BaconSF

this is true, they got my reservation confused with a customer that booked 6 nights in a king suite, rack rate $700/night before taxes/fees

JIMCHI

Thanks. We don't like breakfast buffets.

I 40

if it helps- the cottages are 2 types of rooms, there is the official cottage, which has a living room and fireplace, along with a king bedroom. A connecting room on the other side of the living room is a 2 double bed room with its own entrance and deck/balcony, which is booked under "2 Double Beds Lake View" (which may cause you to overlook it)..

I am in the double lakeside right now, and have had tremendous success in being upgraded (no TSU needed) to this room type by contacting the hotel ahead of time. I have never asked to be upgraded to the larger connecting cottage because I didn't want to push this fantastic hotel's goodwill as they are almost always booked solid in August.

Side note on these 2 room types- in my experience, they only show up in "standard rate & member rate" searches, not in AAA/ veteran, etc.

I 40

If it helps, the buffet is not your typical set up. There is a clear partition wall between you and the food, and a server makes your plate for you.

Pro Tip- Order your toast with your drinks before you get in line. No toast on the buffet line. I have not tried ordering off the menu with the voucher, will give that a shot.

Also another nod to this fantastic hotel, the voucher is the easiest one I have ever used. Set it on the table, they pick it up silently, tip is included, nothing to sign or verify.

madderlake

@I 40 - thank you for that! In general do you prefer the upper or lower unit lakeside units? I think I will try and book both a cottage and adjoining double room but since I've never been to the property, wondering if the lower or upper units are preferred....

Also, during your visit how were the crowds at the lake? Did it feel pretty private in your unit being so close to the lake?

We're considering going right before Labor Day weekend...

francophile

This is correct. The photo below was taken when I was there last week. I'm not Globalist and breakfast was not included in my room rate. However, I thought $18 per person, including juice and coffee/tea was a reasonable price. Service in the restaurant was attentive and friendly.

I 40

One must be preferred because there is usually a slight price difference.I believe that is the lower. I don't really have a strong preference.

Lower is great for convenience, step right out into the courtyard, bike, dog, beach toys & gear, etc.

Upper you have the vaulted ceilings (cottage, not double room), no roof on your balcony, and it is closed off to leave gear, dog hang out. Most likely a better view depending on unit.


lower, step rt out


double rooms on right


split staircase inside

JIMCHI

The biggest difference is that the lower cottages have a kitchen with a cooktop, refrigerator and microwave (but no oven). The upper cottages don't have that but I think more privacy as they have a deck (no one walking right in front of your patio) and a better view of the lake.. We prefer the upper because we really don't need the kitchen facilities and like the better view.

azepine00

i read yesterday that the area is covered in heavy smoke from bay area fires - not sure how long those will last and whether wind direction will change..

madderlake

@I 40 thanks for posting those pictures - not at all what I was imagining it looked like from the outside so very helpful! Where are the stairs located leading to the upper units - around the side?

@JIMCHI - thanks for that, very helpful. Incidentally, I think we might prefer having the little kitchen but then again, I always prefer privacy!

@azepine00 - yikes, I was wondering about that...whether the smoke would drift over that way towards Tahoe. Guess we have to follow the situation and see...

Boraxo

Our realtor said smoke was awful at Incline Village yesterday. Hopefully the fires will be contained in a few days but I’d check purpleair before you come up.

madderlake

@Boraxo - thanks for that... I just checked purple air right now and Incline Village is in the 120's (not the worst, but not the best I guess). I'll keep checking as we were going to head up there this weekend so hopefully it gets better and not worse in the coming days

@JIMCHI - do you recall if the upper cottage units have mini-fridges and coffee/tea making facilities?

JIMCHI

Yes, the upper cottages have a mini fridge and a microwave.

I 40

Buffet was not open today due to low amount of patrons. Server said we could just order off menu upon seeing our voucher. I'll infer from that he was aware that it was supposed to be limited to the buffet.

3 of us ordered 5 items, plus sides, no issue at all there, as has been my experience at all Hyatts where you can order off the menu with voucher.

Smoke's not bad at all, mainly just appears as hazy, unlike last week where you could smell it and see the ash. I believe it has cut down on the crowds, and IMO, that's an acceptable trade off.

madderlake

@I 40 - thanks for the on-the-ground update on the smoke situation! Sounds like it's getting better and I noticed a bunch of openings for the next week so I think your'e right about cancellations.

Is the beach looking less crowded too?