Sparkling Hill Resort and Wellness Hotel

Sparkling Hill Resort and Wellness Hotel

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star

Vernon’s first wellness resort promises to be a place where people can relax and be pampered, but the pace is rather frenetic right now.

An army of workers — peaking at about 400 — is trying to ensure that everything will be ready when Sparkling Hill Resort and Wellness Hotel opens in March and has its official ribbon-cutting April 9.

“It will be tight but we know we can do it,” said Hans-Peter Mayr, general manager and president.

“If needed, we will work three shifts, seven days a week.”

Work on the $100 million project began in July 2008 and since then, a six-storey (including underground parking) complex has risen above 174 acres next to Predator Ridge. Views take in Okanagan Lake, the Commonage and surrounding hillsides.

But even with spectacular natural surroundings, Mayr hopes visitors entering the 240,000-square-foot hotel will be captivated by a glass atrium that is 55-feet-tall and looks like a giant crystal.

“You will walk right into the crystal,” he said.

“When you drive up, you will immediately see the crystal and on the left and right will be metal sheets and you will see the clouds and trees in them.”

And the atrium will set the tone for the entire resort, which will incorporate crystals in all aspects of the design and architecture, whether it’s in the ceiling, fireplaces, mirrors or around the pools.

“It will be so unique,” said Mayr.

The thrust behind the concept is the resort owner, Gernot Langes Swarovski, part of the famed Swarovski Crystal company in Austria.

The resort will consist of 152 rooms and Mayr believes they will be set apart from the accommodations visitors traditionally access.

“We only have rooms with good views,” he said as he looks out across the shimmering lake towards Westside Road and the snow-covered peak of Terrace Mountain.

Of the 152 rooms, there are 149 deluxe suites that will range from $195 to $410 in price, while three penthouse suites will start at $500 per night.

Marketing will be directed towards Europe and Asia, but Mayr is confident Canadians, including locals, will take advantage of the resort.

“It will look high-end but all should be able to see this special place,” he said.

In the wellness centre, a variety of services will be available including steam and sauna rooms, a fitness area, physiotherapy, mud treatment and massages.

But a first for North America will be a cold sauna, where individuals sit in a minus 110 chamber for three minutes.

“You walk out feeling so well and so strong,” said Mayr, adding that it can help treat a number of ailments.

With construction well underway, the next stage is procuring some one-of-a-kind items.

“We are bringing in marble and all of the millwork is being done in China. The fabrics are being sourced in China,’’ said Jim Radford, chief operating officer.

The hiring process will begin in December, and the resort workforce could ultimately reach 150.

“We are looking to have a lot of local employees,” said Mayr.

With Vernon already home to Predator Ridge and Silver Star, Mayor Wayne Lippert is confident Sparkling Hill will become another major catalyst for the economy.

“This will be huge as far as world-wide recognition,” he said.

“It will make us a larger spot on the world map.”

However, Lippert is pleased that Sparkling Hill won’t just be an exclusive destination for visitors and residents will be able to access the restaurants, meeting rooms and wellness programs.

“Locals will have an opportunity to come up and enjoy the facility,” he said.

Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe also believes Sparkling Hill could lead to area businesses expanding their activities.

“If we become known for wellness, it will help the restaurants producing meals and the farmers growing herbs,” she said.

The resort’s owner recently visited the site and Mayr says he was not only impressed with how construction has proceeded, but with its pending role in the Okanagan.

“We are so happy to be in Vernon. We’ve had a lot of support from the community,” said Mayr.