Motel Happy Salmon

Korean owner tried his best to upkeep the small road side motel in decent shape. Cleanliness is one of the most outstanding attributes, aside from spacious road. Stayed in one with a separately bedroom.

Very clean place and good location on the way to Banff. Also the owners are really kind!

Adjacent to the Trans Canada Highway so getting back on our drive from Banff to Vancouver was very convenient. Salmon Arm is about halfway to Vancouver or Banff and this makes the motel a perfect overnight stop. The bedroom is separated by a wall from the dining table, fridge and coffee maker. The bathroom is very clean and you can park in front of your own room. Checking in and out took no time at all. The owners are very friendly.

After a long 6 hour road trip we arrived at an empty parking lot at the happy salmon at 3:40 pm looking to check in. I went to the front desk, politely rang the bell and the Manager came out of the back and immediately looked annoyed. I said hello, that I was wanting to check in and he said “no, check in is at 4pm and they are cleaning rooms. I looked at the clock, and yes at this point I was 15 mins eating so I’ll concede. Waited for another 10 minutes, really had to use the washroom as I’d been on the road all so went back, now at 4 mins to 4, asked to check in and got the same response, not until 4pm. I told him politely I needed to use the washroom and said to go to the gas station… what a joke. For 4 mins…

A great wee motel by the highway, just the spot for a night on the road. While the exterior is tired and dated, the newly renovated rooms are so pleasant a surprise. Ours, 106 was spacious, clean, comfy bed, laminate floors, new bathroom fixtures, big shower. While the kitchenette is no more, there is a big, new fridge, microwave and pod coffee machine. Great wi-fi too...each room has its own router.

What can I say about the Motel Happy Salmon, for a start is is not near Salmon Arm, but a drive away. It is situated at a place called Canoe, which has no facilities at all. It is also a 2 km drive from the lake, which is across the main road in Canoe and has a small General Store and a sometimes (I imagine) open bar /restaurant but not when we passed by. The room obviously once had a functioning kitchen, but no more, and this was made very obvious by the threatening signs and cable clips securing the cupboards. I have never encountered a hotel/motel room with so many warning signs of fines if you disobey. It made us frightened boil a kettle (we had our own teabags). The small shower was OK once we worked out the functioning. The bed was clean and comfortable but the room looked as if it had been furnished from a Thrift Store.

Rooms are clean, but that’s about it. Owner is a scammer who charges for time not used. We booked two rooms for two nights, but decided at noon day of check in that we were only going to stay one night. Charged us for both nights two rooms. Outside picnic tables are basically painted fire wood and unusable. All other outdoor furniture should be trashed. DONT STAY HERE.

Trip Advisor reviewers didn’t lie. The Happy Salmon is a great find. Sparse but clean. Right off the highway but not noisy at all at night. Comfy bed, pillows and new everything. Definitely would recommend. A little way out of town if you plan to do a bunch of stuff in town but a great spot otherwise.