The Best Lake Tahoe Hotels for Ski Season and Summer Escapes

This article was originally published in 2023 and most recently updated on June 26, 2026, with current information.

A year-round destination, Tahoe—which refers to both a lake and a region—offers a range of hotels that cater to all four seasons, whether you’re in search of a mountain lodge next to the slopes in the winter or a lakeside retreat in the summer months.

The lake itself is the largest alpine lake in North America, with 75 miles of shoreline spanning California on the west and Nevada on the east. Most travelers will focus their time either in South Lake Tahoe or North Lake Tahoe. It’s about an hour drive between the two, so it’s worth choosing your hotel in the area where you plan to spend the most time, especially in the winter, when snow and road closures can make driving around the lake difficult.

South Lake Tahoe is the livelier, more developed, and more populated part. It has three ski resorts and four casinos and is close to the federally protected Desolation Wilderness, a sprawling subalpine and alpine forest popular with backcountry hikers.

North Lake Tahoe operates on “Tahoe time,” making for a more laid-back experience. Secret rocky coves along the lake encourage exploration, and with 12 ski resorts, there’s no shortage of winter activity spots.

No matter your vibe, these are our favorite hotels on and near Lake Tahoe to book for your next getaway.

North Lake Tahoe Hotels

These hotels are located around Tahoe’s North Shore, including Tahoe City, Truckee (about a 20-25 minute drive from the Lake), Homewood, and a few of the area’s more popular ski resorts.

Basecamp

Courtesy of Basecamp Hotel

Basecamp Hotels is a young-at-heart, adventure-forward boutique hotel brand that aims to be a haven for nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers.

So it’s no surprise that the brand has not one but two locations in the Tahoe area: a 24-room property in the heart of Tahoe City (which, despite having “city” in the name, is one of the charming small towns on the north shore), and a 74-room hotel in South Lake Tahoe. In both locations, you can expect rustic yet modern decor—think wool blankets and old-school camping lanterns in rooms.

The brand also has a community-focused ethos, which can be felt in its social spaces that draw tourists and locals alike. Expect a lively atmosphere and the occasional event or live music performance at Tahoe City’s restaurant Sierra Surf Club or South Lake Tahoe’s outdoor beer garden.

Cedar Crest Cottages

Courtesy of Cedar Crest Cottages

Few places in Tahoe still seem as unhurried as the nine-cottage, cedar tree–shaded Cedar Crest Cottages. Located on the nature-filled West Shore, near Homewood, this rustic resort was established in 1933 and renovated in 2015. Each of the cottages, with one to four bedrooms, is named for a bird. Muted color palettes and similar motifs, like wood and stone flooring, offer a visual guide plus a unique experience under every roof.

The idyllic setting away from both North and South Lake makes it possible to hear the morning birdsong without interruption and stand solo on the neighborhood beach. From dusty, glassy sunrises on the lake to post-hike sunsets around the firepits, Cedar Crest evokes an older era of Tahoe. Marvel at the fall colors that peak in September or October, meander through wooded, old-growth forests, and stargaze straight from the lawn.

Gravity Haus Truckee-Tahoe

Courtesy of Gravity-Haus Truckee-Tahoe

Eschewing the traditional mountain chalet ambiance—there’s no flannel pillow or taxidermied anything in sight—Gravity Haus Truckee-Tahoe aims for more industrial cabin design. Polished concrete floors, cinderblock walls, exposed wooden ceilings, and metal-ensconced fireplaces define the look. Guests of the 42-room, pet-friendly hotel can expect pragmatically laid-out spaces, each with a desk and separate seating area. But the true draw of this hotel is the promise of experiencing town like a local.

Part hotel, part membership and social club, Gravity Haus emphasizes and facilitates connection in common spaces. Guests can set up laptops and take calls in the coworking space, use the gym, and recover from a hike or a bike ride in the hot tub with like-minded residents and travelers. They have access to a stocked gear room for numerous outdoor pursuits—whether biking, paddleboarding, or kayaking. The hotel’s camping and hiking equipment includes trekking poles, tents, climbing gear, fly fishing poles, and camp stoves.

Guesthouse Lake Tahoe

Opened in 2026, Guesthouse Lake Tahoe merges the best of a vacation rental and a full-service hotel. Set on a hill just above the downtown area of Truckee, this 4,000-square-foot home is a private retreat perfect for you and nine of your closest friends. Furnishings mix vintage and globally sourced decor—from oil paintings to funky stair runners—with organic shapes to create a modern yet cozy space. Every room, including a bunk room that even adults will find comfortable, has its own private bathroom, comfortable beds, and spaces designed to make you feel at home. Generous outdoor decks, a cozy living room around a fireplace, and a home theater encourage gathering as well.

Each booking comes with a private chef who will stock the fridge with ready-made meals and cook dinner for you and your crew; a dedicated driver; and a 24/7 house captain who will help manage your stay—be it itinerary planning or restaurant reservations.

Two experiences are included in the price of the stay. Options include a rock-climbing excursion with a local guide, a dinner at the much-talked-about Smoke Door, or Gold Collective ski passes in winter, with access to any Lake Tahoe resort.

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe

Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton

The 170-room Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe has long been the area’s premier luxury resort. A two-year renovation completed in May 2025 refreshed the guest rooms and public spaces, replacing dark mountain decor with lighter earth tones and natural textures.

The Living Room lounge now has a larger bar area with framed views of the slopes, while longtime-favorite design elements like the stone fireplaces remain. Guests will be happy to know that the traditional nightly s’mores also continue. At Manzanita, the hotel’s signature restaurant, a refreshed Mexican American menu includes such dishes as Alaskan halibut with mole and brioche topped with cotija cheese.

The 17,000-square-foot spa and two outdoor pools make it easy to spend the day on the property, but the resort’s greatest draw is its access to the outdoors.

Set mid-mountain with ski-in/out access to Northstar California Resort, the hotel puts guests steps from 3,170 skiable acres, 100 trails, and 8 terrain parks in winter. Come summer, many of those same trails become mountain biking routes.

In the warmer months, a complimentary shuttle takes guests to the resort’s private Lake Club near Kings Beach, where a restaurant, a bar, loungers, and boat rentals make for an easy day on North Lake Tahoe (reservations required).

Sugar Bowl Main Lodge and Village Lodge

Photo by Jessie Beck

Sugar Bowl often gets overlooked by out-of-town visitors, but locals know it’s a relaxed, family-friendly mountain worth eschewing your Ikon or Epic pass for. Founded in 1939 by Austrian ski pioneer Hannes Schroll, the independently run resort retains much of its old-school charm while investing in its long-term future.

Recent upgrades include Yarrow, an on-mountain restaurant from two-time James Beard Award–winning chef Traci Des Jardins, and an expanded slopeside patio for sunny après sessions. Next up are renovations to the resort’s two lodges—the 27-room Village Lodge, dating to 1939, and the newer Main Lodge—alongside a replacement of the gondola, the resort’s sole point of entry after parking.

Open only during ski season (except for private events), the lodges aren’t a year-round escape. But for winter travelers, few places match the appeal of sleeping slopeside at one of Tahoe’s most storied ski areas. Gondola and Main Lodge renovations are expected to wrap up ahead of the 2026–27 ski season.

South Lake Tahoe Hotels

If you want easy access to nightlife, casinos, restaurants, and the lake, these hotels put you in and around South Lake Tahoe’s liveliest hub.

Coachman Hotel

Courtesy of Coachman Hotel

Created from two renovated vintage motels in 2016, the 102-room Coachman blends midcentury bones with a modern, outdoorsy sensibility. A few blocks from both Lakeside Beach and Heavenly Ski Resort, it works equally well as a summer or winter base. The seasonal outdoor pool, year-round hot tub, nightly s’mores around the firepit, and lobby beer-and-wine bar make it easy to settle in after a day outside.

Accommodations range from guest rooms to one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites, plus a standalone cabin with a full kitchen that sleeps four. Rooms pair modern-rustic design with Bellino Italian linens, Malin+Goetz toiletries, Apple TV, and rubber flooring at the entryway—a thoughtful detail for wet boots and ski gear. A complimentary continental breakfast is included.

Desolation Hotel

Courtesy of Desolation Hotel

Named after Desolation Wilderness, Desolation Hotel is a sustainably designed micro resort within walking distance of South Lake Tahoe’s Heavenly Ski Resort. Any lumber not harvested from the site itself is Forest Stewardship Council certified, while strategically placed skylights reduce energy use and maximize natural light, and rooftop solar arrays help offset the hotel’s demand on the energy grid.

The hotel is composed of several structures wrapped around existing trees and 31 EV charging stations, including one in each townhouse’s private garage (handy for big snowstorms). The design of the 21 tranquil, minimalist accommodations is inspired by Scandinavia and Japan. The thoughtful townhouse-style layouts use dark sky lighting.

Book a full moon snowshoe tour or glide onto Heavenly Ski Resort’s after-hours VIP ski run Sundays. Outdoor soaking tubs encourage stargazing, even when there’s snow on the ground. Or, swing by the on-site restaurant, Maggie’s, for hearty cuisine and a robust cocktail list. Located in South Lake, the hotel is an easy walk to shops, the lake, cross-country trails, and sledding areas.

Related: From Wellness Getaways to Design-Led Urban Retreats, These Are California’s 20 Top Hotels

Edgewood Tahoe Resort

Courtesy of Edgewood Tahoe Resort

The 154 guest rooms, suites, and villa suites of the Edgewood Tahoe Resort overlook Lake Tahoe and its 18-hole alpine golf course. It’s also a short walk from Heavenly Ski Resort, making it an excellent luxury choice for snowbound travelers.

Thanks to its lake-adjacent location and sprawling grounds, the hotel is well positioned for summertime activities, too, including kayak tours and boat rentals, movies on the green, introductory disc golf courses, and fly fishing. Take a dip in the refreshing lake, track a northern goshawk from your private balcony, or pop some fresh farmers’ market veggies onto the grill of your villa suite patio.

The property has three dining options: The Bistro Edgewood is a contemporary restaurant with panoramic views of the lake. Brooks’ Bar & Deck is a more casual, golf-course side option, while the Edge is ideal for a more elevated experience.

Thoughtful touches elevate the stay. Have a favorite item? Perhaps the hand-blended tea from breakfast or the jelly beans from the spa? More often than not, it accompanies the turndown service.

Note that a clubhouse expansion is underway through early 2027, so expect some activity near the valet area during your visit.