Cormier Studio B&B: An Artful Lodging in Canada’s Okanagan Valley

Okanagan Lake, Penticton BC Canada

Okanagan Lake, Penticton, British Columbia, Canada

Many visitors to British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley come for wine-touring, with more than 200 wineries up and down the valley of this sunny, dry region. Some come for the lakes with sandy beaches, where you can swim, kayak, or paddleboard. Still others come for the cycling, particularly along the popular Kettle Valley Rail Trail.

But if you stay at Cormier Studio B&B in the central Okanagan community of Penticton, you can also come for art.

Here’s the scoop:

Hallway art, Cormier Studio, Penticton BC Canada

Hallway art at Cormier Studio B&B, Penticton, BC

Cormier Studio B&B

Husband and wife artists Lawrence Cormier and Kena Cumming Cormier operate Cormier Studio B&B on the lower level of their Penticton home and gallery.

Lawrence is a metal sculptor, while Kena creates colorful mixed-media wall art and sculptures made of fused glass. Their artworks are on view both inside and outside their contemporary home, a short walk from Okanagan Lake and downtown Penticton.

Courtyard Room, Cormier Studio, Penticton BC Canada

The Courtyard Room at Cormier Studio B&B

Their two guest suites, the Courtyard Room at the front of the house and the Lakeside Room with a private garden at the back, are spacious and modern, with blond wood furnishings, colorful upholstery, and some of the couple’s art.

Lakeside Room, Cormier Studio, Penticton BC Canada

The Lakeside Room

Both have sitting areas, en suite baths with heated floors, and well-equipped kitchenettes, with fridges, toaster ovens, microwaves, coffee- and tea-making supplies, and dishes.

Lakeside Room kitchen, Cormier Studio, Penticton BC Canada

The Lakeside Room’s kitchenette

If you’d like, the Cormiers will stock your room with breakfast makings — granola, yogurt, fruit, and pastry — or you can prep your own meal.

If you prefer to go out, the B&B is directly across the street from The Bench Market, a gourmet grocer and bakery that serves excellent coffee, pastries, and brunch dishes. Another good breakfast or lunch spot nearby is the hip Wayne & Freda in downtown Penticton.

Library, Cormier Studio, Penticton BC Canada

The library under the stairs at Cormier Studio B&B

Cormier Studio B&B doesn’t have common space for guests to mingle, but the owners have provided a mini library under the stairs in the hallway between the guest rooms. You can borrow a book, or scope out maps and brochures about local activities.

And both units have small outdoor spaces with a table and chairs — comfortable spots for a glass of wine.

Kettle Valley Rail Trail, Penticton BC Canada

Cycling the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, Penticton, BC

What’s Nearby?

There are plenty of wineries to explore in Penticton and along the nearby Naramata Bench. Rent a bike and go cycling along the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, which can take you to some of these wineries or simply to enjoy the views over the lake. You can pick up the trail near Cormier Studio. Book at kayaking tour with Hoodoo Adventures, or check out Penticton’s several craft breweries.

For dinner, don’t miss the Turkish-inspired plates and creative cocktails at Elma.

And when you’ve finished your day’s adventures, come back to sleep with the art, in the artful Cormier Studio B&B.

Rates

Double room rates at Cormier Studio B&B range from CAD$125-140 during the quiet winter season to CAD$225-240 during the peak summer months. You can compare rates and book through an online site such as Expedia. A two-night minimum stay is normally required.

For other accommodation options in and around Penticton, check out our reviews of the Naramata Inn, which is definitely worth a visit for a meal regardless of where you stay, and of the Penticton Lakeside Inn.

Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. Destination British Columbia and Visit Penticton, in partnership with Cormier Studio B&B, provided support for my Okanagan research trip.

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