Historic Elegance at the Hotel Eldorado

The charming historic Hotel Eldorado in Kelowna, British Columbia is nestled on the banks of Okanagan Lake with a boardwalk and marina. It is the perfect place to make your base as you explore all the Okanagan Valley has to offer. The hotel has merged with the adjoining Manteo to form the Eldorado Resort with the two connected by a boardwalk. The property also has an onsite marina with a variety of watercraft available for rent to enjoy the lake.

From the moment I walked past the antique cars and soaked in the ambiance of all the vintage features in the lobby I felt as if I had woken up in a scene from The Great Gatsby. The old-world luxury harkens back to the 1920s. In fact, the hotel has welcomed guests since 1926 as well as locals coming in to dine and attend events. Dining here is quite the experience with sun drenched scenic views of the lake as you dine. In both the Eldorado Lounge and Whiskey Room you can enjoy their famed martinis and barrel aged whiskey cocktails.

The rooms are just lovely. My room was very comfortable with upscale bedding and keeping vintage touches while offering all the modern conveniences. A door led to an outdoor deck with great views of the sunset over Okanagan Lake. One of the things that made my stay so special was the staff. They are friendly and helpful. Many have worked at the resort for quite a while and my waiter at dinner had worked there for over 20 years.

There is plenty to do at the resort. There are both indoor pool and hot tub as well as an outdoor pool with a waterslide. The whole property is beautifully landscaped with seasonal flowers everywhere. The Eldorado Marina has Mastercraft tournament boats and Waverunners for rent on the motorized side and kayaks and Stand-Up Paddle Boards if you prefer your own power.

For a special experience charter The Spirit of the El for a sunset cruise. Made by Chris Craft, this 34-foot sedan cruiser debuted in 1952. Charters are a minimum of 2 hours for up to 8 people and come with a Captain and Crew.

This is really a special property. Everyone who works here seems to understand and respect the history of hospitality the hotel is known for. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay here and left feeling totally relaxed and wishing I had more time to visit.

Press Trip: Thank you to Tourism Kelowna and the Hotel Eldorado for making my trip possible.