The Balcomo, a Ramada by Wyndham property in Penticton, British Columbia
The Okanagan Valley in central British Columbia starts at the U.S. border, continuing north along several lakes for more than 150 miles. It’s B.C.’s main wine-producing region, with 200+ wineries set among its desert-like hills. Near the center of the Okanagan, the town of Penticton is a good base both for wine-touring and for exploring. And whether you’re sampling the local wines, road-tripping with the family, or planning a wellness getaway, it’s worth considering The Balcomo, a 122-room Penticton hotel.
Here’s the scoop:
The Balcomo is a fixture in Penticton, though the owners have changed its name and done significant renovations over the years. Its brush with fame may have come back in 1971, when Britain’s Queen Elizabeth visited the hotel.
The latest updates have added a wellness center and sauna at the center of the property, next to the seasonal outdoor pool.
Sauna on The Balcomo pool deck
Wellness at The Balcomo
The centerpiece of the wellness center is a yoga studio with a “Himalayan salt wall,” which illuminates the space with a golden glow. The hotel is planning to offer yoga and other classes, but in the meantime, guests can use the space on their own for meditation or yoga. Yoga mats and blocks are provided.
The glowing wall in the yoga space
Adjacent to the yoga room is a relaxation lounge with a “living wall” of plants providing a backdrop for the couches and chairs, where guests can hang out either before or after a class or just for a little peace and quiet. There’s a help-yourself tea station here as well.
Hot and cold plunge pools
In addition to the outdoor swimming pool, the Balcomo wellness center has a hot tub and a cold plunge pool in an indoor/outdoor space, where folding doors open onto the pool area when the weather is mild.
The hotel has a cramped fitness center, with a treadmill, an elliptical trainer, two stationary bikes, and free weights. The tiny fitness room is currently located in one of the guest room blocks. Incorporating it into the wellness area would make it a far more appealing space. Since the hotel is only a short distance from Okanagan Lake, though, you could instead get your exercise with a run, walk, or cycle along the scenic shoreline.
Other Facilities and Services
The Balcomo’s onsite restaurant is a branch of the Local Public Eatery chain, which has locations across several Canadian provinces and U.S. states. It’s convenient for lunch, dinner, or drinks onsite, but I’d walk the 20 or 25 minutes to the lakeshore or to the town center for more interesting options, including creative Turkish food at Elma, inventive cocktails and small plates at Chulo Tapas, delicious brunches at Wayne & Freda, or top-notch pizza at Pizzeria Tratto.
The Balcomo lobby has a self-serve coffee and tea station. Near the pool in the hotel’s central courtyard is a playground for the kids.
Standard guest room at The Balcomo
Guest Rooms and Amenities
The Balcomo is a Ramada by Wyndham property, balancing the brand’s uniformity with its local ownership.
Starting at 300 square feet, the guest rooms include a king bed, two queen beds, and suite options, which are all similar in decor, but vary in size and in their location on the property.
The guest rooms all have at least a mini-fridge and a Keurig coffeemaker. The staff can bring a microwave or a hot plate to your room on request.
Suite living room overlooking the adjacent golf course
The “tower” building, a four-story structure at the back of the property, has 42 rooms, many of which overlook the adjacent Penticton Golf and Country Club. The hotel’s largest units are in the tower building — family-friendly one-bedroom kitchen suites that have a separate bedroom and living area with a fully equipped kitchen.
Balcomo kitchen suite
Rates
Compared to The Balcomo, the Okanagan Valley has lodgings that are more luxurious, have a hipper vibe, or are located in a more bucolic setting amid the local vineyards. But for its comfortable rooms, family-friendly feel, and its new wellness center, The Balcomo in Penticton is a solid option.
Standard double room rates at The Balcomo start at about CAD$200/night (approximately US$145). Room rates include Wi-Fi and on-site parking.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
Looking for more accommodations in the Okanagan Valley? Here are a few of our favorites: Watermark Beach Resort in Ososyoos; Penticton Lakeside Resort; and Eldorado Resort in Kelowna.
Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. Travel Penticton and The Balcomo arranged my stay for review purposes.
