OKANAGAN VALLEY - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 363

ACCOMMODATIONS
In summer, Osoyoos Lake attracts hordes of water lovers and sun worshippers, so getting
accommodations can be difficult—especially along the prime stretch of lakefront east of
downtown along Highway 3. You'll need to book well in advance to get a room during
summer at the Sandy Beach Motel (6706 Ponderosa Dr., 250/495-6931 or 866/495-6931,
www.sandybeachmotel.com , $169-299 s or d), but you'll be glad you did. Set on a private
stretch of sandy beach, the 25 kitchen-equipped units (most with two bedrooms) face a
grassy courtyard, landscaped with crushed gravel pathways and cacti. Along the same
stretch, but larger and less personal, is Holiday Inn & Suites (7906 Main St., 250/495-7223
or 877/786-7773, www.ihg.com , $189 s or d), with many of the 85 rooms overlooking the
resort's sandy beach. The resort also has an indoor pool, a fitness center, and two restaur-
ants.
M Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort (1200 Rancher Creek Rd., 250/495-5445 or 877/
313-9463, www.spiritridge.ca , from $275 s or d) is part of the Nk'Mip development, over-
looking Osoyoos Lake across the water from town. This self-contained resort includes the
Nk'Mip cultural center, a golf course, a winery, two outdoor heated pool complexes, a
day spa, multiple restaurants, and a small section of private beach easily reached on foot
through the vineyard. The spacious guest rooms have modern kitchens, wireless Internet,
and TV/DVD combos, and most have separate bedrooms. It's worth paying extra for a lake
view. Nearby, Walnut Beach Resort (4200 Lakeshore Dr., 250/495-5400 or 877/936-5400,
www.walnutbeachosoyoos.com , $269-509 s or d) is a similar but smaller complex, with stu-
dio, one-, and two-bedroom self-contained units set around a lakefront pool area. Having
stayed at both places, I'd recommend the former for a romantic getaway and the latter for a
family vacation.