If your favorite color is beige, Hotel Zed might not be for you. But if you like your lodgings quirky and colorful, then you’ll be right at home in this fun Kelowna hotel.
Here’s the scoop:
The first Hotel Zed launched in British Columbia’s capital city of Victoria, transforming an old motor inn into a retro-inspired boutique motel. Hotel Zed Kelowna, the company’s second Zed property, opened in 2016 with a similar style – an old-time motel revamped with lots of color and entertaining amenities.
Location
A block from Okanagan Lake, in British Columbia’s Okanagan wine country, Hotel Zed Kelowna has a handy location, whether you’re dining out in downtown Kelowna, exploring the new Kelowna Paddle Trail (a kayaking route along the lakeshore), or heading out for a day of wine touring.
You can walk from the hotel to most downtown restaurants, and you’re just steps from the lake and the city’s waterfront park.
Facilities and Services at Hotel Zed
At Hotel Zed, the fun starts in the lobby where guests can spin tunes on the record player, use the old-school typewriters to tap out a note, or squeeze into the “mini disco,” a tiny space set up for karaoke.
Guests can help themselves to complimentary coffee and tea, then borrow a bike or strap on roller skates to go exploring.
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You can go for a swim in the small outdoor pool, soak in the hot tub, or head for the ping pong lounge, where besides the table tennis, there’s a stash of games for the kids.
One of Hotel Zed’s nicest spaces is its big rooftop patio, a secret-seeming spot with lounge chairs, a fire pit, and a barbecue that guests can use, all overlooking a lakeside park.
Guest Rooms and Amenities
The 55 vividly-colored guest rooms pop with pinks, purples, oranges, and turquoises, from the vibrant wall panels to the retro rotary phones (and yes, these still-working devices come with calling instructions for guests young enough to need them).
You can choose among 13 different room configurations, starting with the “Bachelor Pad,” a compact room with one queen bed. The “King for a Night” rooms are a little larger, as are the “Zed 2 Bed Kitchenettes,” which come with a stove top, mini-fridge, dishes, and pots and pans. The family-friendly “Bunk Rooms” are outfitted with a king bed plus bunks for the kids.
Across all the room types, standard amenities include free Wi-Fi and a stash of comic books. Parking is free, too, although the lot out front is rather compact.
Hotel Zed Kelowna Rates
Double room rates at Hotel Zed Kelowna start at CAD$99 in the winter off-season and at $129-199 in spring through fall. There’s no extra charge for the bright colors or the fun. You can also go through Hotels.com to make a reservation.
Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. Tourism Kelowna and Hotel Zed Kelowna arranged my stay for review purposes.
