I'll be in South Lake Tahoe for 3 nights in mid-March 2002. I've done lots of checking for hotels/condos and I think I've narrowed my list down. Any advice? We plan to ski and gamble, so would like to be close to both. There will be four adults. It doesn't really matter if we get two hotel rooms or one two bedroom condo. Looking for a good deal, but want a nice place. Here are places I have come across:

Forest Inn Suites (also called Forest Suites Resort). Great rate of $99.50 per night for a 2 bedroom condo. Sounds really cheap, what's the place like?

Tahoe Season's Resort: $180 (but stay one night, get next free, so comes to about $90 a night). This looks farther away from casinos, but is it much closer to Heavenly compared to Forest Inn and/or Harrah's?

Harrah's: $85 night.

Embassy Vacation Resort (not the other Embassy Suites - very confusing!): $215 per night for two bedroom condo. What does this place have over Forest Suites Resort? Is it worth more than double the price?

Thanks TONS for your advice!

Haven't stayed in teh Forest Inn in years since I now mostly go to North Shore) but it used to be very good value. Not POSH - but very good. It is walking distance to Harrahs/Harveys/Heavenly Gondola (not the tram - which is a couple of miles away). Don't know if they have kept up the standards - but if so it would be my first choice.

Tahoe Seasons being closer to Heavenly doesn't help much. You would have to drive (or take the shuttle buses) to the Tram or Gondola and the casinos. I know folks who love it and others who hate it - so flip a coin.

The Embassy is more upsacle - and very nice. But again - you'd have to drive or shuttle to everything.

Stay in one of the casinos - Harrah's, Harvey's, or Caesars. Obviously, the gambling is right there - and the skiing is too. It's just a short distance to the base of the gondola that takes you up to Heavenly. Transportation is free (on the Heavenly bus) from all hotels/casinos, although you could also walk (maybe 1/4 mile) if you wanted to.

If your interests are skiing and gambling, Harrahs or Harveys would probably serve you best. Harveys has more rooms with good views of the lake.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express a couple years ago. They are located in CA, midway between the ski area and the NV casinos.

http://www.sixcontinentshotels.com/hiexpress?_franchisee=TVLSO

They have many types of rooms for decent rates. No views, but close to the lake and a restaraunt next door.

We were there a few years ago- stayed at Harveys. Use the Entertainment book and get 1/2 off the room. Loved the room and the view- breakfast in the am was great. Service- very good. The restaurant- I think it is caled Lewelyns or something like that is 1st class. Would stay there again and again!

I've stayed at Harrah's twice and would not hesitate to recommend it. The rooms were oversized and very comfortable (two bathrooms), with great views. Very nice casino and good location.

I agree that either Harah's or harvey's would be your best choice. If i had to pick, I would prefer Harrah's due to its great restaurants.