1. Embassy Suites
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (530) 544-5400, (877) 497-8483
Address: 4130 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
Description: Perched right on the California–Nevada state line, Embassy Suites has 400 luxurious suites with separate living rooms, mini-bars, microwave ovens, and coffeemakers. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast each morning, a free cocktail reception each evening, and dinner in Echo Restaurant & Lounge. On-site recreational facilities include an indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, fitness center, and outdoor sundeck. The hotel also has heated valet parking and several shops. If it’s convenience you want, Embassy Suites is a good choice because it’s in the center of all the casino action and just steps from the shops at Heavenly Village, where you can hop on the gondola and be on the ski slopes within minutes. It’s a beautiful upscale property sure to please most any visitor to Lake Tahoe.
2. Holiday Inn Express
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (530) 544-5900, (888) 465-4329
Address: 3961 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
Description: The winner of several awards for its recent upscale renovation, the Holiday Inn Express offers luxury at a reasonable price. Each of the 89 rooms and suites has a refrigerator, coffeemaker, ice, and large remote-control TV. Some suites have fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens, and private spas. Other amenities include a free continental breakfast, an indoor spa and sauna, and an outdoor swimming pool. It’s a little removed from the casino action at Stateline, Nevada, but it’s right across from Lake Tahoe.
3. Lazy S Lodge
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (530) 541-0230, (800) 862-8881
Address: 609 Emerald Bay Road
Description: The Lazy S Lodge has cozy, rustic cottages with fireplaces and kitchenettes, and studio units with wet bars or kitchenettes, microwave ovens, and refrigerators. You’ll also find a swimming pool, hot tub, and large lawn with barbecues and picnic tables.
4. Quality Inn & Suites
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (530) 541-5400, (877) 424-6423
Address: 3838 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
Description: Tucked away in tall pines, Quality Inn & Suites has 121 standard rooms, suites, and condos, with some kitchens available. If you’re too tired to drive to a restaurant after a full day’s activities at Lake Tahoe, you can have a savory Indian dinner at the on-premises restaurant, the Taj Mahal. Other amenities include complimentary continental breakfast as well as a year-round hot tub, swimming pool, courtesy shuttle to ski resorts and casinos, and a picnic and barbecue area. This establishment is about a half mile from the casinos at Stateline, Nevada.
5. Royal Valhalla Motor Lodge
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (530) 544-2233, (866) 493-4603
Address: 4104 Lake Shore Drive
Description: You can’t get much closer to Lake Tahoe than the Royal Valhalla Motor Lodge—it’s right on the shore and has its own private beach. The lodge offers accommodations that include kitchenettes and balconies, and you’ll also enjoy continental breakfast, a hot tub, and a swimming pool. The ambience of this property is very light and airy, blending the indoors with the outdoors.
6. Tahoe Chalet Inn
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (530) 544-3311, (800) 821-2656
Address: 3860 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
Description: The Tahoe Chalet Inn is a touch of European elegance right in the heart of South Shore Lake Tahoe. From its standard rooms to themed suites to chalets, you are sure to feel pampered and at home. One of the themed suites is the Marie Antoinette Room (no, it doesn’t have a guillotine), featuring lovely antique-style furnishings and a roaring fireplace. The inn also provides complimentary continental breakfast, an indoor spa, a heated seasonal swimming pool, and a fitness room. You also can walk to the casinos, shops, and restaurants in Stateline, Nevada.
7. Camp Richardson Resort
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (800) 544-1801
Address: 1900 Jameson Beach Road
Description: A favorite for families because kids have plenty of room to roam, Camp Richardson has rustic accommodations near historic sites, hiking trails, and beaches. Its corrals offer pack trips into nearby wilderness areas, and it has a complete outdoor sports center for a variety of summer activities.
8. Inn At Heavenly
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (530) 544-4244, (800) 692-2246
Address: 1261 Ski Run Boulevard
Description: Hidden among two acres of pines, the Inn at Heavenly offers guests country mountain decor with a touch of luxury. Although constructed of logs, the inn is anything but rustic as the fireplaces are meticulously crafted and the woodwork is hand-stenciled. You can enjoy breakfast in your kitchenette or join guests in the nearby lodge for an expanded continental breakfast. A dog-friendly resort, the inn lists doggie activities on its Web site. The owners also operate the Fireside Lodge, a similar type of property on Emerald Bay Road. For information, call (530) 544-5515.
9. Lakeland Village Beach & Ski Resort
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (530) 544-1685, (800) 822-5969
Address: 3535 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
Description: In the heart of the South Shore area, Lakeland Village Beach & Ski Resort has all the amenities for a perfect vacation—a private, sandy beach; tennis courts; swimming pools; and beachside games. The underground parking garage is especially convenient in winter, and the resort runs free shuttles to ski areas and casinos.
10. Tahoe Seasons Resort
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (530) 541-6700, (800) 540-4874
Address: 3901 Saddle Road
Description: At the base of the tram on the California side of Heavenly Ski Resort, Tahoe Seasons Resort provides easy access to skiing as well as all the activities in the South Shore area. In addition to all the amenities of a condominium, it has a restaurant, room service, a fireside lounge, and a gift shop. And you can choose from a variety of lodging packages tailored to meet your individual needs.
11. Accommodation Station
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (530) 542-5850, (800) 344-9364
Address: 2516 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
Description: This agency handles rentals in the South Shore Lake Tahoe area with more than 100 condos and homes priced from $100 to $1,000 per night.
12. South Lake Tahoe Reservation Bureau
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (530) 544-5397, (800) 698-2463
Address: 599 Tahoe Keys Boulevard
Description: This large reservation bureau has about 200 condos, homes, and cabins in the South Shore Lake Tahoe area, with a price range of $125 to $1,200 a night.
13. Tahoe Rental Connection
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (530) 542-2777, (800) 542-2100
Address: 2241 James Avenue
Description: The Tahoe Rental Connection handles property on the California side of Lake Tahoe only. Its 120 units rent for $85 to $600 nightly.
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 1900 Jameson Beach Road
15. D. L. Bliss State Park
City: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (800) 444-7275 (reservations)
Address: 9 miles north of South Lake Tahoe
Description: With heavily wooded, secluded sites along the spectacular west shore of Lake Tahoe, D. L. Bliss State Park is pure bliss. Of all the camping options in the Lake Tahoe area, Bliss is premier. You can swim and sunbathe on one of Tahoe’s largest white-sand beaches, hike the ruggedly picturesque shoreline to beautiful Emerald Bay, and bike to Tahoe City on the area’s longest paved bike path (more information about the park is in the Parks chapter). Basic services for the 168 sites include piped water (which must be boiled before drinking), showers, group sites, and flush toilets. Pets are OK on leashes. This campground is mostly for tent campers and there is an 18-foot limit on the length of RVs. Call for rates.