Lake Tahoe Accomodations
 

I'm going to Lake Tahoe near the end of August. I've never been there and I'm looking for a nice yet reasonably priced lodging for approximately 2 days. Any suggestions? I'm on a budget so I can afford anything overly expensive.....I would prefer something nice and clean for less than $200.
I don't need anything fancy...just something clean and close to activities. Thanks

What part of Lake Tahoe will you we visiting?

What part? Oh, I'm not sure...I think it's the part in California??? See how much I don't know....I have to do further research.

If you want close to the activities then you want South Shore Lake Tahoe.

Utahtea

We stayed at Lakeshore Lodge (lakefront) in 1999, (recommended here) and loved it. We had a room with a private balcony overlooking Lake Tahoe, and also their lakefront pool and spa. The room was very spacious and upscale-rustic and at that time the rate was $125. I would definitely stay there again!

Here's their web address:

http://tahoelakeshorelodge.com

There was also a Hard Rock Cafe neaby, but definitely the smallest i've ever seen!

AND, lol, they also have a clean, wide private beach where you can build sandcastles and dip your toes into the freezing water!! (can you tell i love this place??!) :)

Lake Tahoe is a pretty big place with distinct areas.

South Shore, which includes the towns of South Lake Tahoe (California) and Stateline (Nevada) is the most populated and busy area of the lake. Stateline is where the larger casinos are. South Lake Tahoe is a decent sized town with a lot of motels, hotels, and restaurants. This is where the action is.

North Shore also straddles the California/Nevada border includes the towns of Incline Village, King's Beach, Brockway, and Carnelian Bay. These towns are all fairly small and this area of the lake is pretty quiet, more focus on the outdoors than on casinos. There are a couple casinos on the Nevada side - they are smaller and quieter than those at Stateline.

West Shore is another pretty quiet area. The main town here is Tahoe City, with Truckee just a short drive away from the lake. The west shore is more like the Lake Tahoe of days past, before the million dollar lake front homes and the high rise casinos. There are quite a few small resorts with cabins in this area. This area has it's share of expensive lake front homes, but they tend to be older and less flashy than in other areas on the lake.

My favorite place, for the best of both worlds, is Zephyr Cove. It's removed from the crowds in South Shore, but within a short drive of the Stateline casinos. The resort there has a great beach and a dock where you can rent boats, water toys, and take a cruise on a paddlewheeler or catamaran. The lodging consists of cabins and lodge rooms and are pretty comfortable.

Lakeshore Lodge has a great breakfast deal really inexpensive, and a pretty good inexpensive prime rib dinner. We haven't stayed there, but I do like the location, cheap food, and rustic style. JCorrea has given you some excellent advice. I would add, check out www.virtualtahoe.com. It has a good search engine for lodging specials and the overall scoop on what's going on.

$200 a night goes a long way at Tahoe. Do an Expedia search for Stateline, Nevada and you will find many options below your limit.

If you are looking at spending a lot of time in the Casinos, consider a room at Harrahs, Harveys, or Caesars.

If you want to be on the beach, there are other options. I prefer the North Shore but if you are looking for Casino action, the South Shore is a better choice although my favorite hotel is the Cal Neva on the North Shore. They have some lake view suites there that have fabulous views.

I grew up spending a week every summer in Lake Tahoe in the Meeks Bay and Kings Beach areas. We always rented a cabin for the week.

On our last trip we enjoyed the Inn by the Lake, located in South Lake Tahoe. We got a room with the Entertainment Book for really cheap. It's a great place with a nice swimming pool, bi-level jacuzzi, complimentary bikes and a very nice staff.

We spent three nights here and were able to everything we wanted to do in that amount of time. I really enjoyed the drive around the lake (ask the front desk to pack you a picnic and it comes complete with a CD for driving), and the Windjammer II sunset cruise was really nice.

Right next to the Inn by the Lake is the Dory's Oar where we enjoyed a nice lunch in their authentic British pub and then fine dining the next night. The Inn by the Lake has coupons for the restaurant and lots of cool packages. www.innbythelake.com to check it out! Enjoy Tahoe! ***kim*** :)

There are some cute places to stay in Tahoe Vista on the North Shore. My favorite is the Franciscan Lodge.
I also love the West shore areas like Tahoma and Chambers. Meeks Bay is one of the nicest beaches on the West Shore. There are a lot of little cabins for rent in Tahoma but I'd call soon. Tahoe is very crowded in August. If you stay on the North Shore Sand Harbor is a beautiful beach.
Zephyr Cove is yet another great area.
My least favorite area is South Shore, but if you are looking for a lot of entertainment then this is the area to go to. There are a ton of places to stay well under $200.

Thanks for all your responses. It's been really helpful! I want some casino action so South Lake Tahoe & South Shore is probably the area in which I'd be interested.
Is Harvey's Casino a nice place to stay?

Yes, Harvey's is nice. Be sure to ask if your room is in the newer tower. Some of those rooms have lake views. They have a new seafood buffet that is really good. Skip going to the beach in South Shore though (too windy) and drive over to Zephyr Cove, it's much nicer.

viamar,

What is new about Harvey's seafood buffet? We used to go there twice a year for YEARS, even before they built the new hotel, and they always had a seafood buffet. The last time we were there and had the seafood buffet, they were limiting the lobster.

Curious

I've been checking into places in Lake Tahoe, also. Any opinions on the Tahoe Seasons Resort? It's website look nice and the rooms are all suites, some with spas for $170/night. ***kim***

A Lake Tahoe Q and no "Suuuuuz" assistance?
I'm worried about the gal! Hope there is a long trip report soon!

kimamom, we stayed at Tahoe Seasons in October 2002 for a week.
Our impressions:
Would be best during winter; it is directly across street from Heavenly Valley parking lot. We stayed as RCI timeshare exchange, but it is more like a hotel - valet parking, front desk/lobby area, etc. I loved the jacuzzi, looks just like the pictures. The kitchen area was disappointing. It is mostly taken up by a large diner-bench style table set up, and you have to squeeze around to reach the coffee pot. They need to get rid of that. Also, it is not a real kitchen, just a bar type set up. View - not really. I don't think any rooms really have lake view. We would stay there again, but really would have preferred to be closer to the lake.

Anyone recently stay at the Hyatt Regency in Incline Village? Would love to hear the good and bad of that resort, as I too am planning a visit to the Tahoe area.

I've never stayed at the Hyatt in Incline, but I've been there several times to eat and gamble. It's a nice place. There was a nice seafood buffet.