Reno / Tahoe hotels?
 

I'm planning to take the wife on a surprise birthday trip to Reno/Tahoe...as we have never been can anyone recommend hotels (with or without)casinos in the area. I am planning for late October and don't want anything too expensive ($75-$120/night would be great). Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jason

This is a perfect time of the year to be visiting the area. There is a huge difference between Reno and Tahoe, and I would strongly recommend Tahoe for a special occasion. Also, people make a distinction between the South shore and the North shore. The south end is much more built up and more to do - the north end is quieter, more "refined", better restaurants but fewer places to stay. In fact, the only place I could personally recommend on the north shore is the Hyatt at Incline Village and I doubt if it is in the price range you mention unless there is a special deal around.

On the South shore, there are 4 large casino hotels - Caesars, Harrahs, Harveys, and Horizon. The first three are about on a par - my personal preference is Caesars. The Horizon is a notch below, but prices are lower as well.

If you don't care about being at a casino, my personal recommendation for a reasonably priced place, well located, and quite nice is the Inn by the Lake. It is less than a mile from the casinos, right across the street from the lake, and has some lake view rooms (at a slightly higher rate of course) as well as non-lake view rooms that are also very nice. There is also an Embassy Suites, but I have found their rates quite high.

Rates at Tahoe very greatly depending on whether it is mid-week or weekend, especially at the casinos but elsewhere as well. Mid-week rates can often be half or less than weekend rates, but you are going in between seasons (summer vs ski season) and should be able to do OK.

Thanks for the info. I found a place on the north shore (in Crystal Bay) called calneva resort and spa which looks nice and offered good rates. Are you familiar with it? I think the slower paced north shore is preferred although Reno is close enough to spend one of our evenings.

I'm ready to go today!

Thanks, Jason

What kind of rate did you get?

Frank Sinatra was once a partner in this place and there is very interesting history here. The downside is emphasis on "history" if you get my drift. If you're in a room facing the lake, it will be a great view. I'd be surprised if the rooms are not well worn.

Plenty of good dining spots nearby.
Le Petit Pier for great food and romance.

Visit the Hyatt. Stayed there last weekend and they've spent millions to update the property in the past year. Had a great lake view room. Way $$$$.

I completely agree with Hedoman's analysis. There are also a couple of very good (somewhat expensive) restaurants in the small shopping center across from the Hyatt. Unfortunately, I cannot remember their names, but I'm sure anyone at the Hyatt could tell you or you could just walk through and find them.

If you are staying on the North Shore, I also recommend the short drive over to Truckee, which has preserved a little of the old west flavor. If you are into history, you can go just a little farther and visit Donner Lake and Donner Summit. Be sure to take Highway 431 from Reno to the North Shore - in October you should see some pretty neat fall coloration.

And if you have the time and want to drive some more, you could visit Squaw Valley on the way back from Truckee and stop in at the elegant Resort at Squaw Creek. They have a great Italian restaurant there that is just perfect for a casual lunch as well as an elegant and expensive restaurant for dinner. A bit farther south along the west side is Emerald Bay, probably the prettiest spot around the lake.

[This message has been edited by JerryFF (edited 07-26-2001).]

Your rates at some of the properties may differ depending if you're going weekday or weekend. I just picked some random weekday dates in mid-October, and, using the hotel web sites, got a $79 quote at Harrahs Lake Tahoe (I would jump on this if it works for you), and $149 at the adjoining Embassy Suites (across the street, but in California), on the south shore of Lake Tahoe. Harrahs jumped to $149 on the weekend.

You're roughly within an hour of anywhere you would want to drive if you stay on the south shore of Lake Tahoe. If this is your first time, you can just drive over to Reno for a day. You could circle Lake Tahoe over to Tahoe City, come out on I80 in Truckee, and continue into Reno if you want a more scenic, leisurely drive. ALong the way you could visit Squaw Valley. On the way back, it would take an hour to drive via Carson City.

There are bicycle and walking trails along the west shore of Lake Tahoe, and the Vikingsholm Castle, on the lake, is always worth a walk down to.

I'd definitely recommend the north side of Tahoe if you're into quiet serenity (all relative). You should get a good rate at the Hyatt. Check out www.hyatttahoe.com The lakefront "cottages" would be the best. As mentioned, the Cal-Neva is rather worn though I think it was refurbished in the past 5 years (was a resident of the area '93-'97).

For restaurants, I highly recommend in Incline Village: Le Bistro for french food (very reasonable prix fixe menu), Cafe 333 for contemporary Californian. Soule Domaine in Crystal Bay for the same. The Hyatt's Ciao Mein offers chinese-italian fusion that they carry off quite well. On the CA side, I can't remember the name of the Italian restaurant (might be Boulevard Cafe) in Tahoe Vista for the same. There's an asian-french fusion restaurant in Tahoe City called Wolfdale's. These restaurants also generally offer 2fer specials (in the tourist magazine weekly/biweekly as well the North Tahoe Bonanza community paper) art the time you're planning to go.

Check out www.tahoe.com

Feel free to e-mail me for advice.

I just spent a week at Tahoe on the South Shore. Several days at the Embassy Suites (at $199/night) and then at my boss' 5 bedroom house up the hill from the golf course. We looked around the Black Bear Inn and thought it was really cool, but $300/night was only worth looking at for this trip.

South Lake Tahoe dining and service leave a LOT to desired. Even the take-out places were really slow. A couple of places stood out: Freshies--by the Safeway on Lake Tahoe Blvd. Good food served up top on the roof. nice in the summer, but probably not for cooler days.

Evans was the fine dining place I would return to. Entrees around $25-$30 and reservations only. This was on Hwy 89.

If you drive around South Lake Tahoe, be prepared for really dangerous drivers.

Rent a boat for 1/2 a day on the Lake.

We rented from a marina on the north end of the lake, sorry don't remember the name.

It was a 200hp inboard. Lots of fun cruising and also just floating around in the middle of the lake w/the beautiful mountains around the lake!!!

I stayed at the Embassy Suites on Lake Tahoe Blvd (the one on Ski Run does not participate in Hhonors).

Was treated very well as a gold VIP on an award stay (for 1 night, other at $139). We easily saved that much money in alcohol thanks to the Manager's Reception!

Photo after the "empties" were taken away:
(kinda large, sorry)
http://2001pct.tripod.com/table.jpg