Resort at Squaw Creek - Lake Tahoe CA

I had a two-night stay here last week. Was relunctant to try it out due to COVID, but I am glad I went.

Was contacted the morning of check in via phone call to confirm a check in time. We checked in a little late (8 PM). Due to COVID, they do not have valet service so we self parked (which is free, and close enough to the building but you have to walk up some stairs from the parking lot to the building, so best to unload bags up front and then park).

Check in desk said they were only at 40% occupancy, which is always nice, but especially so in the era of COVID. We reserved a basic room but was upgraded to a 1 bedroom fireplace suite on a high floor. We were left a welcome card, a box with a few chocolate truffles, and a decent Oregon red wine as a (Globalist) welcome gift. The suite was decently sized overall, but both the living room and bedroom are a little tight. Kitchenette was stocked with plates and some cookware but we didn't really use it. View of the valley was very pretty, but probably prettier in winter.

Breakfast benefit (either as globalist or if you get a breakfast rate) was $30 a person per day (kid got a $30 credit too, so we had $90) and could be used either at the grab and go cafe or the full service restaurant. The restaurant had outdoor seating only due to COVID, but is full menu and service and so we ate there both days. It is quite possible to break the $30 limit, but it is sufficient for most entrees + coffee + tip and tax. We set to break the limit on the first day and was charged the small overage. Breakfast was quite good -- decent options, good quality, and oversized portions. Hard to eat it all. 

The pools (including a kids slide), and 3 hot tubs were all open. They were a little busy but smelled well chlorinated at least. Plenty of chairs to sit and relax and keep some distance. Pool-side drink and food service were provided and was all very good. 

The location is a 5 miles downstream of the lake. It is easy to get to anywhere around Lake Tahoe, but the lake itself was very packed and it was hard to find parking around any of the beaches. Truckee River floating is within a few miles near the hotel and we enjoyed doing that. 

Our rate was half that of the Hyatt Regency and I think it was a great value. The only downside compared to the HR was not having the beach right on the lake, but Squaw Creek had better pools, hot-tubs, was probably quieter, and had great overall breakfast and service. 

There were other resort amenities that we didn't check out (i.e. bikes, activities, etc). In the winter, this place is probably down right magical with ice skating, the christmas lights (which they keep year round it looks like), snow on the mountains and the ski-ing right there.