Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe: My TOP Areas & Hotels in 2026 (Summer)

Lake Tahoe is definitely one of my top places that I’ve visited this year, not just in California but probably within the whole of the USA.

I was honestly obsessed with this place. For a start, there’s the sheer beauty of Lake Tahoe with the crystal clear water, mountains and huge pine trees, but then there are also just so many fun activities to do here. We went hiking, biking, paddleboarding and spent plenty of time just hanging out by the lake, and I basically loved every second of it.

What made all of this even better was that we stayed at some really cute hotels in Lake Tahoe which were also way cheaper than I thought they would be. I genuinely expected accommodation here to cost a fortune, especially since we were visiting in the summer, but I was actually pretty surprised by how affordable some of the hotels and motels were.

Anyway, to help you guys out and share my own experience, I’ve put together this guide on where to stay in Lake Tahoe, including my favorite towns, areas and hotels in Lake Tahoe.

And yes, I’ll also tell you which area I would personally stay in again, because Lake Tahoe is freaking huge and where you choose to stay can make a pretty big difference to your trip.

In a Rush? Here Are Our Favorite Hotels in Lake Tahoe CA

⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Landing Resort & Spa – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️⭐️ Station House Inn – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️ Tahoe Mountain Inn – Click here for rates & availability

This is me walking the Tahoe East Shore Trail in Lake Tahoe

Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe – My Quick Answer

I know some of you don’t have the time or energy to read this whole article I wrote about it, and honestly, I don’t blame you, so I’ll give you my quick answer right here.

The most popular places people stay in and around Lake Tahoe are South Lake Tahoe, Stateline, Tahoe City and Incline Village. Stateline and Incline Village are on the Nevada side, while South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe City are on the California side.

I personally stayed in South Lake Tahoe (yes, that is the name of the town), and I really loved the vibe there. It has a small-ish lake town feeling, but at the same time you have plenty of cute hotels, restaurants, bars, live music, supermarkets and basically everything else you need.

So when people ask me where to stay in Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe is usually the place I recommend first. I stayed at both the Station House Inn and Black Bear Lodge and really liked both of them, so I can definitely recommend checking those out.

If you’re looking for something quieter, then Incline Village could be a good fit too. It’s definitely more peaceful, so if that’s more your speed, then I could totally see you loving it there.

And then you have Stateline on the Nevada side, which is much more lively and has all those huge casino buildings and resorts. Personally I don’t really like that much, but if you’re into casinos, nightlife and a more lively vacation, then Stateline could actually be perfect for you.

This is a selfie of us before we started our hike up to Eagle Falls in Lake Tahoe

Where We Actually Stayed in Lake Tahoe Last Summer

Before I get into all my recommendations for hotels, towns and areas in Lake Tahoe that you might want to stay at, I figured I’d quickly tell you about my own experience.

I had previously been to Lake Tahoe for a fairly short ski weekend in the winter, so this past June was actually my first time visiting in the summer. We decided to stay in South Lake Tahoe, and I was really happy with that decision.

South Lake Tahoe is such a cute little town and it had pretty much everything we needed. We went to plenty of different restaurants with live music and good food, had easy access to the lake, and there were supermarkets around where we could grab everything we needed like snacks, drinks and groceries. So yeah, South Lake Tahoe gets a huge thumbs up from me!

In terms of where we actually stayed, we booked the Station House Inn, which is a really cute little boutique hotel. The rooms were super cool, and they also had a hot tub, pool and fireplace, so it had pretty much everything I wanted after a full day of hiking or being out on the lake. I really loved staying there.

I also looked pretty seriously at staying at Black Bear Lodge, and I was honestly torn between the two. In the end I went with Station House Inn, but Black Bear Lodge looks incredible too. It’s a little pricier, but they have these super cool cabins that are a bit more upscale and, in my opinion, fit the whole Lake Tahoe vibe perfectly.

This is Oliver at the top of Monkey Rock which is a hike close to Incline Village

The 5 Best Areas & Towns to Stay in Lake Tahoe

1. South Lake Tahoe: Cool Lakeside Vibe, Good Food, Great Boutique Hotels, Family Friendly

South Lake Tahoe is a small town located at the very southern tip of Lake Tahoe on the California side, and in my opinion, it’s the coolest out of all the towns around the lake.

It has a very typical mountain-town/lake-town vibe that I really loved, but at the same time, you have everything you actually need for a comfortable stay. There are some awesome restaurants like Elements Eatery, the Idle Hour, which is a really cute little wine bar we went to, and then there’s also the Hangar, which is a taproom with loads of outdoor seating and is fantastic if you’re traveling with a dog.

Overall, the town is super green with loads of pine trees, and of course, you’re right next to Lake Tahoe itself. I also found it really convenient because there’s a proper supermarket, Safeway, right in town. Since we were making sandwiches for hiking days and constantly needed drinks, snacks and groceries, that was honestly super handy.

Location-wise, you’re also in a pretty great spot. You’re close to the Nevada border and Nevada Beach, but on the other side you’re fairly close to Desolation Wilderness and some of the best hiking around Lake Tahoe.

So if you’re visiting Lake Tahoe for the first time and you’re asking me where I would stay, South Lake Tahoe would probably be my number one recommendation. It kind of does have it all.

✅ Pros of Staying in South Lake Tahoe

Close proximity to beaches and hiking trails
Lots of hotels to choose from
Loads of restaurants, bars and coffee shops
Supermarkets are nearby, so it’s just really convenient
Great location for exploring both the California and Nevada sides

❌ Cons of Staying in South Lake Tahoe

It can definitely be more expensive since it’s in California and is fairly popular
It can get busy since it’s a tourist hotspot
That being said, I was there in June and it never felt too crowded to me

The Best Places to Stay in South Lake Tahoe, California

Station House Inn

The Station House Inn South Lake Tahoe is where we stayed, and I personally enjoyed it a lot.

If I had to describe it, I’d say it’s a newly renovated boutique hotel/motel, but it’s definitely super cute. I really liked the design of the rooms, and then they also have a pool and hot tub, which of course I made sure to use.

Especially after sunset when it started getting a little chilly, coming back and sitting in the hot tub was absolutely perfect.

And overall, the whole place just had such a cozy vibe. I would 100% stay here again, even in the winter. I can already imagine how dreamy it would be with the colder weather and all the snow around.

Check out prices here: The Station House Inn

We loved this hotel, it is called Station House Inn and we would definitely stay here again!

Black Bear Lodge

When I booked my stay in Lake Tahoe, Black Bear Lodge was very high on my list as well. I ended up booking Station House Inn because it was cheaper, but honestly, it was a really close call.

And now that I’ve seen more of it, maybe I kinda wish I would’ve stayed here instead because it just looks so cuuute.

It’s a proper mountain/lake-town type of stay with little wooden cabins surrounded by pine trees, and it feels much more secluded while still being right next to town.

And don’t let the name “lodge” scare you, this is definitely more of an upscale stay. The cabins look super cozy, and I think this would be an especially cool place for a winter vacation too.

If I come back to Lake Tahoe in the winter, Black Bear Lodge is definitely going to be on my shortlist!

Check out prices here: Black Bear Lodge Tahoe

Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe: My TOP Areas & Hotels in 2026 (Summer)

2. Stateline: Nevada Side of Lake Tahoe, Casinos, Great Hotels

Y’all know I’m always going to be honest, so I’ll be honest here too: Stateline is not my personal favorite.

But I’m not writing this article just to tell you what I think you should do. I want to give you all the options, and I know plenty of you actually do like staying in Stateline, which is on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, so of course I’m going to include it.

Stateline is definitely one of the most developed and built-up areas around Lake Tahoe, with huge hotels and casinos, plenty of entertainment, golfing and other activities. And yeah, the whole big-casino thing is probably what I personally like least about it because I’m much more of a nature person.

However, I will tell you that it’s definitely fun for nightlife. We came here a couple of nights for dinner and drinks and had a lot of fun. I can recommend Lucky Beaver and Chart House if you’re looking for somewhere to eat.

Stateline and South Lake Tahoe are basically right next to each other, though. The actual state border runs between the two, so you can easily do what we did and just jump between them.

✅ Pros of Staying in Stateline

Easy casino access if you like gambling
Lots of entertainment, bars and nightlife
Golfing and other activities like ATV rentals
Big resort-style hotels
Lots of events and concerts happening
Plenty of luxury resorts and hotels
Close to many of Lake Tahoe’s beaches

❌ Cons of Staying in Stateline

Super busy and has a much more developed vibe
Less of that quiet, cute mountain-town feeling
The huge casino buildings can take away from the natural beauty a little bit, at least in my opinion

The Best Hotels in Stateline Lake Tahoe

Edgewood Tahoe Resort

I’ve already told you that Stateline is much more focused on large resort-style hotels, casinos and golf courses rather than the little lodges and boutique hotels you’ll find around South Lake Tahoe.

And the first resort I want to mention here is Edgewood Tahoe Resort, which is just straight-up spectacular.

My brother-in-law actually highly recommended this place to me. I did have to tell him that it was way out of my budget but he’s a big-time golfer and was absolutely obsessed with both the resort and the golf course.

And I can totally see why to be fair. The hotel is about as upscale as it gets, with beautiful rooms, a stunning pool right by the lake and private beach access on Lake Tahoe. If you’re looking for luxury hotels at Lake Tahoe this is definitely one you should check out.

Check out prices here: Edgewood Tahoe Resort

Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe

Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe is where I stayed on my very first trip to Lake Tahoe years and years ago in the winter, and for that trip I actually really enjoyed it.

We were super close to the lake as well as the gondola for going skiing, and the hotel had an indoor pool, which was awesome after being out in the cold all day. I also remember the breakfast buffet being really good.

I’ll be honest, it’s not the most unique or charming hotel I’ve ever stayed at, but the location is great and I thought it was pretty good value for money.

So if you’re looking for a bigger resort-style hotel in Stateline where you can be close to the lake, skiing and all the action, I think this can be a really solid option.

Check out prices here: Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe

3. Incline Village: Cute Little Town, Very Quiet, Great for Hiking + Mountain Biking, and Lots of Vacation Rentals for Families & Groups

I personally really love Incline Village, and I actually spent quite a lot of time up there even though I didn’t stay there myself.

To me, Incline Village felt a little bit like a quieter, mini version of South Lake Tahoe. It’s mainly a more upscale residential area, but there are definitely some great hotels, resorts and vacation rentals, as well as some cool restaurants and bars.

My favorite place I went to was Alibi Ale Works, which is a really cool brewery, and then I also loved Tunnel Creek Cafe for grabbing a post-hike beer. That’s honestly one of my favorite things to do after hiking, find somewhere with a nice patio, grab a cold beer and just chill for a bit.

I guess my favorite thing about Incline Village, though, is the location.

If you’re big on hiking and spending time at the lake, and you want to have those things within walking or biking distance, Incline Village works really well. There are so many beaches, hiking trails and biking trails that are super easily accessible from here.

And because it’s a little quieter and more residential, I could especially see this being a fantastic option for families or groups who want to rent a bigger house or condo and have a little more space.

✅ Pros of Staying in Incline Village

Much quieter and more relaxed vibe
Lots of upscale hotels, residences and vacation rentals
Tons of hiking trails nearby
Lots of quieter, less touristy beaches
Great for mountain biking
Lots of large houses and vacation rentals that work really well for families and groups

❌ Cons of Staying in Incline Village

More secluded, so there are fewer hotel and restaurant options
It’s quite a bit farther from South Lake Tahoe
Traffic between Incline Village and South Lake Tahoe can be pretty annoying if you want to go back and forth

My Favorite Places to Stay in Incline Village, Lake Tahoe

Crystal View Vacation Rental

We usually go on a big family vacation pretty much every year, and if I can ever convince my family to go to Lake Tahoe, I will absolutely make them stay here.

The Crystal View is such an incredible vacation rental in Lake Tahoe with tons of space, enough to sleep eight people, outdoor seating and the most incredible views over the lake.

This place would work great for a family vacation in the summer when you want to go hiking, swimming and spend time by the lake, but I could also see it being awesome for a winter ski trip.

I would totally stay here with my own family. It just looks incredible, and having that much space and those lake views would be pretty hard to beat.

Check out prices here: Crystal View Vacation Rental

Club Tahoe Resort

Club Tahoe Resort is for sure a more budget-friendly option in the area, but it’s also in a really good location for hiking and getting out to the lake.

I really like the design of the resort too. It has a proper Lake Tahoe feel with loads of wood, pine trees and that cozy mountain-resort vibe.

And the resort even has a large pool and a hot tub, which I personally have used a hot tub at Lake Tahoe many, many times. Especially after a full day of hiking, nothing beats getting into a hot tub, you guys!

Check out prices here: Club Tahoe Resort

4. Tahoe City: Local Vibe, Walkable Downtown, and Lots of Condos + Vacation Rentals

I feel like the best way to describe the different towns around Lake Tahoe is to compare them to South Lake Tahoe and then explain how they’re different.

So where South Lake Tahoe has a lot of hotels, loads of restaurants and bars, and is close to all the casinos and nightlife around Stateline, Tahoe City, at least from my experience, just feels a lot more local.

Sure, there are hotels and restaurants here too, but it has a really cute, walkable downtown area and overall it just feels a little less fast-paced. And I can tell you one thing: a lot less traffic!

Another cool thing about Tahoe City is that there are loads of condos and vacation rentals available, which makes it a really good option for groups or families who want a little more space and a quieter experience.

My only hesitation with staying here is the location. Since Tahoe City is on the west side of the lake, it’s a little farther away from some of the popular beaches and hikes around the south and east shores. So personally, I’d probably recommend Tahoe City more to second-time visitors who have already seen some of the main sights.

✅ Pros of Staying in Tahoe City

Lots of great condos and vacation homes
Great place to stay in Lake Tahoe for families
Quieter and more relaxed environment
Less touristy and more local feeling
Cute, walkable downtown area

❌ Cons of Staying in Tahoe City

Further away from the main action
You’ll have to drive farther to get to some of the popular beaches and hikes
Can take a while to get around the lake, especially during busy summer days

Best Resorts & Hotels in Tahoe City

Sunnyside Resort & Lodge

Whenever I go on vacation somewhere like Lake Tahoe, and this might sound silly to you, I like when my hotel actually matches the vibe of the place.

So when I’m in Lake Tahoe, I’ll take a cute lake or mountain-style lodge over some modern hotel building pretty much every time. Sunnyside Resort & Lodge falls very much into that category.

It’s a proper lake lodge with a private pier, restaurant and bar, and it has some really incredible views over the water. It definitely has a little bit of an old-school feel to it, but I actually think that fits Lake Tahoe perfectly. At the same time, it’s still more on the mid-range to upscale side, so you get that cozy mountain-lodge atmosphere without sacrificing the nicer hotel experience.

Check out prices here: Sunnyside Resort & Lodge

Basecamp Tahoe City

Basecamp Tahoe City is one of the many renovated motels around Lake Tahoe that I really like.

I’ve noticed that it’s actually pretty common around Lake Tahoe for older motels to get renovated and turned into cool, modern stays that don’t feel dingy or motely at all. Instead, they’re clean, stylish and often still relatively affordable.

I don’t hate motels at all, especially when I’m traveling by car. The thing I really appreciate is free parking, particularly when some of the bigger hotel chains want to charge you $40–$50 for valet parking. Like… I’m sorry, but I’ll park my own car, thank you very much!

Check out prices here: Basecamp Tahoe City

5. Kings Beach: Upscale Vibe, Lakefront Resorts & Easy Beach Access

Kings Beach is a small lake town at the very northern tip of Lake Tahoe, and it’s actually the only area on this list that I haven’t personally visited yet. I’ve heard so many great things about it, though, that I definitely wanted to include it in this guide anyway.

One of the coolest things about Kings Beach is that it has one of the widest and easiest-to-access sandy beaches around Lake Tahoe. A lot of the beaches along the east shore are beautiful but can be a little harder to get to, whereas if you stay in Kings Beach, you can pretty much walk straight from town to the sand, which I think is awesome.

Apparently, the water here is also fairly shallow compared to some other parts of the lake, so if you’re planning on coming with your family and kids and want to spend a lot of time swimming and playing in the lake, this could be a really good location for you.

The town itself seems fairly unpretentious, which I actually really like. There are some really cute little hotels and larger resorts, but also loads of vacation rentals and condos, so there’s kind of something for everyone.

✅ Pros of Staying in Kings Beach

One of the widest sandy beaches at Lake Tahoe
Super easy beach access
Quiet, non-touristy vibe
Great for paddleboarding and other water activities
Good option for families who want easy access to the lake

❌ Cons of Staying in Kings Beach

Fairly secluded from the larger towns
Smaller selection of restaurants and supermarkets
Not as many hotels to choose from

The Best Hotels to Stay at in Kings Beach, Lake Tahoe

Red Wolf Lakeside Lodge

Red Wolf Lakeside Lodge is a really great looking resort I’ve found around Lake Tahoe, and it’s currently in my top three places I would want to stay at next time I come back.

The whole place just looks so good. As the name suggests, Red Wolf Lakeside Lodge is right on the lake and has a private beach, private pier, beautiful views over the water from the rooms, a swimming pool and a hot tub.

They offer regular hotel rooms as well as more apartment-style accommodations, and I actually really like that option myself because I’m usually the type of person who wants to have a little fridge and some extra space for drinks, snacks and all the sandwich-making supplies I inevitably end up buying for hikes and beach days.

Check prices here: Red Wolf Lakeside Lodge

Cedar Glen Lodge

Another really cool property I found is Cedar Glen Lodge, which is definitely another hotel I would have loved to stay at myself.

Cedar Glen Lodge just screams Lake Tahoe. It’s a large log-cabin-style property with beautiful rooms, a big patio, amazing lake views, a really nice outdoor seating area in the courtyard and a large swimming pool.

It has that classic cozy mountain-lodge feel that I personally love when I’m visiting somewhere like Lake Tahoe. It also looks like the kind of place where you could easily spend a couple of days just relaxing around the property rather than constantly getting in the car and driving somewhere.

I’d for sure consider staying here for a couple of nights for a romantic little couples getaway.

Check prices here: Cedar Glen Lodge

FAQs About the Best Places to Stay in Lake Tahoe

Which is better: South Lake Tahoe or North Lake Tahoe?

If I was visiting Lake Tahoe for the very first time, I would stay in South Lake Tahoe because there is simply more going on and you have easier access to a lot of the popular hiking trails, beaches, restaurants and other things to do.

That said, North Lake Tahoe is definitely worth considering if you’re looking for something quieter and a little less touristy.

Is Lake Tahoe expensive?

It definitely can be, but it doesn’t have to be. I was actually pretty surprised by some of the affordable accommodation I found in Lake Tahoe, with decent rooms sometimes available for under $100 USD. Of course, there are also plenty of expensive luxury resorts where you can spend a small fortune if you want to.

Is Lake Tahoe in California or Nevada?

Lake Tahoe is in both California and Nevada. The state line actually goes right through the lake, which I thought was pretty cool. After spending a week here, I can say that both sides have their perks, but personally I prefer staying in South Lake Tahoe on the California side.

Is Lake Tahoe worth visiting?

Absolutely! Lake Tahoe is one of my favorite outdoor destinations in California. I had such a great time here hiking, paddleboarding, swimming, spending time at the beaches and just being outside in general.

When is the best time to visit Lake Tahoe?

It really depends on what you want to do. I visited this past June and thought it was pretty much perfect for the type of trip I wanted. The mornings were cool enough for hiking, but by the afternoon it was warm enough to go swimming in the lake.

What is the best luxury hotel in Lake Tahoe?

There are tons of upscale hotels and resorts around Lake Tahoe, but if I had to pick one luxury resort in Lake Tahoe, I’d probably go with The Landing Resort & Spa because of its awesome location and the amenities.

Where to stay in Lake Tahoe with kids?

For families with kids, I’d pick a vacation rental or condo with lake access or a pool. I really do think staying in a house or condo is often much easier with kids than staying in a regular hotel. Having a kitchen, more space and somewhere to spread out just makes the whole trip a little easier.

Final Thoughts on the Best Resorts and Hotels in Lake Tahoe

All in all, Lake Tahoe has so many different towns and areas around the lake that even now I find it hard to pick my favorite.

Even while writing this article I was sitting here thinking, “I wanna go back to Lake Tahoe and now I want to stay at all these amazing hotels!”

But I guess that just gives me a pretty good excuse to come back.

As far as my advice goes, if I was visiting Lake Tahoe for the first time again, I would most likely pick South Lake Tahoe. I just really liked the overall vibe there andI loved having so many restaurants, coffee shops, bars, supermarkets and everything else nearby.

But if you’re visiting with your family and don’t really care about being right in the middle of all the action, Incline Village or Kings Beach would both be really cool alternatives. They’re quieter, have great access to the lake and give you plenty of opportunities to get out on the hiking and biking trails.

At the end of the day, I really don’t think you can go too wrong with where you stay around Lake Tahoe. Just make sure you pick an area that actually fits the type of trip you want to have.

I hope this little guide on where to stay in Lake Tahoe gave you a rough idea of the best areas, towns and hotels around the lake so you can get planning and start putting together your own trip!