IM Canada Lodging in west kelowna

Got a late jump on accomodations, most are already sold out or have 5 day stay were I am only staying for 3 nights. Is the drive 24 miles into Penticton fro Kelowna a pain, or easy. How is parking on race day morning etc. Or do I spend the extrea 40 dollars and get into Penticton. I have read a few posts, saying things open up in July should I wait? Is the gamble worth it?
any suggestions thanks

there is plenty of place in penticton…you need to search more on go on the imc forum on there website and look… Definitly worthy to be in penticton for the week. West kelowna drive is ok but definitly a pain… parking the day of the race is not a issue…residential parking in streets…plenty…

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I stayed in Summerland and found a very good deal through Hotels.com at the Summerland Waterfront Resort.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g616300-d617926-Reviews-Summerland_Waterfront_Resort_Spa-Summerland_Okanagan_Valley_British_Columbia.html

The advantage of booking through hotels.com is that you can secure your reservation, but if you find something closer in July, you can cancel through hotels.com without losing any money. The hotel was an easy drive and very nice. Six nights, with taxes, came out to $870.

I stayed at The Holiday Inn , Kelowna for four nights during IM canada this past year.
The drive in the morning took an easy 50 mins . Left an hour early to be safe.
Was clean cheap and not a bad location.

Rooms were actaully very nice and I noramlly stay in 5 star hotels in Asia travelling on business , so that is a big compliment to Holiday Inn. They have just rebranded themselves and are overhauling there image as I am sure most here have noticed. A pleasant venue for the budget concious or traveller that wants clean , trusted accomodation when they will only really be “sleeping” there.

Cheers,

Terry

Is this your first IM Canada? If so, I think Kelowna is too far, and I’d recommend staying in Penticton. The prime location is close to Lake Okanagan, but these are $$$, 5 night mandatory stays, and presumably full. There are lots of other accommodations in Penticton throughout the city. Some may not be luxury resorts, but you’ll be in town, which will help minimize your stress level. Search online, or contact Penticton chamber of commerce. http://www.tourismpenticton.com/penticton-accommodations/

If you’ve done IM Canada before, you wouldn’t need to stay in town. Places like OK Falls, Naramata, Summerland, are just a short drive away. I used to stay in Penticton, but after years of escalating hotel prices, I found a B&B in Summerland. I love the location, the people who run it, and I get to buy alot more IM merchandise with the money I save!

Good luck.

Craigslist found us a basement apt in south penticton not far from skaha. Suuuuper chill and very relaxing pre race. Away from all the hype.

Stayed in Kelowna and would not recommend it. Accommodations were fine, but drive wasn’t. I had a couple friends staying in Penticton so I crashed there during the days so I could stay close to the atmosphere.

FWIW, the drive wasn’t bad, just ate 2 hours during my day. Hopefully they are done with construction. I got stopped a few times waiting for some rocks to be cleared!

Peachland! It’s inbetween Kelowna and Penticton We had a entire house right on the water. Great for morning swims and far enough away (but not too far) from all the craziness of the race site. Last year was the most incredible weather week there. HEAVEN. Fresh peaches, farm stands, wine, sunshine. Ahhhhhhh.

Thanks all, this info helps.
This will be my 16th IM, in the beginning I used to stay at the host hotel, but after about the 6th IM, I started moving away from all the chaos and atmosphere, so thanks for the heads up on the small towns north of town up to Kelowna,