Lake Tahoe is a wonderful three-season destination with kids (summer, fall, and winter), with gorgeous alpine scenery and loads of outdoor activities for every adrenaline level. I grew up going to the North Shore and that’s what I know best, so it was fascinating to explore the South Shore while staying at the recently renovated Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel. While I felt like a stranger in my own state, I also discovered that this part of Tahoe has grown significantly over the years. It used to be known best for the gambling opportunities, but there’s much more than that going on now.
To that end, the Lake Tahoe Resort has an optimal setup for families who want to play on this side of the lake. Here’s the scoop:
Lake Tahoe Resort just invested $8 million to renovate the rooms and public areas. The mountain-themed interior design is casual and comfortable. Everything feels bright and fresh.
Let’s start with fact that Lake Tahoe Resort is an all-suite hotel with 400 rooms. Their setup is optimal, with a bedroom and a living room that includes a sofa bed for kids. All rooms offer a mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. Premium suites include balconies and a double-sided gas fireplace.
Although the hotel is not on the water, the view from the balconies is expansive and beautiful, as it captures the mountains around the lake. The hotel did a nice job with comfortable and appealing seating in the premium suites. During the summer months, this upgrade is a must!
One of their big selling points is that a buffet breakfast is included in the room rate. The options include eggs, cereal, fresh fruit, bacon … the works. It’s definitely a nice spread for a family, especially considering that it’s complimentary.
Echo is their in-house dining outlet. The restaurant feels more like a sports bar than an upscale dining venue, but the focus on seasonal, organic ingredients elevates the experience. There’s also a dining terrace, which looks like an amazing spot for summer meals.
There’s a heated indoor pool, a sun deck, and a fitness room. Kids love swimming after skiing, so this is a great winter option for families. With all of that glorious outdoor space around, the fitness room is a tough sell for me, but it’s there for guests who want to get a weight and indoor cardio workout in.
The service is very good. From the moment you arrive, the staff is friendly, outgoing, and eager to please.
Just steps from the Heavenly Resort gondola and blocks from Lake Tahoe, the location is a property highlight. There are very few places in Lake Tahoe where families can affordably stay in a hotel and walk out to skiing and hiking! This is a huge plus.
In the summer, the resort has a relationship with Round Hill Pines Resort, with a marina, food, swimming pool, and a long list of water sports rentals.
For more information on the massive list of activity opportunities in this area, see the Recreation Page on Lake Tahoe Resort’s website.
Gambling remains a popular activity on the South Shore and the hotel is surrounded by casinos. One nice feature, however, is that it has no gambling onsite, so families are able to bypass the casinos altogether.
The Lake Tahoe Resort is not a boutique, exclusive resort and it’s not trying to be one. That said, this property is a phenomenal value for the space and quality. Rooms at Lake Tahoe Resort for a family of four start at $169 per night.
Our Family Vacation Consulting Team can help! Request assistance on our Connect with a Travel Advisor page.
Relevant Links:
Things to do and best family hotels in California with kids
Things to do and best family hotels in Lake Tahoe
Editor’s Note: Lake Tahoe Resort offered us a media package to experience the hotel. As always, our opinions are our own. Photos by Amie O’Shaughnessy unless otherwise noted.
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By Amie O’Shaughnessy
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