Alexandria House Bed & Breakfast is located in West Kelowna and is found close to Okanagan Lake and Shannon Lake. There are two rooms that can be reserved throughout the year, though if one is committed by a group, the other one is unavailable until the claimed suite is no longer in use. Breakfast is provided to guests each morning. A few other amenities located on the property include a hot tub, gazebo, and patio. Shannon Lake is found nearby and allows patrons to go fishing and boating as well. The owners of the business would like their visitors to feel “at home.” Suzanne, one of the owners, explains that the bed and breakfast is “adult-oriented” and typically does not have any features that children would be able to use. Suzanne and her husband opened the business in 2000 and have been running it ever since.
Alexandria House Bed & Breakfast has two suites available for reservations, which are named The Lilac Room and The Burgundy Room. The Lilac Room, which the owners, Suzanne and Paul, report as the more popular room of the two, has a queen-sized bed with a private entrance leading to a patio with a gazebo. Additional amenities of this unit include access to the internet, cable television with a DVD/VCR player, and a coffee machine with tea and coffee provided free of charge. As for the Burgundy Room, this accommodation has two twin beds and also comes with similar amenities as The Lilac Room. The owners note that the bathroom is private if only one room is occupied but shared between both rooms if they are both booked. She mentions that if only one party is reserving one of the rooms, they do not rent out the other room while they are staying at Alexandria House Bed & Breakfast.
Breakfast is different every day, though it always consists of a three-course meal. A few items that they have served in the past include breakfast wraps, ham, scrambled eggs with cheese, fruit parfait, muffins or cinnamon buns with cream cheese icing, and fresh fruit. Suzanne is responsible for making breakfast each morning. The meal is served between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. in the dining room. People who have dietary restrictions or food allergies can let the owners know what they are unable to eat, and Suzanne is willing to make accommodations for such things if she is given enough time in advance.
There are several common areas that can be used by guests at their leisure during their stay. Patrons have access to the patio and gazebo through their rooms. Another amenity that can be used while staying at the property is an outdoor, six-person hot tub. In the backyard of the property, there is a deck with seating and misters that can spray cool water on the porch when it gets hot in the summer.
Alexandria House Bed & Breakfast is found in a more residential area with many trees and an open backyard. Suzanne notes that her business is located near a number of wineries, which tend to be popular places for guests to visit, such as Frind Estate Winery. One can also find a golf course, stores, and Shannon Lake, all within walking distance. Patrons can fish in the lake if they would like, and there are several sitting areas around the water. A few other activities that can be done at Shannon Lake are kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. There are many restaurants in the area, and the owners enjoy recommending them to guests looking to try some of the local eateries. A few that Suzanne mentions by name are Quails’ Gate Winery, Courses Restaurants, and Neighbor’s Pub.
Suzanne and Paul, the owners of Alexandria House Bed and Breakfast, would like their visitors to “feel at home” when they come to stay. In an effort to create their desired atmosphere, the owners make an effort to talk to guests, offer help, and answer questions that they may have. Suzanne and Paul also understand if patrons want more privacy and are willing to provide them with space and time alone if that is what they want. The property does not host events, but the owners mention that they can be a base of operations for people who are going to events in the area. Suzanne notes that boating and skiing tend to be popular pastimes in the area.
There are several policies that visitors are expected to abide by while staying at Alexandria House Bed and Breakfast. Pets are not allowed inside the building, and smoking is prohibited unless it is done outside. Quiet time begins each night at 11:00 p.m. Children are allowed to stay at the property, but Suzanne explains that the business is “adult-oriented.” She mentions that there are not many activities for those of a younger age, and the ones that are available, such as boating or fishing, are intended for a more mature crowd.
Many people have stayed at Alexandria House Bed and Breakfast throughout the years, and a few of these past patrons have left reviews of their experience. One person who recently stayed at the bed and breakfast wrote, “Suzanne and Paul are wonderful, friendly hosts. We loved the hot tub, and the yard was beautiful, with ponds, lights, and a gazebo. Bring your appetite because the breakfasts are to die for.” The business is open year-round, and the best season of operation is typically during the summer months of June, July, and August. The primary demographic of visitors tends to be couples.
The current owners of the business, Suzanne and Paul Stickler, purchased the land and erected the building 32 years ago, but it wasn’t until the year 2000 that Alexandria House Bed and Breakfast was established. The house was initially built to be their home, with plans to open it as a bed and breakfast when they retired, but Suzanne says, “It just so happens that we opened up a lot sooner than that.” She explains that she has always wanted to run a bed and breakfast because her mother used to have one in Wales, which is where Suzanne’s family is from.
There have been a variety of changes that have been made over the years. Suzanne mentions that one of their more significant changes occurred last year when they built the patio. At the same time, they also added a gazebo and private entrances to the rooms. This year, they recently added a greenhouse. The owners do not have additional changes planned for the future besides regular maintenance and upkeep on the building.
2462 Alexandria Way
West Kelowna, British Columbia V4T 1T6
Canada
Bed and Breakfast
Suzanne & Paul Stickler
