When it comes to vacationing in Lake Tahoe, most Californians have a strong opinion of South Lake Tahoe versus North Lake Tahoe. It’s a little like the friendly rivalry between Stanford University and UC Berkeley alumni. Both South Lake Tahoe and North Lake Tahoe have their pros and cons. My favorite reasons to stay at The Landing Resort and Spa in South Lake Tahoe is because of its ideal location right across the street from the lake and it’s pet-friendly.
Opened in 2013 with 77 guestrooms and suites, the South Lake Tahoe property is high-end, yet family and dog-friendly. Check out the rooftop deck with fireplace. I love that all rooms include a stone fireplace and heated marble bathroom floors! The spa shower and whirlpool tub with Bulgari and L’Occitane en Provence bath amenities is another plus.
The staff is friendly and helpful. When our luggage was brought to the room, the valet pointed out the dedicated room for boots, skis and snowboards. Heck, they even offer in-room rental fittings for guests and complimentary van transport to the mountain.
If you want to work out during your stay, there is a fitness room, as well as an outdoor swimming pool. Personally, I liked hanging out in the hot tub.
Our room, #1205, was a pet-friendly superior lake king with gas fireplace, balcony and Lake Tahoe view. The lake view room rented for $400 – $800 per night, depending on the time of year. All rooms include Keurig coffeemakers and LCD flat panel televisions with DirectTV and premium HD channels.
Dining and libations at The Landing Resort and Spa
Jimmy’s restaurant is known for its extensive wine selection. Here in California, we know wine well and there’s no place like Jimmy’s Restaurant at The Landing for options in Lake Tahoe. From approachable to premium, the hotel serves wine priced for casual pairings to limited release wines and there’s always champagne for the high rollers. The collection, which exceeds 600 bottles from seven different countries, includes rare offerings from Sonoma and Napa Valley wine country, as well as a selection of international options. The Landing offers a captain’s list of 25 ultra-premium wines from both rare and coveted allocations such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti from Burgundy to high-end Napa Valley signatures like Araujo Estate Eisele Vineyard.
However, if you are seeking cocktails, they do offer some fun, handcrafted offerings such as the Jimmy’s Manhattan, Lavender Bee’s Knees and the Post-Prohibition Old Fashioned. The bar program is constantly changing at The Landing Resort. Ask the bartenders for their nightly recommendations based on fresh ingredients and aromatics they have in house. I understand that the General Manager’s favorite cocktail is the Lavender Bee’s Knees.
For dinner, be sure to try the wild game nightly special – it’s chef’s delicacy. I ordered the rack of lamb with roasted artichokes and my husband ordered the pan seared goose breast with roasted apple and caramelized onion bread pudding with a blood orange reduction sauce on a bed of kale with hazelnut and a black currant dressing. Save room for the homemade cookies for dessert, or better yet, get them to go and munch on them on the balcony of your hotel room.
Breakfast is cooked to order. $15 to $32 is the range of items (from Granola to Steak & Eggs.) Of course, there’s always room service.
The Spa at The Landing Resort
During my winter visit, I had the good fortune to visit the spa at The Landing. I enjoyed a 50 minute deep tissue massage with a CBD oil enhancement. There are four treatment rooms, in addition to a dry sauna and steam room. I recommend a trip to the outdoor hot tub for pre-spa appointments, in addition to the outdoor pool. There’s also a 24 hour fitness center open to guests if outdoor activities aren’t enough to get your heart pumping.
“The CBD Care Garden Massage oil helps reduce blood pressure, speeds up the muscles recovery process and improves skin health and alleviates stress,” according to Karly Matzen spa supervisor and massage therapist. “CBD, when ingested topically or orally, will also naturally loosen muscles to reduce pain and inflammation in the body. It is our most popular enhancement at The Landing Spa and easily my favorite to enhance for overall guest experience. ”
Need to know:
Starting rate for low season is $229 and high season is $329. The Landing recently became part of the Hyatt collection of hotels. What this means for guests is still unclear. The property does offer an AAA discount. There is a resort fee of $25. Perks include Valet parking, local shuttle, ski valet and storage, in-room ski/snowboard rental fittings, “Town Cruiser” bicycles, heated outdoor pool and hot tub, lake-view patio with fire pits, laundry facility, dry cleaning and pet-friendly rooms.
There is a hefty $75 nightly fee for bringing Fido along, but that rate includes dog food and water bowl, dog treats and dog toy. We loved that well-behaved dogs were permitted in the inside bar area, as meals from Jimmy’s Restaurant were served there. In the summertime, pets are welcome on the patio – and they have heat lamps! The Landing also offers complimentary transportation to Heavenly and South Lake Tahoe Casinos. We visited in the winter, but Edgewood Golf Course is next door.
Complimentary wifi is included.
Check in: 4:00 p.m.
Check out: 11:00 a.m.
Insider Tips:
Rooms 3301, 3302, 2301 and 2302 have the best views. The best pet friendly rooms are on the first floor, with beach front, rooms 1101 – 1105. We stayed in room 1205 and it was fabulous; in other words, there are no bad rooms! Don’t forget to ask for passes to the beach across the street from the hotel. For additional insider tips follow luxury travel writer @Nancydbrown on Twitter or Instagram @Nancydbrown and The Landing Resort & Spa on Instagram.
If You Go:
The Landing Lake Tahoe Resort & Spa (530) 541-5263
4104 Lakeshore Blvd.
South Lake Tahoe, California 96150
The Landing Resort & Spa review and all photography by travel writer Nancy D. Brown. As is typical in the industry, I received a complimentary media stay, however, all opinions are my own.