The location is perfect but the overall experience was below average and we would not go back. The advertised spa was filthy: the water was brown and had barely any chlorine in it (we tested it). The bedrooms are very basic: there is not a single reading light in any of them including the master and the bunk beds are not comfortable at all (our kids are used to traveling and said these were among the worst they had slept in). The wine fridge started beeping including at 3am one night. Then a leak started to drip water in the TV room. We called the handyman recommended by the owner but he never showed up. It was right in the middle of Xmas which we understand makes things trickier but we basically had to manage a bucket for 3 days and lost access to that room entirely.
Our damage deposit was not returned despite us leaving the place perfect. Owner ghosted us after the stay. This owner has a history of doing this kind of stuff (there are several news articles about her). Iâd avoid this place if I were you.
We reported to Laurinda seeing a mouse running along the kitchen countertop and behind the stove on the first night of our 4 night stay. We could not use the kitchen properly for the entire time of our stay and had to keep all food stored away and off the counters. Laurinda said this is normal for the area and did not offer to have anyone come to take care of the rodent problem during our 4 night stay and said the cleaners will set up traps after we check out.
We are also still waiting for our refundable deposit of $1000 that we paid at time of booking in November of 2023. Since checkout, she confirmed to me through multiple emails that our $1000 deposit will be refunded and keeps making up excuses. She said we should have received it within 7-10 days of departure but still have not to date. It's been 4 months now. She has not replied to my most recent voice message or email.
We have rented elsewhere multiple times at Big White resort and this is the first time that I have had to leave any negative feedback.
Do not book with Laurinda Kalawarny Summers.
Our group of friends had an excellent time at this gorgeous home.
Plenty big enough for us all and had lots of great features and amenities.
Our only wish would be a bit more information on the ski-in route, although it may be because we were late in the season.
Our group has been to 5 different Canadian ski towns. Always have received great reviews and given great reviews.
The house location is good for Big White, but the layout is not ideal for a group of 8 as there are no large spaces for the group to be together. The lower bedrooms are tiny and donât really fit adults in those bunkbeds very easily.
Laurinda (the owner) needs to hire vacasa or a rental management company. She is an out of town owner who doesnât have the ability to currently manage her house.
Upon check in, we reached out to her to address several issues and she clearly did not have any interest in assisting with the following issues:
-no soap/no shampoo (she said she no longer supplies them)
-the washing machine is broken which she informed us about upon check in and several of us planned to use the laundry.
-there is no tv service and non canadian streaming services donât work in canada. There are 7 controllers upstair by the tv-good luck.
-no kitchen knives or sponges to prep a meal.
-bbq had no propane
-upon check in she told us we are required to take our garbage with us which would have been nice to know before hand.
We drove to kelowna and bought her shampoo, a broom, sponges and a tank of propane. You are welcome Laurinda.
Needless to say, we were not impressed.
Our friends and family had a wonderful stay in Big White. The only downer was the very cold weather, but the amazing accommodations made it easy to be stuck inside. The host was great at communicating with us during the stay and I would definitely stay here again.