Resort at Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe Family Fun

Turning off the highway toward Squaw Valley, home of the 1960 winter Olympics, one can’t help but get excited passing by the Olympic rings. While we may not be world class athletes, we can certainly find a plethora of activities to challenge our inner jock at Resort at Squaw Creek. Then again, we can always relax in the lobby, or by the outdoor fire pit and take in Lake Tahoe’s natural beauty without breaking a sweat.

Resort at Squaw Creek, destination hotels, Lake Tahoe, California — Squaw Creek lobby. Photo © 2015 Nancy D. Brown

Step into the lobby, with its light-filled room and floor to ceiling picture windows, and you’ll be drawn into the grandeur of the Sierra Mountain range. The AAA Four-Diamond resort offers something for everyone at every season, from fly-fishing on the private stocked ponds or golfing the Robert Trent Jones Jr. championship golf course, to swimming in one of three pools, you’ll never hear the words, “I’m bored” uttered here.

Fireplace suite, Resort at Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe — Remodeled Fireplace Suite. Photo © 2015 Nancy D. Brown

The 405-room resort has recently undergone a $7 million guest room renovation, combining modern and mountain design elements. Warm wood tones and leather go hand in hand with the goldenrod colors and natural rock colors surrounding the fireplace. My fireplace suite, room #208, with a valley view, rents for an average of $254 per night, depending on the season. Check for current prices and specials on the website.

room service, Resort at Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe, California — Breakfast in bed. Photo © 2015 Nancy D. Brown

Resort at Squaw Creek dining

There are plenty of dining options at the resort to keep you fueled up and ready to go. I ordered room service my first day, as I had an early morning date with a trout at the resort’s private stocked pond. I wouldn’t say the fly-fishing was like shooting fish in a barrel, but let’s just say that with the help of some coaching from instructor Dan LeCount of Matt Heron Fly Fishing, I was able to successfully land several beautiful rainbows.

Bloody Mary Bar, Resort at Squaw Creek — Bloody Mary Bar. Photo © 2015 Nancy D. Brown

If you love a good buffet breakfast, complete with Bloody Mary bar, you’ll want to pencil in a morning at Cascades. Don’t tell my waiter, but I smuggled home some of Jason’s famous granola – delicious! Those looking for grab n’ go options should visit Sweet Potatoes Deli – this is also the place to pick up truffles from Tahoe City Chocolates. After an afternoon horseback ride at Alpine Meadows Stables I was ready for some bbq from Sandy’s Pub. The full size rack of pork ribs, smoked and slathered with house made Dr. Pepper barbecue sauce, was large enough to feed Fred Flintstone and the entire town of Bedrock. If you are interested in more upscale dining, Six Peaks Grille offers creative cocktails, along with gorgeous views of the valley.

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Sandy's pub, ribs, Resort at Squaw Creek — Ribs that would make Fred Flintstone happy. Photo © 2015 Nancy D. Brown

What’s a trip to Lake Tahoe without a dip in the pool and a visit to the spa? Loyal readers know that I don’t take my job as a travel writer too seriously, but I’m a firm believer in heads in beds. All of our hotel reviews on the What a Trip blog are written from first person perspective. That said, I couldn’t leave the resort without getting a spa treatment. My deep tissue massage was relaxing. I liked that the spa used California and Tahoe-based products.

I leave the golf reviews to my husband, so we’ll have to come back for a review of the Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed golf course.

Robert Trent Jones Jr., golf, Resort at Squaw Creek — Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course. Photo © 2015 Nancy D. Brown

Need to know:
Check in: 4:00 p.m.
Check out: 11:00 a.m.
There is a $25 daily resort fee which includes transportation to the village, wifi, nearby self parking, access to the fitness center and oasis pool complex. Valet parking is $20 per night.The resort is not pet-friendly (unless you are a condo owner) and is closed the first two weeks of November.

swimming pool, Resort at Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe — One of three pools. Photo © 2015 Nancy D. Brown

Insider Tips:
If you are traveling with kids, stop by the restaurant and pick up a s’mores kit for the outdoor fire pit. If you are driving up to Lake Tahoe, you are welcome to bring your own s’mores fixings. Attention golfers, Resort at Squaw Creek offers Twilight golf after 3:00 p.m. for $49. Such a deal! For additional insider tips follow @Nancydbrown on Twitter and @SquawCreek.