My husband and I live in Minnesota, and we are planning to stay near/on Lake Tahoe for 3 nights this summer. As we are expecting our first child in September, this will be our last chance for a romantic get-away. We are not interested in the casinos, but a good deal may persuade us to stay at one. The idea of a quieter hotel/lodge appeals to us more. I'd like a beautiful, quiet room with a great view of either the lake or the mountains. Pools/beach/spa treatments are not necessary. My husband's only request is that the room have a tv - I'm thinking romance may not be his highest priority.

I found a room at Caesar's for $100 a night (but they cannot guarantee a nonsmoking room). I also found a nonsmoking room at the Sunnyside Lodge for around $200 a night. The Sunnyside sounds appealing as it only has 23 rooms, is located on the lake, has a great restaurant, and includes a continental buffet.

Have you stayed at the Sunnyside Lodge? Do you recommend it? Would it be a better bet than Caesar's even with the difference in price? Do you know of any other ideas similar to the Sunnyside Lodge?

Much Thanks!

Allison

I've stayed there. It's a great little place just south of Tahoe City. Rooms are regular hotel style. They are kind of set up at an agle so that you can get a view of the lake on your balcony. It's only 2 or 3 stories high so it's a small place. Love the restuarant, have eaten there many times.

Caesars is in south shore so they are in totally different environments. Sunnyside is in a quieter area of the lake excpt on Fridays when lots of weekenders arrive with their boats (Sunnyside is a marina also) and on Sunday when the traffic backs up past Sunnyside as people leave the lake through Tahoe City. Oye!

Nice places in southshore is Black Bear Inn. http://www.tahoeblackbear.com/

I've also stayed at the Embassy Suites at stateline which is great for nonsmoking and Tahoe Seasons which is up near the original Heavenly Tram.
Will you be at the lake on a weekend? It is better during the week. What month in the summer? June is not really crowded, Around the 4th of July is packed and then dies down until the last two weeks in August and then stays busy until the end of August when it completely dies down. Amazingly I;ve been there on Labor Day Weekend and it was not busy at all.

My husband and I have stayed at Sunnyside many times. I think it is a great lodge with a great resturant overlooking the lake. My one recommendation would be not to stay on a holiday weekend as it can get quite loud (we were there over 4th of July) - also request a room that is not over the kitchen. I have also stayed at Ceasar's which is nice. From the questions you asked, I think you would like Sunnyside the best. If I remember correctly, the rooms have t.v.'s

Thanks Suzie and Chico for the insight. We will be staying June 30 through July 3 (middle of the week, but just prior to July 4). It sounds as if the sunnyside may not be so quiet during that time. Maybe just having dinner at sunnyside would suffice. Thanks for the other ideas. I checked out the black bear - looks beautiful and quiet. I'll call them tomorrow during their regular business hours to check on availability. I also checked out tahoe seasons. Tahoe seasons may be a good compromise for us. Do you recommend it?

The room at Tahoe Seasons we stayed in was quite large much like Embassy Suites in that there is a living area with a sofa bed and then there is a divider screen or door with a jacuzzi in the middle of the room and then the bedroom. There is a little kitchenette area with small fridge and microwave and a booth for seating. If you like south shore this is a good area.

If you're leaving on July 3rd you may miss most of the traffic and incoming celebrants. Personally I prefer the Sunnyside Lodge area over the south shore but you should stay where you like. South shore will have much more traffic and visitors than the Tahoe City area. I doubt you'd want to drive to Sunnyside from South Lake Tahoe just for dinner when there are plenty of great restauarants in south lake Tahoe.