Where to stay · Ainsworth Hot Springs
Kootenay Lakeview Resort (Balfour)
Twenty lake-view suites on 60 acres, minutes from the free Balfour ferry and a heated hot tub.
what it is
lakeside resort & cottages
the damage
from ~$156 CAD/night
rated
★ 4.5 (195)
from Vancouver
~8 hours
This is a 20-suite lodge sitting on 60 acres above the western shore of Kootenay Lake, which means every room gets a private balcony and around 400 square feet to spread out in, roughly the footprint of a small apartment you do not have to vacuum. The suites are all lake-facing, so the view arrives whether you asked for it or not.
The Grand Spa Suite raises the stakes with a Jacuzzi tub, a dining area, and two lake-view balconies, in case a single balcony leaves you feeling short-changed. Every room has the sensible things too, a fridge, a microwave, and a hair dryer, plus there is an outdoor hot tub with heated flooring so your feet never meet cold concrete.
Balfour is a handful of minutes from the free Kootenay Lake ferry and a short drive from both Ainsworth's springs and Nelson's coffee, which makes this a reasonable base for people who want to soak by day and sleep somewhere quiet. Two dogs are welcome at $30 a night each, a rate they will absolutely not thank you for covering.
The setting
Perched on 60 acres above the west shore of Kootenay Lake in Balfour, minutes from the ferry terminal, about 35 km from Nelson and a short drive south of Ainsworth Hot Springs.
Getting there
Roughly 7.5 to 8 hours from Vancouver on Highway 3, then 3A into Balfour. The free Kootenay Lake ferry sits minutes away and runs first-come, first-served with no reservations; the MV Osprey 2000 sails early morning to late evening, with extra summer sailings added in season. Parking on-site. A car is realistically required.
good to know
Why it works
- Private balcony on every one of 20 suites
- Roughly 400 sq ft rooms over Kootenay Lake
- Outdoor hot tub with heated flooring
- Grand Spa Suite with a Jacuzzi tub
- Minutes from the free Balfour ferry