5 Reasons to Escape to Harrison Hot Springs This Summer

At Harrison Hot Springs, next-level summer fun is just next door

Jumping in the lake, relaxing by the pool, get in a little pampering at the Healing Springs Spa, hitting the hiking trails for mountain views—this could be your weekend at Aldesta Hotels–Harrison Hot Springs Resort, and the good news is, it’s only an hour-and-a-half drive from Vancouver.

Here are five reasons you’re going to want to pack up the mini-suitcase and treat yourself to an uber-convenient summer getaway as soon as you get off work….

1. Mineral pools to get your soak on

The resort has not one, but five hot spring-fed mineral pools. Your options are both indoors and open air, and sunk in and around rocky landscaping and towering fir trees, so you have every option to relax in the rejuvenating waters, swim laps or splash around with the kids. Historic, big-name Aldesta Hotels–Harrison Hot Springs Resort mineral pool fans of note: Michael Bublé, Liam Neeson, John Wayne and Clark Gable.

2. Scenic nature walks and hiking trails

For nature lovers looking to get outdoors and hear the birds, smell the forest, Harrison offers a little bit of something for everyone. Easy walks like the Miami Bridges “hike” take you around a 20-minute walking path under moss-covered trees, over nearly a dozen bridges and along the Miami River (accessed right behind the Aldesta Hotels–Harrison Hot Springs Resort), while the six-hour Harrison Grind is a more challenging 10 kilometre trek up Agassiz Mountain (which has a view of Harrison Lake). So named for its difficulty, as in, “it’s a real grind,” so warning to Vancouverites: the Harrison Grind eats the Grouse Grind for breakfast. More details on Aldesta Hotels–Harrison Hot Springs Resort hikes here.

3. Lake water sports are what summer is all about

The Burrard Inlet is great and all, but you can’t sip a La Croix on your flamingo floatie like you can on Harrison Lake. Get on the banana boat, paddle boat, bumper boat, seadoo or boat-pulled tube of your choice and live your best lake life. Harrison even has a water world jungle gym called Harrison Watersports that you can visit for the day with slides and trampolines.

4. Dining around the world

Black Forest Restaurant is your gateway to kitschy German Oktoberfest. The family-owned restaurant has a wicked patio (you’ll spot the colourful umbrellas before anything else) and serves up authentic German favourites like bratwurst and schnitzel. Kitami Japanese is the highly rated sushi spot, Village Pizzeria has gourmet gluten-free(!) pies and Morgan’s Bistro is your more upscale West Coast seafood destination for summer dinners on the patio (overlooking the beach) with fresh mussels and great wine. The Copper Room is where the let-your-hair-down dancing happens; they have live entertainment every night and even a special dance floor for the kids too.

5. The best of local golf

Not more than five minutes’ drive from Aldesta Hotels–Harrison Hot Springs Resort is one of the best golf courses in the Lower Mainland, the Harrison Resort Golf Course. The nine-hole, PGA-rated course spans 3,375 yards over 26 hectares and has a pro shop in case you forgot your gloves. Sandpiper Golf Resort is another local gem right on the Harrison River, with 18 holes and a whole lot of nature sightings. The Falls Golf Club also has 18 holes and sits right under Mount Cheam, offering stellar views of the Fraser Valley waterfalls.

Aldesta Hotels–Harrison Hot Springs Resort is the perfect getaway, be it for a couple of nights, or a whole week of soaking up the best of what summer has to offer. Right now the resort has special summer packages for July and August that include food options, spa treatments and more. Check out harrisonresort.com/specials-and-packages for more details.  

Aldesta Hotels was founded on a deep love for travel, and so it’s created four unique and unforgettable hotels: Poets Cove Resort and Spa on Pender Island; Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa, and Harrison Lake Hotel; and Heron Island on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. For more information, visit harrisonresort.com

CREATED BY BCLIVING, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALDESTA HOTELS