11 Best Hotels in Lake Tahoe, California

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.

A downtown motel for the 21st century, Basecamp charms with a mix of industrial, retro, and rustic styles, as well as simple but modern rooms with high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and original artwork. Options include a room with queen and twin beds plus twin loft beds, good for families or large groups of up to five. Another room has an indoor tent kids love. In addition to being farther from the highway, rooms in the back of the property are up high enough to have partial lake views. The small pool is also at this end, as is the sunroom, a living room–like hangout with games and a large TV. The lobby bar, which serves beer on tap and wine, is another convivial communal space; guests cook s'mores in the firepit just outside. Among the goals of the crew here is to help first-time visitors make the most of their time in Tahoe.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

At first glance, this family-run waterfront property looks like a slightly above-average two-story motel, but it legitimately lays claim to the title of resort thanks to a private beach; two hot tubs; alluring lake and mountain vistas; and summertime barbecuing, kayaking, and other extras. About half the rooms have king beds, queen sofabeds, and full kitchens, a boon for families or other groups. The remaining kings and all the queens have wet bars. All rooms have patios or balconies, and though the buildings are perpendicular to the lake, the windows are angled to maximize the views. Book well ahead for summer stays; look for online bargains for the rest of the year.

The area's most complete destination resort entices with lodgings that ranges from hotel rooms and condos to private houses and ski-in, ski-out units. Because the accommodations are privately owned, some are less attractive than others. All include access to on-site shuttle transportation to and from the Village at Northstar, which connects to the slopes. The rates often include ice-skating passes and access to pools, outdoor hot tubs, and a fitness center. Golf, tennis, skiing, and snowshoeing are among the other activities here.

The views are superb and the hospitality gracious at this lakeside lodge 3 miles south of Tahoe City, where locally crafted furnishings decorate the guest rooms. Some rooms also have river-rock fireplaces, wet bars, or pullout sofas. Families favor the lodge for its proximity to water sports and hiking (there's an adjacent marina). The lively restaurant emphasizes beef and seafood but also serves fish tacos, burgers, and lighter comfort food. Be forewarned: this is not a quiet place on summer weekends, when the bar and sprawling outdoor deck get packed with boaters and bacchanalian revelers.

With 16 individually decorated little red cottages sitting beneath towering pine trees, it's hard to beat this serene property for atmosphere and woodsy charm. Inside, the cottages are cheerful, with fun details like model ships on the shelf and a stuffed bear on the bed; some have claw-foot tubs and fireplaces. Cottages without kitchens include breakfast in the cozy, gable-roof lodge. Down-to-earth and simple, this is one of Tahoe's best hideaways and a great retreat for families and couples.

Individually owned condominium suites, all with gas fireplaces and kitchens and many with private balconies, are the main accommodations of this complex convenient to Palisades Mountain's ski slopes. Appealing to families because each condo sleeps at least four people, the lodgings are uniformly decorated with granite counters, wood cabinets, and comfortable furnishings. Smaller standard rooms lack the amenities of suites.