An Afternoon at the Cove Lakeside Resort: Lakeside Fun for Locals and Visitors Alike!
Staff from the Westbank Museum and West Kelowna Visitor Centre recently visited The Cove Lakeside Resort for a familiarization tour. This picturesque resort is located on the shore of Okanagan Lake. Every suite has its own stunning view. The three options are garden (facing Gellatly Nut Farm); mountain (facing Glenrosa and farms); and lakeview (facing Okanagan Lake). Cost per suite is based on the number of bedrooms and guests’ desired view. Our favourite option is garden view. It’s closest to the Gellatly Nut Farm, making it quiet, with a luscious view. Most garden view suites have a partial view of the lake too!
The Cove Lakeside Resort offers accommodation for all types of stays: single night, long term, vacations, events, teams, government, and more! As the resort opened in 2007, it is modern; however, they are in the process of updating their furniture. Each and every suite is fully furnished, has brand new stainless steel appliances, private bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, complimentary Telus Optik WiFi and cable, a deck, and a safe. The resort also has a fully equipped 18-seat movie theatre and fitness centre for guests’ use. It’s your home away from home; you don’t need to bring anything, because The Cove has it all.
Some of our favourite suites are on the fourth floor. The three bedroom suites on the top floor of the resort are lovely and roomy. They can cater to many people and are great for group gatherings. The large windows and vaulted ceilings create an open and airy feel, while being homey at the same time.
The resort’s great qualities don’t end there! The Cove Lakeside Resort strives to be a “green” company. Their practices are sustainable (e.g. changing linens every three days, using green products, recycling, etc.) and they make sure those they work with are too; “sustainable tourism” is important to The Cove. In addition, many of their unused products are distributed to organizations that support the homeless. So, when you stay at The Cove, you’re having more than just a vacation; you’re supporting the community.
Even though The Cove is known as a resort, that doesn’t mean locals are out of luck! Some of The Cove’s amenities are open to the public, such as the on-site Spa at The Cove and Bonfire Restaurant. The resort features multiple amenities that give locals and visitors the chance to have fun.
Bonfire Restaurant, located within The Cove is the only waterfront restaurant in West Kelowna. The restaurant recently came under new management and revamped its menu, and (lucky us!) we got to try it for ourselves. Here’s what our staff had to say about their meals:
Casey: Though I was indecisive, having strongly considered the deluxe mac and cheese and the Wagyu beef burger, I ordered the “Okanagan” pizza, which is topped with peach, prosciutto, mozzarella, fromage fraiche. I’m a sucker for sweet things on pizza, so I found it wonderful. The sweetness of the peach played nicely with the savoury sauce and the slight salt of the fromage fraiche. Interestingly, the prosciutto was roasted until crispy and sprinkled on top, resulting in a lighter flavour. Overall, it was an excellent combination of flavours and the serving size was filling; what else can you ask of a pizza!
Deáni: The entire menu at Bonfire was inviting, but I ended up ordering a tried and true option. The margarita pizza at Bonfire is a delicious take on a classic that everyone will love. I particularly liked the salted and peppered crust; it made for a nice touch and a little extra, yet subtle, pop of flavor. Little details such as the house made tomato base give this pizza a personal and local touch.
Lindsay: I decided on the Smoked Chicken Club so that I could enjoy some fries with my meal. The Club is a large sandwich stacked with three slices of fresh, soft 8-grain bread that pairs perfectly with the grilled chicken and bacon. I love chipotle mayo (on everything!) and it was a lovely touch to spice up the sandwich. There was a generous amount of crispy bacon and smoked cheddar to complete the Club. The fries were exactly as I hoped they would be: crispy, piping hot, and perfectly salted.
Once you’ve gotten your fix at Bonfire, head to Lakesurf Okanagan. At this dockside marina, you can rent anything from power boats, to sea-doos, to paddleboards and more. We can say for ourselves that this recreational attraction is a perfect way to spend a hot summer day. Our staff had the opportunity to try out some of Lakesurf Okanagan’s equipment. Lindsay and Emily took to a double kayak, while Casey rowed in a single kayak. Deani and Darci ventured out on paddleboards. We had a blast! Patrick and his staff were friendly and helpful; we felt very welcome and safe. Our staff can’t wait to get back there for more fun!
If you wish for something more relaxing, The Cove offers yoga throughout the summer. This includes drop-ins as well as yoga retreats. Retreats include two classes per day and a private wine tasting – As they say, the occasional glass of wine is good for you, making yoga and wine the perfect pairing. Ashtanga Yoga at The Cove will challenge your body, mind, and spirit. See The Cove’s website for more details and pricing for yoga drop-ins and their yoga retreats.
If you are feeling like getting pampered, The Cove also has its own spa! The Spa at The Cove uses Aveda, which are natural products and use environmentally friendly packaging. Some of their services include manicures, pedicures, massages, facials, esthetic services, and more. The spa was impeccably clean and has both great service and a lovely view of the garden and lake.
Our FAM tour was something we will talk about for a long time! We were so pleased with their hospitality, and highly recommend The Cove Lakeside Resort as an amazing stay for visitors and as a great hub for fun for locals of the Okanagan. If you are interested in booking a stay or service at The Cove Lakeside Resort, visit their website(s): https://www.covelakeside.com/, or contact them at 1-877-762-2683.
Lakesurf Okanagan: https://lakesurf.ca/, 250-707-7873
Spa at The Cove: https://spaatthecove.com/, 250-707-1815
Bonfire Restaurant: https://www.bonfirerestaurant.ca/, 250-707-1810
If you would like more information on The Cove Lakeside Resort or neighbouring businesses to enhance your stay in West Kelowna, pop into the Westbank Museum and Visitor Centre for more information. You can find us at 2376 Dobbin Rd, West Kelowna, BC
Written by Emily Sproule | West Kelowna Visitor Centre
