Sparkling Hill

Sparkling Hill – May 22 – 24

 

So Nancy and I decided it was time for a girl’s spa trip. After much contemplation on trying somewhere different we actually ended up at a Canadian Spa in B.C. that Nancy had remembered reading about. http://www.sparklinghill.com/ is located in Vernon just up the road from Predator Ridge carved into a granite hillside. It has many distinctive design components made up of Swarovski crystals and is owned by Mr Gernot Langes Swarovski, patriarch of the famed Austrian Crystal family.

To start our trip we flew into Kelowna and proceeded to Quail's Gate winery for a light lunch and drinks. After a casual walk around and a drive to Grey Monk winery, we headed up to the resort to check in. Upon arriving you are amazed by the modern architecture and lighting reflected by the crystals that show up everywhere in the resort (even on the bathroom doors). We checked in and headed up to our room which did not disappoint. The view was spectacular and not to be outdone by the beautiful room. Not only were there crystals in the ceiling above the spa tub, but a crystal fireplace was situated at the open end of the room. Although these are spectacular features I can assure you that we did not try them out nor were we able to shower with both of us in the room as the bathroom/shower/spa tub are open to the remainder of the room. Fine with your spouse for a romantic weekend but not so much with a girlfriend!

We spent our first full day at the resort partaking in the vast spa facilities the resort is known for. You have exclusive access to the 7 unique aromatherapy saunas and steam rooms plus experience showers | igloo 10˚C | indoor pool complete with underwater music and starry Swarovski crystal sky | hot pool | outdoor infinity pool | Kneipp water therapy | state-of-the-art Keiser-equipped fitness studio | Tea and Serenity Relaxation Rooms. The spa itself is wonderfully put together to offer the most in relaxation but I do have a few pet peeves with the experience. First off, the registration desk does not provide a tour of the spa so you are on your own winding your way through the facilities. Secondly, they allow tours to enter the relaxation room, which kind of defeats the purpose of relaxation. People were laughing and yelling across to each other and even entered the rooms in their street clothes and hung out where we were horizontal on reclining chairs in bathrobes. The saunas and steam rooms we found out were closed daily from 11-4 for “cleaning”. Seems a peculiar time to be closed, especially when you have people spending their day at the resort for the full “spa” experience.

 Meals were uncharacteristically included in our package. We went to the restaurant early to ask about attire. We were told our jeans were too casual so we went back to our room to change into something more appropriate for the occasion and location. Upon returning to the restaurant we were seated quickly only to find others around us wearing workout wear. Hmmm… Anyway the meal was good but as Nancy eloquently put it “tastes like catered food at a wedding”. Not what you would expect from a resort of this caliber.

 

So to sum up, Nancy and I had a wonderful time and would go back but perhaps we would venture to Phoenix or Las Vegas for a “true” girls spa getaway first. The treatments at Sparkling Hill were fantastic, the views were amazing and the rooms would be perfect for a romantic getaway. There is room for improvement on the food and spa but otherwise this getaway was an 8/10. – Nancy I would have given it a 10/10 based on company but it just ain’t no Canyon Ranch at the Palazzo!