Because tourism is the lifeblood of the Reno/Tahoe economy, visitors to the area have a tantalizing array of accommodations to choose from. In the Vacation Rentals chapter I tell you how to rent or lease a home away from home, ranging from cabins and condos to large sumptuous houses. In the Hotels and Motels chapter I describe more conventional lodging, such as luxury hotel/casinos and back-to-basics motels. In this chapter I give you a rundown on gaming and vacation resorts that stretch beyond the essentials to provide everything a guest could wish for, and then some.
Because many visitors come to Nevada to gamble, most Nevada hotels in the Reno/Tahoe area have casinos. Casino owners learned years ago that by providing rooms for their patrons, they would have captive players for their gaming tables and slot machines. With the exception of the Holiday Inn-Reno Sparks in Sparks and the Best Western Airport Plaza Hotel in Reno, all the Nevada hotels I recommend in this chapter have gaming. And since casino gambling is not legal in the California area of Reno/Tahoe, the hotels there don’t have casinos.
The hotels in this chapter are really scaled-down versions of the gaming and vacation resorts I tell you about in the Resorts chapter. Although the hotels provide a variety of amenities, they don’t offer the same level of comprehensive options as the resorts do. But if you don’t want all the extras of a full-service resort, why pay for them? And if you’re uncomfortable with the endless sprawl of resorts, hotels are a good alternative because usually they are smaller and quieter.
For accommodations that are more back-to-basics, motels are a good choice. Although a few motels have restaurants and bars and many have swimming pools and other extras, in general they’re in the business of just providing you with a clean, comfortable room for the night and not entertaining you. Notable exceptions to this are the Western Village Inn/Casino in Sparks, Nevada, and the Lakeside Inn and Casino in Stateline, Nevada, which have casinos as well. Many motels are cheaper than hotels or resorts, and their rooms may also be more readily available, especially during high season.
This list of recommended motels is not meant to be exhaustive; rather, I have singled out examples of the kinds of accommodations that are available. You can find out about additional motels in the Reno/Tahoe area by calling the 800 numbers below.
The hotels and motels in this chapter accept credit cards, and most have nonsmoking accommodations and rooms that are wheelchair accessible. Since rates and availability vary with special events as well as the season of the year, check out the Resorts chapter for Insiders’ advice about the easiest and most difficult times to book rooms. Be aware that during holidays and sometimes on weekends, some properties may require a minimum stay of more than one night. You can reserve accommodations by calling any of the hotels or motels directly or also by calling the Reno/Tahoe Visitors Information Center (800-367-7366) or Lake Tahoe Reservations (800-288-2463). Many of the properties listed will also allow you to make reservations online using their Web or e-mail addresses. Be sure to inquire about special rates, such as golf and ski packages.
To avoid confusion about the physical addresses of some of the properties at Lake Tahoe, it’s important to know that some highways are called by street names within the towns. Along North Shore Lake Tahoe, Nevada Highway 28 is called Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village, and California Highway 28 is called North Lake Boulevard in Brockway, Kings Beach, and Tahoe City. Along Lake Tahoe’s west shore, California Highway 89 is also called West Lake Boulevard. In South Lake Tahoe, California, U.S. Highway 50 is also known as Lake Tahoe Boulevard.
Now, with that said, let’s take a look at some of the accommodations that are available.
For accommodations in the Nevada cities of Reno and Sparks, I recommend hotels, motels, and gaming resorts (see related chapters for these). But if you’re planning on staying anywhere in the Lake Tahoe Basin, you can choose from a large selection of vacation rentals in addition to hotels, motels, and resorts. Vacation rentals include condominiums, homes, and cabins that typically offer more privacy, space, and amenities not always available in more traditional accommodations. Vacation rentals have particular appeal for visitors planning to stay longer than just a night or two. They are also popular with large groups of people such as families or several couples who are traveling together. While their biggest appeal may be a greater degree of comfort, vacation rentals can also be more economical in certain situations. Some vacationers find it cheaper to rent a home or condo rather than several hotel rooms, especially if the cost is split among several couples.
The variety of properties available is immense. For your home-away-from-home you can rent a cozy cabin tucked away in the forest, a luxurious condominium on the beach, or a private residence with a spectacular view of Lake Tahoe. The choice is yours, depending upon your budget and your expectations. Vacation rentals include fully equipped kitchens, linens, color televisions, and telephones. Many also include fireplaces, VCRs, private decks, hot tubs, saunas, microwave ovens, and washers and dryers. Some have security systems, parking garages, and access to private beaches, tennis courts, spas, and pools. Many accommodations are wheelchair accessible, and some with secure yards allow pets. Ski-in/ski-out properties and nonsmoking accommodations are also available.
The cost of rental usually depends upon the sleeping capacity, the view, the location, the amenities, and the degree of luxury. It also varies with the season. Rates can range from as low as $60 a night to as high as $2,000 or more. Top prices are charged during high season, January to mid-April and mid-June to mid-September, and premium rates also apply for bookings that include Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Insiders know you can expect lower rates at Lake Tahoe in fall and late spring.
Most properties also require a minimum stay of two to five nights. The required length depends upon the time of year as well as the particular property requested. For longer stays, some properties can be rented on a weekly rate. A reservation deposit is usually requested at the time of booking, and full payment plus a security deposit is due before arrival. Since cancellation policies vary, it’s wise to inquire when booking. Most properties accept credit cards, but be sure to confirm this when you reserve.
Although size and amenities are considerations in choosing a vacation rental, location can be equally important in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Depending upon the season of the year and the activities you’ll be pursuing, you’ll want to choose a rental that is most convenient for you. If you’re not a skier, you probably won’t want to pay a premium price for a ski-in/ski-out location in winter. But if water sports are your main interest, you may want to pay more to be right on the beach in summer. And if nightlife is important to you, you may want to be close to the casinos in Stateline, Nevada, or the clubs in Tahoe City. But if your idea of a vacation is hiking and cooking dinner in, you may be more comfortable in laid-back communities at the lake such as Homewood or Incline Village. The weather can also dictate your level of comfort. A secluded cabin in the woods may be wonderfully private during summer but extremely challenging to reach in winter, especially without a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Because vacation rentals are in such demand during holidays and high season, I recommend you plan as far ahead as possible. If you decide the week before Christmas to pack up the family and spend the holidays in a winter wonderland at Lake Tahoe, don’t be surprised if there’s no room at the inn. Although it’s easier to book during low season, I still recommend arranging your accommodations as soon as you can to avoid being disappointed.
The Lake Tahoe Basin is comprised of a variety of communities, each offering its own particular personality and appeal. When choosing a vacation rental as your home base, it’s a good idea to consider the ambience and amenities of each area.
Whether your idea of a night in the outdoors involves throwing a sleeping bag on the ground or settling into a fully equipped motor home complete with a satellite dish, the welcome mat is out at a variety of campgrounds and RV parks in the Reno/Tahoe area. These facilities run the gamut in terms of amenities and luxuries, from sites with just a water spigot to luxury mini-neighborhoods with swimming pools and convenience stores.
Although most of the RV parks in Reno/Sparks are in urban areas, many have trees and attractive landscaping, and some even provide access to the Truckee River. Conveniently located near casinos and major attractions, they offer RVers attractive accommodation options at considerable savings over hotels and motels. If you’re looking for more of a bona fide back-to-nature experience (especially if it includes a tent), you’d best head to the campgrounds and RV parks in the Lake Tahoe Basin. You will find a few snazzy facilities with all the comforts of home around the lake, but most campgrounds are geared toward enjoying an awesome night sleeping under the stars.
The camping and RV facilities in the Reno/Sparks area are privately owned and are open year-round. Rates vary from season to season, with the highest fees charged in July and August and during special events (see the Annual Events chapter for details). Facilities in the Lake Tahoe area are owned either privately or by government entities. They are open usually from Memorial Day weekend through October, with the exception of General Creek campground at Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park and Tahoe Valley, which are open all year.
This chapter is organized using the usual four geographical areas: Reno, Sparks, North Shore Lake Tahoe, and South Shore Lake Tahoe. You’ll find a thumbnail sketch of some of the camping and RVing facilities, listing basic amenities and describing general ambience. Included as well are approximate rates, but keep in mind fees may have changed by the time you book space. The listings aren’t meant to be all-inclusive, but rather a sample of the kinds of options you can choose from. For more information on the amenities and terrain surrounding campgrounds located in area parks, such as D. L. Bliss State Park in California, see the Parks chapter.
If you really want to get away from it all, you can strap on a pack and head to the backcountry, where you can make your own camp in an exquisite alpine setting. Find out where and how to do this in the Recreation chapter.