There was a time when spending the weekend in the mountains meant roughing it. Rustic can mean many things, but luxury isn’t typically one of them. Lucky for folks visiting Lake Tahoe, The Ritz-Carlton is anything but typical.
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
Perfectly perched mid-mountain in the Northstar California Ski Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is the first Forbes Four-Star and AAA Five Diamond resort in the Lake Tahoe area. All 170 guest rooms have a view worth bragging about and a gas fireplace to take the chill out of cold mountain nights. With a larger than average footprint, a family or four can actually be comfortable in a double room. The large desk comes with plentiful electric plugs, perfect for all those electronics that tend to come along with traveling these days.
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe Deluxe Guestroom
The Living Room is the heart of The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe. A 55-foot high granite fireplace anchors the room, much like a large tree. Windows that serve as walls, bring the outside in, along with plenty of natural light. Nature themed art helps create a warm space to enjoy the feel of being outside, without the freezing Tahoe temperatures that can come with it.
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe Living Room
In winter, the resort becomes a snow lovers paradise, with ski-in/ski-out access to Northstar’s three-thousand plus acres of terrain for skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and tubing. The hotel’s ski valets go above and beyond, from grabbing equipment to helping even the best of skiers buckle their boots. They essentially take the work out of getting onto the slopes.
Hiking Buddy
Though once thought of as a winter-only destination, Lake Tahoe’s summertime perks are no longer a secret. When the snow melts, the resort’s backyard shows its greener side and providing a perfect launching point for hiking and mountain biking. The Ritz-Carlton is a quick 15-minute drive to the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, making a trip to the water an easy outing. The Highlands Gondola connects the resort to Northstar Village. Along with an ice rink in winter, turned roller skating rink in summer, there’s a few dozen shops and restaurants in the Village to keep you entertained.
Summer sunshine also makes it an easy decision to simply lounge at the resort by one of the pools or in the shady grass. The Backyard Bar & BBQ serves up (and provides poolside delivery of) tasty favorites like brisket, pulled pork, pizza and house made potato chips. The restaurant was built around the smoker, which runs 24/7. Burn off some calories playing backyard games tucked in between the trees. From corn hole, to bocce ball, disc golf, lawn darts and oversized Jenga, being bored is not an option. Head to the spa if you’re in the pampering kind of mood.
Raspberry S’more
However you spend your day, just make sure you find your way to the outdoor fire pit by 5pm for a complimentary lesson in creating the perfect s’more. There’s an assortment of chocolate to choose from, but the sweet success comes from the marshmallows. The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe calls it Marshmology. With house made marshmallows in flavors like mint, raspberry and champagne you’ll call it insanely delicious and the perfect excuse to eat dessert first.
Summer season rates for Deluxe guestrooms range from $299 to $519. During winter season, rates range from $449 to $599, holidays excluded. Book direct or go through Hotels.com.
Dana was hosted by The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
