The Best Beach Hotels in Lake Tahoe, California

Relax on the shore of Lake Tahoe with a stay at one of its top beachfront hotels
Relax on the shore of Lake Tahoe with a stay at one of its top beachfront hotels | Courtesy of Station House Inn / Expedia
Frank Lopez

Writer

Staying by the crystal waters of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is a delight no matter the season. The South Lake in California offers as much nature-filled tranquility year-round as it does entertainment on the main drag. We at Culture Trip have chosen some of our favorite hotels and resorts, from those providing rustic warmth and the peace of a private beach to simply a relaxing spot after a day on the lake or on the slopes.

1. The Beach Retreat and Lodge at Tahoe

Hotel

A rustic lounge and dining area in a lodge
Courtesy of Beach Retreat and Lodge at Tahoe / Expedia

Only seconds from the waters of South Lake Tahoe at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, this all-season residence is as attractive to beach bums as it is to ski fanatics. Relaxing in the all-season pool, jet skiing, kayaking or simply eating by the water’s edge of this family-friendly hotel are just some of the myriad good times to be had. The views from the rooms are unsurprisingly glorious.

2. The Landing Resort and Spa

Boutique Hotel, Resort, Spa Hotel

A hotel room with and outdoor terrace and fireplace
Courtesy of the Landing Resort and Spa / Expedia

This award-winning resort is one of the best luxury hotels in Lake Tahoe. It offers a great choice of rooms and suites that come with fireplaces, Keurig coffeemakers, plush slippers and robes, along with all the creature comforts one would expect to guarantee relaxation in an alpine setting. Waterfront rooms offer access directly onto the sand. As you step onto your patio in the morning, you will struggle to want to be anywhere else.

3. Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge and Spa

Independent Hotel, Spa Hotel

Two double beds in a room, with a kitchenette in the background
Courtesy of Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge and Spa / Expedia

Proudly boasting its own private beach with BBQs, fire pits, a volleyball court and a hot tub, Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge and Spa is also home to some incredible live music in the summer months. The lodge offers condos and rooms of the highest quality for you to make your stay effortless, and stepping out onto the sand to enjoy the sunset away from the general public makes all the difference.

5. The Americana Village

Hotel, Budget Hotel

A motel overlooks a green garden with a bench and flowers
Courtesy of the Americana Village / Expedia

Located on the Pioneer Trail, close to all the shopping and entertainment of Heavenly Village, this resort offers a heated pool and hot tub to enjoy year-round. Fully equipped kitchens, attentive staff and free bikes to use for all guests are definitely highlights of this great resort set in manicured grounds. The karaoke nights also add an edge to what would normally be a very relaxed experience on the South Lake.

6. Station House Inn

Hotel

A large hotel room with a double bed and dark green couch. A bathroom can be seen in the background
Courtesy of Station House Inn / Expedia

The Station House Inn is a Tahoe institution that has welcomed guests since the early ’70s and continues to offer the tranquility of its unique appeal, on the edge of the lake waters, to this very day. The poolside menu is as modern as it is delicious, but a bevy of restaurants, if you prefer, are only a short walk away. For those searching for natural charm, this inn has it in spades.

7. 7 Seas Inn at Tahoe

Hotel

Two double beds in a neutrally-colored hotel room
Courtesy of 7 Seas Inn at Tahoe / Expedia

With a range of cozy rooms that are only a few minutes’ walk to a private beach, 7 Seas Inn is as close as you need to all the amenities that South Lake Tahoe has to offer. Mornings begin with freshly baked bread and muffins, and their lovely patio allows guests to get together to acquaint themselves in the evenings, especially during happy hour around the fire. A friendly spot.

8. Holly's Place

Hotel

A double bed with patchwork sheets in a wooden room
Courtesy of Holly's Place / Expedia

For that rustic cabin experience sheltered amidst the pine forest of Tahoe, Holly’s Place offers a cozy retreat that immediately feels a world away and yet is only a short walk to the lake. It is so dog-friendly that it would be almost redundant to stay here without one. There is a friendliness at this residence that extends to all guests, with the rec room being the focal point for evenings where people and their dogs get to know each other.

Fancy discovering more magnificent hotels in Lake Tahoe? Check out our guide to the best hotels in Lake Tahoe, California, bookable with Culture Trip.

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