The Delta Grand Okanagan Resort is a waterfront hotel with over seven acres of property.  260 hotel rooms plus 60 condos and suites means a lot of people can enjoy this amazing resort! We were treated to a gorgeous suite in the Royal Private Residence Club which offers 70 luxury waterfront villas.

When we arrived at the hotel, we immediately felt welcomed by the hospitable, attentive front desk staff. Our check-in was quick and easy, and we were off to check out our villa!

First impressions of the interior of our suite were… wow!  The bathrooms were grand and spacious, with walk in showers, modern fixtures and fluffy white towels. The master bathroom was gorgeous and came complete with a giant soaker tub. The two bedrooms were luxurious and comfortable and the third bedroom/den had a lovely desk (if one could get any work done in such a beautiful place!).  The full kitchen was modern, with every kitchen accessory you would require to cook a simple or extravagant meal.  The sitting room’s leather sofa, flat screen TV and fireplace made it very inviting! Everything about the suite said ‘come in, put up your feet, stay a while’.

As we explored our fabulous suite, we could see Okanagan Lake sparkling through the shades.  We pulled the curtains and headed out to a gorgeous patio overlooking the lake. This was our view:

This was where we were going to spend lots of our time, we decided, but first we took a walk around the vast property to check out what the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort had to offer!  Our first stop was the rooftop pool deck located in the Royal Private Residences Club. Check out this view!!!

The rooftop patio includes BBQs, an indoor/outdoor pool, comfy lounge chairs, an indoor and an outdoor hot tub, change rooms with showers, a private fitness centre and a fridge area for one to keep their drinks/food.  Alcohol is permitted, though no glass is allowed on the pool deck.

We then wandered over to the main hotel pool which is equally indoors and out.  It also includes a hot tub and the fitness centre is huge!  There is lots to do in and around the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort.  On site you will find boutiques, travel tour operators, a coffee bar, a casino, The Spa at the Grand, a few restaurants, a liquor store and the cutest little sweet and gelato shop: Sweet Cravings.

We enjoyed a walk around the neighbourhood, which took us to a fabulous art gallery, adorable little boutiques and a local brewery.  Located directly across the street from the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort is the Kelowna Art Gallery, the Rotary Centre for the Arts and Prospera Place. If you are traveling to Kelowna to catch a show or exhibit, there isn’t a better place to stay than the Grand!

Everything you could possibly want on an Okanagan vacation is literally right at your door at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort. Directly outside you will find rentals of sea-doos, power boats, paddle boats, waterskis and bike rentals. Or you could book a parasailing adventure on Lake Okanagan – looks like fun! There is something for everyone within the hotel grounds. Families, couples, friends – this is a great vacation destination for any group of people.

The dining at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort was fantastic.  We ordered room service in the evening and the pizza and sandwiches were fresh and yummy.  We very much enjoyed breakfast and dinner at the Grand Bay Cafe, the waterside restaurant in the hotel.  Breakfast sure set the bar high for dinner!  We enjoyed the buffet breakfast which included fresh Okanagan fruit, french toast, eggs, bacon, sausages, cereals and eggs made to order by two busy chefs.

Dinner at the Grand Bay Cafe was delightful. I enjoyed an exquisite salmon dish, which saw wild salmon wrapped in prosciutto. It was melt-in-your-mouth amazing! My husband enjoyed a steak that was cooked and seasoned to perfection. After all of that I fell deeply in love with the Grand Bay Cafe’s creme brulee for dessert. I don’t even have words to describe how luscious it was. We went home with happy bellies that night!

I was invited to experience The Spa at the Grand.  Their full service spa offers everything from facials to pedicures to body wraps. I enjoyed a delicious Equavie facial. My esthetician, Jamie, was lovely. Very knowledgeable, super friendly and made me feel completely pampered. In fact, all of the staff we interacted with at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort were absolutely wonderful.  Everyone clearly loves their jobs. On our second day at the hotel, neither of us were feeling well so we had to cancel some appointments. Next thing we know, peppermint tea and Halls lozenges arrived at our door, followed an hour later by homemade soup, crackers and ginger ale. A really, really thoughtful team!

All in all, a very enjoyable field trip to Kelowna. Stay tuned for some additional posts on our adventures around the city, wineries and farms!

Thanks once again to Delta Hotels for inviting us on this adventure!

Delta Grand Okanagan Resort
www.deltahotels.com
Ring: 1.800.465.4651

We are signing up new exhibitors everyday for Fresh! This is going to be such a fun event – from local boutiques to bakers of the FV’s finest treats, you are going to explore and discover many of the Fraser Valley’s finest on September 25th!  Spaces are still available, so if you are a local entrepreneur, give us a call and get yourself booked in!

Tickets go on sale very soon for both the workshop series and the showcase.

But why wait to buy a ticket when you can win a pair here!? Please leave a note below to be entered to win the FIRST 2 tickets to Fresh! Fraser Valley showcase!!!

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Fraser Valley Pulse is thrilled to announce an absolutely fabulous local extravaganza: Fresh! Fraser Valley!  Together with our partner, Red Pencil Editing Services, we have put together a full day of Fraser Valley celebrations and you won’t want to miss this!

On September 25, 2010 we invite you to the Ramada Conference Centre in Abbotsford for a day of exploration, celebration and, of course, shopping and fun!  Discover local artisans, shops, services and activity providers.  This isn’t your regular, same old showcase, this is a collection of 60 of the Fraser Valley’s finest independent, locally owned businesses!  From custom boots to sweet treats, there will be something for everyone at Fresh! Fraser Valley.

Alongside the showcase will be an extremely powerful learning series.  13 dynamic local professionals will take turns empowering their peers with 20 minute workshops throughout the day.  Registration is available for each workshop individually, or enjoy significant savings by signing up for a full-day pass. Any business owner will benefit from these informative, fun, useful sessions.  Gain a Fresh! perspective of doing business in the Fraser Valley.

Tickets will be on sale very soon for both the workshops and the showcase, but for now please save the date.  September 25, 2010.  9AM – 5PM.

Fresh! Fraser Valley
www.freshfraservalley.com
Ramada Plaza & Conference Centre, Abbotsford
Ring: 778.298.4255

The 2010 Blogathon in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley will be held on August 21, 2010 at 6AM (until 6AM August 22nd).  I will be hosting an on-location event here in the Fraser Valley, while Rebecca & Raul will once again be organizing an awesome Vancouver location for anyone on that side of the bridge  Last year Vancouver’s event was pretty spectacular, with sponsorships of food, entertainment and more. I’m hoping some fabulous Fraser Valley companies and individuals will see value in what we are doing and will help our bloggers out with some sponsorship for 2010.  If you’re interested in sponsoring the 2010 Fraser Valley Blogathon, please contact me.

Our generous venue sponsor is Coast Hotel & Convention Centre in Langley.  They have generously donated some space for us to blog, relax and have a little fun.  If anyone feels compelled to drop by with some creative ways to keep our bloggers motivated, or to donate in person to any of the Fraser Valley Blogathon participants, we will be at 20393 Fraser Highway, Langley!

Bloggers, this is a fantastic way to utilize your personal or business blogs for a great cause. You choose the charity of your choice and we’ll get everyone set up with a CanadaHelps donation page so the donations go directly to your charity, online. Then we will gather together, keep each other motivated and have a great time raising funds for our favourite charities!

While we finalize all of the details, I’m looking for a head count of local bloggers looking to participate.  If you plan to participate or you would like more information, drop me a line and we will chat.  Thanks!

Thanks once again to Rebecca Bolwitt who is leading the way for us B.C. bloggers participating in Blogathon.

From 10AM – 4PM enjoy vendor demos, in-store specials and lots of samples.  The Roadhouse Bake Shoppe will be unveiling their brand new pastry line-up this day as well!  If it’s anything like what’s been available over the past year, we’re all in for a treat.

We featured McJac’s Roadhouse Grille & Roadhouse Bake Shoppe a few months ago.  If you’ve not checked them both out yet, this is a great time to do so!

Roadhouse Bake Shoppe
www.roadhousebakeshoppe.com
1763 King George Blvd., South Surrey
Ring: 604.538.3177

This is a great way to clear out some clutter and to get some new reading material for the summer break!

by sirwiseowl

babycheeks
www.babycheeks.ca
101-14012 32nd Avenue, South Surrey
Ring: 778.292.0495

Enjoy!

Is your local business hosting a public event?  Invite Team FVP along to help create excitement and get your guests in the mood to celebrate!

On Sunday, June 27th, join us at Frosting Cupcakery for an afternoon of fun.  The Fraser Valley’s own Greg Neufeld will be playing at 2:30PM, the Langley Chiefs will be testing your hockey skills, free cupcakes… it’s going to be quite the celebration!

Team FVP will be on location playing FV Faves – let us know your favourite Frosting Cupcakery cupcake flavour and we’ll post your smiling face on our blog!

The anniversary celebration runs from noon – 4PM… see you there!

THIS JUST IN… Frosting Cupcakery has won Vancouver’s 1st Cupcake Challenge!  Congratulations!!!  What a fantastic week for these hardworking entrepreneurs!

Frosting Cupcakery
www.frostingcupcakery.ca
122-20226 Fraser Highway, Langley
Ring: 778.278.8832

Feeling the pride and buzz after the 2010 Olympics, Langley’s Maria Martini joined forces with Marlise McCormick who was the Associate Director of Choreography for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games’ Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Together with award-winning songwriters Bob Buckley and Brian Gibson, they are planning a 1000 person flash mob dance at Langley’s Canada Day festivities.

If you are 15 years or older and love to dance (professional or just seriously enthusiastic), you can apply to take part in this awesome event at www.keepthepridealive.ca. Rehearsals begin next week so apply soon!

A bilingual song entitled ‘Keep the Pride Alive/Une Fierté à Conserver,’ was recorded by 28 musicians. At the Langley Canada Day celebrations, six of BC’s top vocalists will perform the song – including Langley’s own Cole Armour.

by University of Denver

www.keepthepridealive.ca

Tracycakes Fort Langley is Tracy’s third cafe, an addition to existing locations in White Rock and Downtown Abbotsford.  Besides their award-winning cupcakes, Tracycakes serves fresh, from-scratch lunch items, snacks, high teas and sweets.  Be sure to check out the new Fort Langley cupcake called ‘Remember When’. This new location features an intimate dining area, a private party room for large groups, plus a garden patio. Tea & treats on the patio in Fort Langley, ahhhh…

Don’t miss the grand opening on June 12th where the first 100 customers will enjoy free babycakes and you’ll have the chance to win one dozen cupcakes for every month of the year.

Tracycakes
www.tracycakesonline.com
23170 96th Avenue, Fort Langley
Ring: 604.888.1984

It’s a fairly unassuming location inside of the Quality Inn Hotel beside Home Depot in Langley, definitely a hidden gem. The special of the day was catfish nuggets, which sounded interesting. All I could smell was a deep smokey goodness, which I knew had to be ribs – so I ordered myself a half rack with two sides.  Choosing the sides was quite the task: coleslaw, collard greens, real southern mac ‘n cheese, seasoned fries – how can you choose?

Service was swift and before we knew it, two mouth watering dishes arrived on our table.  Oh. My. Delicious. Ribs are my absolute favourite and these were very tasty! The ribs were smokey and the honey bourbon BBQ sauce was delicious.  My husband had the pulled pork sandwich which was also delicious. I was completely unprepared, so I only captured this one photo with my phone. Looks yummy, eh? The menu was full of southern favourites – jambalaya, sweet potato pie, hot links, southern mac ‘n cheese. Boonie’s also has a kid’s menu, which is great!

Executive Chef Boonie Sanders learned how to cook from his Granny, whose photo hangs near the kitchen. When she passed on, his promise to himself was that he would keep her recipes alive.  Some of you may recognize Boonie’s as the restaurant used to be located in Cloverdale.

Take out and catering services are available.  We enjoyed hanging out at the restaurant, listening to the jazz music and chatting with Boonie.  In the summertime, he shared, there will be live blues performers out on the patio.  We’ll definitely be back to check that out!

If you love BBQ or you’re looking to try something new in Langley, check out Boonie’s BBQ & Soul Food. As you can see, the portions are generous too… leftovers for dinner, woo hoo!

Boonie’s BBQ & Soul Food
www.boonies.ca
6465 201 Street, Langley (Inside Quality Inn Hotel)
Ring: 604.309.3438