caitlin

We're looking for something romantic, new, classy, upscale to visit during the summer.
Thanks in advance!

Suzie

Are you looking for something in Nevada or CA? North shore or south shore or even west shore? Squaw Valley close enough? Or do you want to be at the Lake?

Jamie

Caitlin, make it easy on yourself and just ask what you've been trying to piece together through all your recent posts:
"What's the best Hyatt for a vacation in the western US?"


(BTW the highest rated Hyatt resorts in the US are in Scottsdale, Orlando, San Antonio and Beaver Creek).

caitlin

thanks for helping me word what I'm trying to say. The thing is: I don't know what I'm trying to say. In answer to Suzie's question, we're not sold on either side. I'm open to suggestions. And, in terms of the hyatt, we're not sold on that either. Which is why I was asking if there was a better place to stay. We just want our honeymoon to be lovely and not dumb. Is that too much to ask?!

Suzie

Ohhhhhh a honeymoon. Not just a regular romantic vacation. Nearly every year we stay in Tahoe for our anniversary. It's at the end of Sept and it's beautiful in Tahoe. It's also off season so it's not crowded. Keep in mind that the nice resorts on the north and south shores are also casinos so there will be a certain amount of casino sleeze about the place. We've stayed in the Embassy Suites right on the CA side of the stateline (south). It's been great and you can drink your free afternoon cocktails out on their deck with a fair view. Embassy also has a timeshare resort there. Haven't stayed there but it's much closer to the water. Also stayed in the Four Seasons Resort. Only ok, but all the rooms are suites with a BIG jacuzzi tub in the room. Don't think I'd stay there agin. One good thing about it though is that it's right next to the Heavenly Tram. If there's a full moon take the ride up and see the view of the lake from the top. I've stayed in the Sunnyside Resort on the west side too. They're nice and you can't beat the view. If you can afford the lakeside cottages at the Hyatt in Incline they may be your most romantic spot. I saw the full moon from their outdoor firepit sitting in comfy wood chairs in July one year and it was so incredible. They also have many hammocks around the cottage area for lazy days. One more thing, the beach is private and they have those beach guys who will fetch you a chair with or without umberellas or a whole cabana, as well as, food and drink for you while you do nothing but stare at the lake. The Hyatt also had a catamaran (sp) last year. We took the 4:00 pm sail and had the boat practically to ourselves. Only maybe 8 other people and the crew. It was great.

caitlin

Wow. You make it sound so great!
I've only been to Tahoe once and it was during ski season. It was a free trip through work, so we stayed at some sleazy casino hotel. I would like to avoid that. It sounds like the hyatt would be the best. Do you think that in August it would be good, sunny tanning weather? We want to go someplace tropical, but it seems that August isn't the best time for a lot of places (except Hawaii and we've been there twice already--loved it---but we're looking for something a little less expensive!)
Thanks for your help and your great descriptions. I'm definitely leaning towards Tahoe now!

Sal

Suzie is right--stay at the Hyatt's Lakeside cottages if you can. You might also do a search of realtors on the net that handle rental properties. There are a number of beautiful condos and homes available. The north shore is definitely the area to go if you're not interested in the casinos. We found Truckee to be particularly quaint. It's not on the lake, but it's worth a day trip. If you do a search on Tahoe here, you'll find a number of good suggestions for activities and dining. Good luck with your planning.

Suzie

August is usually really warm in Tahoe but it is the mountains so there can be thundershowers from time to time. I'd stick with the North or west sides. August is also very busy until late in the month. Sometimes going through Tahoe City can be enormously frustrating. If staying in Incline you can go on highway 237 and avoid that and still get to quaint Truckee. Tanning will be good in August. High altitude be careful!

caitlin

Thanks for the info guys. I'm glad to know about the north shore/west side, etc. We're still not totally sure about the whole tahoe thing. Being indecisive sucks, but we just want the trip to be perfect. So of course we're exploring every single option known to man! Thanks for your help with all-things tahoe!

delores

HI Caitlin.
I've been to Tahoe AROUND 40 times, and I've stayed in most of the Casino Hotels and several motels. I really like Harrah's. It's romantic. Rooms are very nice, but indoor pool only. Harvey's has nice rooms too, especially if you reserve a suite. North Shore is nice, but south shore has more action and shows. I've never stayed at Caesar's but that should be conducive to romance. There are a lot of very nice lodgings in Tahoe. Just get the AAA Travelbook and you can see the listings of places then check them out on line. My husband and I stayed at the Fantasy Inn (don't laugh) It sounds very tacky, but it's fabulous. They have "theme" rooms such as "Romeo and Juliet" and "Roman Nights" and Rain Forest. They are decorated really neat with ARabian Nights theme, or simply a more laid-back suite that has a round bed, but all of the rooms have these fantastic large over-sized bathtubs. We stayed in Rain Forest and had a virtual hot-tub pool-type bath tub in our room. All tubs are out in the open with extremely large showers. They have these DX music systems that pipe in music over a stereo, and we had a round bed in Rain Forest. We also had a fireplace. The rooms are a little bit
pricy. I think we paid $240 a night for Rain Forest and that was 3 yrs. ago, but they have cheaper rooms. I don't know their web site, but it's not under their hotel name. The rooms are a real hoot, and don't let the tacky name throw you -- it's not like that. It's located in South Shore next door to Chevy's restaurant.

Sal

After seeing some of your other posts describing what you're looking for, I don't think South Tahoe is it. You don't sound like the type of couple
that would like to honeymoon in a themed room with a round bed!

I had a couple more suggestions. Once I realized you were from Oregon I wondered if you had given any thought to the San Juan Islands in Washington? Plus, Victoria, Seattle and Vancouver are all on a ferry route and wonderful destinations. We loved the whale watching trips, museums and the coastline. You might even consider Whister, B.C. We went there a couple of years ago and had a great time. We rented ATVs and went up into the mountains, did lots of hiking and got a great exhange rate for our US dollars!

Suzie

Catlin, Like Delores I have my faves on southshore but there is no getting away from the casino sleeze factor. If you want your elevator doors to open in the hotel lobby to loud slot machines and smoke then a casino is your place. I happen to think that casinos are not romantic but you may have a different romance scale. If you like southshore you can stay at the Embassy Suites. It's on the CA side right next door to the first Nevada casino. It's restaurants and bars will be nicer and will be smoke free if that's important. There are lots of fabulous restaurants on Soutshore. One really really romantic spot is Evans. Early reservations are a must. Cafe Fiore is also very romantic, totally small, no, really tiny. Delores has way more guts than I do. Even though we live a little over an hour from Tahoe and we spend all our anniversaries there I've never been able to book a room at the Fantasy Inn. It is attractive from the exterior but it's right on the busy street. Delores is there a noise factor there? August is busy on Southshore too.

caitlin

hmmm, yeah, casinos and themed rooms are really not our thing. We were enticed by the log-cabinny, rustic-y pictures of the Hyatt. I'm not sure, but I think it said they had a casino too. Does this mean it's next to that strip of crazy casinos? It's on the Nevada side.
I've actually stayed at Harrah's before and it was okay. I didn't like the casino, smokey atmosphere. I had a great time though because of the skiing. It made me laugh to leave the hotel and spend all day skiing and then return to find the same people playing the slots.
Anyway, back to the point. Sal, we have considered canada, eh. But I'm not sure. I feel like because we live in Oregon, we could do that stuff anytime. I'm stuck thinking that a honeymoon should be whiz bang fireworks something we've never done before and will never do again until we're reliving our youth and popping viagra. Am I expecting too much?!
Thanks you guys for your advice and help. I'm sure once we settle on a destination we can ALL breathe a sigh of relief!

Sal

What sort of things do the two of you enjoy? If you like hiking, boating, biking... in other words, are you really into the great outdoors? If so, Tahoe in the summer sounds perfect. I think the hot air balloons sound fun. If kicking back is the main thing you're interested in, you'd being doing it in a beautiful setting. And it is absolutely gorgeous out there. If you like nightlife, clubs etc. you'll only find that in South Lake Tahoe. The Hyatt is in Incline and there is not much else there, other than a few restaurants and shops. It is one of the more upscale areas of Tahoe as far as the homes are concerned, but you're going to have to drive if you want a variety of restaurants. Truckee is about 15 minutes away and they have more dining choices. We have only been there to ski so that gave us plenty to do.

If you do choose Tahoe I would definitely pick the Hyatt for the amenities. If you can afford it, spluge and stay in the Lakeside cottages. Check out the spa and see if they have anything for couples--most do.

Decisions, Decisons.

Yes, there is a casino at the Hyatt, but it's in the main building.

caitlin

sal-

This last post of your's for some reason brought back a very clear picture in my head of where in Tahoe the Hyatt would be. (I've only been there once) So now I can kinda visualize where it is in relation to the "strip".
I'm kinda getting excited about it...
We shall see!
Right now we're trying to decide between going to Kauai and staying at a less swanky hotel (blowing our $ on airfare) and going to a few places (tahoe one of them) and using the extra money we save by staying in nicer places. It's a definite quandry though. Super nice hotel vs. Super nice location.
hmmmm.....

NoMore

Sorry but quit teasing us, caitlin.

Go to kauai or tahoe.

Make up your mind and we will all help you to the best of our abilities.

I've been to both and guess which one I'd rather go for a honeymoon? If you got the money.

Where do you live?

If money is THAT important at this time in your life, as it was for most of us when we were newlyweds, stay local and then on the 5th or 10th or whatever, DO A BIG ONE, like most of all of us did!

Just make up your mind!!!!!!
This is a good, kind and giving website, a few smartacres, but we will give you great recs, so come clean. WHAT DO YOU WANT DO DOOOOOOO?!
NoMo

Sal

Caitlin,

The purpose of this forum is to explore your travel options. Don't be put off by such posts as the one above.

It's your honeymoon--opt for nicer places--you won't regret it~!

helpfull

She has posted all over this forum about all sorts of things.

Sorry Sal. She has to fish or cut bait one of these days or we have to ask if she is just really planninga trip or not?

caitlin: Maybe give us your budget and your trip start/days/destination and we can HELP YOU!

Sorry if the prior person was a bit snotty but I feel the same way when I saw her posting for the other destinations over the past few days.

Sorry.

caitlin

Sal, Suzie and various others, thanks for being so helpful.

caitlin

And to you meanies who think I've asked too many questions: cram it with walnuts.