Castle hotel opens doors

by Jon Manchester CASTANET - Mar 27, 2015 / 3:56 pm

An oft-delayed resort hotel project near Vernon has finally opened its doors. The Castle at Swan Lake by Pomeroy opened its doors last week in a soft opening. It sent out official opening media information on Friday. General manager Jacqueline Brooks, one of three ownership partners, said the group took over the property last summer and has sunk "probably about $12 million" into completing the hotel. The half-finished property languished for almost a decade under several owners as financing problems kept it from completion. But Brooks said she's excited to finally see the doors open, and curious locals coming in to check it out. The 44-suite boutique hotel will also feature a restaurant and banquet room, though work on those aspects of the business is not yet complete. Brooks said the original builders had envisioned a vacation rental property, so the suites are large compared to a typical hotel room. The suites are divided between one- and two-bedroom units, all with a gas fireplace, large balcony, full stainless steel kitchen and granite countertops. The two-bedroom units have two bathrooms. Outside, there is a heated swimming pool, hot tub and courtyard overlooking Swan Lake. "With our location right beside Atlantis Waterslides and close to Silver Star Mountain, we will be aiming at tourists in both summer and winter. Vernon is a four-seasons playground, so it will depend on the time of year where we are targeted." But she did say corporate and business travel will be an important part of the equation. High-speed Internet and WiFi is free, and the banquet room, in one of the hotel's turrets, will be able to accommodate business meetings of up to 150 people. The Pomeroy group, led by owner Bob Pomeroy, also owns hotels in Alberta and elsewhere in B.C.