The Okanagan Valley in British Columbia is known as the Tuscany of Canada due to its scenic beauty and quality wines. In the heart of the valley is the Skaha Beach Club and Spa, the only five star resort in the region.
This $300 million development is close to Penticton, 150 miles east of Vancouver It lies between the 70 mile long Okanagan Lake and the sandy shores of Skaha Lake. In 2008, there will be non stop flights from London to Kelowna International Airport which is just 45 minutes away.
The resort is set in beautiful countryside. There are 125 wineries within one hour offering numerous grape varieties. The valley has won international wine awards in recent years. For golfing enthusiasts, there are over 50 golf courses nearby, with a number achieving championship status. In winter, there is top class skiing at Apex which will be a training centre when Canada hosts the 2010 winter Olympics at Whistler, north of Vancouver. In other seasons, there is hunting, shooting, fishing, mountain biking, climbing plus beaches and watersports. National Geographic voted the Okanagan Valley one of the world’s top 25 adventure destinations for 2007.
There will be 450 apartments at Skaha Beach Club and Spa with a choice of penthouse studios, one bedroom apartments and two bedroom apartments with the facility to ‘lock off’ one bedroom and kitchen for rental purposes. Each is fully furnished. In the centre of the resort is a two acre private lake. There is an 8,200 sq ft world class spa with eight treatment rooms and fitness and wellness facilities. There is also a café, deli, wine bistro and international cooking school with tuition from top chefs.
Covering 9.5 acres, it will be the second largest hotel in Canada with 660 rooms. The gated resort will offer owners and visitors the only five star accommodation in the Okanagan Valley.
The first phase is already underway and will be complete in Spring 2009. Hamptons International is marketing later phases which will be ready for occupation in early 2010. Harry Lewis, project manager, Hamptons International said: “This is the first time that British purchasers have had the opportunity to buy in this beautiful location. The valley is a hidden gem and will undoubtedly become a hot destination in the future.”
Melvyn Reeves, CEO of My Second Home Developments said: “It took five years of planning to bring this high end luxury resort to the market. It has sold well to the Canadian market, we now want to share our secret with international buyers.”
Prices at Skaha Beach Club and Spa start from £148,800 for a studio apartment. Owners have the option of putting their property into the managed rental pool where there are no limitations on the amount of time the owner can use the apartment.
On Skaha Lake waterfront, house prices have risen by 50% over the last two years and 2007/2008 predictions are that they will see at least another 25% growth. Indeed new multi million dollar homes are now appearing on the lakeside demonstrating the appeal of this popular holiday destination. Rental returns at Skaha Beach Club are expected to be around 5–6%.
An additional benefit is the affiliation with the Registry Collection, a programme that allows owners to exchange weeks with worldwide resorts offering the same levels of service.