It’s late August and I’m on an epic Northern California adventure with my husband and our eight-year-old son. Lake Tahoe is the third leg of our sensational 12-day journey, right on the heels of San Francisco and Yosemite National Park. We’ve chosen to stay at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino for the private beach and to check out Stillwater Spa. This part of our trip is meant for relaxation; after almost a week of sightseeing in SF and hiking all over a National Park the size of Rhode Island, I’ve been envisioning sun (sunscreen, of course), sand and spa. Only Mother Nature has other weather-related plans for Lake Tahoe, whose summertime temperatures are normally near perfect in the high 70’s/low 80’s. A low-pressure system from the Gulf of Alaska was to blame for the winter-like cold snap and gusty winds that blew through during the weekend of our visit. I probably don’t need to tell you what happened to those sun and sand fantasies.
From the moment you drive into the wooded surroundings of the Hyatt’s parking lot, studded with some of the tallest pine trees you’ve ever seen, you’re instantly in an alpine paradise. Our luxury vacation began the moment we checked in when my husband and I were handed a glass of champagne before we even got our room key. The Hyatt has endless offerings for all seasons – and it’s a good thing too, because it seems like we experienced two or three seasons during our four-night stay (and I’ll give you a hint, one of them wasn’t summer). We couldn’t take advantage of all the great opportunities, but there’s plenty to do here.
We checked into room 121, an enormous Stillwater Suite with a semi-private terrace that overlooked the beautifully landscaped lawn and spacious outdoor pool area. As I write this, I still can’t believe how well furnished our King bedded suite was! Two flat screen televisions, two closets, a queen sofa-sleeper, a small dining table with chairs, a work desk with chair, a cozy reading nook with chair and ottoman, another chair and ottoman and various storage options. It was the perfect room for my family of three to spread out in, dine in and relax in after a busy day of sightseeing and hiking.
The room was decorated in a simple green, gold and burgundy color palette with richly textured throw pillows, fabrics and furnishings. Baskets of pinecones reminded us that we were in a forested retreat; the Portico Eucalyptus bath products brought a little bit of the spa into the room. I loved the wicker laundry basket in the bathroom for used towels, so much more civilized that throwing used towels on the floor (or leaving them on the floor of the bathtub, a trick I learned from a good friend). Keeping our eight year-old away from the sensor-activated mini-bar was no easy feat; especially considering it was loaded with sweet, salty and crunchy options to satisfy every type of snack craving.
Hungry from the long drive from Yosemite National Park, we opted for a simple dinner on the Sierra Vista Deck at the Sierra Café; the Café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. We enjoyed grilled Angus beef burgers and French fries with herb mustard dip. On another evening of our stay, we had a late dinner at Cutthroat’s Saloon – a sports bar and restaurant with a Wild West theme. Here we enjoyed inventive cocktails in mason jars, fish and chips and an oversized buffalo saloon salad. Both the Sierra Café and Cutthroat’s Saloon have kids menus with healthy options. For breakfast, I tried one of the Sierra Café’s Signature Specialties - a zucchini & cheese frittata made with Gruyere, goat and white cheddar cheeses, tomatoes and onions and served with ciabatta toast.
But perhaps my favorite dining option at the HR Lake Tahoe is Tahoe Provisions, a modernly rustic gourmet shop that is a divine combination of coffee shop, bakery, nostalgic candy shop and upscale deli. At breakfast, you won’t be able to pick just one of the house-made baked goods or creative juice blends or coffee concoctions. At lunch or dinner, try a Panini or specialty salad. Any time of the day, the delectable desserts will beckon you to try one. Tahoe Provisions has an excellent selection of hot and cold beverages, ice cream novelties, international wines and beer and S’mores kits for enjoying around the fire pits that dot the resort. Coffee bar height tables welcome you to sit for a while and read or use the wireless Internet service while enjoying a light meal or a treat and a beverage.
My plans for sand and sun were abandoned, but I wasn't about to give up on my visit to the spa. The 20,000 square foot Stillwater Spa spans two floors; the first floor houses the common areas – cedar sauna, steam room, fireside relaxation lounges, and lavish locker room facilities. On the second floor you’ll find the private treatment rooms. After a quick tour with interim spa director April, I was escorted to the private VIP locker room to change into my perfect weight cream-colored microfiber spa robe. I was just a tiny bit pleased that there was a chill in the air outside; I’ve been known to hunker down at the spa for a long while on just this type of cooler days.
I’d just settled into an oversized leather chair in the candlelit relaxation lounge, cup of Tazo Tea in hand, when my therapist Brad let me know it was time for my treatment. The 100-minute High Sierra Ritual ($295) is a multi-step treatment that fits in beautifully with the local surroundings. The first step is an exfoliation with dry brushes. If you’ve never been dry brushed before, I urge you to try it! Next, I was covered in oil and wrapped in plastic and thermal blankets for a detoxifying organic body wrap. While the oil did its hydrating work, Brad gave me an acupressure massage on my face and scalp. A hydrating balm was applied to my feet that were then wrapped in hot towels. The ritual ends with a 50-minute full body massage that combined Brad’s signature blended modalities of Swedish massage, acupressure and assisted stretching. The dry brushes are yours to keep for use at home.
It’s not easy getting off the treatment table after 100 minutes of stillness and bliss, but I took the elevator back down to reality (well, not “real reality”; just “vacation reality”) and picked up where I left off in the relaxation lounge with its cathedral ceiling and floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. Richly textured fabrics and a soothing earth tone color scheme were inspired by the forested Lake Tahoe surroundings. A great reading selection, subdued lighting and soft instrumental music beckon you to kick your feet up and stay for hours. Regretfully, it was eventually time to move along.
If you’ve ever hopped in the shower post-treatment and wondered “What am I going to cleanse my face with?” (the dispensers are filled with body wash, shampoo and conditioner), you don’t have to worry about that at Stillwater Spa. Just ask one of the ultra friendly spa attendants and they’ll bring you Comfort Zone skin care products (cleanser, toner and moisturizer) to use in the locker room area. At Stillwater, they’ve thought of everything you might need to get ready and have the best selection of vanity amenities I’ve ever seen at a spa. The spa was impeccably clean and well maintained. And then there were the showers themselves; not just any shower, mind you, but European Showers. At first, they were intimidating; so many nozzles, so many jets – six to be exact, spraying horizontally, plus rain and hand held showerheads. The water comes at you from every direction. Amazing!
Who doesn’t want a little refreshment when lounging around a spa relaxation room? Stillwater Spa didn’t disappoint. Following my therapist’s advice to drink plenty of water, I enjoyed a chilled glass of cucumber lemon water and a cupful of Woodstock Farms Cranberry’s Cove Trail Mix. Fresh fruit and a Keurig hot beverage center rounded out the refreshment offerings. When I noticed the nature-inspired paintings and photographs by a local artist, the attendants at the spa desk were more than happy to supply me with the artists’ business card.
Despite the luxurious surroundings, spa and casino, the HR Lake Tahoe turns out to be a very family-friendly place. Kid-style activities might include movies and popcorn at the pool on Saturday nights (in season). My eight year old was so pleased with his candy “winnings” from the bright and shiny arcade; I loved that the arcade was fully enclosed (read: soundproofed) and that I could hang out in a cozy chair right outside with my laptop and Wi-Fi and still keep an eye on him. We didn’t use Club Hyatt, but we passed by the club and observed kids enjoying the facilities with the counselors while their parents enjoyed some much deserved time away.
Outside, rows of thickly cushioned lounge chairs and plenty of umbrellas, to keep the sun-phobic types like me happy, surrounded a freeform pool. The best part is the indoor swim-out area where you can disrobe and leave your clothes and towels in a safe dry place, enter the shallow, warm water, and then swim out to the main heated pool area. What’s that falling from the sky? Is it rain? Maybe a bit of sleet? Lake Tahoe is 6,229 feet above sea level. That night, it snowed at elevations of 8,000 feet and I was really thankful for that enclosed swim out. There are two hot tubs – one just for adults (yeah!) and one for families. There is a separate shallow kids pool with spray features in a gated area that lets little ones have a bit of freedom so parents can relax. Nearby, also in a fenced-in area, is a small playground so the kids can blow off steam.
The resort was constantly buzzing with a fun-loving crowd. It could have been the array of private weddings and business functions, the XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon in Incline Village that passed right by the hotel or the special events hosted by the Hyatt, like Wines on the Water. Or it could be just one last attempt at enjoying a summer weekend on Lake Tahoe.
In the lobby, cozy built-in seats, stone floors, rich leather sofas and dark wood contribute to the lodge feel. I was drawn to see what was on the other side of the two-sided fireplace: the Grand Lodge Casino. I don’t make a habit out of gambling, although I’ve been known to spend a long weekend in Las Vegas most years, but I couldn’t resist the allure of trying out a few of the video gaming machines. The casino was hopping with activity on a busy Saturday night.
After a disappointing weather related cancellation (remember that winter-like cold front?), we finally made it aboard the 4:00 sailing of the Sierra Cloud, a 55-foot catamaran that docks (or buoys) at the Hyatt. The friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable crew of three took us on a 2-hour sail around Lake Tahoe; offering us blankets and towels for warmth and dispensing advice on which side of the boat would be the warmest and driest. The beer and wine were free flowing once we got underway and light appetizers of fruit, cheese and crackers were served, giving the whole adventure an air of sophistication and the feel of a private charter.
At this point, I’d love to be writing about how I relaxed in a cushioned lounge chair, under the cabana, on the 500-foot private Lake Tahoe beach in the warm sunshine. And about how I enjoyed a frozen cocktail and barbecue for lunch from the Lakeside Bar & Grill. That when I got bored of all that, I rented a personal watercraft from Action Water Sports, conveniently located right at the Hyatt. But you’ll just have to go experience the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino for yourself. And if you do, be sure to tell me all about it so I can live vicariously through you!
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino
111 Country Club Drive,
Incline Village, Nevada, USA 89451
Tel: +1 775 832 1234 Fax: +1 775 831 2171
http://laketahoe.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was offered one complimentary night stay and three nights at greatly reduced rates, plus a complimentary catamaran sailing for the purpose of writing this article. While this did not influence the article, Examiner.com believes in full disclosure.
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