5 Best Hotels in Lake Tahoe, California

For years a lakeside favorite of travelers willing to trade style and amenities for below-average rates—and impressive water views from some rooms—the Crown is emerging from a property makeover with a sportier look but still budget-friendly pricing. Standard rooms, their decor remaining more serviceable than flashy, all have coffeemakers, small refrigerators, microwaves, and flat-screen TVs; some only sleep two people, others up to four. Deluxe, premium, and lakefront rooms have progressively better amenities that might include kitchenettes, air-conditioning, fireplaces, or all of these. Many rooms are just steps from the private beach. The hot tub and pool, the latter so close to the lake you'll practically feel in it, are both heated. A fire pit warms things up when the lake chills down, and there's an area for cornhole and other games. Water-sports rentals are available on-site. 

Across from Donner Lake several miles west of Truckee's historic downtown, this lodgelike property amid the trees earns repeat business for its secluded creekside location and husband-and-wife hosts' bountiful breakfasts. Though low on style, the inn is well tended. The immaculate guest rooms all have queen beds, gas fireplaces, flat-screen TVs, and window seats that take advantage of the woodsy view. The breakfasts always include a hot entrée and homemade bread and pastries; afternoon snacks are served on the outdoor deck in good weather. Just off I–80 near its intersection with Highway 89, the inn is convenient to several Sugar Bowl, Northstar, and other North Tahoe ski resorts.

This three-floor boutique hotel near the Heavenly Gondola, Stateline casinos, and several good restaurants provides solid value in a hip yet family-friendly setting. The lake is a five-minute walk away. Rooms are outfitted in a 21st-century rustic-camping style, with reclaimed wood and shades of gray and brown with splashes of bright orange or green. The Great Indoors rooms have tented beds, a faux fire log, and glowing stars on the ceiling if you want to play at camping; the Explorers Club offers four bunk beds to sleep a group of eight. All have free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, and flat-screen TVs with cable. The public areas include a lobby with leather sofas and a fireplace; outdoors are firepits, a beer garden, and rooftop hot tub.

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.

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.