A View of the Lake Bed and Breakfast is an adults-only establishment located in Kelowna, British Columbia, on a hill overlooking both the city and Okanagan Lake, as the name would suggest. There are a total of four suites that guests can reserve, with the most popular being the Grand View Suite due to its panoramic views. Each room features Wi-Fi connectivity, an en suite bathroom, and a 500-square-foot living area with chairs to sit in. Breakfast is served each morning by Steve, one of the owners of the bed and breakfast, who is an executive chef. This breakfast contains three courses and is often directly mentioned in guest reviews of the bed and breakfast. Chrissy, the house’s other owner, says that many guests have come for activities in the area, such as visiting local wineries, hiking on nearby trails, or going out on Okanagan Lake.
Situated on top of a hill overlooking both Okanagan Lake and the city of Kelowna is A View of the Lake Bed and Breakfast. The house has 3 floors and sits on one acre of land. The bed and breakfast has four guest suites available. Chrissy and Steve owners of the bed and breakfast, describes the property’s character as “contemporary,” with three out of the four rooms being the main draw with their "stunning views." Every suite provides guests with Wi-Fi access and a 500-square-foot living room area to share with the other guests. All suites have private bathrooms. Chrissy mentions that the most popular room with patrons is the Grand View Suite, as it features panoramic views of Okanagan Lake, Kelowna, and the surrounding mountains. It is also one of three rooms that has a king-size bed, and Lake View room is the only room with a queen-size bed.
There are windows located throughout the house where guests can observe the surrounding landscape. An outdoor patio is located at the back of the house with an unobstructed view of the region. The patio features tables and cushioned chairs for dining, along with a lounge area with a coffee table should people wish to sit outside. Inside the house, the living room serves as a place where guests can relax. The room contains a couch with a center table, a fireplace, and a library of books and games that patrons can enjoy at their leisure.
Breakfast is complimentary and is cooked by Executive Chef Steve between 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM in the dining room or patio, depending on the weather. Chrissy notes that many people have commented that the breakfast is one of the highlights of their visit. The meal consists of three courses prepared by Steve that differ each day. Some examples of what might be served include blueberry and rosemary pancakes, or a poached egg served on hashbrowns, among other dishes. For those with dietary restrictions such as gluten intolerance or who are vegetarian, Steve can accommodate them with advanced notice.
Many people stay at the bed and breakfast for a number of different activities that are nearby. One such draw is a large number of wineries that are close, including Indigenous World Winery, which is two kilometers away. In total, Chrissy estimates that there are over 200 wineries in the Okanagan Valley, and it is still growing in the immediate area there are approximately 60 relatively close by that guests can visit during their stay. Another large draw is the hiking trails in the surrounding wilderness. Some trails that visitors can hike on include the McDougall Rim Hiking Trail and Lochview Trail or the Myra Railway Trail. Other outdoor activities can be performed on the water at Okanagan Lake, such as swimming or boating. For those looking for a restaurant to try during their stay, Chrissy and Steve recommend they try Bouchouns, which serves French cuisine, or Waterfront Bistro. A couple of good restaurants where visitors can play golf include Nineteen Restaurant and Shannon Lake Golf Course, which are a little over seven kilometers away from the bed and breakfast.
One of the biggest hopes Chrissy and Steve, the property owners, have for guests of the View of the Lake Bed and Breakfast is that they will feel like they are home. Guests should feel comfortable when they walk into the home and see the views through the windows of the "spacious living areas with no clutter." Both Chrissy and Steve live on the premises on a separate floor with their own entrance. This gives the guests personal space, so they do not feel that someone is intruding in their space. Occasionally, Chrissy and Steve interact with the guests, something that adds to the experience of their stay. As a result of these factors and others, many people have left a variety of positive reviews regarding their stays. One person commented on the quality of the breakfast served by Steve, saying, “The breakfast was delicious and generous,” a common sentiment shared by other reviews. Other people have highlighted that “the views of the lake and the city were amazing.” Many guests who stay at the property are repeat guests.
The View of the Lake Bed and Breakfast is meant to promote a romantic atmosphere, and as such, there are a few policies that Chrissy and Steve ask guests to follow during their stay. One of the most important is that no children under the age of 12 are allowed to stay at the bed and breakfast, as it is an adult-only property. Additionally, a quiet time is put in place from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM; however, Chrissy mentions that they rarely have to strictly enforce this policy. She says that many of the guests who stay at A View of the Lake Bed and Breakfast are there for the area attractions and are respectful of the policies in place. Other highlighted policies include no smoking inside the house (patrons must go outside or on the patio to do so) and the prohibition of pets, given that the owners have two dogs of their own. The bed and breakfast hosts visitors year-round, with their busiest season of operation occurring from May to September.
A View of the Lake Bed and Breakfast was originally started by Steve and Chrissy Marston in 2006. The couple, originally from England, was living in Bermuda with Steve working as an Executive Chef. Over the years, the Marstons had stayed in a variety of bed and breakfasts, and as Steve wanted to enter semi-retirement, they decided to open a bed and breakfast of their own. They moved from Bermuda to Kelowna, British Columbia, and bought the house that they currently operate as the bed and breakfast. Upon purchasing the property, they completely renovated the house and returned to the studs so the rooms could be soundproof. Furthermore, they added larger windows to provide guests with a better view of the region than the previous windows allowed. Steve and Chrissy also installed the en suite bathrooms in each room and updated the house's styling to be more contemporary.
1877 Horizon Drive
Kelowna, British Columbia V1Z 3E4
Canada
Bed and Breakfast
Chrissy and Steve Marston
