nohogal

We'll be driving to Lake Tahoe (from Southern Calif) in July and are trying to decide which hotel and which side of the lake to stay at in Tahoe. We've narrowed it down to the Hyatt in Incline Village, NV, or the one of the Marriotts in South Lake Tahoe, CA (listed below). Any opinions?

Also, any recommendations as to where to stop along the way?

Here are my three choices

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort,111 Country Club Dr, Incline Village, NV 89451

Marriott Grand Residence Club,1001 Heavenly Vlg Way # 12, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, US

Marriott Timber Lodge, 4100 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA

thanks!

Supercilious

Are you going for the gambling? Personally, the big hotels are overpriced and not environmentally friendly.

But, if you want to gamble, it's best to stay at Harrahs or Harveys, or the Montbleu.

janisj

Depends on what ambience you want - I personally much prefer northshore/Incline and would choose the Hyatt. But if you want to be right in the center of the action at southshore then the Marriotts are right at the base of the Gondola and next to Harrahs/Harveys.

The restaurant at the Hyatt is one of the best on the Lake, and Sand Harbor is only a couple of miles away and is the prettiest place imaginable.

LindainOhio

I have only been to Lake Tahoe once. We rented a condo on the northshore, which we loved but if we return,I would like to stay at the Inn by the Lake in South Lake Tahoe. It really looks lovely.

We enjoyed our visit--loved biking along the lake on the bike trail, hiking (the Rubicon Trail is beautiful),golfing-- Glenbrook was a hidden gem and not expensive. Sand Harbor was our favorite beach but the water is freezing.

Suzie

Stay at the Hyatt. You will love the location, love the beach, love the grounds and the spa is really nice. I have stayed at the Grand and Timber Lodge as well but in July I would like to be in a more summery location. The Marriott properties are not that close to the water and it's pretty busy in that area. Though they are close to shopping, dining and casinos they are not as relaxing and resorty as the Hyatt.

Where to stop along the hot, hot, hot, drive through the central valley? Don't stop!

Fairway

We were in Tahoe last summer and I would not recommend Montbleu. It was a horrible experience. I would go into California (just down the street) and try one of those places. The area has lots to see/shop etc. There is a grocery store in the newer shopping center as well.
Personally, we went to Incline Village and it's really nice up there. I'd vote for Incline Village.

ChiDad

Incline Village unless you prefer casino hopping and t-shirt shops.

South Lake has a higher activity level in the summer but Incline has more natural beauty and is more upscale. The Hyatt's casino and spa are nice,too. Sand Harbor is amazing.

Have fun.

kimamom

We stayed 3 nights at the Timber Lodge this past May. Loved it! Very nice location and gorgeous pool and jacuzzi there. Walking distance to the casinos, also.

Don't miss Evan's Gourmet Cafe, Cafe Fiore and 19 Kitchen for great meals in this area. We also enjoyed lunch at the Lone Eagle Grille at the Hyatt in North Shore. They have a nice spa there, the Stillwater Spa where I enjoyed a relaxing manicure and pedicure. ***kim***

BillJ

Another vote for Incline Village. Many many great restaurants in the area. Great beach, and Sand Harbor close by.
Quiet. Scenic. Away from the maddening crowds.
Also close to Truckee River Rafting, if you are inclined (no pun intended). Have fun.

vinolover

We love the Hyatt at Incline Village also. I posted photos on tripadvisor.com. Incline Village is so much more laid back than the larger cities but it is an easy drive to get anywhere else (i.e. if you want to visit the casinos, do any shopping, go hiking, etc.). The beach at the Hyatt is great. Have drinks at the Lone Eagle and sit by the many firepits in the evening to wind down.

crefloors

Another vote for Incline. I didn't see how long you are staying. The east, north, and west side of the lake are by far the prettiest. You have some gambling at Crystal Bay, Tahoe City has good restaurants and fun shopping, you can drive into Truckee or hit Squaw Valley, or drive around the west side to Sunnyside and Emerald Bay.

Southshore is the place is you want more night life, shows, etc. Personally, I don't like it at all.

nohogal

Seems like the consensus went with the Hyatt Lake Tahoe, however, based on the room rate and size we went with the Marriott Timberlodge. (I'm traveling with my 11- and 15-year-old sons.)

Originally, we were going to be in Tahoe five nights beginning July 1, but because of the fires, we decided to spend the first three days in Yosemite (I know it'll be hot) and rescheduled Tahoe to July 4-6 (we could add an extra day or two on the back end).

Should we be concerned about the fires? We have until June 27 to change or cancel our reservations without being penalized.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and opinions -- they're appreciated.

janisj

nohogal: "We have until June 27 to change or cancel our reservations without being penalized." - huh - that is today.

Sorry, you seem to have made your decision, but I would 100% stay at the north end -- especially now. Even if the fires are out by next week - there will be a massive cleanup effort and a lot of disruption.

Incline is miles away and will not be impacted. Southshore most definitely will be . . . . .

Suzie

I agree with the Incline Village recommendation which is what I wrote on your other thread. The 4th is a week away. Conditions could be completely different by then. But it's a fire so who knows!

Supercilious

It's impossible to predict what conditions will be like next week. I would wager that they will cancel the fireworks this year. The whole basin is affected because of the smoke which will remain for a while until the fire is totally out.

I would go somewhere else. You never said what you were going for. If it's nightlife and casinos, go to Reno. If it's outdoor activities that you are looking for and beautiful scenery, an option would be Mammoth Lakes or June Lake which are just over Tioga Pass from Yosemite.

nohogal

I posted a similar message on the Lake Tahoe Fires thread, but noticed different names so I thought I'd post it here as well.

We were going to Lake Tahoe to enjoy the scenery, fresh air, hiking, swimming, rafting, boating, and fireworks -- now we'll have to find some July 4th activities elsewhere since we need to check out of the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls on the 4th. (We'll check out Mammoth and June Lake as Supercilious recommended.)

We went ahead and cancelled our reservation at the Marriott Timberlodge in South Lake Tahoe July 4-6. Thanks for all the responses – it helps getting comments and guidance from people who know the area or were in similar situations.

I had called the hotel and they weren’t very helpful. They told me that the fire is 7 miles away and other than a little smoke they didn’t think we should be concerned. That wasn’t very comforting.

We considered Squaw Valley, North Shore and Incline Village, since there are rooms at a few resorts there, but as of now, we’ll probably steer clear of the entire Tahoe area (we’ll let it heal and visit another time).

As of now, we’ll be in Yosemite July 1-4, but not sure where to go from there on July 4-7. We’ll check Mammoth and June Lake based on your recommendations. We may head to the coast or just head back home to Los Angeles. Luckily, this was a car trip so we don’t have to reschedule any flights, and my work is closed for a summer shutdown that week so I don’t need to reschedule vacation time either.

My heart and best wishes go out to everyone who’s affected by the fire.

Supercilious

One reason I suggested the Mammoth Lakes area is that because this is a ski area, the hotels rarely fill up in summer. A quick check on Expedia, showed a lot of lodging options for your dates. Other areas of California are going to be much busier over the 4th.

While not as big a show as Tahoe, there is a 4th of July celebration in Bridgeport, CA. If you stay in June Lake, you would be about 45 minutes away. Mammoth would be about an hour.

http://www.bridgeportcalifornia.com/...elabration.pdf

There is so much to do in the Eastern Sierra. There's Bodie, Mono Lake, Devil's Postpile National Monument,
and the unique geologic features in the area. You are also actually closer to the great hikes of the Tioga Pass area than if you were staying in Yosemite Valley. In fact, Mammoth and June Lakes are essentially the other side of Yosemite.

Outdoor activities include kayaking on Mono Lake, hiking and biking at Mammoth, and swimming in the cool lakes (cooler even than Tahoe). There's warmer swimming at Whitmore Hot Springs. Also the Bristlecone Pines are not too far away.

Finally, the drive home to LA is spectacular - down US 395.

janisj

I actually think Incline would be just fine (as Squaw Valley would be). They are 20+ miles away and there's no smoke there now whatsoever and will be totally clear by next week (unless another fires starts - but that could also be said about Yosemite or anyplace else in the Sierra)

Right now there is more smoke south of Tahoe than there is at Incline . . . . .

Suzie

DH called from the fire and said today was a better day. Not so much ash and smoke as Monday. He was parked at Evans and said the fire had gotten pretty close. Think of all the structures and history around there. Homes, Pope Beach, Camp Richardson. It's wonderful that the firefighters worked so hard. We'll have to cross our fingers for continued favorable weather.

pat

I live in Reno, and yesterday, there was some smoke, today nothing but blue skies. My daughter lives near Carson City, south of here and they have had more smoke than we have had. I don`t think you will have any problems at all, if you stay in north shore. Sounds like the fire will be projected to be about out in 4 days or so anyway. It is nice during the day, then the wind picks up in the evening.