This past year me and my partner enjoyed several road trips which took us to the Lake Tahoe area where we discovered some true “secrets” shared by the more than helpful staff as they prepared themselves for the onslaught of skiers, tourist and the “high season”. If you’re not a “snow bunny” or high-stakes gambler, but rather enjoy hiking, photography or just want to curl-up with a good book and you prefer a quieter more sedate trip to the Lake Tahoe area; this is the trip for you. The “off season” usually begins shortly after Memorial Day weekend and ends the third week of November. Make your travel plans prior to opening day which is always the third Friday in November and you will not only save a bucket-o-money, but will also be treated like royalty by the staff of the resorts, restaurants, and casinos as they practice and hone their hospitality skills prior to the glut of tourist and aforementioned “snow bunnies”.
The temperature this past November was perfect (27-50°F) and we did, in fact, enjoy some gentle snow flurries as we traveled over Donner Pass and overnight while in the area so check the weather and road conditions prior to leaving. You should always pack a sweater or light jacket as it can get a bit chilly at night or while enjoying outdoor activities at anytime during the year at Lake Tahoe. If you plan ahead, you can request a travel guide of the area. Take Interstate 80 towards Reno and exit at Exit# 188B onto CA-267 which will take you right to Lake Tahoe where you will take a left onto CA-28 which takes you across the California/Nevada border towards your destination of Incline Village, NV. This is considered the “fast track” when visiting the North Lake Tahoe area. Although during the off season, it seems that every route into the Lake Tahoe area is the “fast track” which will take you just around 2˝ - 3 hours to travel the 200 or so miles even if you resist the urge to stop at the numerous turnouts for some breathtaking photo ops. Don’t resist the urge…stop and snap a few scrapbook keepers.
Eventually you will reach your destination and our favorite town of the region, Incline Village, NV. Unlike the harried South Lake Tahoe area, North Lake Tahoe seems to move at a much slower pace and is nestled in the beautiful forests between the Mt. Rose Wilderness and Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. With Mt. Rose (Elev. 9700) and Diamond Peak looming in the background, you won’t find any huge casinos or garish high-rise hotels, but will encounter some remarkable private “castles” just off CA-28 on the few side streets and along the shore of Crystal Bay. The route is sprinkled with small B&B’s, a couple of convenience stores, a gas station or two and the occasional “mom & pop” motel, but the jewel of the area and your destination should be the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino. The Hyatt’s main tower will sneak-up on you as you approach as it is camouflaged green to blend into the surrounding forest. By far the most lovely property in its class and the only “larger” property in the area, it spreads from the main resort tower and its 15 floors down to the shore of Crystal Bay of Lake Tahoe. This is not your ordinary hotel and features heated outdoor lagoons, Jacuzzis’ complete with fire pits, spa treatments, a well-equipped fitness center, an cozy casino, a gift shop, a fun-loving Cutthroat’s Saloon and several restaurants. Use the concierge service and never “self-park” yourself, not here. It’s worth the tip and the concierge staff will cater to your every whim whether you need a toothbrush or tickets for a lake cruise.
The purpose of this particular trip was special as it was my partner’s birthday so I decided to go all out and reserved a suite on the Regency Club level which can only be accessed by using your room key in the elevator which grants you access to a private floor. Also included as part of the Regency Club level package is 24-hour beverage service, including coffee, teas, sodas, and bottled water, a deluxe continental breakfast, afternoon cookies and whole fresh fruit, evening hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and cocktails, and from 7:00-9:00pm each night you’ll be treated with the most decadent cordials and desserts that you’ll be up all night from the sugar rush. There is no need to use the mini-bar in your suite so don’t even think about breaking that seal for the $8 can of macadamia nuts. The beds are soft and comfortable although the television seemed small for the size of the suite. But why are you watching TV anyway? There’s so much more you could be doing.
For those of you that just can’t leave work behind or want to checkout the local area for activities, free wireless internet access is provided in your room if for whatever reason, you brought your own computer. Also as a Regency Club guest, you will have access to on-floor Lounge and Library which comes complete with a internet-ready computer for your use. If you forgot to bring your own book, don’t fret. There are several daily newspapers from the Bay Area and beyond, current issues of Newsweek and other timely periodicals to keep you stimulated and up-to-date on the outside world. Should you not find the couch in your suite suitable for reading or just want to get out of your room, you can use the big comfy over-stuffed chairs in the Lounge/Library for reading or the occasional conversation with another guest; although I never ran into a soul and had the entire room to myself each time I visited it. Whichever reading location you choose to use, you can catch beautiful views out the big picture windows of nearby Diamond Peak and the accompanying mountain range. Whether you are a hiker or not, you should plan half a day to drive up CA-431 into the mountains to the Mt. Rose Scenic Overlook where you can easily snap a roll (or chip as it may be) full of pictures in a relatively short length of time. You may also need to satisfy that burning desire to gamble in one of the big glitzy casinos, all of which are just a short drive down CA-28. We hit Harrah’s and took the underground tunnel over to Harvey’s. There’s no need to endanger yourself by trying to cross the busy freeway at ground-level.
During your stay, you’ll want to make reservations to eat at least one evening at the Lone Eagle Grille which is a short walk across the property and sits right on the shore of Crystal Bay. In fact the night we were there, the winds had kicked up and lake-spray was splashing up against the “wall of windows” like the staff had never seen before. Needless to say, we remained inside at our warm and cozy fireside table which you should request when making your reservations. Joyce was our server for the evening, but we felt that all the staff were there just for us. Remember it’s the “off season” and the entire staff was very attentive and friendly so be extra nice when you calculate that tip. You won’t be rushed through your meal and are encouraged to sit and chat for hours if you so choose. For a more casual meal, you can visit the Sierra Café and the Ciao Mein Trattoria which is in the Hyatt tower itself and offers a wide variety of foods from burgers to the “catch of the day”. Again, the staff is professional and cordial and Shanna made us feel right at home. Since it’s the “off season”, not all the restaurants such as the Lakeside Beach Bar and Grill won’t be open for business, but that won’t spoil your trip and you can still walk the private beach and decide for yourself if you would ever be able to actual take the plunge and go for a dip in the always cold water of Lake Tahoe.
I used my AAA membership and paid half the normal nightly off season rate which is around $300/night depending on the days of the week you’re staying. Always try to plan your stay to fall on a Sunday through Thursday anytime you travel or you’ll pay top dollar no matter when you go. And remember, these rates triple during the “high season” for the same room and amenities. If this still sounds too steep for your budget, remember to take into account the huge suite complete with wet bar for entertaining, the free daily meals and hors d’oeuvres, plus the level of service and it turns out to be quite the bargain. If you’re still not convinced, choose a one of the lower-priced rooms without all the freebies and extras. You’re not going to see the inside of your room that much anyway. And be sure to enroll in Hyatt’s Gold Passport program before you go because something tells me that once you’ve found this “jewel in Tahoe” you’ll be going back for more.
Whichever you choose, remember to enjoy yourself by splurging on a spa treatment after a quick workout. And if you don’t do anything else during your stay, nothing surpasses a nighttime dip in the heated lagoon and Jacuzzis’ surrounded by an open fire and the somber sounds of jazz wafting through the beautiful landscaping. Trust me on this one!
On the return trip and for a different view of Lake Tahoe, you can return on CA-28 which turns into CA-89 and then take CA-50 towards Sacramento and eventually back to I-80 and the Bay Area. This route will take you down the west side of Lake Tahoe which is completely different and highly commercialized unlike the east side which is primarily a state protected forest.
Here’s to a Memorable Trip!
* The views and description of amenities expressed in this article are those of the author and should not be misconstrued as an endorsement for Hyatt Regency, Lake Tahoe, or any of the other activities or properties mentioned herein. It is meant only as a guide and your visit may be different for better or for worse.