Luxuriate in Okanagan Lifestyle at Bialto B&B Penticton
Elevate your travel to the Okanagan with a stay at Bialto B&B where you are immersed in the local community. Set apart from the usual tourist settings, this elegant bed and breakfast is situated in Penticton’s Sendero Canyon modern subdivision.
Owned and operated by partners Mike Bryde and Jesús Rodriguez Nuño, Bialto provides guests a front row seat to the good life cherished in the Okanagan region. Even the Bialto name is a play on this heightened experience. Alto in Spanish means ‘elevated’ and ‘stop’ and who wouldn’t want to linger in this lofty aerie? Bi is derived from Latin connoting two, fitting for the ownership of the B&B by two talented individuals sharing their spectacular home.
Their backgrounds are in the corporate world – HR Systems Consulting (Mike) and Supply Chain Management (Jesús). While Jesús worked for five years in a Mexican restaurant in Vancouver, they do not have any other background in hospitality. Yet they host guests flawlessly.
Mike and Jesús wanted to take more control of their own schedules in their careers. Both wanted more flexibility to travel and take time off when needed with a project fitting to take into their retirement. The concept of more personal, hosted experience was more appealing to them than a traditional Airbnb.
Bialto is Born
‘’We wanted to live in a beautiful and relaxing home with all the modern amenities, but it just didn’t feel right to live in it all by ourselves.’’ Says Mike. ‘’We both enjoy cooking and hosting. Thus, Bialto was born.’’
In Okanagan vacations, they found a good fit with their lifestyle so searched the entire region for a property that felt right – something with a view, enough space to have a few suites, and have some important amenities like a pool and a hot tub or at least room for them.
‘’When we walked into what is now Bialto, it was immediately the winner. We fell in love with the quality of the construction, the mountain view (though we were expecting a lake view), the layout of the home, and other fine details,’’ notes Mike. ‘’Penticton happens to be the city where this beautiful home is located. And being located at the edge of a large enough city was important for us.’’
Different experiences can merge in this unique style of accommodation. Bialto has the quality and mindfulness of a 5-star hotel and spa minus that corporate feel. Given it is not a totally private space such as renting an Airbnb or staying in a hotel, Bialto is cozier and more personal.
This combination of elements allows you to feel pampered, socially re-charged, and yet, feel at home. You end up interacting more with other guests and with Jesús and Mike as hosts. The three suites within their stylish, well-appointed home are a boutique retreat. Depending on the season, overnight guests can enjoy a hot tub, lounge pool, and/or sauna with cold plunge or snuggle by the fireplace on the enclosed outdoor deck.
Mexican Cooking Classes
Bialto offers Mexican cooking classes periodically. I recently attended one themed ‘Taco Night At Home” where we were guided through the art of making tacos the authentic Mexican way along with Mexican drinks and dessert.
During an amusing icebreaker of a Mexican game like Bingo called Loteria, a warm cup of Chocolate Atole was served. The corn-based hot beverage reminiscent of a thick hot cocoa welcomed us like a hug.
It was fun to learn the elements that comprise taco preparation, making homemade tortillas, salsas, marinades, and toppings. We made some alcoholic and non-alcoholic Mexican drinks and a traditional dessert. Authentic recipes were provided including Al Pastor Marinade, Avocado Salsa, Fire-Roasted Tomato Salsa, Chile de Cacahuate, Totopos, Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, Rajas con Crema, Carne Asada, Churro Chips, Coconut Horchata, and Palomas.
We gained insight on how long and why to marinate certain meats such as the pork for the Al Pastor and flank steak for the Carne Asada. We were shown the best methods and timing to roast the various vegetables and how to peel the charred skin such as on the poblanos and how to scrape the cactus pricks off the nopales to chop and cook them.
Plus, we learned a Mexican family trick to achieve that same tactile crunch and toothsome flavour of churros with much less work. Thanks to their guidance, I finally conquered using my taco press correctly.
Born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, Jesús learned to cook from his family. Cooking is a love language for him. A caring and creative cook, he is an expert at operations. At 38, he moved to Canada where he ended up working in the kitchen and in management at a Mexican restaurant. This food was adapted to the local tastes of Canadians and lacked cultural authenticity. He was shocked to see many Canadians use Old El Paso kits from Safeway to prepare “tacos” at home and topped with lettuce, cheese, and sour cream.
While Mike is more of a visionary and strategic thinker, he is also comfortable in the kitchen and led us through beverage preparations. In this spirit of sharing, the session felt more like cooking in a friend’s kitchen with friends and family rather than formal culinary training. With the focus on participating in the preparation, and eating together, strangers quickly became familiar faces.
Background music and the beautiful views enhanced the festive atmosphere. Bialto offers front row seating to mountain vistas outside, and on theme for the class was a televised video loop of vibrant tropical artwork.
Bide Awhile at Bialto
I had the privilege to experience Bialto Bed & Breakfast in the Skaha Suite. The others are named Sendero and Okanagan with each exquisitely appointed. Adding to the warmth of the greeting at the door, delightful room, and comfy bed, there was a carafe of water, welcome note, little bottle of bubbly and chocolates.
Let me share a few of the details: the blinds on the massive windows controlled by a remote; soaps, lotions, hair blower, tissues, and heated tile floors in the sparkling bathroom; clear Wi-Fi instructions; television with remote; iron and ironing board; and a basket filled with items you might have forgotten such as razor, toothbrush, sunscreen, and so much more.
Breakfast is included in your stay and this one unfolded as a casual come-as-you-are party in the kitchen. The breakfast we lingered over, revealed Jesús has serious culinary chops beyond Mexican food. As we casually sipped lattes prepared by Mike, Jesús presented warm mini banana muffins, and cheese scones. Next came a fruit-and-nuts chia cup followed by buttermilk pancakes, hash browns, bacon, eggs as we liked them, with our plates adorned by a sliced orange twist (no detail missed).
Book a Class and/or a Stay
I highly recommend Bialto, whether for a Mexican Cooking Class or accommodations, or better yet, both! Go to Bialto Bed & Breakfast website for a preview of this stunning setting, and for more information, email info@nullbialto.ca, or call 778-760-8845. https://bialto.ca/
Visit Penticton highly recommends Bialto as one of the great places to check in for a suggested ‘Wellness-Inspired Getaway Itinerary’. https://www.visitpenticton.com/rest-reset-in-penticton-a-wellness-inspired-getaway-itinerary/
Photo credit: all photos Roslyne Buchanan