11 Best Lake Tahoe Hotels on the Water

Mark Twain famously called Lake Tahoe “the fairest picture the whole earth affords,” and nobody can disagree with that even 150 years later. The beguiling turquoise blue lake is the second-deepest lake in North America, sitting pretty against the Sierra Nevada mountains, spread across California and Nevada. So, Lake Tahoe is a year-round destination, whether we want to snowboard or ski in the winter or stand-up paddleboard, kayak, and sail in the summer. And, of course, nothing beats staying in a Lake Tahoe hotel on the water, right? After all, it’s a different kind of California coastline! 

What’s more, the lake, with its 70-mi circumnavigation, has two distinct sides. For instance, North Lake Tahoe is more low-key, with towns like Incline Village and Kings Beach, and boasts a local vibe. In contrast, there’s the vibrant Tahoe South, which is all about lakefront restaurants, brewpubs, theaters, casinos, and more. So, we had a lot of lakefront to explore and stay in. Thus, whether one is looking for luxurious digs or more boutique ones, Lake Tahoe’s shoreline has something for every kind of traveler. Here’s a detailed guide to living right on the water in Lake Tahoe.

Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa , South Lake Tahoe

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Best value-for-money. We begin the list with the Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa in South Lake Tahoe, which is one of the best family-friendly lakefront resorts. That’s because every single room and suite here comes with a lake view! That’s because it’s one of those rare lakeshore hotels that sits beyond the forest line, right on the sandy shores. How cool is that!

What we liked about this place was that it was more affordable than the other shoreline resorts around. At the same time, it made up for the absence of certain bells and whistles with the fact that all rooms had views of the lake. What’s more, we had the choice of both hotel and condo-style lodging at this resort, both of which came with free Wi-Fi, coffeemakers, cable TVs, and luxe bathrooms. For those who will be staying here for a long time, the apartments with fully-equipped kitchen facilities make a lot of sense and offer oodles of comfort.

Despite being on the affordable end, this resort came with a host of amazing amenities, like the outdoor heated pool and hot tub with sweeping views of the beach and the lake. There’s even a full-service day spa and a beachside BBQ area, where we’d enjoy alfresco dinners while mingling with other guests. 

The Tahoe Beach & Ski Club, South Lake Tahoe

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We didn’t want to stay in a typical hotel in Lake Tahoe, which is why we chose The Tahoe Beach & Ski Club. The property boasted mostly apartment-style living quarters, which made it perfect for us and anybody else who didn’t want to stay cooped up in a hotel room. Since the property sat right on Lake Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe, most of the rooms boasted either partial or completely unobstructed views of the lake from the balconies, including us, by the way! We’d wake up every morning to watch the sunrise from the comfort of our balcony with a cup of coffee. The best bit was that they offered a variety of accommodation options, with sizes ranging from studios and one-bedroom digs to cabins and townhouses. 

“What could be better when we could see the beach right from our room? Best Tahoe vacation ever!”

WOW Travel

Of course, the top draw here is the private 400-foot sandy beach, which was perfect for spending a day out in the sun right on the property. After a swimming session in the heated pool, following it up with a languorous massage at the outdoor spa only made sense, or we’d soak our sore bodies in the bubbling waters of the two hot tubs. A fitness center, a volleyball court, a playground, tennis courts, and free Wi-Fi wrap up the amenities here. An old-school vibe combined with modern amenities at a price that can’t be beaten and a location right on the lake – what more could we ask for? 

Franciscan Lodge, Tahoe Vista

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We’d never thought of Lake Tahoe stays to be low-key until we saw the Franciscan Lodge at Tahoe Vista. We were absolutely charmed by the lovely lodge on the northern shores of Lake Tahoe, which offered many different types of accommodations to choose from. Here, we found not just forest-side studios and suites which lay across the street from the beach, but also lakefront suites and studios with full, sweeping views of the sandy shore and the lake. The absolute best was the lakefront cabins, which sat directly on the beach! So, you can only guess where we stayed. Notwithstanding which digs we chose, they all had seating areas with views, plush beds, and modern bathrooms, despite how rustic the lodge looked from the outside. Oh, did we mention the kitchenettes in all of them? Yes.

Despite the aesthetic being a little more traditional here, the lodge did have some amazing amenities to their credit. These included the private beach with a pier for those who were renting boats. Aside from free Wi-Fi that allowed us to stay connected, there was even a heated outdoor pool, which allowed us to have a bit of fun even when it was chilly.

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa, and Casino, Incline Village

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Best hotel with a private beach. Chain hotels provide us with a certain sense of comfort. That’s why we looked for a reputed chain hotel on the lakeshore and found one in the form of the serene waterfront Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa, and Casino. This Incline Village outpost might be part of a chain hotel, but it had all the perks and amenities of a Lake Tahoe resort.

So, what did we love about this Hyatt resort? Firstly, it’s one of the few Lake Tahoe beach resorts to have an actual private beach. We were thrilled to head down to the sandy shores, swim in the lake, and then lounge at the daybeds later on. In fact, Hyatt had even laid out cabanas, complete with F&B service, so we reserved them one day, practically spending the entire day down at the beach. Our relaxation continued at the year-round heated outdoor pool at the resort, followed by a massage and a body treatment at a couple’s sanctuary suite at the Stillwater Spa. As evening came, we had the choice of drinking, dining, and entertainment right on the property, thanks to the casino and three drinking and dining options, including a gorgeous waterfront restaurant.

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This Hyatt resort is massive, given that we had more than 400 rooms, suites, and lakeside cottages to choose from! While they all offered picturesque views of either the mountains or the lake, we preferred the bi-level lakeside cottages. The lower ones were especially amazing, with the lake lying just beyond the green gardens right out of the balcony

The Landing Resort & Spa, South Lake Tahoe

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Best skiing resort. It’s rare to find a lakeside stay in Lake Tahoe that’s also a skiing resort, but we found one. We’re talking about the quiet and serene South Lake Tahoe Landing Resort and Spa, where we could feast our eyes on both the snowcapped mountains and the lake’s sapphire waters.

There were a lot of things we loved about this resort. For one, the semi-private Zephyr Cove beach was our favorite haunt, as our amenity fee included access to it, along with beach chairs and beach towels as well. Alternately, when we came here in the winter, the gondola was a mere 15-minute walk, or we could even board the free hotel shuttle to Heavenly Mountain. Did you know that we could swim at the resort both in summer and winter? We’re talking about the amazing year-round heated outdoor pool, complete with views of the ocean and the mountain. After that, a massage at the decadent spa was on the cards, with evenings usually spent around the rooftop fireplace. Even though there’s just one onsite restaurant, it serves a variety of cuisines and all meals, so we didn’t have to step out for food either.

Since there were just 82 rooms and lakeside suites, staying here felt very intimate despite the sprawling and huge size of the resort. While all rooms had stone gas fireplaces, plush beds and bathrooms, and Lavazza espresso machines, we highly recommend the lakeside suites, which offer stupendous views of the lake.

Red Wolf Lakeside Lodge, Tahoe Vista 

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Sitting on the sands of Moon Dune Beach in Tahoe Vista, the cozy Red Wolf Lakeside Lodge offered stunning views of not just Lake Tahoe but also the gorgeous Sierra Nevada mountains. This property is dripping with rustic Californian charm and was perfect for our laidback Lake Tahoe sojourn. We loved the cozy and well-appointed studios and one and two-bedroom condos they had on offer. So, no matter the size of the group visiting here, there’s a staying option for everyone. What made it all the better was that they all featured gas fireplaces and fully-equipped kitchens. 

The grounds that the property sits on are beautiful, especially since the golden sands of Moon Dune Beach lay right beyond. Back at the hotel, there was a heated outdoor pool and a hot tub that overlooked the lake, so we could swim and unwind to gorgeous views. The same went for the lakeside deck, where we’d lounge by the fire pits in the evenings, again with lakeside views.

Cedar Glen Lodge, Tahoe Vista/Kings Beach

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We wanted a slightly offbeat Lake Tahoe resort with beach when we stumbled upon the rustic yet refined Cedar Glen Lodge at Tahoe Vista. Not only was it tucked in the middle of a pine forest, but also it had a gorgeous sandy and practically private beach on the lakeshore right across the street. It was the most idyllic spot we’d seen in all of Lake Tahoe.

We had many choices for charming and elegant cabins to stay at this eco-resort, which made it to TripAdvisor’s list of the “10 highest-rated green hotels.” Set amidst the lush, well-maintained grounds sat a superb outdoor pool, which was sprinkled with umbrellas, daybeds, and lounge chairs. After a day of exploring the region, it was the perfect place to swim and unwind. The sandy beach is also such, and we had the choice to unwind near the pool or at the beach.

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However, it was the stay at this award-winning hotel that was the ticket. We had the choice of many cozy, wood-paneled cabins in the middle of a forest, set around a main lodge and lots of lush greenery. However, the standouts were the standalone cottages, which were slightly away from the main lodge, tucked under a canopy of majestic pine trees. Our Romance Suite Cottage, originally built in the 1940s, sat on the northern fringes of the lodge among the pine trees and made for a luxurious living experience. It had a kitchenette, a living area with a quaint gas fireplace, and even a jetted bathtub for two.

Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort, Tahoe Vista

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History and a fantastic lakeside location in Tahoe Vista come together at Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort. This historic mountain resort on Lake Tahoe’s north shore has been owned and operated by the same family for more than 30 years! The entire property has an alluring mountain lodge-cum-lakeside retreat vibe to it. Think orange hues and warm wood accents throughout, but with many of the rooms, including ours, located right along the lakefront! What’s more, we had the choice of forest-side cabins and larger residences, too, but nothing beat the lakeside suites, which even had balconies overlooking the lake. Nevertheless, all rooms and suites came with flatscreen TVs and fully-equipped kitchens, so we could whip up meals anytime we wanted.

Moreover, the lake resort property boasted some excellent amenities that made us feel right at home during our stay, but in a more luxurious manner. For outdoorsmen like us, the barbecue spots and fire pits were the perfect place to end a day in Lake Tahoe, right by the water under the stars. Our days began equally fantastically with a seasonal continental breakfast. And, of course, there’s the gorgeous private beach area, where the hotel even had paddleboards that we could use to explore the lake.

Hotel Azure, South Lake Tahoe

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High-end motel meets boutique-ness at Hotel Azure, which sits right across Lake Tahoe Boulevard from the quiet, serene end of El Dorado beach in South Lake Tahoe. This is one of those Lake Tahoe hotels where it felt like its architectural style came right out of Switzerland! Think beautiful rooms with rustic elegant decor, warm wood accents, and fun ceiling lights. We loved the decor that featured reclaimed wood and color schemes blending subtle touches of grays, browns, and Big Blue’s iconic azure color. Plush and comfy beds aside, all rooms came with balconies, while ours even offered superb views of the lake from across the road.

The property also did great in terms of amenities, especially the on-site restaurant Bear Beach Cafe. Not only could we enjoy delicious meals at all times of day, but also the views of the lake from across the restaurant were great. What’s more, the resort also had a fabulous outdoor heated pool, a 20-person hot tub next to it, a gym, free Wi-Fi, and bikes for rent.

Lakeland Village at Heavenly, South Lake Tahoe

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When it comes to Lake Tahoe resorts with lake views, few can beat the Lakeland Village at Heavenly. Tucked right in the heart of South Lake Tahoe, this is one of those properties that beautifully blend rustic charm with modern amenities. Plus, it’s just a hop, skip, and jump from the quiet end of El Dorado Beach! What could be better?

We loved the unfussy rooms and suites here, which boasted plush beds, simple decor, and mod-cons like flatscreen TVs and private bathrooms with bespoke bath products. Since we were traveling with the kids, the option of connecting family rooms was excellent, given that we had so much more space. Thanks to the free Wi-Fi, we never had any issues planning our itinerary from the room. Plus, thanks to room service, the kids would happily be occupied, watching their favorite programs while digging into their favorite foods.

The rest of the property was equally impressive, given that the resort has a rustic vibe. On the sun terrace, there’s an outdoor swimming pool where we had a lot of fun with the children. Since there’s a private beach, we had access to the beach area too. A fitness center, a tennis court, and a children’s playground round up the amenities here.

Edgewood Tahoe Resort, South Lake Tahoe

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Best overall. We can’t have the Edgewood Tahoe Resort not top the list of Lake Tahoe lakeshore hotels, can we? This South Lake Tahoe resort is one of the Lake Tahoe top resorts and enjoys an enviable position right on the shore on the Nevada side. What’s more, this chic LEED resort is an absolute stunner and pays homage to the lake in any way it can, right from the metallic silver tree wall carving to floor-to-ceiling chapel-style windows with lake views.

Even the amenities here were tied to the Lake of the Sky, as Lake Tahoe is also known. We loved the long stretch of private beach out front, with towels and daybeds provided right by the water. Back at the resort, the year-round heated outdoor pool and the hot tub were our favorite spots, especially since they offered spectacular views of the slopes and the lake. Did you know that the legendary golf course here makes it the only lakefront golf resort in the region? Yes!

Later, the sanctuary-like spa and its many treatments provided comfort, as did perks like the herbal teas in the lobby, granola-on-the-go, and the après sleep cart stocked with fresh fruits. When there was a chill in the air, roasting s’mores at the fire pit with lake views was a memorable affair. Three excellent onsite eateries wrap up the amenities here.

While the new waterfront villas steal the show, all rooms had fireplaces, soaking tubs, and private terraces, while our lakefront suite even had some of the best views of the lake. That’s why it’s one of the best 5 & 4-star hotels in Lake Tahoe.

Our Verdict!

Lake Tahoe and its shoreline have a stay for everyone, doesn’t it? That being said, the ones below are a notch above the rest for their specific features. They’re listed below:

• Best value-for-money: Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa  
• Best overall: Edgewood Tahoe Resort, South Lake Tahoe
• Best hotel with a private beach: Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa, And Casino, Incline Village
• Best skiing resort: The Landing Resort & Spa, South Lake Tahoe

Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe?

Lake Tahoe, one of the top tourist attractions in the USA, has a long shoreline with many varied towns and regions. So, where should one be staying?

As first-time visitors, we headed to South Lake Tahoe on the Californian side for the jaw-dropping scenery of lakeside hotels here. Moreover, this side of the shoreline has lots of recreational activities on offer, so hotels fill up fast – take note.

Secondly, there are the North Lake Tahoe shoreline towns, like Incline Village in Nevada, which is a rural town nestled amongst pine trees, mountains, and the shoreline. While it’s mainly a mountain retreat and skiing town, it does have rustic hotels and luxurious, cozy lodges on the coast. Another great northern beach town is Kings Beach, the lake’s northernmost point, with a friendly and laidback vibe.

Coming to the western side, there’s Tahoe City, which is a cross between a beach town and a European ski resort village. The massive Commons Beach is perhaps the most popular point on the shoreline. Finally, there’s Carson City, the capital of Nevada, on the eastern shores. This picturesque town offers tons of history lessons along with stunning lake views and is the place to be for cultural vultures. 

What time of year is best to see Lake Tahoe?

While summer and winter are both peak tourist seasons in Lake Tahoe, they could be very crowded during both seasons. That said, Lake Tahoe can also be explored during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, that is, April-May and September-November, as there are fewer crowds at this time.

What is the best shoreline area to stay in Lake Tahoe?

That would be South Lake Tahoe, as it has a mix of everything: great shoreline hotels, recreational activities, and a fantastic Lake Tahoe vibe.

Which part of Lake Tahoe is best in summer?

Again, the answer is South Lake Tahoe due to the presence of the popular El Dorado Beach. This is a family-friendly beach, is easily accessible, and has many water activities, live music, and barbeques.