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Mountain skiing with lake view

The 8 Best Hotels In Lake Tahoe

People skiing on top of a mountain with view of Lake Tahoe on a snowy winter day, with trees fully c... [+] getty
Tamara Gane
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Tamara Gane, Contributor

Forbes Vetted

Mark Twain famously called Lake Tahoe “the fairest picture the whole earth affords,” and 153 years later, it’s hard to argue he was wrong. The lake is a beguiling hue of turquoise so clear you can peer more than 70 feet beneath the surface. Just above, the jagged peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains circle Big Blue like a hug, casting their reflection into the water. It’s the kind of place that elicits gasps when it comes into view. Next comes silence and awe.

For travelers who make the trek to experience this destination firsthand, the best hotels in Lake Tahoe go beyond merely offering a place to sleep at night: they celebrate the spirit of the region. From the warmth of the three-story fireplace at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe to the soft, golden sand stretching in front of the Edgewood Tahoe Resort, there’s something for every type of traveler. Below, our picks for the best hotels for Lake Tahoe in 2024.

Best High-End Hotel In Lake Tahoe: The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe

Who Will Love It: Luxury travelers and skiers who wish to stay on the mountain
All-Star Amenities: Upgraded club-level accommodations with complimentary cocktails and culinary options; a 17,000-sq foot spa; a year-round heated pool; seasonal lakefront access; five food and beverage options on-site; Ritz kids program
What Not To Miss: Cocktails by the fire; pampering in the spa; dinner at Manzanita; the Lake Club in summer
Location: Northstar Ski Resort in North Lake Tahoe

Guests who check into The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe will be greeted by a 55-foot-tall granite fireplace surrounded by a cozy seating area known as The Living Room. It’s the perfect place for cocktails and conversation, featuring soaring wood ceilings, massive exposed wood beams and views of skiers zooming down the mountain in the wintertime. Outside, the year-round heated pool provides the unique opportunity to swim and soak in steaming waters underneath falling snow.

In summer, a Lake Club upgrade provides exclusive access to a private beach, recreation equipment like stand-up paddleboards and kayaks, and all-inclusive culinary offerings. Each guest room or suite has a fireplace, warm wood accents, and floor-to-ceiling windows to showcase the alpine views. Two or three-bedroom residences are available for families or guests desiring additional privacy. Don’t miss a treatment at the property’s award-winning spa, or dinner at the excellent on-site fine dining restaurant Manzanita.

Best Boutique Hotel In Lake Tahoe: Desolation Hotel

Desolation Hotel

Who Will Love It: Stylish travelers with an affection for small properties
All-Star Amenities: A year-round, heated saltwater pool; individual garages; private beach access; a state-of-the-art fitness center; fireplaces and private balconies with soaking tubs in some guest rooms
What Not To Miss: Sipping cocktails by the pool; stellar meals at Maggie’s Restaurant and Bar; sauna and cold shower plunge
Location: A short walk from the casinos or beach in South Lake Tahoe

Newly opened in 2022, the Swedish and Japanese-inspired design of Tahoe’s Desolation Hotel combines a minimalist aesthetic with luxurious touches like private balconies with soaking tubs, Belkin speakers and custom art pieces. The property is comprised of 21 studios, suites, and townhomes; each townhome features an individual private garage complete with ski and equipment storage. At the heart of the hotel, the year-round heated outdoor saltwater pool is framed with inviting loungers and cabana-style seating. For guests who prefer the beach to the pool, Desolation Hotel provides access to a shared private beach a few blocks away.

Desolation prides itself in eco-friendliness, offering amenities like water bottle refilling stations, 20 EV charging stations, clean solar power, and dark sky lighting. Located amidst the treetops on the third floor, don’t miss Maggie’s Restaurant and Bar, hands down one of the best places to dine in all of Lake Tahoe. On the menu, casual fare like burgers live side by side with upscale dishes like rack of venison. Seating is limited, especially in winter when the outdoor deck is closed, so be sure to make reservations for dinner.

Best Airbnb In Lake Tahoe: Tahoe Bear Chalet

Tahoe Bear Chalet

Who Will Love It: Couples traveling together; families; visitors seeking privacy; hikers and bikers
All-Star Amenities: Steps away from hiking and biking trails; three outdoor decks
What Not To Miss: Custom art and decor; outdoor hot tub
Location: Approximately a 10-minute drive from the lake, Heavenly gondola or casinos in South Lake Tahoe

Entering the Tahoe Bear Chalet, you may find yourself wondering if you’re walking into an Airbnb or an HGTV show. This property has been delightfully curated with custom touches including a mossy bear wall mural in the living area, custom slatted wood headboards in the bedrooms, a custom-framed fireplace, and a wood-wrapped outdoor hot tub for soaking underneath the stars at night. It’s about as close as you can get to a resort-style stay without actually staying at a resort.

The 3 bedroom, 2 bath house offers six beds to accommodate up to 8 individuals, and the three outdoor decks are strung with twinkling lights and outfitted with a grill, patio furniture, and outdoor games. Inside, a fully-stocked kitchen, books, board games, and toys for young children await. Adventure lovers are sure to thrive here: the home is ideally situated for outdoor recreation, backing up to a pine grove with miles of hiking and biking trails.

Best Hotel For Couples In Lake Tahoe: Black Bear Lodge

Black Bear Lodge

Who Will Love It: Couples yearning for quiet and serenity
All-Star Amenities: A lobby bar with a dramatic river rock fireplace
What Not To Miss: Happy hour in the bar; board games in the lobby; soaking in the outdoor hot tub
Location: Roughly a mile from the Heavenly gondola or Sierra Beach or half a mile from Ski Run Marina in South Lake Tahoe

You won’t find a spa, kids club, or resort-style pool at Black Bear Lodge, and that is precisely what makes it so romantic. Although there are plenty of activities available offsite, this is the property for couples who want to relax, unwind and spend time together without distraction. Guests can choose between traditional lodge-style rooms or private cabins with separate living or seating areas and private patios to enjoy their morning coffee.

Accommodations here combine a rustic, yet upscale aesthetic with luxury linens, rich accents of wood and leather, and artwork with a sense of place. The 32-foot river rock fireplace in the lobby provides the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine or an old-fashioned board game. Afterward, a soak in the outdoor hot tub beckons at the end of the day. If you can pull yourself away from the property, the beach, shops, restaurants and the Heavenly gondola are less than a mile away.

Best Hotel For Families In Lake Tahoe: Everline Resort And Spa

Everline Resort And Spa

Who Will Love it: Families seeking kid-pleasing amenities
All-Star Amenities: A year-round heated pool (complete with a 90-foot waterslide in summer); game room; six restaurants on-site (some seasonal); gondola access; a private ice rink in winter; hiking and biking trails
What Not To Miss: A number of rotating family activities which may include anything from crafts to archery
Location: At the base of Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort in North Lake Tahoe

Locals affectionately refer to Everline Resort and Spa as the “Death Star,” thanks to its gleaming black-paneled exterior. Despite this ominous nickname, this is one of the most family-friendly hotels in Lake Tahoe. Located at Palisade Tahoe Ski Resort (the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics), the location provides access to skiing, mountain biking, and a robust roster of exciting activities. Year-round options include swimming in the heated pool, a game room, and workshops like kids crafts. Winter activities include sledding, ice skating, and skiing, while summer activities include mountain biking, fly fishing, golfing, and nature walks. For further recreation, the beaches in Lake Tahoe are less than a 15-minute drive away.

Beyond the activities, Everline Resort and Spa offers jaw-dropping mountain views, mini-fridges and tubs in every room. Onsite dining choices range from the upscale steakhouse Six Peaks Grille to casual establishments with soups and pizza like the Bearshine Cafe. Further dining options are available on the mountain at the Village at Palisades Tahoe.

Best Lakefront Hotel In Lake Tahoe: Edgewood Tahoe Resort

Edgewood Tahoe Resort

Who Will Love It: Luxury travelers who wish to stay on the beach; golfers; foodies seeking great food with a waterfront view
All-Star Amenities: Award-winning spa; private beach, golf course; three restaurants
What Not To Miss: Golfing against the sparkling backdrop of Big Blue; a sunset dinner at Edgewood Restaurant; pampering at the spa; a dip in the year-round heated pool or a stroll on the beach
Location: On the water in South Lake Tahoe

Edgewood Tahoe Resort is arguably as much of a stunner as the lake itself. From the metallic silver tree relief wall carving leading up the stairs to the floor-to-ceiling chapel-style windows opening up the great room to views of the lake, each detail is lovingly tied to Lake Tahoe. The long stretch of private beach is the hotel’s most prized amenity, but don’t overlook the hot tub or plush lounge chairs surrounding the year-round heated pool. In the evenings, guests gather around outdoor fireplaces to roast s’mores.

Guest rooms here offer private balconies, fireplaces, and soaking tubs, with many boasting views of the lake. For larger groups, the villa suites provide two to five bedrooms and amenities like kitchens and private patios with jacuzzis and fire pits. There are three excellent eateries on-site, including fine dining at the Edgewood Restaurant, where terraced seating and floor-to-ceiling windows provide every table with a waterfront view. Home to the only waterfront golf course in Lake Tahoe, the resort also hosts the popular American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament every summer.

Best Spa And Wellness Hotel In Lake Tahoe: Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa And Casino

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa And Casino

Who Will Love It: Visitors who want an in-town location combined with resort amenities and perks
All-Star Amenities: Private beach; a year-round heated pool; casino; spa; six on-site dining options (some seasonal)
What Not To Miss: Nearby Sand Harbor State Park; Stillwater Spa; fine dining on the waterfront at the Lone Eagle Grille
Location: Across from the beach in North Lake Tahoe

The Stillwater Spa at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa, and Casino isn’t the largest spa in Lake Tahoe, but it is certainly among the best, with holistic treatments customized to each individual. The spa offers 16 treatment rooms, including two dedicated couple’s sanctuaries with either a fireplace or an infinity tub. Alongside traditional facials and massages, unique offerings include floatation therapy, light therapy, and immersions infusing breathwork, cold water therapy and sound healing.

After their treatments, guests can linger at the spa’s facilities, which include relaxation lounges, an outdoor patio and a fitness center outfitted with Pelotons. For added relaxation and solitude, the property features its own private beach with cabana and food and drink service, a casino, a year-round heated outdoor pool, and an on-site restaurant, Lone Eagle Grille, complete with unobstructed waterfront views.

Hotel With The Best Views In Lake Tahoe: The Landing Lake Tahoe Resort And Spa

The Landing Lake Tahoe Resort And Spa

Who Will Love It: Travelers seeking unobstructed views of the lake and time on the beach
All-Star Amenities: Complimentary local shuttle service; semi-private beach access; spa
What Not To Miss: The wine selection at Jimmy’s Restaurant; the fireplace on the rooftop; heated outdoor pool
Location: Steps away from the water in South Lake Tahoe

Unobstructed views of snowcapped mountains and the sapphire waters of Big Blue are on full display at The Landing Resort and Spa. Gazing out the windows at this property is akin to looking at a postcard brought to three-dimensional glory. For guests who want to do more than look, a semi-private beach is just steps away, and two passes per day are included in the amenity fee.

Other perks at the resort include complimentary transportation to local sites like the Heavenly gondola, a year-round heated outdoor pool, an intimate spa, a rooftop deck with fireplace, and Jimmy’s Restaurant. All guest rooms capture the essence of a mountain retreat with custom wood and leather accents, rich plaids and stone gas fireplaces. Expect luxurious amenities like heated toilet seats, LavAzza espresso machines and airy pillowtop beds.

About Tamara Gane, Your Lake Tahoe Guide

I am a freelance writer who resides in the Reno/Lake Tahoe area and I have personally stayed at many of the properties on this list. In addition to Forbes Vetted, my work has been published in Travel & Leisure, The Washington Post, SF Gate, Thrillist, Fodor's Travel and more.

Tamara Gane
Tamara Gane