Stayed here Aug 5-10, 2008. Actually, I am writing this from the room..... it's raining outside and activities are limited.
These are privately-owned condos that can be booked through various management companies. The pool just opened a week or so ago. They are still doing construction on some parts of the complex. We booked through Okanagan Vacations online. It was very easy because you can chat live online with the booking rep. Requested a lakeview unit but that probably wasn't such a good idea since "lakeview" units are on the main road (not too noisy) and face west so you can only sit on the balcony in the morning and after the sun goes down (unless you are gunning for skin cancer and heat stroke). Our suite was a 1 bdrm with loft and 2 baths. Nice set up with the 20 ft ceilings. I would think that the units with lower ceilings would feel claustrophic. Too much brown! Builder-brown tones everywhere - walls, floors, furniture. It would feel so much more open with a more modern colour scheme. I was tempted to paint the place myself to get rid of the baby-puke coloured walls, doors and baseboards. I would think that the "creekside" units (main floor with a little garden courtyard) would be the best. If you like actiivity, try for a 3rd floor unit facing the inside pool. They have a large deck/courtyard area. All other units just have a balcony (with barbeque).
We had some problems with the unit. Aircon didn't work. Try to sleep when it's 86 degrees inside! The mgmt company was quick to get the blding mgr in. They came to fix it the next day which helped the temp but resulted in the fan running non-stop. Also, the upstairs shower had one temp - scalding. That, too, was fixed.
The pool area is located on the 3rd floor in the central courtyard. Tons of space to sit and lots of loungers. Could do with a little more shade. The pool was a pretty good size. There were a TON of toddlers.
If I were to book a condo again, I probably wouldn't stay here. It's way too big (270 units) and the hallways are like mouse mazes. We just wandered around until we came to an exterior door and hoped that it exited onto a street! Underground parking is handy.
Restaurant and coffee shop in the complex are good. Don't bother with the salads (think Costco mixed baby greens with dressing) but my son loved the pizza. For a nice meal on a nice night, try the Minstrel Cafe and Bar further south on Lakeview Drive. Sit outside under the magnificent tree (may need reservations). Their spicy asian soup was very tasty.
Since we booked rather last minute, we didn't have a lot to choose from. Next time we will likely try to stay close to downtown (The Grand) or outside the city altogether in Peachland. Better yet, for a truly Okanagan experience camp at the Okanagan Lake Provincial Campground - south (north is gross). Best beach on the lake and nice sites. Good luck trying to get one, though!
