The Okanagan's unofficial capital, Kelowna is at the center of British Columbia's burgeoning wine industry. This laid-back, outdoorsy city on the shores of Okanagan Lake is where active and gourmet adventures collide, both in spring for wine tastings and wildlife spotting and in winter when some of BC's best powder dusts the surrounding ski resorts. There isn't a bad time of year to visit. Kelowna's ever-expanding neighborhoods are also filled with great places to stay. Its eco-friendly hotels, inexpensive motels, lakefront resorts, and cute inns offer accommodations for every budget.
Where to stay
in Kelowna
Best Places to Stay for Outdoor Activities
Most visitors choose to base themselves in Downtown Kelowna or Kelowna Central Business District, which offers a wide range of places to stay. As well as being the most sophisticated part of the city, it's the jumping-off point for numerous tours and excursions. In warm weather these include kayaking, parasailing, biking, and rock climbing. Fall brings horseback rides. Winter includes days spent ice skating and nights swapping stories around fire pits. Rutland is farther from the city center, but its mid-range hotels are in easy reach of less intensive activities including rounds at Black Mountain Golf Club and Gallagher's Canyon Golf & Country Club, plus gentle hikes in Scenic Canyon Regional Park.
Downtown Kelowna
Downtown Kelowna is well-regarded for its beaches, abundant dining options and lake views, and you might also want to make a stop by Kelowna Centennial Museum, a top sight in the neighborhood.
Recommended hotels in Downtown Kelowna
Kelowna Central Business District
The abundant dining options and lake views are top of the list for many visitors to Kelowna Central Business District. A stop by Lake City Casino or Prospera Place might round out your trip.
Recommended hotels in Kelowna Central Business District
Rutland
Rutland is noteworthy for its coffeehouses, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Tower Ranch Golf Club and St Andrews by the Lake.
Recommended hotels in Rutland
Where to Stay for Winetasting
Kelowna and its surrounding vineyards spearheaded winemaking in British Columbia. This is one of the best places to taste the region's elegant Syrahs and delicate Rieslings. Those who don't want to give up the convenience of staying in Downtown Kelowna can even visit urban wineries on foot following the city's "grapes to grains" route. Alternatively, South Pandosy has the longer "lakeshore wine route," which winds along the shore linking sleek tasting rooms and scenic vineyards. Hotels here can be more affordable with a little more space, and some have pools. Accommodations across the lake in West Kelowna include swanky resorts and cozy inns. Here the Westside Wine Trail includes the Indigenous World Winery and organic-certified Off the Grid.
Downtown Kelowna
Downtown Kelowna is well-regarded for its beaches, abundant dining options and lake views, and you might also want to make a stop by Kelowna Centennial Museum, a top sight in the neighborhood.
Recommended hotels in Downtown Kelowna
South Pandosy
The abundant dining options and lake views are top of the list for many visitors to South Pandosy. A stop by Okanagan Lake or Guisachan Heritage Park might round out your trip.
Recommended hotels in South Pandosy
Great Neighborhoods for Families
Despite its reputation for being a center of all things oenological, Kelowna is a great family vacation destination as well. Numerous orchards and farms offer pick-your-own experiences on the outskirts of Rutland. Especially for those traveling with a car, this can be a great neighborhood to stay in when using Kelowna as a base for a longer trip. Even close to Downtown Kelowna's hotels, families will find lots of attractions, including a swimming beach at Kelowna City Park and watersports on the lake. Consider booking a hotel in West Kelowna for quieter beaches and easy mountain biking trails.
Rutland
Rutland is noteworthy for its coffeehouses, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Tower Ranch Golf Club and St Andrews by the Lake.
Recommended hotels in Rutland
Downtown Kelowna
Downtown Kelowna is well-regarded for its beaches, abundant dining options and lake views, and you might also want to make a stop by Kelowna Centennial Museum, a top sight in the neighborhood.
Recommended hotels in Downtown Kelowna
The most popular accommodation types
More Hotel Options in Kelowna
- Hotels with Air Conditioning in Kelowna
- Hotels with Free Wifi in Kelowna
- Hotels with Free Parking in Kelowna
- Hotels with Restaurants in Kelowna
- Golf Hotels in Kelowna
- Winery Hotels in Kelowna
- Family Hotels in Kelowna
- Hotels & Resorts for Couples in Kelowna
- Non-Smoking Hotels in Kelowna
- Historic Hotels in Kelowna
- Casinos in Kelowna
- Hotels with Hot Tubs in Kelowna
- Hotels with Laundry Facilities in Kelowna
- Beach Hotels in Kelowna
- Hotels with a Pool in Kelowna
- Hotels with an Outdoor Pool in Kelowna
- Ski Hotels in Kelowna
- Hotels with a Gym in Kelowna
- Hotels with Balconies in Kelowna
- Resorts & Hotels with Spas in Kelowna
