MNHunter

Just returned from our 3rd trip to this property. We continue to love it for its location and overall quietness. They do in fact charge for parking now. They say its to keep locals out but its really just to collect more $$$. We stayed on points as a GOH to avoid the resort fee and parking plus get the lounge. The lounge suffices but its still the worst Hyatt lounge Ive ever stayed at in terms of breakfast offerings. They could really use a revamp to their menu...more staples like bacon & eggs would go a long way. Their evening a desert menus are good though.

Already planning trip #4 for next summer!

dprocuk

jlsf

There is a trail right on the Cal-Neva border that I find to be the best bang for your effort.
It has incredible views and was easy enough for my kids at that age.

Pull the following map link up and you can see how to drive to it. There will be a gate across the fire road - just park on the side of the road.


Historic Stateline Fire Lookout
Kings Beach, CA 96143

https://goo.gl/maps/A2E2t5XSjRx

jlsf

As an alternative to fishing, you can go down to the Hyatt beach and in the rocks just off the shore you can walk around and fish for crawdads by hand.

Super easy and my kids have had a great time doing that.

MNHunter

There's a private trout pond that is much more reasonable in cost than the charters. Sure, you aren't catching wild fish but 4 & 5 year olds don't know the difference.

The Stateline fire lookout hike has some great views but my kids prefer the hikes that end at the lake. On the east side we've hiked there are a lot of them and IIRC two of our favs are skunk harbor and the chimney beach and on the southwest side, emerald bay. All these are easy hikes. Download the Trails app and you'll find all the trails you want and can filter easy ones for the kids.

Rafting/floating the Truckee river would be fun for the kids. Its very laid back and more of a float with a few small rapids.

Gondola rides seem to be a hit with kids. Heavenly by Stateline/South Tahoe is nice but pretty expensive. There's shopping at the base and if you are inclined to spend more money, plenty of rides and activities at the top. On the northern side there's a free gondola at the Ritz but I prefer the gondola at Squaw Valley. Cheaper than Heavenly, there's shopping/food at the base and at the top theres a roller skating rink, swimming pool and an Olympic museum. We did this one 3 years ago and it's much easier on the wallet.

My kids like to go on a bike ride while in Tahoe and we've found and liked a 5 mile trail over in Truckee. We get our bikes from Bike Truckee and take the trail to the end. There's a very steep incline at the end that you can turn around at or if you decide to go up it, you aren't far from a small general store with ice cream, etc. Sort of a treat at the end of a trip. They have tag-alongs at the bike shop so your kids can ride with you. My youngest used them the past 2 years.

Enjoy Tahoe!

dprocuk

Thanks - great input!

Boraxo

Resort Fees just jumped to $37/day ($41 with tax) - add parking and you are paying $70 a day on top of the room rate and tax! Will be interesting to see if the rates go up this winter as the snow so far is pretty good, with more on the way.

MNHunter

Wow. From no fees just a couple years ago to this. These fees ensure I'll always book with points to avoid the resort fee and I've been lucky to have Globalist friends book Guest of Honor stays to enjoy the lounge and avoid both resort and parking fees.

Colin

WOH's resort-fee-waiver saves me +$2000/yr.
And this property is great about waiving it for all rooms I book (usually two or three at a time).
And this property has never once charged me for parking (all my stays are paid rate, usually Citi 4th).

helvetic

How easy is it to get to the ski slopes from here? Am I correct in thinking that the closest resort is Northstar?

Boraxo

Boraxo

helvetic

Thanks, that's helpful. I have the EPIC pass so would feel pretty stupid spending money at Diamond Peak. but Northstar seems quite far to drive daily when staying here. Perhaps best to go somewhere else.

skj

Mount Rose is about 12 miles, or 25-30 minutes, from the hotel. Probably more comparable in size to Diamond Peak than to the larger resorts like Northstar or Squaw, but a nice variety of terrain.

jlsf

If you're not going to stay on-property at Northstar, then I don't think the drive from the Hyatt is too bad. I too have the Epic pass and have done it many times.

Other option is to stay in the Hyatt condos at Northstar. Those are 2 bedrooms, but work well and great location if you have more than 2 adults.