I guess being right next to the casinos would be a plus to me. To each his own (besides, they're not seedy (ok, maybe Bill's)) I always stay at a friend's condo while there, but as far as restaurants, we always go to Sam's Place for pizza and other quality bar food atleast every other night! If you're going there for skiing, I don't think staying on the lake is very important. You'll see it enough going down the mountain and it's not like you'll be swimming. I think Marriot has a property by the new gondola but it might just be timeshares.