A few personal observations as we are currently staying at the Hyatt in a 2 bdrm suite in the main tower of the hotel. We have "paid" for accommodations with a combination of GP points and special casino rates.

First, I cannot imagine going to Tahoe and not staying by the lake, unless you are there in the winter for skiing, snowboarding, etc. The mountains are indeed gorgeous, but what sets Tahoe apart for almost any place else is the lake. The beach at the Hyatt is excellent, and while the water is indeed on the cold side, there are other water activities, including kayaks and sea-doos. The food and beverage service on the beach is also excellent and the views are beyond great.

Second, I have lived in N Calif for more than 30 years, and we have stayed at many places over the years. In the opinion of our entire family, the Hyatt is without any doubt the best place to stay, especially for a family with kids. After staying on the south shore for many years - Harrahs, Caesars, Harveys, Embassy Suites - we have settled on the Hyatt for the past 7 or 8 years and now cannot imagine going anywhere else. We have a number of other friends who always stay at the Hyatt, so I think Andaz5 is a bit off when saying no one who lives in N Calif stays at the Hyatt.

The condos are on the lake side of the road, and it is a disadvantage if you are planning on going to the casino a lot, as it is in the hotel across the road as is the RC. The offerings in the RC are decent in the morning, but the afternoon selections have been seriously downgraded - in the few days we have been here, nothing but veggies and dip. Incidentally, if your status doesn't qualify you for access to the RC, it is an extra $100/day. IMO, definitely not worth it.

The restaurants in the Hyatt are not our preference. The flagship Lone Eagle Grill is very upscale, and, IMO, way overpriced. It has a spectacular view of the lake, but the food does not warrant prices with entrees in the $30-40 range. There are many really good small restaurants within a 5 minute drive of the Hyatt, and we rarely eat in. This is another advantage of staying at Incline Village.

I agree with those who say don't stay at the South Shore. It is crowded and minimizes your experience of being at Tahoe. The only thing I can say about the south shore is that if you drive into the area on Highway 50, your first view of the Lake will be unbelievable.

Edit to add the names of a couple of restaurants in Incline within 5 min of the Hyatt - La Fondue (exactly what the name says), Azzarro's (Italian), Bite (American tapas), Frederick's Fusion Bistro (eclectic mix of Calif cuisine and sushi).