If you have a Tahoe trip on your list for the coming months, we’ve got the spot for you. The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe offers families the ultimate in conveniences, large rooms and a gorgeous spot in the woods for your next Tahoe adventure. With so many things to do with kids in Lake Tahoe, you’ll definitely want to book at room at the Ritz-Carlton ASAP. Read on to find out why!
photo: The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe
Ritz Carlton 101
The Ritz-Carlton is mid-mountain at the Northstar California Resort with majestic views of the surrounding slopes from almost every guest room. The imposing building is a contemporary take on the classic mountain lodge, with an enormous granite fireplace column as the centerpiece of a lobby-slash-main lounge. It’s a larger, more luxurious version of your ideal living room, with a killer view outside every window. Most of the guest rooms have fantastic views as well and they all have their own fireplace.
photo: Kate Loweth
Winter at the Ritz-Carlton
Skiing with kids can be overwhelming but your stay at the Ritz-Carlton comes with tons of conveniences to make it a million times easier. It starts with the gear—get your family fitted and geared up in boots, skis or snowboards and helmets on-site at the Ritz-Carlton. When you are ready to ski, get your pre-warmed boots (yes, pre-warmed!) from the valet and head outside where your skis and snowboards are waiting for you. They put your gear right on the snow and off you go!
photo: Kate Loweth
The Ritz-Carlton is located right next to Northstar so you can ski on to the slopes right from the backyard of the Ritz-Carlton. You can even book a lesson and have your instructor meet you at the Ritz-Carlton—it’s that easy! Kids can head to ski school at Northstar to spend the day learning with their peers while parents enjoy the slopes on their own.
photo: Kate Loweth
Check out the daily activities calendar to see what’s being offered during your stay. Every afternoon you can gather at the backyard fire pit for Marshology, the ultimate s’mores making experience with house-made marshmallows that are out of this world. When your achy bones need some relaxation, the heated outdoor pool and hot tub is the place to be. There’s even an adults-only pool located outside the spa.
photo: Kate Loweth
The Village at Northstar
Take the gondola from the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe down to the Village at Northstar where you’ll find ice skating, snow tubing, snowshoeing, live music and tons of fire pits where you can sit and relax. It’s free to ice skate and you can rent skates on-site for $20.
photo: Bourbon Pub
While you are in the Village, make a reservation at Bourbon Pub to try out their killer burgers, unique mixed drinks and relaxing environment. This restaurant by Chef Michael Mina is great for families as the menu is full of kid-friendly options like warm soft pretzels, burgers and steak. If you are a turkey burger fan, we definitely recommend Bourbon Pub’s heritage turkey burger that’s topped with guacamole, pepper jack cheese and harissa mayo. Be sure to save room for the warm cookies!
photo: Kate Loweth
Dining at the Ritz-Carlton
The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe has a number of dining options for those looking to stay on property. Manzanita is their upscale option that’s great for a parents-only meal or a family dinner at the chef’s table. The open kitchen and lively bar area keep it casual while the food is anything but. Duck breast with a cherry jus and Pacific Halibut with sunchokes are just two of the delightful options. On weekends they often have a buffet option that’s great for kids with burgers, pasta and brownies.
Other on-property dining options include the Backyard Bar & BBQ that’s great for a mid-ski lunch, dining in the Living Room around the massive fireplace and Cafe Blu—a counter-service cafe offering paninis, coffee and more.
photo: Kate Loweth
Take Your Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe Vacation to the Next Level: Club Level
Families looking to upgrade their Ritz-Carlton experience even more should consider booking a club level room. You will get 24-hour access to the Ritz Club on the fifth floor where you can get coffee, snacks, cookies and even adult beverages all day. The breakfast spread is robust with fruit, cereal, oatmeal, hot items like eggs and sausage and even an omelette station on some mornings. There are plenty of options for even the pickiest eaters and it will definitely make your stay easier by being able to grab a snack or a meal in this relaxed environment.
photo: The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe
And When the Snow Melts
It’s easy to see why the Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe is the ultimate in luxe ski experiences: the ski-in, ski-out access, a gondola connection to the Village at Northstar, the fireplaces everywhere and the heated outdoor pools make for a wonderful winter retreat. But the hotel also is also ideal for a family summer vacation in the great outdoors.
The surrounding area has numerous trails for hiking and mountain biking. During the summer months, the gondola can be used for bike-in, bike-out access: imagine riding to the top of the mountain with your bikes clipped to the gondola, and then biking downhill. It’s also only a 15-minute hotel shuttle ride to downtown Truckee and the north shore of Lake Tahoe with all the beach activities and water sports it has to offer.
photo: The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe
Luxury at the Lake
With the opening of the Lake Club, your family can experience Lake Tahoe in Ritz-Carlton style. Designed by local architect Clare Walton, the clubhouse is a stunning mix of modern and mountain rustic, with steel and glass mixing with stone and wood throughout. The space can be booked for events or simply used a gorgeous base for a day by the water. Visit the Lake Club from Memorial Day through Labor Day for an additional fee.
Besides the beautiful building, one of the primary pleasures of the Lake Club is the ability to launch for a myriad of water sports, including kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, water skiing, wake surfing and sailing and fishing charters, from the club’s private boat pier. You can also rent out luxury boats right from the Lake Club.
photo: Kate Loweth
The High Life as a Ritz Kid
After a day in the sun or on the slopes, return to the hotel proper for some serious pampering. From the heated pool to the arcade to the daily s’mores-making activity at the outdoor fire pit, the hotel makes for a kids’ dream staycation. If they didn’t get work out all their energy with skiing and hiking and swimming, they will also love roaming the sprawling grounds behind the hotel known as The Woods. It’s essentially the biggest backyard ever with its inviting grassy fields, bocce court and oversized lawn games.
photo: The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe
Guests can also enroll their children in the Ritz Kids program. This club for kids from age 5 to 12, features half day and full sessions centered around creative activities in the Ritz Kids Room or outdoor adventures around the hotel. They also offer a night program for kids so that parents can go upscale for their dinner.
photo: The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe
A Vacation for Parents, Too
The Ritz-Carlton doesn’t neglect parents either. Be sure to get some relaxation time in the stunning spa—it’s open to all guests regardless if you’ve booked a treatment. The facilities include separate relaxation lounges for men and women, each with a sauna, steam room and whirlpool Jacuzzi, as well as an outdoor, heated, adults-only lap pool. Tucked away from the bustle of the rest of the outdoor amenities, this pool is a delightfully serene spot to sunbathe against a stunning mountain backdrop.
Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe
13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Ct.
Truckee, CA
Online: ritzcarlton.com/lake-tahoe
—Kate Loweth & Anita Chu
Editor’s note: This visit was paid for by the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe but all opinions belong to the author.
RELATED STORIES
Winter Wonderland: How to Do Tahoe With Kids
Where to Go Tubing & Sledding Near the Bay Area
Retreat to Reno for Your Family’s Next Mountain Vacation
