Kelowna's official motto, "the small city that offers everything," doesn't exaggerate in the slightest. The city, the largest one in the Okanagan Valley despite being 'small,' sits directly on the shores of Okanagan Lake, nestled in the heart of three mountain ranges. It also has several beaches, rivers, miles of vineyards and orchards, and seemingly endless access to the great outdoors. Sitting on the lake's eastern shore at almost the exact midway point, pretty much all Kelowna activities revolve around the waterfront in some way.
With that in mind, you'll want to stay as close to the lake as possible in order to take full advantage of all the many waterfront Kelowna activities. It doesn't get much closer than The Royal Kelowna, a luxury hotel in the center of downtown with Okanagan Lake as its backyard.
In this guide, we're going over exactly how staying at The Royal allows you to make the most of everything this beautiful lakeside city has to offer—and why you'll fall in love with it all!
Location, Location, Location
Right next door to the city's always-bustling Waterfront Park, The Royal Kelowna is literal steps from the lake. Look out from your private balcony onto the sparkling water, walk over to the Island Stage to catch a summer concert, or take a stroll to sandy Tugboat Beach, one of the top Kelowna attractions. The hotel is so centrally located that you can easily get by without having your own vehicle if you prefer. And if you do drive, we have secure covered parking available.
Steps From the Beach and Other Kelowna Hot Spots
Yes, we just covered The Royal's unbeatable location. However, its proximity specifically to beaches and the Cultural District is worth highlighting. After all, these are some of the main Kelowna attractions that bring visitors to the area!
You already know that you can easily walk over to Tugboat Beach or along the Waterfront Promenade. On a bicycle (more on that down below!), you can quickly ride over to a handful of other beaches, including Hot Sand Beach and Downtown Sails Dog Beach. And with over 300 days of sunshine each year, you can actually enjoy Kelowna's beaches throughout much of the year.
Head the other direction out of The Royal, away from the waterfront, and you'll find yourself in the heart of the Cultural District. As you may expect, this six-square-block area is home to several galleries, museums, theatres, and other cultural attractions, such as public art installations. Highlights include the Okanagan Heritage Museum, Okanagan Wine and Orchard Museum, and Kasugai Gardens. You can even take free guided walking tours in the summer months.
Other Kelowna Activities Nearby
In addition to the beach and Cultural District, The Royal is conveniently located to just about any- and everything you could possibly want to do in Kelowna. Take a short walk or bike ride to any one of these places:
Kelowna Community Theatre (8-minute walk)
Kelowna Art Gallery (8-minute walk)
Kelowna Yacht Club & Cactus Club Cafe (8-minute walk)
BNA Brewing & Bowling (9-minute walk)
Central Kitchen + Bar (10-minute walk)
Prospera Place - home of the Kelowna Rockets hockey team and countless concerts (10-minute walk)
Sprout Bread & coffee (10-minute walk)
Stuart Park waterfront park and home to an outdoor ice skating rink in the winter (10-minute walk)
Sandhill Wines (15-minute walk or 5-minute bike ride)
It's All About the Amenities
In addition to its unbeatable location, one of the things that makes The Royal the top luxury resort Kelowna has to offer is its lengthy list of upscale amenities. All hotel guests enjoy perks, including:
A heated rooftop infinity pool and indoor-outdoor hot tubs overlooking Okanagan Lake (the only one of its kind in all of Kelowna!)
Contemporary lounge area on the rooftop terrace with fire pits and BBQ grills
State-of-the-art fitness centre with cardio equipment, free weights, and steam showers
Adjacent to Playtime Casino Kelowna, with slot machines, poker, table games, a restaurant, and a pub
Covered parking (available for a fee)
As if all of those amenities aren't enough to ensure an unforgettable stay in Kelowna, we also have our Stay® | Well amenities program. Not only can guests take advantage of exclusive partner discounts for activities including wine tours and tastings, but you'll also have access to all sorts of complimentary goodies.
Beach gear in the summer months, including beach chairs, umbrellas, and wagons to haul it all on the short walk
Adult bicycles for cruising around town (perfect for exploring the bike paths all around the hotel and waterfront)
Umbrellas for those somewhat rare rainy Kelowna days
Yoga mats
Snowshoes and saucer-style sleds in the winter
Luxurious Accommodations
The Royal Kelowna is an all-suite, condominium-style hotel. Choose from one-, two-, or three-bedroom suites, all with a private balcony or patio, fully-equipped gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, and in-suite laundry. Other standards in-room perks include a gas fireplace and 55-inch TV in the living room, a separate dining room for added space or a workstation, a whirlpool tub in the master bedroom, and sweeping views over either Okanagan Lake or the lagoon (where the Island Stage is located).
Whether you're escaping for a romantic weekend or vacationing with your entire family, you'll find that The Royal is one of the top resorts downtown Kelowna has.
As you can see, there's a LOT to love about The Royal Kelowna. The resort's waterfront location and abundance of upscale amenities are unmatched anywhere else in town, making it the clear winner for where to stay in Kelowna.
Book your stay today and see for yourself...but make sure to check out our current offers and promotions first!
