After five years of design and construction, The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe opened last week in the midst of 30 inches of fresh snowfall. What might be a hindrance for some hotel grand openings was a welcome sight for the Ritz-Carlton, which describes the resort as “the finest ski-in, ski-out experience in California if not all the world.”

Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe

The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe is the first new resort development in the Lake Tahoe area in decades. Anticipated to be the premier northern California contemporary mountain retreat, the $300 million project, situated mid-mountain in the Northstar-at-Tahoe ski area will feature ski-in, ski-out access with mountain concierge services. Read More »

South Lake Tahoe

Wedding season is just around the corner! If you’re tired of the thought of planning a big wedding, and you haven’t even started yet, then maybe you need another option. A good friend of mine just eloped to Lake Tahoe with a very small party, and they’re getting married at Harvey’s in Lake Tahoe. It’s a nice hotel, and rates can be crazy low if you book when they have specials – I just saw a special for $60/night just a few minutes ago!

My friend reports that Harvey’s wedding chapel is really pretty, and there are these huge, 18-foot high windows with views of the surrounding (often snowy) mountains. There’s room for small to large wedding parties, and the hotel can accommodate anything and everything that you need to make your wedding day special.
As for the hotel itself, Harvey’s is perfect for your wedding guests and for the new bride and groom as well. Check into the Summit Suites – you’ll be provided with your very own butler! If these rooms are a little out of your budget range, there are five other categories of rooms which are cheaper, but very nice as well. The Mountain Suites are over 720 square feet in size, and the Premium Rooms are over 525 feet. And for only $11/day, you can have wireless Internet in any of the rooms.

And, when you stay at Harvey’s in Tahoe, you’ll have access to tons of entertainment options just outside your hotel room door. There are casinos, shows and dozens of restaurants to enjoy. The hotel’s casino has a large variety of gambling options, and you and your guests can stop by the Cabo Wabo Cantina for a fun night of listening to some great musical artists. In the mood for some laughs? Head over to The Improv at Harvey’s Cabaret instead!

Harvey’s is surrounded by gorgeous scenery year-round, so there’s always something to do outside, no matter what month you come to visit. Skiing, hiking, swimming – it’s all here.

South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe is one of my favorite places to visit, no matter what the season. Even though I can’t ski to save my life, I’ve been there multiple times during winter to make snow angels or to admire the slopes from inside a toasty cabin while sipping a hot chocolate. There are quite a few South Lake Tahoe hotels to choose from when you visit — it all depends on what type of accomodation you’re looking for. There are small hotels, motels, condos and cabins to explore.

The Sunterra Lake Tahoe is a great choice if you are looking for a good resort in the area that’s closer to the marina at the lake and the casinos. (FYI: this resort is usually called the Lake Tahoe Vacaton Resort – for easier searching on the web.) If you’re thinking about this place, book early to try to snag a room with a view of beautifully serene Lake Tahoe, it’s definitely worth it. You can get studios up through large two bedroom suites. The hotel has been renovated, and many rooms are now equipped with jacuzzi tubs and flat screen TVs – all rooms have kitchens. The only downside to this property is that it’s a timeshare – so if you’re not a member, then chances are not great that you’ll get a room with a view…but it’s well worth the try.

Heavenly snow in Tahoe

For a hotel that has a more rustic feel to it, but still provides all the amenities a good resort should, try the Marriott Timber Lodge. A full renovation of this resort has just been completed, so no worries about construction noise. It’s situated in the middle of the new Heavenly Village with all the shops and casinos and restaurants, so that’s pretty cool. The best part? You’re about thirty steps away from the Heavenly Gondola, which takes you up to the slopes! A wide variety of rooms and suites can be reserved here and fireplaces and whirlpool tubs are available in the villas. A restaurant called Fire and Ice is on site, and it gets good reviews. Again, though, this place is a timeshare…so be forewarned. It’s a great place to stay, though.

You don’t have any interest in staying anywhere that’s affiliated with a timeshare, you say? I know. How about the Holiday Inn Express? It’s a very clean, comfortable and cozy hotel that’s set back from the road a bit so you aren’t bothered by any road noise. Free complimentary breakfast, people! This place is a great value, especially if you plan to be in the area for a week and you want to save some money. And you’re only 1/2 a mile from Heavenly ski resort and you’re very close to all the shops and restaurants in downtown South Lake Tahoe. Good deal!

It’s almost wintertime, and I’m starting to think about delicate snowfalls and crisp evergreens…I think I may be scheduling a trip out to South Lake Tahoe this year!

cabin South Lake Tahoe

Photo Credits: JimG944, rysac1, ronnieliew