Avalon Inn

It’s a lovely family-run inn, and waking up to the mountain view was a treat. I watched the sunrise with birds chirping in the trees on the property. I’ll stay here whenever I’m in Osoyoos.

We stayed two nights on what was probably one of summer’s busiest weekends, and noise never bothered us. I also loved being close enough to everything that I didn’t have to drive all weekend. The room was perfectly clean and had what I needed, so I’m not sure why the rating is only two stars. Maybe keep your expectations in check. I took off one star for the price and a musty smell in the room, possibly from an old flood or the air conditioner, though it wasn’t a major issue. The art on the wall was really cool too, and I even took a photo. We’ll definitely come back.

The location is a real plus if you’re younger, right among the town’s popular spots, with a fun atmosphere. There are some pretty unpleasant things mixed in, though. The toilet smelled like sewer and only flushed if you held the handle down for 5-7 seconds because of a backup. The grimy shower curtain and poorly draining shower meant water collected in the shower. At first glance Room 103 looked tidy, but it wasn’t actually clean. The sheets and carpet looked dirty, the couch had stains, and there were marks on the mirror. They provide just one key. On the privacy side, the managers keep to themselves.

The family suite’s layout worked well for us: we could keep the baby from waking our four-year-old during the night. It was also well soundproofed. We didn’t hear other guests, and it seems they didn’t hear us either. Being able to walk around easily was great, and we watched the famous Osoyoos Canada Day fireworks from the rooftop balcony. Our kid could sleep until the last minute, and we avoided the traffic afterward. The air conditioning gets nice and cold, but it’s only in the front, so the bedroom door needs to stay open or it gets stuffy. The floor was quite dirty when we arrived. My mother mentioned it, and the friendly owner personally cleaned it. I’d say carpeted hotel floors are probably just as dirty, but carpet hides it more easily. Tile is still a good choice, especially for kitchen accidents. I have family who stayed here every summer, so it was nice to hear the original owner’s son has taken over. I like supporting a family business, and the affordable price means we’ll definitely stay again.