Sloquet Hot Springs: Fraser Valley

Overview:
Sloquet Hot Springs is a wonderfully wild set of shallow, man-made pools fed by a small, all natural, and very hot, waterfall.  The pools stretch from the waterfall to the large and crashing Sloquet River. The large, spread out campsite for the hot springs lies a short 5 minute walk from the springs.

Thoughts:

A great spot for relaxing and very scenic. It was very busy on the summer weekend and the campground was quite full.

A bit of a drive in as it is about 3hrs from Pemberton on gravel roads or 3hrs from Harrison on a gravel road that requires 4 wheel drive in sections.

The springs are in a natural setting broken up into multiple pools each getting gradually cooler towards the Sloquet river.

About 20 sites for camping and most can hold multiple tents and even a small trailer if you want to tow one in on the gravel roads. There is a $15 fee to camp and a $5 day use fee if the attendant is there to collect (apparently mainly on weekends and during the summer months).

Aside from the long drive in it is a great spot to go and I would definitely head back that way. I probably would not come up from Harrison though but rather just spend the extra time to drive down from Pemberton.

Pros:
Very nice setting and very clean.

Cons:
A pretty long drive down a bumpy gravel road, day use and overnight fees

Contact Information:
Cultus Lake Park
4165 Columbia Valley Highway
Cultus Lake Park, BC V2R 5B5

Website: http://whistlerhiatus.com/driving/sloquet-hot-springs-126k.html

Skaha Lake Park: Penticton

Overview:
This beautiful park offers outdoor fun for everyone! Located at the south end of Penticton, this 21 acre park offers a variety of year round recreational opportunities. Skaha Lake Park includes one of BC's most beautiful sandy beaches; the red sand beach is great for sunbathing & wading in the warm waters of Skaha Lake.

Thoughts:
A nice lake in the summer with plenty to do. A spray park for the kids, small concession and of course a sandy beach. Boat rentals and a slide offer some water fun as well. The lake is nice and warm in the summer because of the size and can get quite busy.

There is a very large parking lot and plenty of space on the beach or grass for everyone.

Pros:
Warm waters and plenty of things to do to keep you busy for the day.

Cons:
Swimming area can be quite crowded as it can be a bit short in areas because of a drop off.

Contact Information:
Phone: 250-490-2426

Website: http://www.penticton.ca/EN/main/community/parks-trails-beaches/parks/skaha-lake-park.html

Bentei Sushi: Burnaby

Thoughts:

Super friendly service and very quick. The prices are also on the lower end which is good for the quality of the food. The rolls were decent size and the rice and roll contents were very good but the seaweed wrap was a bit chewy.

The restaurant was a little unsettling from the outside and the inside looks like an old diner but very clean.

Pros:

Other than the seaweed the food was good and the prices were even better.

Cons:

Chewy seaweed on the wraps and looks a little rough. 

Contact Info:

#5-5901 E. Broadway St.,
Burnaby, BC
V5B 2Y1

Phone: 604.291.0080

Website: http://www.benteisushiburnaby.com/

Gaya Sushi: Burnaby

Thoughts:

Small place with limited parking but quite a few seats.  Very busy at lunch and had to wait a fair bit of time to even be seated.

Nice decor and very clean looking.

Pros:

Lots of seating and better location is decent for people in the area. 

Cons:

Small parking lot and food was just ok 

Contact Info:

105 - 2900 Bainbridge Ave
Burnaby,  B.C.
V5A 2S8

Phone: 604.368.0086

Chettinad Dosa Palace: Burnaby

Overview:

Exquisite Menu and Ambience is a matter of pride. They serve both South and North Indian cuisine and have more than 25 varities of dosa to choose from.

Thoughts:
Very busy and small area. Quite a bit of group seating though. The outside does not look like much and doesn't get too much better. The service was quick but it took a bit to get the food after ordering. Probably because of the number of patrons.

The prices were not cheap and not too expensive.  More like high mid range.

Pros:

Good food and welcoming atmosphere. 

Cons:

Terrible parking lot and small interior.

Contact Info:

5081 Canada Way
Burnaby, BC
V5E 3N1

Phone: 604-544-1561

Website: http://chettinaddosapalace.ca/

Sushi Garden: Burnaby

Overview:
With lineups during lunch and dinner most days, Sushi Garden on Lougheed Highway next to Staples is a very busy restaurant. They serve delicious sushi with a good selection of rolls, nigiri, and sashimi.

Thoughts: 

Nice open space and very modern decor. Great food at a very good price. Friendly staff and a good menu selection. It gets very busy there though so try to avoid standard lunch and dinner times in order to eat within a reasonable time frame.

Pros:

Great food and good prices.

Cons:

Usually very busy and could take some time to get a table and your food.

Contact Info:

4269 Lougheed Hwy,
Burnaby, BC
V5C 3Y6

Phone: 604.294.0104

X-Site Grill & Bistro: Burnaby

Overview:

With locations in Burnaby and East Vancouver, X-site Grill & Bistro aims to provide great food at prices that won't hurt your wallet with Dinner and Drink specials every night of the week! Check out our East Vancouver location for great local music Monday through Saturday nights!

Thoughts:
Great prices and very decent food. Perahps not the best tasting but more than acceptable and what little that is lost for flavour is made up for in portion size.

Nice and open with a good selection of drinks. Not a large space bit clean and able to accommodate groups.

Staff was super friendly and service was quick.

Pros:

Good food and great prices. 

Cons:

Small-ish inside and limited timed parking. 

Contact Info:

4625 Hastings St.

Burnaby, B.C.

Phone: 604-298-7483

Website: http://x-sitegrillbistro.com

Norland Grill: Burnaby

Overview:

Family run diner serving breakfast and lunch to local workers.  Located in the heart of Burnaby, this small restaurant gives you fast service with good food.

Thoughts:
All new interior gives the place a nicer feel than before (see Cafe Burger Time). The prices and food seemed have remained the same though.

Still wouldn't go out of my way to eat there but would not object if someone else recommended it.

Pros:

Only restaurant in the area and newly renovated.

Cons:

Food was just ok and price a little high. Nothing special really.

Contact Info:

2701 Norland Ave
Burnaby, BC
V5C 5B7

Phone: 604-291-0931

Marina Park: West Kelowna

Overview:
This park has a pebble beach, a grass area, a covered picnic facility and a playground. It is perfect for those with small children as both the park and beach areas are fenced in.

Thoughts:
A great little park in West Kelowna that has everything. The beach is there for hot summer days, a new playground structure for the kids to play on grassy areas, and a covered picnic area makes this the perfect destination.

Due to the limited beach options in West Kelowna though I can see this place becoming very busy during the summer season.

Pros:
Beach, grass, picnic and playground all in a fenced park area.

Cons:
Not very big and not a lot of other options around so it could become quite busy.

Super 8: West Kelowna

Overview:
Near Skiing and Wineries of the Okanagan, with Indoor Pool, Hot Tub and Free Breakfast Buffet

Your wonderful visit to Okanagan Valley starts when you book your stay at our Super 8 West Kelowna BC Canada hotel. With free SuperStart continental breakfast buffet, free Wi-Fi Internet access, in room coffee and tea, indoor pool, hot tub and fitness room at our West Kelowna BC hotel, you’ll never want to go home.

We're proud to offer conveniently located top-notch lodgings for family and business travelers alike. Easy access to wineries, golf courses, restaurants and more means you'll come back for skiing, fishing and sightseeing every year.

Thoughts:
This is a decent hotel and a little bit cheaper than surrounding hotels.  The rooms are a bit small and there are no suites and only 1 large room with a king bed and pull out couch.

The pool was warm and the hot tub was nice. Combined with the hot breakfast and fitness room the amenities were definitely great for the price.

There was not much in the area so driving anywhere is a must and the restaurant was under renovations so even getting a meal you had to leave for.

Pros:
Cheaper price than other nearby hotels and the breakfast and pool were good.

Cons:
Not really close to anything and needed to drive to even get some food.

Contact Info:
1655 Westgate Rd,
West Kelowna, BC
V1Z 3P1

Phone: 1-250-769-2355
Fax: 1-250-769-2370

Website: http://www.super8.com/hotels/british-columbia/west-kelowna/super-8-west-kelowna-bc/hotel-overview

Email: info@super8westkelowna.com

Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa: Harrison Hot Springs

Overview:
The contemporary guest rooms at Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa are equipped with cable TV and pay-per-view movie channels. A refrigerator and coffee maker are provided.

This resort boasts an indoor mineral pool and a large spa bath with a 30-foot high pavilion. There are 3 outdoor pools, one of which is a 1,000 square feet adults-only mineral pool.

The historic and upscale Copper Room features local cuisine and live music. The Harrison Hot Springs Resort is also home to the Islands Bar, offering cocktails and views of Harrison Lake from the patio.

Thoughts:
Amazing amenities and a beautiful resort. The resort is broken up into 3 distinct parts, the original area, the newer poolside area, and the new tower rooms.  The original side is their heritage area and is definitely classic, if possible try not to get a room in this part of the hotel as the walls are thin and the floors offer nothing in terms of dampening those above you.

Although the pools are amazing and the hotel is immaculate, it definitely comes at a cost, even if you manage to get a decent price for a room, try to make sure the breakfast is included or else you will be paying $18 per plate for a breakfast buffet. This could be avoided in the summer season by eating at one of the other restaurants but during the off season you may be hard pressed to find something open.

Pros:
Amazing facilities and very relaxing atmosphere in a wonderful setting.

Cons:
Very expensive and seemed to be charged for all the extras.

Contact Info:
100 Esplanade,
Harrison Hot Springs, Canada
V0M 1K0

Phone: 1 855-634-8331

Black Forest Restaurant: Harrison Hot Springs

Overview:

Authentic German food that is both memorable and fresh but right here at Harrison Hot Springs. The Black forest restaurant over looks beautiful Harrison Lake just 10 km off Highway # 1. The restaurant is family owned and operated since 1975 in Harrison Hot Springs. Come and enjoy delicious European food !

Thoughts:
Nice rustic German decor and atmosphere.  Restaurant was clean and serving staff was beyond friendly.

Menus prices are a little above average but the portion sizes definitely makes up for that.  Great tasting food and a wonderful atmosphere make this a must when in Harrison.

Pros:

Nice place and great food along with a wonderful staff.

Cons:

Rather pricey like most places in Harrison.

Contact Info:

180 Esplanade Ave.,

Harrison Hot Springs, B.C.

V0M 1K0

Phone: (604) 796-9343

Fax: (604) 796-9342

Email: info@blackforest-restaurant.com