My visit was sponsored by Quaaout Lodge and Spa, opinions are my own. 

I had the pleasure of enjoying a sponsored staycation at Quaaout Lodge and Spa at Talking Rock Golf Resort in the Shuswap area of British Columbia, Canada. From the moment I walked through the elaborately carved doors, to the time I left, I felt welcomed. It was also fun to meet some grads from the university I worked for, employed in their chosen career.

This Resort is situated in the Skwlax (or Squilax) area of the Little Shuswap Lake Indian Band property on the shores of Little Shuswap Lake. If you enjoy learning new languages “skwlax” means “black bear” in the Shuswap language.

There are a few ways to reach Quaaout Lodge and Spa, it’s a quick 1-hour drive from Kamloops, BC, or a 2-hour drive from the Kelowna Airport, and well worth the visit.

Rooms at Quaaout Lodge

The rooms at Quaaout Lodge are modern and well-kept. I have to admit, my room was the cleanest I’ve ever seen in a hotel room. Each room has a balcony and garden and lake view, or a view of the lake and hole 18 of the golf course. You can’t go wrong with any room choice!

Dining at Jack Sam’s

If you do nothing else at Jack Sam’s Restaurant & Lounge at Quaaout Lodge, you MUST stop in for a meal…or three! The freshest, and local, ingredients are used to create delicious dishes you can order nowhere else.

The first meal of my stay was dinner overlooking Little Shuswap Lake with a non-alcoholic Lavender Lemonade made with fresh lavender grown on the property. This is so flavourful, I highly recommend it! With my drink came fresh-made bannock. My mom used to make bannock in a different way over the campfire, so I will ask her for her recipe and try making it myself. Finally, for my entrée, it wasn’t hard for my server to convince me to try the Land & Sea (grilled 6oz striploin, garlic butter prawns, whipped potato, wild mushroom jus).

I was greeted by Dion who sang and drummed a special legend about wolves. Forgive me, I don’t remember the exact story but if you know it please mention it in the comments below.

Breakfast

As soon as I saw this on the menu I KNEW I had to try it. I cannot resist seafood and especially smoked salmon. This was a treat, and so delicious! Smoked Wild Sockeye & Crisp Capers Eggs ‘Bannodict’ — 2 poached eggs, house-made bannock biscuits, and red skin potato wedges.

Another option for breakfasts is the buffet and on Sundays, the famous Sunday Brunch. This is popular with the golfers and locals so I recommend making a reservation!

Lunch

Bannock Flatbread — Chorizo, goat cheese, foraged berry/lavender glaze, crispy onions, pumpkin seed pesto, and sunflower sprouts. WOW…this is an appetizer that you must try. The combination of sweet and savory leaves you wanting more.

Dinner

I couldn’t resist ordering from room service for dinner…okay, I chose an appetizer for dinner but it was huge! I had a craving for nachos so this was my treat while I looked at the gorgeous view of the lake from my suite.  Nachos Grande — Corn tortillas, diced tomatoes, green onion, black olives, jalapenos, and mixed cheese…all served by friendly staff!

Le7ke Spa

Hidden downstairs is the most amazing spa. It took me a bit to find it but I heard there will be signage soon. When you open the door from the stairwell or step off the elevator, take a moment to look at the metal sculpture closely. The detail is simply amazing!

I spent 55 minutes in a Swedish Massage. What a great experience! They offer many different types of spa treatments, check them out! I was so relaxed I didn’t even take any photos of the spa except for the spectacular doors!

Things to Do

Talking Rock Golf Resort is one of my favourite courses in the area. You can enjoy a challenging game while enjoying the beauty of the course’s natural setting. Beware, you may also encounter some black bear. I overheard some golfers discussing a black bear that ventured through their game the day I was there! If you do see a black bear, be careful and stay safe. There is signage at the Resort of best practices when you encounter wildlife. Please read!

Quaaout Lodge is situated on Little Shuswap Lake so if your stay is during the summer months, you will have many opportunities to enjoy the water. If conditions allow, you can relax by the beach roasting marshmallows over an open campfire.

If you choose to leave the property, there are also many activities to do on nearby Shuswap Lake (the big one). Visit Shuswap Tourism’s website for ideas!

My visit was sponsored by Quaaout Lodge and Spa, opinions are my own.