A girls getaway, maybe? Just hitting the slopes with pals? Perhaps a wedding, a retreat with colleagues, or a sports-filled escape for the guys. Group getaways are more fun when the hotel is well-suited to the camaraderie of these special occasions and provides amenities such as an in-room mini-fridge, gathering areas, and blackout blinds for the morning after.
Feature image: Wylder Hope Valley
Basecamp Tahoe South
Whether it’s adventure or relaxation you seek, you can find it not far from the original Basecamp Hotel in South Lake Tahoe. Located just a few minutes’ walk from the lake’s edge or the Heavenly Gondola, this affordable, group-friendly crash pad offers 73 handicap-accessible guest rooms within stumbling distance of an on-site beer garden with live music every night. You’ll find secure places to lock up your skis or snowboard, leaving more space for your four-legged friend in the designated pet-friendly rooms.
HIGHLIGHTS: For families and groups, the family room sleeps up to eight, with two queen beds and two twin loft bunks overhead, and includes a microwave and mini fridge, and the explorers club room also sleeps up to eight, with four twin-size bunkbeds and a table and chairs in the middle of the room — perfect for a weekend away with a casual group of friends. Either way, the hotel’s large 16-person hot tub is big enough to accommodate your whole crew.
Basecamp Tahoe City
The newer location of this modern, stylish, budget-minded hotel offers 24 rooms a mere five-minute walk to the lake in downtown Tahoe City. The lobby bar serves local micro-brews, wines and snacks, and s’mores are available for purchase to use at the outdoor fire pits. You’ll also find secure places to lock up your skis or snowboard, leaving more space for your four-legged friend in the designated pet-friendly rooms.
HIGHLIGHTS: For families and groups looking for a dose of whimsy, opt for the Great Indoors family room, which features a king bed with two twin bunkbeds in a separate, canvas tented room, a faux log fire, picnic table, and camping chairs — all set up inside. A more conventional option for groups is to book a queen and twin loft room, one queen bed and one twin with two twin loft beds above that sleeps five.
Marriott's Timber Lodge
What could be better than an on-site fitness center, outdoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, and high-speed Wi-Fi? How about no resort fees? Whether you book a basic guest room with a kitchenette or a spacious 2- or 3-bedroom villa with a full kitchen, fireplace and balcony, you’ll get free use of all the modern resort amenities at Marriott’s Timber Lodge. You’ll also have easy access to Mongolian-style cuisine at FIRE + ICE Grill and Bar, the resort’s signature restaurant.
HIGHLIGHTS: Located at the base of a gondola lift — with ski services and equipment rentals within walking distance — this is a perfect jump off for adventure. The resort is also located close to lake cruises and shopping, and within driving distance are a number of parks that are closed in the winter, but offer swimming, biking, and hiking in summer months.
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe
There is plenty to do here to keep groups of all sizes occupied. Treat yourselves to a little tranquility following an outdoor activity recommended by one of Hyatt Regency’s Adventure Specialists. Take a relaxing dip in the heated outdoor pool, and then pamper yourselves at the Stillwater Spa and Salon. Next, enjoy award-winning cuisine from your choice of seven on-site dining options before gambling the night away at the resort’s Grand Lodge Casino.
HIGHLIGHTS: There are plenty of lodging options here to suit families and groups, from rooms two suites and cottages. For Maximum luxury, consider booking the 825-square-foot one-bedroom Lakeside or Beach Front Cottages, which sleep up to four, feature king-sized Hyatt Grand beds with pillow-top mattresses and deluxe linens, pull-out sofas, a gas fireplace and balcony; they can also be connected with a Lakeside Double to make a two-bedroom unit. If you want to get around town, take advantage of the complimentary shuttle service to and around Incline Village.
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
This luxurious, mid-mountain retreat at Northstar has it all for groups and families: stunning views, upscale dining, outdoor activities, an award-winning spa and a variety of different lodging options sleeping up to eight guests. Snow bunnies will love the ski-in, ski-out access in winter, while summer visitors can splash and snack poolside in a private cabana. Family-friendly programming on-site includes a daily Resort Scavenger Hunt, Telescope Tuesdays and Dive-in Movie Night. As a bonus, guests get access to the exclusive lakefront Lake Club, featuring beach access, a private pier, fireplaces, an outdoor whirlpool, plus complimentary kayaks and standup paddle boards
HIGHLIGHTS: Groups have their pick of lodging options, including spacious rooms, suites, and two- to four-bedroom residences with gourmet kitchens. On-site dining options include Manzanita, which showcases artistically presented dishes crafted from the finest in-season ingredients. Highlands Bar is an ideal spot to unwind after a long day on the slopes, with signature cocktails and a sweeping view of the surrounding Sierras.
Camp Richardson
Although the simple decor at Camp Richardson in South Lake Tahoe is a throwback, staying at this classic Tahoe institution is a rite of passage reminiscent of a bygone era. There are so many affordable lodging options to choose from at the family-friendly resort, and the prime location right on the lake and numerous amenities mean there’s never a shortage of things to do. Whether you opt to stay in the cabins, historic 1920s hotel, beachside inn, marina duplex, campground or even a whole house that sleeps up to 20, there’s an option to suit every group.
HIGHLIGHTS: A general store serving breakfast and lunch, the beachside Beacon Bar & Grill, seasonal ice cream shop, coffee and confectionery shop, full-service marina, sports rental shop and volleyball court are all located on-property. The resort also offers seasonal rum runner cruises and boat tours to Vikingsholm, and is walking distance to the Valhalla Tahoe event space at the historic Heller Estate and the Pope-Baldwin Estates at the Tallac Historic Site.
Truckee Hotel
Established in 1873 as the American House, later known as the Whitney House, the historic Truckee Hotel has been lovingly restored and offers affordable lodging in downtown Truckee. Recalling a time when the hotel was a stagecoach stop on the Dutch Flat Wagon Road, 28 European-style rooms have their own sink and share bathrooms in the hall. The Truckee Hotel also offers eight American-style rooms that include private bathrooms with clawfoot tubs. For families and groups, four family rooms sleep up to five, and a few rooms can be adjoined to accommodate larger parties.
HIGHLIGHTS: Named after John F. Moody, the original builder of the Truckee Hotel, Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats, the standout restaurant onsite, evokes a 1950s supper club vibe with find food, craft cocktails, and regular Live music that ranges from jazz to soul and rhythm and blues.
Sunnyside Lodge
The classic lodge-style decor, prime lakefront location steps away from a marina and beach, and the variety of room types to choose from make Sunnyside Lodge a favorite destination for groups. Among Sunnyside’s 23 guestrooms and suites, the lakefront suites boast comfortable sitting areas with a pull-out sofa sleeper and private deck overlooking the lake, and all rooms feature cozy goose-down comforters.
HIGHLIGHTS: The on-site restaurant serves casual fare with lake views whether inside or out on the expensive deck, with nightly specials including Burger & a Beer Mondays and Taco Tuesdays. A generous continental breakfast is served every morning in a cozy nook overlooking the lake.
Wylder Hope Valley
If Wylder Hope Valley’s incredible setting doesn’t win you over — a remote, aspen-ringed valley 30 minutes from South Lake Tahoe near Kirkwood Mountain Resort — its rustic yet luxuriously appointed lodgings sure will. Known as Sorenson’s Resort for many years, the property became Wylder Hope Valley in 2019 and underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation. Choose from meticulously renovated 100-year-old cabins with full kitchens and gas fireplaces; fully furnished yurts that feature soaking tubs and propane fireplaces; or a vintage Spartan trailer with a river-front deck. Sorensen’s Cafe’s serves up hearty fare like its legendary beef burgundy stew (on the menu for 40 years) and berry cobbler. The property’s onsite perks include an outdoor fire pit, wood-fired sauna, general store and outdoor equipment rental shop.
HIGHLIGHTS: Accommodation sizes vary to fit parties of different numbers, and property buyouts are also available for events ranging from family reunions and weddings to corporate retreats. Wylder Hope Valley offers plenty of diversions to keep guests occupied, including cross-country skiing, moonlit snowshoeing tours, sledding, hiking on the property’s Popo’s Trail, a kids’ fishing pond stocked with trout, lawn games and swimming in the West Fork Carson River. Regular history talks focused on the Eastern Sierra bring the region’s historical figures and events to life. Nearby, there’s also downhill skiing at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, and plenty of mountain biking and hiking trails to scenic alpine lakes.
Coachman Hotel
Located minutes away from Heavenly Village and Lakeside Beach, Coachman Hotel is well-suited to hosting groups and families. Accommodation options include one-bedroom suites featuring a separate bedroom with a king-sized bed and a spacious living area with a couch that converts into a twin bed and twin trundle, as well as a spacious three-bedroom suite for up to 11 guests that combines a king room, two-queens bedroom and bunk room with a living area boasting extras like a fireplace, microwave and mini fridge. Some rooms are pet friendly, too. Also on-property are a pool, hot tub and fire pits, and a new space for hosting special events is expected to be completed in 2023.
HIGHLIGHTS: Thoughtful extras at the Coachman include rubber room entryways for placing wet gear, hand-built furniture, Stumptown coffee, Malin + Goetz bath products and Apple TV+. A small menu of breakfast items, including waffles with whipped cream, is available for purchase.
Granlibakken
Dating back to 1947, when Norwegian Kjell “Rusty” Rustad first leased the land just outside Tahoe City and gave the property its name, Granlibakken may not be most luxurious resort in Tahoe, but the wide range of accommodations available — from standard rooms to suites and townhouses — as well as its many amenities, make it a good choice to accommodate groups all sizes. A breakfast buffet is served daily, along with nightly dinner at the Cedar House Pub.
HIGHLIGHTS: The 74-acre resort property includes a year-round heated pool, hot tub, sauna, day spa, modest ski and snowboard hill, sledding area, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trail, gym and tennis courts. One of the newer additions to Granlibakken is the Treetop Adventure Park, featuring 97 platforms, 27 zip lines and 60 bridges, with 10 adventure-packed courses to choose from. There’s also easy access to the Tahoe Rim Trail right from the resort.
Cedar Crest Cottages
Want to pretend you own a cottage in Tahoe? You can do just that at Cedar Crest Cottages, located in Homewood on the West Shore. The property is locally owned by the Olson family, who have attended to every detail in each of the nine uniquely furnished cottages, from the color palette and custom wood or stone flooring to the luxurious linens and modern amenities. Cottages range from one to four bedrooms to accommodate groups of different sizes, and each are equipped with a gourmet kitchen and washer and dryer.
HIGHLIGHTS: The property is directly across the street from a small neighborhood beach. There’s a fire pit and barbecue available on the grounds, and cottage perks include smart soundbars, large-screen TVs and Blu-Ray players.
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