Where to stay in Tahoe? Harrah's, Harvey's, or Embassy Suites?
 

Going to Lake Tahoe for the first time and want to stay in clean, luxurious accomodations. We are also looking for good service. Any suggestions?

P.S. Is food expensive and is it worth it to stay in Embassy Suites based on the breakfast?

I am looking for the same info for a trip in July. I have lots of information on pricing if you need it. I've priced Harrah's/Harvey's/Best Western Station House Inn/Timber Cove/Inn By the Lake/Forest Suites. I am looking for a nice room with a view....not necessarily casino action, but would go there if the rooms are nicer. If you get any info, I'd appreciate a [email protected]

I forgot...also priced Embassy Suites. It certainly gets a lot of raves...but was more expensive than most everyplace else.

I also have plenty of info but just need some advice before making a decision. Thanks for replying.

Did you read the comments at http://www.frommers.com/destinations...&order=fav ?

Recently stayed at Harrah's. The room was large and nice, though a bit worn. It and Harvey's are actually connected by a tunnel on the lower level. We had a room with a view, though from looking at the way that Harvey's is situated, it looked like it would have better views. Two things I really liked about Harrah's were the fact it had two bathrooms (one with tub/shower, the other with a shower). It came in real convenient for getting ready. And they also had a very good buffet on the top floor that offered nice views of the lake.

copied this from a previous fodors listing:

Author: Suzie
Date: 05/06/2003, 02:12 pm

Message: I have stayed at the Embassy Suites at stateline, the Tahoe Seasons at the base of Heavenly, The Hyatt at Incline, Sunnyside Resort near Tahoe City. All are really nice.

Stayed in many cabins/homes in Homewood, Tahoma and Meeks Bay.

Stayed in Squaw Valley Inn in Squaw Valley. Great place too!

Do you want a casino or more space?

Embassy suites gives you a little more room and includes breakfast. Tahoe Seasons has a little kitchenette in it and is alot like Embassy.

Hyatt is like any hotel room but has down comforters and a lodgy feel.

Squaw Valley Inn/Plumpjacks is a really cool place. Very different rooms.

Actually I was going to respond to this yesterday but I hesitate because though I've been going to Tahoe every summer for my whole life and go there in Sept for my anniversary I really never stay at the casinos so I can't comment on the quality of those rooms. I've stayed at the Embassy Suites many times and we really do like it there. It is as close to the Nevada state line as it can be so it's just a matter of walking out the front door to get to the casinos if that's what you like. I prefer not to be around that much cigarette smoke so we stay in CA.

If you get one of the rooms at the front of the hotel it may be possible to see the lake but most likely you would not have much of a view of it because it is not as high as the casinos. All the rooms have living areas and separate bedrooms.

This is directed to Suzie...do you have any other recommendations besides Embassy Suites? I have requested a room there but haven't heard back. I, also, don't want to be around a lot of smoke, but would like a place to use as a "base" of operations to do hiking, boating, and still be able to access the nightlife of the Stateline area. A view would be a bonus. Do you know Station House Inn, Timber Cove, or any other places that you might recommend? Would it make more sense to stay at several places along the lake (Incline..Squaw Valley) rather than work out of one and drive?

I would recommend all the places I've ever stayed at in Tahoe and here they are:

Embassy Suites

Tahoe Seasons (very much like Embassy in that it's 2 rooms and huge jacuzzi tub in the center of the room)

Hyatt Incline-After refurbishing it is beautiful! Though it is a casino it is still a very nice place.

Squaw Vally Inn/Plumpjacks. Because it was our anniv and they originally put us right over the bar they upgraded us to the 3rd floor suite. This place had a baby grand piano in it. Unbelievable.

Squaw Valley Resort - Very nice, pricey. Lots more places in Squaw Valley to choose from now that the village has been finished.

Sunnyside Resort-actually this is my fave because I prefer this part of the lake. It's pretty close to Squaw if you want to drive 15 minutes or so to get there. 3 miles to Tahoe city. About 30 minutes to North state line or Incline which also has Sand Harbor (great day visit or Shakespeare Festival, Merry Wives of Windsor and Midsumer Nights Dream this year)

We also stay at Tahoe in July but we stay on the west side so my preference would be Sunnyside. It does depend on how long you are staying and the type of vacation you want. South Lake Tahoe has lots to offer but is not as laid back as other areas.

Though I'm not a big fan of Best Westerns I've always been impressed at the condition of the Timber Cove. There are lots of hotels along that area and some are not kept up as well as others. Timber Cove seemed pretty nice from the outside. Station House does not seem to get the same treatment.

Inn by the Lake is across the road from the Lake but appears well cared for.

I would not stay at Forest Suites. Though they have updated their front desk area it's still an older property.

There are lots of new places in South Lake Tahoe and I hear that there has been a drop from last year to this in occupancy of about 200,000. The Marriott has 2 new properties which are timeshare but available as hotels. Grand Residence and Timber Lodge. Timber Lodge is more hotel like and Grand Residence more like a condo.

We stayed at Harvey's Mountain tower, and the only positive thing was the view, not sure all rooms have it. My report is here somewhere on the website. I would recommend Harvey's only if you get a really good price on it, otherwise doesn't worth whatever their rack rate is. Lake Tower may be different.

Harrah's has great rooms - large, two bathrooms, bay windows. Nice views of Heavenly and the lake. Also, two very good restaurants -the Summit and Friday's Station. The buffet is also pretty good. I didn't find it particularly smoky but then again I'm not really sensitive to smoke.

At present, Harvey's is not offering a great rate, at least not for July, which must be peak season. Harrah's sounds nice. I've heard other comments re the advantage of the 2 bathrooms and the good-sized room. It's a large hotel; how difficult is it to get out and about from there? i.e., in Vegas it can take 45 minutes just to get out of the larger casino/hotels, considering the trek from the room, the mandatory walk past the slots (they conveniently arrange), and the distance to parking. It's not conducive to get out for short treks.

My sister and I are meeting in Lake Tahoe for a couple days in July- I found a good rate at Horizons Resort- $89 for lake view with balcony! Sounded good to me after many comparisons. Thanks!

Sign up for the points card at Harrah's/Harveys. I get emails ALL THE TIME from them for rooms for $19 (Sun-Thurs mostly) and slightly more on weekends.

Thanks...I will sign up. I was hoping for some less expensive prices at the casino hotels for simply that reason...inducing people to come and spend money with them on the tables. But I've scoured the internet (from Expedia to Orbitz to CheapTickets.com and beyond) and Harrahs/Harvey's are $149/night and up for rooms with 2 doubles and that's sans tax/surcharges, midweek, and rooms without necessarily a primo view.

Checked out the rates at lodgings in Incline Village and Squaw Valley. Prices are much higher than those in South Lake Tahoe, at least in those recommended that I can find online. Is there a good website for Lake Tahoe area general information...restaurants, accomodations, activities, nightlife, etc.?

These 2 websites have alot of information.

http://www.tahoe.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

http://renolaketahoe.com/

The casinos in Tahoe are pretty small. Nothing like the size of Las Vegas. It won't take that long to manuever through the casino to get out to the street.

Stayed at Harveys for two nights last week for $39 a night. Room was fine but not much of a view as we were on the 4th floor. Dinner at La Primevera in Harrahs was great as was the food at The Green House which is 1/2 block from the hotel. Both are two for one if you have an Entertainment card.