proudly on sprawling landscaped grounds overlooking
the lake. Sparkling swimming pools, a European-style spa, the Lake
City Casino, trendy restaurants and bars, shops and a modern fitness centre
are all located within the resort complex.
Another waterfront option located just south of downtown on Lakeshore Road is
Manteo
Resort. Sophisticated waterfront dining, indoor and outdoor pools and
hot tubs, steam rooms, saunas, a fitness centre, tennis court, putting green,
private beach and water sport rentals designate Manteo as a perfect retreat, vacation
or corporate destination.
A little further away, on the west side of the lake, guests can stay at the stunning
Lake
Okanagan Resort, set on 300 acres (121 hectares) of parkland right on
the lakeshore. A nine hole golf course, an assortment of swimming pools and Jacuzzis,
a water park, fitness centre, children's playground, seven tennis courts, hiking
and mountain-biking trails, stables offering trail rides and lessons, a Moroccan
themed day spa and a full-service marina offering water sport rentals are all
features of this luxurious resort.
In under an hour's drive from the centre of Kelowna, on the edge of the Monashee
Mountains, snow sports enthusiasts can choose between hotels, luxury townhouses,
condominiums, chalets, cabins and hostels in Canada's largest ski-in ski-out resort
village at Big White Ski Resort.
Plenty of champagne powder and sunshine makes Big White one of the most popular
ski retreats in the world.
Hostels & Campgrounds
For some people, nothing
beats the laid-back atmosphere and conviviality of hostels
and campgrounds.
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| The
Fruits of Camping in Kelowna6 |
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Kelowna has a couple of
reputable hostels located in and near downtown. SameSun
Lodge is a purpose-built hostel situated across the road from City
Park and the beach, amidst popular bars
and clubs.
It offers stylish, modern dorm and private rooms, and amenities that beat many
hotels, including cheap shuttles to Big White during winter. A few blocks south,
Kelowna
International Hostel offers 30 beds in a large character house at possibly
the lowest downtown prices. Nightly guest activities get guests mingling and
the hostel's central location puts the beach and downtown attractions
just a short stroll away.
Along Lakeshore Road visitors will find Willow
Creek Family Campground, just half a block from Gyro
Beach. This well-organized, year-round RV and tenting campground offers
55 serviced sites, clean bathrooms, laundry facilities, plenty of shade trees
and wireless Internet. About 1 km (0.6 mi) further south on Lakeshore Road,
Hiawatha
RV Park also offers full hook-up RV sites and separate tenting areas.
A children's playground, small store, heated pool and hot showers are some of
the features at this popular family campground.
Across the lake in Westbank, Bear
Creek Provincial Park offers lakeside camping in a natural setting.
Long stretches of sandy beaches and kilometres of breathtaking hiking trails
attract so many happy campers in the summer that the 122 sites just aren't quite
enough for everyone. Reservations are definitely recommended during this time
of year although there are some first-come first-served sites also available.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- Statue of Ogopogo
in City Park, Downtown; Kelowna, BC, Canada
- The Road to Kelowna;
Kelowna, BC, Canada
- Downtown Kelowna at
Night ; Kelowna, BC, Canada
- Hanging on the Grapevine;
Kelowna, BC, Canada
- The Grand Okanagan
Lakefront Resort; Kelowna, BC, Canada
- The Fruits of Camping
in Kelowna; Kelowna, BC, Canada
