Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos, British Columbia

World Travel

Osoyoos sits in the Okanagan Valley region of British Columbia. Located at the edge of the Sonoran Desert, it’s Canada’s warmest and driest location. The Watermark Beach Resort boasts 1,000 feet of waterfront on the shores of Osoyoos Lake, recognized as Canada’s warmest lake, making it an excellent destination for summer beach days. Additionally, its proximity to Mount Baldy offers opportunities for downhill skiing at British Columbia’s third-highest elevation ski area.

After arriving from Michigan, I flew into Kelowna (YLW) and drove two and a half hours to the heart of Osoyoos. If you’re road-tripping, you can cross the border at Oroville, Washington, and take BC Highway-97 for the 11-minute drive to Osoyoos. In any case, I recommend you drive into the surrounding area for stunning mountain views.

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Watermark Beach Resort is in a good location for everything you want to do in the area. Here are seven reasons why the whole family will love using it as a home base to explore Osoyoos and the surrounding region.

Thank you to Watermark Beach Resort for hosting my stay. 

Accommodations at the Watermark Beach Resort

As the only full-scale resort on Lake Osoyoos, the Watermark Beach Resort offers 153 luxurious units, including studios, one-bedroom condominiums, two-bedroom condominiums, and three-bedroom condominiums. I frequently travel with my husband, daughter, and two granddaughters, and a single hotel room often leads to chaos; yet, renting two rooms for the five of us seems excessive. A two-bedroom, two-bathroom condominium would be the perfect solution for family suites. We could all be together, yet the whole family would love their own space. I found the king-size bed to be very comfy. 

While Osoyoos has several restaurants within walking distance, including the on-site 15 Park Bistro, foodies will appreciate the gourmet full kitchens in this lovely property. It’s perfect for those who want to explore the many roadside fruit and vegetable stands and cook their farm-to-table meals.

Families with children will appreciate having an en-suite washer and dryer, allowing you to throw in a quick load between trips to the beach without missing a beat.

You’ll find a seasonal outdoor pool, outdoor hot tubs, a water slide, a steam room, a spa, a yoga studio, a fitness center, and a marina. And I must admit, there’s nothing like savoring my morning coffee on the private balcony with a view of Osoyoos Lake. The private balconies also feature a family-size table, allowing the whole family to dine together al fresco.

​You’ll also find free parking on the property.

15 Park Bistro at the Watermark Beach Resort

Chef Jeffery Young leads the on-site Watermark restaurant,  15 Park Bistro, offering a unique perspective on seasonal local cuisine and sustainable ingredients that complement the restaurant’s farm-to-table ethos. Open for three meals a day, the plates are as much a feast for the eyes as they are for the palate. Chef Young elevates even a simple burger to something special by crafting a brisket burger made with grass-fed, slow-cooked beef brisket and topped with aged Cheddar and house-made coleslaw. He then added barbecue sauce, placed it on a brioche bun, and served it with potato wedges. Other favorites were the seafood linguine and the salmon salad. While you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, due to seasonal ingredients, what I had may not be available; however, I’m confident you’ll find your favorite.

A View from the 15 Park Bistro Patio
A View from the 15 Park Bistro Patio

I particularly enjoyed sitting on their patio and taking in the stunning views of Lake Osoyoos with the surrounding mountains as a backdrop. I noticed that simply by changing my seat, I had a whole new perspective. With their updated heaters and retractable sides, you can comfortably sit on the patio even on chilly nights. However, if it’s too cold, consider enjoying one of the local wines at the wine bar.

Wine Tours

Osoyoos is Canada’s warmest region and a renowned destination for red wine. You’ll find a variety of wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah, to fill your glass.

The adults can sit outside on the patios throughout the wineries in this beautiful location, where friendly staff will guide you through wine tastings. With wine-tasting packages, you’ll sample from award-winning portfolios. The experiences will include some of their newly certified organic releases, grand reserves, and sparkling wines. You’ll sample wines alongside a locally sourced charcuterie board.

Grab some fresh fruits and vegetables at the farm stands to prepare in the Watermark Beach Resort’s gourmet kitchen. You won’t find a fresher meal.

Water Sports

With its lakefront location, the resort offers numerous watersport opportunities. Boat rentals and other sports equipment are readily available at venues on the warm lake. Sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), wakeboarding, and swimming all provide fun in the sun.

Desert Adventures

While in the area, consider visiting these two venues to learn more about the desert and its culture.

Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre

The Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre (pronounced in-ka-meep) is a family-friendly destination. The state-of-the-art interpretive center is an architectural marvel that is seamlessly integrated into the surrounding hills. Indoor and outdoor exhibits provide a fun and interactive learning environment. The hands-on displays and education stations are fun for the whole family. They offer two multi-media theatre experiences, where you’ll learn about Canada’s only desert.

Osoyoos Desert Centre

In 1998, the Desert Society opened the Osoyoos Desert Centre, a hands-on interpretive facility, to conserve the South Okanagan’s unique habitats. The 67-acre attraction features a 1.5-kilometer elevated boardwalk, making it an excellent place for kids to stretch their legs while exploring the desert. The boardwalk is wheelchair-accessible and accessible for strollers and walkers. You can take a self-guided tour along the boardwalk, or guided tours are available at certain times.

Piper’s Pro Planning: The Osoyoos Desert Centre is open seasonally, from April to October.

Golfing

With long summer days, little rain, and minimal snow in the winter, golfing provides year-round enjoyment. If the number of golf bags coming off the baggage claim area is any indication, many people come to Osoyoos to play golf. With five championship golf courses, it’s easy to understand why it is such a popular destination.  Osoyoos Golf Club offers two full-length courses, while Sonora Dunes Golf Course is a nine-hole course. Fairview Mountain Golf Club, one of Canada’s top public courses, features an 18-hole course with a practice facility. Nk’Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course is a full-length, championship-caliber golf course. Twin Lakes Golf Course, 20 minutes south of Penticton, is an 18-hole regulation-length course. The mountain views are stunning no matter which course you choose to play. So, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, you’ll find the perfect course in the region.

Snowbird Getaway

Retirees and digital nomads may yearn to escape Canada’s cold and snowy conditions. Osoyoos typically receives only two inches of snow annually, and you won’t find a warmer destination anywhere in the country. With wineries to explore and the resort only a block from Osoyoos’ business district, it makes for convenient living. In addition to the on-site restaurant, you’ll find several others within easy walking distance or a few minutes’ drive.

Piper’s Pro Planning: Favorable short- and long-term rates from October through spring make Watermark Beach Resort the perfect place for a snowbird getaway.

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Watermark Beach Resort Pinterest Graphic
Author: Amy Piper

While Piper is a lifelong Michigander, she’s had adventures worldwide. Bomb-sniffing dogs chased her in the middle of the night in Bogota (working late), gate agents refused her boarding to Paraguay (wrong visa), and US Marshals announced her seat number on a plane while looking for a murder suspect (she’d traded seats). It’s always an adventure! She even finds exciting activities in her home state of Michigan, where she lives in Lansing with her husband, Ross Dingman, her daughter, Alexis, and two granddaughters.

BOOK YOUR TRIP

Let’s get something on the calendar! Here are some of Piper’s Pro Planning links to help you book your trip.

Plan your flight and book your airline ticket with these links:

Plan your overnight accommodations anywhere from national chains to private homes with:

Plan to save on all of your activities, from tours to attractions. These links will help:

Visit my resources page for more planning help.

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Welcome to Follow the Piper! Discover interesting destinations, and practical planning tips for packing more travel into your everyday life.

Our founder and author, Amy Piper, is a freelance travel writer, blogger, photographer, and author specializing in traveling through a food lens and multi-generational travel. She is a native Michigander who travels through the lens of a food lover and has been to 41 countries and 45 states.

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