7 Best Hotels in Lake Tahoe, California

An old-fashioned family resort on 120 acres fronting Lake Tahoe, Camp Richardson earns retro cred for its 1920s log cabin–style lodge, its few dozen cabins, and its small inn—all tucked beneath giant pine trees—but wins no style points for its straightforward accommodations with a dearth of amenities. Some cabins (one-week minimum in summer) have fireplaces and full kitchens; a few units sleep eight. The Beachside Inn has more modern amenities and sits right on the lake, but its rooms feel like those in an ordinary motel. The resort is well off the road, and there's tons of space; kids have a blast here. Rates drop significantly in winter, when you can snowshoe and  cross-country ski on the property's trails. The resort has a strict no-pets policy. This older property shows its age; if modern amenities matter, look elsewhere.

Known for decades as Sorensen's Resort, this 165-acre Eldorado National Forest complex with an on-site restaurant has a woodsy summer-camp charm. Most cabins have kitchens or kitchenettes and wood-burning stoves or fireplaces. There are also several yurts and tent and RV spaces. The resort sits on the edge of the highway, which allows it to stay open in winter—a boon for skiers—but in summer, request accommodations away from the road. Pets are allowed in some rooms for a daily fee.

A golf course, a spa, a heated swimming pool, an ice skating rink, a chairlift to the mountain, groomed cross-country ski tracks, and several restaurants please the well-heeled patrons of this full-service resort within Hyatt's Destination brand. The accommodations are decorated in warm earth tones, with wooden furnishings; about half the units are suites (up to three bedrooms) with fireplaces and kitchens. The resort makes the most of its gorgeous valley setting surrounded by forested mountains—expansive windows in all the rooms and massive ones in the lobby yield breathtaking views.

Far enough off the highway to feel secluded, this 74-acre condo community (its name in Norwegian means "a hillside sheltered by fir trees") provides an in-the-woods Tahoe experience convenient to outdoor activities and Tahoe City dining. The Treetop Adventure Park's rope course is here, along with tennis, hiking on a private nature trail or the nearby Tahoe Rim Trail, swimming in the heated pool (the adjacent hot tubs are also heated year-round), and working out on a par course. Lodging options range from studio and one-bedroom condos to three-bedroom, two-bath town houses with full kitchens. The room rate includes a complimentary breakfast for bookings made through the website. Look for packages throughout the year.

Perched at the edge of a semiprivate beach that's less than a half-mile from Heavenly Village, The Landing provides luxe rooms and resort amenities in a prime location—removed from, but close to, the Stateline action. Choose among seven room types; all have heated marble floors, stone fireplaces, a balcony or patio, a wet bar, and a sitting area. Some rooms have partial or unobstructed lake views. The sleek on-site restaurant and lounge, Jimmy's, serves upscale California cuisine and is popular with locals.

You can't beat the location of these two gigantic condominium complexes at the base of Heavenly Gondola, and though both are comfortable, Timber Lodge feels more like a family vacation resort, whereas Grand Residence is geared to upper-end travelers. Units vary in size from studios to three bedrooms, and some have amenities such as stereos, fireplaces, daily maid service, and full kitchens. Ask about vacation packages.

Nestled mid-mountain on the Northstar ski resort, the four-story Ritz-Carlton has plush accommodations with floor-to-ceiling windows, fireplaces, cozy robes, and down comforters. For inimitable pampering, splurge on a top-floor, concierge, Club Level room. No matter which room you book, you'll enjoy access to the spa, fitness center, heated outdoor pools, and the gondola to Northstar. In addition to room service, dining options include a casual café lounge, the Backyard Bar & BBQ for poolside or outdoor ski-in, ski-out dining, and the upscale Manzanita for California cuisine, with more restaurants in Northstar Village.