Plumpjack Sqaw Valley Inn
 

Does anyone out there recommend staying here? I have read that the rooms here are "different" from other hotels. What does that mean exactly? Is Squaw Valley too far removed from the lake and other activities in late fall? I have never been to Lake Tahoe before. Any input will be appreciated. Thanks.

If it's the place I'm thinking of - and I think it is, we had reservations there about five years ago in the fall. We drove up and decided on the spot - without even getting out of the car - that the place was way to far removed from anything.

I think it'd probably be fine in winter when everything is snowy - but we immediately switched to one of the big casino hotels to be nearer to the lake and some nightlife.

We stayed there. The room we were given had stone floor which was beautiful. The room was very large. The bathroom had a large jacuzzi or soaking tub. The furnishings, towels and accessories were very nice. Large fluffy robes were in each room and are available for sale in the gift shop.

Unlike most hotel rooms that have an armiore with the tv, these rooms had a built in cabinets at the wall opposite the bed. Comfy bed with really nice bedding.

The 3rd floor suite is especially lovely and had a baby grand piano. Very large bathroom with lots of natural stone.

I'm not trying to talk you into staying there - but the folks on this thread and your other one make it sound like Squaw Valley is miles from anywhere. It is less than 4 miles from the entrance to Squaw Valley to the bridge at Tahoe City - a 6 minute drive at most. So if Plumjack looks interesting to you don't let the location put you off.

janis is right that Squaw Valley or Olympic Village is not crazy far from the lake but it not really considered part of Lake Tahoe by most standards. The road into Squaw valley is just off 89 which is the road from Truckee to Tahoe City and then around the lake. You can see the lake from High Ranch which is a tram ride up the mountain. At the top there is a pool, giant jacuzzi, restaurants bars and an ice skating rink. The restaurant at Plumpjacks is really good. The village that has been under construction for awhile is located in what used to be the biggest parking lot this side of Disneyland. Previously it was the location for the Ice Skating Pavilion for the Olympics held in Squaw Valley in the 60's.

Squaw Valley is a great place for hiking, mountain biking and golf unless it's winter and then it's all skiing all the time!!!

Maybe it would be good to know what you'd like to do and see when you're in Tahoe.

Thank you everyone for your great advice. Basically, my husband and I are interested in hiking, bike riding and exploring the area (unfortunately, all of the horse stables seem to be closed at the end of October). We are not gamblers, so casinos don't really interest us. We are looking forward to being away from Washington, DC, and enjoying nature.

There are lots of stables around the area.

Squaw Valley Stables (close in Sept)
Alpine Meadows Stables (Just southeast of Squaw June - Oct)
Cascade Lake Stables (near Emerald Bay - June - Oct)
Camp Richardson Stables (south all year)
Zypher Cove (South - mid April to Mid Nov)
Ponderosa (north - no closing date posted)
Northstar (north - June - October)

Here's a website for more riding info http://www.tahoesbest.com/Places/horseback.htm

There'a a great hike to cascade falls. Trailhead starts in the Bayview campground, just drive to the end and park. Pretty easy hike with great views.

I have only visited Squaw Valley in the summer and fall. The hotel you mention looks like a nice place, but it sits right in the middle of the biggest, ugliest parking lot I've ever seen. To go to the beautiful and nature terrific Tahoe area and then stay in this barren parking lot in the middle of nowhere makes no sense at all to me. Think of it as a convenient place to stay (and maybe nice rooms) for a week of skiing, but that's about it.

Patrick, that's pretty accurate of the parking lot. Though some changes have taken place.
Plumpjacks is right next to the tram that goes up to high camp. It used to face a super colossal parking lot. Intrawest has built a new village on part of that parking lot though. Intrawest builds Mountain Resorts in ski areas like Mammoth, Winter Park, etc. At least now the vastness of the parking lot is not so obvious but it is best to get a room with a view of the mountains on the back side of the Inn.

I haven't stayed at Plumpjack but I've stayed at Squaw Valley Lodge next door. Wherever you stay it's really just a base: I assume you'll be getting in the car to drive to a trailhead, activity, or just take a scenic drive. So I don't think the location is a big deal. The plus is you have this wonderful restaurant right there.

One the nicest stays we had in Lake Tahoe was when we rented a place at Chinquapin (http://chinquapin.com/). It is nice to see the lake when you get up in the morning.

Suzie. I was just there about a month ago. Yes the hotel in the middle is bigger now, taking up more of the parking lot, but I'm not sure that it added anything to the overall picture of the place. I guess now it just likes a humongous parking lot with a stark hotel in the middle. Couldn't they at least plant a few trees? Of course the current construction doesn't pretty up the place any either.

Patrick, all true. Better views at the Resort to be sure. Our room did not face the parking lot so we'd forget about it until we had to return to our car. The parking lot is crazy big with no cute signs like Disneyland had, like the "Snow White" section. ;)