I have friends coming from England in September and we plan to stop in Lake Tahoe for 1 night/1 day on our way to Yosemite. There will be 7 of us. Does anyone have any suggestions on a reasonably priced hotel. We like a drink, not too much for gambling, like to dance, maybe. We're aged 55 to 74. We have rented a cabin in Yosemite and have until the 11th to cancel if that isn't a good idea. Can anyone help me out here????

You have tons of choices. And there are many different areas of Tahoe. Since it's your first time, you may want to stay in South Shore near the casinos. Even if you don't gamble, you might want to be near the action since you are there for only one night.

I always like Best Western Inns and there is one close to the casinos and the beach and the Heavenly Ski Lift. It's rated three stars by AAA and gets pretty good reviews on Trip Advisor.

http://www.stationhouseinn.com/

Rooms there will run you between $120 and $150 per night on weeknights.

If you look at Tripadvisor.com, you can find some places nearby that are even cheaper if you want to choose a one star or two star establishment.

Also, if you are members of the AA in Britain or ARC Europe, you can get US AAA guidebooks and maps that can help you on your travels. Plus you get a 10% discount on Best Western hotels.

Thanks, that will help. I will get trip stuff from AAA, plus we have AARP, and a host of other discount availability. If they don't honor one, they may honor another. Do you know anything about Yosemite? We rented a cabin inside the park. Is that a good move??

"We rented a cabin inside the park." The Park is massive - where is the cabin?

"Is that a good move??" What are your concerns that it might not be? In the Park is generally better than outside the park, and in the "Valley" is better than simply in the "Park" somewhere.

Hi Janis:

It is on Larkspur Lane, it looks like it is right off River Road, near where you take the loop road (at least on the unit map they sent me it looks close to the loop road). Is this considered in the "Valley"? I guess my concern was just that, is it better in or out of the park. The cabin looks good on the website, but so did the hotel I booked in London, but it was a dump, so I guess that is a concern too.

That cabin is at Wawona which is at the very southern end of the park and about an hour drive from Yosemite Valley. It is a pretty area - but don't think you'll be anywhere near the famous waterfalls, Half Dome or those iconic Yosemite photos you have no doubt seen.

Nothing wrong w/ staying there - just don't get the impression you are IN Yosemite Valley.

Janis: Where exactly is the valley?? I went through the Redwoods site. I will goggle Yosemite Valley and see about cabins closer. Thank you.

Janis:

I found another group of cabins through Scenic Wonders property locator after I googled Yosemite Valley, but looking at the property map, they are all off Route 41 with an arrow pointing to Valley Floor, Yosemite Valley. One of the street names is Hennes Ridge Road. Does this look like I'm closer? I need to cancel the previous cabin and don't want to do it until I'm sure we are where we are closest to the main sites.
Again, thank you for your help.

There are no private cabins in Yosemite Valley -- Yosemite West (where Scenic Wonders properties are) is the nearest. It is much closer than Wawona.

Still not IN Yosemite Valley - but not as far away as the first place.

Is there any sort of lodging in the Valley?? Sorry to keep this up, but I want to be in the best place possible. Also, how far are the Scenic Wonders properties from the valley??

Thanks

Basically, in the Valley are the motel-type rooms at Yosemite Lodge, housekeeping cabins, Curry Village, and the very expensive and historic Ahwahnee hotel,

You can get all the info/details from the website http://www.yosemitepark.com/

Most anything in the Valley books up pretty far ahead.

Hi Janis:

I looked at stuff in the Valley and decided that we would take a cabin in the Scenic Wonders property. They said this cabin was 15 to 20 min from the falls and dome. If not, it is at least closer than we were.

Thank you so much for your help. I'm sure that had I not found you, we would have been disappointed.