My husband and I will be visiting Lake Tahoe the for the first time in October. We have made reservations at two places: Marriott Timberline Resort (South Side) and Plumpjack Inn (North Side). Friends of ours keep telling us we must stay on the North Side of Tahoe and to avoid the "touristy" South Side. Has anyone stayed at either of the two places I've mentioned above? Any recommendations? Thanks.

I have not stayed at either place - but BOTH end of Lake Tahoe are "touristy". It all depends on what type of touristy you are looking for. The southshore is more developed with the major casino hotels. The northshore is lined with more "old fashioned" family type resorts, two small casino hotels and the larger/posher Hyatt.

South shore has Emerald Bay - North shore has Sand Harbor. South Shore has Heavenly Valley and its gondola - North Shore has Squaw Valley and its gondola.

It really makes not much difference since you will probably drive all the way around the lake anyway.

So just pick the place that fits your budget and looks better to you personally.

We stayed at Plumpjacks Squaw Valley Inn. You should know that this is not on the north side but is in Squaw valley, about 20 minute drive to the lake.

The hotel is very different from other hotels we've stayed in. Both rooms we stayed in were very nice. We had the room over the bar and the noise was too much. When I went to the front desk to remind them that I had discussed it was our annversary with the reservation staff they quickly moved us to the 3rd foor suite. Stunning, including the baby grand piano!!

The south shore will not be all that touristy in October. Certainly lots quieter than summer and Sept. The up side of the new Marriott is that is within walking distance of lots of new and upscale shopping. That side of the street has undergone amazing redevelopment and is very pretty. The other side of the street is still the way it's looked for years. The Marriott is within walking distance to Harrahs and Harvey's.

The north shore has the Hyatt in Incline which is nice. If you want really quiet and lakeside try Sunnyside Resort which is a few miles south of Tahoe city.

Think about what areas you'll most like to see. If it's Emerald Bay and places like that you won't want to be so far as Squaw Valley and may appreciate being in south shore.

Can't add much more than what Suzie gave you, but i agree that Squaw Valley is a bit far. We visited the area on a side trip and it looked pretty self-contained. In other words, if the activities of Squaw Valley aren't enough for you (and it's pretty quiet when it's not ski season), then you'll have a bit of driving to get anywhere else. This map might give you some perspective... http://www.tahoecam.com/tahoeinfo/tahoemap.html

Incline Village on the North shore seems to have the best of both worlds. Quieter than South Lake Tahoe, but also has casinos, etc. Also directly on the lake, with a nice beach.

I can't believe that no one has mentioned the West Shore. There are no casinos, no big chain hotels and very few tourists. Ah, maybe that's why no one has mentioned it.

I would look at staying at Sunnyside cause it's right on the lake & has a very good restaurant by Tahoe standards. It would provide a good combination with your stay in South Shore. It's about 10 mins west of Tahoe City, not far from the Homewood ski resort. Believe me, if you drive all the way around the lake, you'll see its location & wish you had stayed there.

I've never stayed in the rooms there so I can't vouch for them, but judging by the lodge, they're probably pretty nice.

http://www.sunnysideresort.com/

Good luck & have fun!

Ugh scurry I did mention Sunnyside Resort in my post.

I've never stayed on the west shore, but I've always wanted to. Whenever we have gone up to Tahoe, we have gone with a group of people and invariably there are people in the group who want to gamble so we stay closer to the casinos. My favorite place closer to the casinos has been Zephyr Cove because it's got a nice beach and lakefront cabins.

South SHore is always touristy and your hotel is right in the midst of it all. I like South SHore but prefer staying off the main drag. We did stay at a condo type facility LakeLand Village in SOuth Shore on our last rip and though you enter right on the main street, the units are all set in among the trees and very quite and they are right ont he lake. Not all have lake views. We faced the trees and loved it. We will definately go back there. I do love NOrth Shore too and I don't think it is quite as touristy as Shouth Shore.

Sorry Suze

I think your friends are being kind by describing South Lake Tahoe as "touristy". It's kind of gross actually _if_ you are expecting a quaint, charming mountain town a la some towns in Colorado. The first time I saw it I was very disappointed. There are lots of cheesy, ugly, low cost motels, and the Casinos don't help the atmosphere. They have been attempting to make it look nicer. Many newer buildings have a mountain motif, etc. After several trips there it has grown on me & I appreciate it for what it is.
Still I think it would be nicer to stay on the west side, or in the vicinity of Tahoe City, if you are going there to hike, enjoy nature, etc.