Piney Incline Village is Lake Tahoe's most exclusive neighborhood, where lakefront vacation homes begin at $10 million. On site, the hotel showcases huge ceiling beams, wrought-iron chandeliers, leather seating, river rock and rough-hewn timber, and massive fireplaces. Clientele is a mix of international travelers.

The Resort at Squaw Creek features a lobby with massive stone fireplace. A 30-foot-high window wall faces narrow Squaw Valley's meadows and rugged granite mountains. A private chairlift provides ski-in, ski-out access.

This Tahoe hotel's stone-floored, wood-paneled lobby features glass etchings of Comstock-era scenes, as well as photos of founder Bill Harrah in riding boots or fishing gear, posing with celebrities.

Featuring chalet-style architecture and honey-hued wood, this development dominates Heavenly Village at South Lake Tahoe's main intersection. Opened in late 2002, Grand Residence Club includes ground-floor retail shops, ice-skating rink, and multi-plex movie theater.

Most of Lakeside Inn and Casino’s value-conscious clients are repeat visitors who appreciate the hotel’s small size and low-key rustic atmosphere. A registration area with wood paneling, wrought-iron chandelier, overstuffed leather chairs, and two-story rock fireplace reflects the updated mountain lodge-style décor throughout the inn.

All South Lake Tahoe's and Stateline, Nevada’s year-round attractions are nearby. Heavenly Ski Resort's gondola passes overhead en route to an observation deck, skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding, and summer hiking trails. The gondola's loading station is 100 yards away. A private beach on Lake Tahoe is another 4 blocks away. Casinos are within half a block of the Forest Suites Resort.

The view's the main attraction here—a glorious alpine vista of lake, mountains, and forests. In summer, the gold-sand beach across the street offers access to the lake's famously clear water. In winter, resort-run shuttles deliver guests to numerous ski resorts as close as Heavenly Ski Resort (two miles) and as distant as Squaw Valley (39 miles). All shuttle services are available for a surcharge.