Stay | AND TELL

Stay™ | AND TELL Contest Winners

Bellstar Hotels & Resorts — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 23:34:23 +0000

Congratulations to Trevor & Carla of Athabasca, Alberta as the winners of our Stay™ | AND TELL contest in celebration of Bellstar’s 8th Anniversary. They have won an eight night stay at any Bellstar resort! Thank you so much for your story A Life Changing Vacation.

Thank you to all the participants for your story submissions!

This contest if officially closed, but we would still love to hear your story, photo(s) or video about a memorable stay at one of our resorts.

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Great birthday in Canmore with family!

Bellstar Hotels & Resorts — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:39:32 +0000

We stayed a week in a two bedroom chalet at Mystic Springs earlier this year. My husband and I, my son and his girlfriend spent a week there to celebrate my birthday.

A great time was had by all. Sitting in front of the fireplace after being outside in the snow and hot tub, son and his girlfriend played ball in the pool and had a great time. Went for walks, and enjoyed the beautiful scenery, the mountains with snow on them still were gorgeous. Not far from Calgary, but like being in a totally different world. So relaxing. A must get-away! Enjoyed it so much was trying to find a weekend just recently so the four of us could get away again. Thanks Bellstar, and thanks Mystic Springs! Ps even bought the stuffed Mystic Springs Moose!!

~Joanne, Canada

My first trip far away from home!

Bellstar Hotels & Resorts — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:00:04 +0000

Blackstone

This was my first trip far away from home and was the best place I have ever stayed in!!! Quiet and very comfortable but the best thing about it was waking up every morning and looking out your bedroom window to see the mountains. What a view!!! The beds were very comfortable and sitting on the deck and enjoying the view was spectacular even when the sun went down. We are definitely coming back to the Rockies and will definitely be staying at Blackstone Mountain Lodge. The staff are very helpful and very friendly which makes me want to come back. Very close to everything you want to go and see. You gotta stay here…………trust me, you will love it. We all did!!

~Rhana, Pennfield, New Brunswick

Family holiday and mini-reunion, fun was had by all.

Bellstar Hotels & Resorts — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:51:12 +0000

Water sliding fun at Spirit Ridge

We stayed at Spirit Ridge in Osoyoos for 3 nights at the end of August and had a wonderful time. Right from check-in, and throughout our entire stay, we were impressed with this resort.

We started the trip with rooftop yoga Saturday morning and what an amazing way to start. It was a stunning morning with a view that was breathtaking. The rooms were beautiful and well-appointed for our family of 4 (2 small girls). The grounds were beautiful. The pool was gorgeous and our kids loved the water slide. We even rented a cabana one day and enjoyed having our own little retreat pool-side.

This trip was a mini-family reunion with family ranging in age from 1 ½ years all the way to 80. Everyone loved this resort and we would definitely go back. There was something for everyone; golf, winery, pool, dining, etc. We had dinner on the rooftop deck and couldn’t get over the beautiful sunset.

I think we’re going to have to make this an annual trip!

~Denise, North Vancouver, BC

A life changing vacation!

Bellstar Hotels & Resorts — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:44:43 +0000

Family time at Spirit Ridge

Our recent stay at the Spirit Ridge Resort was our absolute best vacation yet! Like most families, we have incredibly busy schedules – time away from the activities that keep us hopping all year is utmost priority! My husband is a member of the clergy, which means our entire family participates in community programs and our children often sacrifice their own time with Mom & Dad for the sake of others in need. We reside in Athabasca, AB – in spring of this year our ‘neighbors’ in Slave Lake experienced a devastating wild fire that left many homeless. A great number of evacuees landed on our doorstep – our family was one of many that opened their homes. Even our kids stepped up to volunteer round the clock to assist. By summer we were exhausted, needing to recharge and have time for ourselves as a family.

We chose to book our holiday at this Bellstar resort believing it would be the perfect spot for relaxation, quality family time, and some exposure to the world renowned Okanagan Wineries. We were not disappointed! The management and staff at Spirit Ridge went out of their way to accommodate our needs and made us feel we were at a home away from home. I cannot thank you enough for this great experience – we will certainly be back! We have returned home rested and ready to get back into our daily routine.

Thank-you to Spirit Ridge Management and staff for providing the opportunity for a life changing vacation. We hope to make this an annual stay!

~Carla & Trevor, Athabasca, AB

Spirit RidgeVineyard Resort & Spa, surpassed our expectations.

Bellstar Hotels & Resorts — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:53:14 +0000

I would like to start by saying, that the Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa, surpassed our expectations. My husband and I both love to travel and many of our vacations have been either spent in the US or on a cruise ship. This year, we thought we would stay within Canada, this being our version of a staycation – even though we are from Edmonton and chose your Resort to experience this year’s Summer Vacation and celebrate our Wedding Anniversary.

We stayed for 6 nights and the staff were friendly, and the resort has much to offer any type of traveller. We especially liked the separate “relaxing area” pool and hot tub. They have a nice Kid’s program and even though we did not bring our little dog on this trip, it was very nice to see that pets are allowed and welcomed.

Our 1 bedroom condo was very nicely appointed, and much time was spent on our nice big balcony.

The finishing in the condo were top notch and the kitchen was adequately stocked with anything you might need, from a blender, kettle, to pots and pan and serving platters.

This vacation experience is definitely one we will remember and we look forward to staying here again in the future. We loved the fact that you could be as active or as relaxing as you wanted to be. This Resort is beautifully situated in Osoyoos where the weather and the surroundings are enticing.

~Anita & Mike, Edmonton, AB

Aura of tranquilty and well being.

Bellstar Hotels & Resorts — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 23:45:53 +0000

Four months have passed since my wife and I spent a week at Spirit Ridge and the wonderful memories are still as strong as ever. The resort is aptly named for both of us felt there was an aura of tranquility and well being. There were many highlights for us, the wine festival, the golf course, the metal sculptures, walks in the vineyard and all the very photographic and photographed birds.

Having driven across Canada a half a dozen times in the last 15 years, we have experienced stays in many spectacular places, but without a doubt Spirit Ridge is by far our most memorable place to stay. The ambience was terrific.

Thanks to all of you who helped to make our stay special and thanks for the memories.

~Andrew, Victoria, BC

Coconut and Leis in the Rockies!

Bellstar Hotels & Resorts — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:22:01 +0000

Blackstone in Canmore has been a favourite getaway for years, we vacation with other families, and my gals always join me there for my winter birthday after a day of x-country skiing. Last year, we arrived in the hot tub very tired, cool air around us, clear view of the mountains. Soon, a group of rather giggly 20 year olds approached donning rather odd outfits. Turns out they has all forgotten their bathing suits and the girls found replacements at the local dollar store: coconut shell bikini tops and fake grass bottoms, with the guys deciding to “class it up” by wearing accompanying leis. The makeshift suits covered everything nicely, and we all ended up having a wonderful visit with it all reminding us middle agers of our university days. We always meet great people at Blackstone, which is part of its appeal and keeps us coming back.

(I took this picture just before they arrived).

~Roberta, Calgary, AB

25th Anniversary at Mystic!

Bellstar Hotels & Resorts — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 17:48:59 +0000

On August 12, 1979 we were married and honeymooned in Banff and Alberta Canada having a wonderful time! 25 years later we decided to return but was able to stay at Mystic Springs in Canmore, Canada. There were so many places to visit again and so many beautiful nature hikes to be found! Mystic Springs was perfect–two stories, two bathrooms a wonderful kitchen and a spectacular pool and spa outside! Even the day it rained, we sat in the spa underneath an open roof enjoying the warmth outside! The managers met us with a card for our anniversary and a bottle of wine to enjoy. Memories… how precious they are! Maybe we will return on our 50th!!

~Karen & Doug

Birthday in the Dark.

Bellstar Hotels & Resorts — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 17:46:06 +0000

In early August 2010, our family stayed at Spirit Ridge for the 2nd time and convinced our friends from Calgary to join us. It happened to be the Dad’s birthday. It was a spectacular day on the lake with tons of sun and hot temperatures and then while eating a fantastic salmon dinner on one of the balconies, just as we brought out the birthday cake – boom – there was a black-out. All of of Osoyoos went dark and now the birthday candles were really obvious. And if that wasn’t enough, someone set off fireworks in the harbour as we finished singing Happy Birthday. What a memory!

~Karen