Tucked high above Lake Okanagan in Vernon, British Columbia, Sparkling Hill Resort feels like a destination designed to slow time. From the moment you arrive, surrounded by rolling mountains and sweeping lake views, the outside world begins to fade. This adult-only health and wellness resort isn’t just a place to stay—it’s an invitation to disconnect, reset, and fully lean into the art of relaxation.
Owned by the Swarovski family, Sparkling Hill Resort immediately sets itself apart with a sense of brilliance—literally. The resort is infused with more than 3.5 million Swarovski crystals, embedded throughout its architecture, walls, and spa spaces, creating a subtle shimmer that catches the light at every turn. Rather than feeling flashy, the crystals add an ethereal, almost meditative quality to the property, reinforcing the idea that this is a place designed to elevate both body and spirit. From the moment you arrive, it’s clear that Sparkling Hill isn’t just inspired by luxury—it’s built from it.
Known for its distinctive crystal architecture and expansive spa offerings, Sparkling Hill blends European wellness traditions with dramatic Canadian landscapes. Whether you come for the spa, the scenery, or the quiet luxury, the experience is designed to be restorative from start to finish. The entire Resorts atmosphere creates a calm and inviting retreat with health and relaxation as the main focus.
Outside of the resort there are plenty of activities to get in touch with the natural beauty of the area. A multitude of local activities available include 25 km of trails, golfing, cycling, skiing, helicopter touring, water activities, wine, spirit and brewery tours.
The Rooms: Fairytale Views and Thoughtful Comfort
The guest rooms at Sparkling Hill are intentionally designed to complement the natural surroundings, with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the mountains and lakes beyond. Waking up to mist rolling across the peaks felt cinematic—on foggy mornings, the entire landscape took on a soft, fairytale-like quality that made it hard to leave the room at all.
My room featured a spacious layout with warm wood accents, calming neutral tones, and one standout feature: a spa bath positioned to overlook the mountain views. Soaking in the tub as clouds drifted past the windows was easily one of the most memorable moments of the stay. It’s a small but meaningful detail that reinforces the resort’s focus on wellness and intentional living.
Every element of the room encourages rest—plush bedding, quiet surroundings, and a sense of privacy that makes it easy to fully unwind. It’s the kind of space where you naturally put your phone down, linger longer in the morning, and let the day unfold without a schedule.
KurSpa: A World-Class Wellness Sanctuary
At the heart of Sparkling Hill is its crown jewel: KurSpa. Spanning over 40,000 square feet, the spa is an immersive wellness experience rooted in European spa traditions. From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere shifts—soft lighting, serene energy, and the subtle scent of eucalyptus immediately set the tone.
The spa features seven unique steam rooms and saunas, each offering a different sensory experience. From herbal-infused steam rooms to dry saunas designed for deep detoxification, the variety allows guests to customize their own wellness circuit. Moving between rooms feels ritualistic, encouraging mindfulness and presence. My personal favorite sauna experience was the rose room.
One of KurSpa’s most striking features is the heated, year-round outdoor infinity pool. Floating in the warm water while gazing out over snow-dusted mountains or sunlit valleys is nothing short of magical. No matter the season, the contrast between the crisp mountain air and the soothing warmth of the pool creates an unforgettable sensory experience. The pool was the best highlight of KurSpa for me. I could have stayed there all day.
Throughout the spa, Swarovski crystals—over 3.5 million of them—are subtly integrated into the architecture, adding a quiet shimmer that enhances the resort’s ethereal feel. KurSpa isn’t about rushing through treatments; it’s about lingering, breathing, and letting your body recalibrate at its own pace.
The Food: Austrian Comfort With a Refined Touch
After a day spent soaking and unwinding, dinner at Gerni’s Farmhouse felt like the perfect continuation of the experience. Sparkling Hill’s newest restaurant, Gerni’s Farmhouse is named after the resort’s owner, Mr. Gernot Langes-Swarovski, and celebrates traditional Austrian cuisine in a warm, inviting setting.
Gerni’s Farmhouse has an amazing backstory. The building was transported all the way from Europe. The 16th-century Austrian farmhouse was dismantled in Weerberg, Austria, in 2019, numbered, and shipped in five containers to Canada before being reassembled on-site as a restaurant.
The restaurant’s interior design creates a cozy, farmhouse-style atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with the resort’s modern crystal aesthetic. It feels authentic without being heavy—comforting, but elevated.
We enjoyed a standout chicken schnitzel, perfectly crisp on the outside and tender inside, paired with thoughtful accompaniments that honored the dish’s European roots. It was hearty without feeling indulgent, aligning perfectly with the resort’s wellness-forward philosophy. Each bite felt like a nod to tradition, executed with care and quality.
Insider Tip: The hotel offers a complimentary golf cart to and the from the restaurant if you do not want to climb the hill.
The Verdict
Sparkling Hill Resort is more than a luxury getaway—it’s a true wellness retreat. From its serene rooms and breathtaking views to the expansive spa and thoughtfully curated dining, every detail is designed to help guests slow down and reconnect with themselves.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, planning a wellness-focused escape, or simply craving a break from constant motion, Sparkling Hill offers a rare combination of tranquility, intention, and natural beauty. It’s a place where relaxation isn’t an afterthought—it’s the entire point.