First look: The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe review
Editor's Note
- The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is a luxurious Marriott Bonvoy property that offers solid value for your points, especially during ski season.
- A two-year renovation has refreshed the property with nature-inspired designs, cozy amenities and elevated dining concepts.
- A variety of activities both on- and off-site make this ideal for either a relaxing retreat or a home base for outdoor adventure.
Fresh off a two-year renovation, a major points property in Northern California has debuted an extensive renovation, and TPG got a first look. Take a winding drive through the picturesque Sierra Nevada mountains, and you'll find The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe nestled in the pine forests off the north shore of its namesake.
The recent refresh extends to the hotel's guest rooms, dining and lounging spaces, fitness center and pool cabanas, as well as a brand-new on-site market. The centerpiece is the redesigned welcome area: A spectacular two-story stone pillar now invites guests from the first-floor lobby to the second-floor restaurant and bar.
I recently spent a weekend at the property to get a glimpse of its new look and amenities. Here's what I found.
Related: Stay at these amazing Ritz-Carltons across the world
First impressions
As part of the renovation, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe was redesigned to reflect the beauty of its natural surroundings by using earth tones, installing panoramic windows and using natural materials throughout spaces.
For example, the guest hallways are lined with carpet that mimics the water-polished boulders visible at the bottom of Lake Tahoe, and the light fixtures look like icicles. Meanwhile, common spaces are decorated with outdoor-themed artwork by local artists, some of which is for sale.
Despite the hotel's upscale feel (and price tag), the atmosphere in the dining and lounge spaces was casual enough to make this mountain girl feel right at home. For me, that's what really captures the spirit of mountain living.
The rooms
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is home to 170 updated guest rooms and suites. There are also 23 private residences, which feature between two and four bedrooms, full kitchens and outdoor decks fit for larger gatherings.
As part of the renovation, the rooms offer luxurious, nature-inspired touches like travertine tile and twig-shaped closet door handles.
I stayed in a one-bedroom suite, which included a king bed, an ensuite bathroom with a soaking tub and a living room with a second full bathroom. Both the bedroom and living room had TVs, fireplaces and mountain-view balconies. There was also a minifridge, complimentary bottled water, a coffee and tea station, a desk, and a small table with chairs for dining.
The room felt luxurious and relaxing, with muted tones complemented by touches of marble and nature-inspired artworks. Plus, there were robes and virtually any toiletry item you could want. My ensuite bathroom's soaking tub was perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring Tahoe. (I had some difficulty with the hot water, but I eventually realized that to get any heat you must turn the hot knob all the way, otherwise it will give you cold water.)
I particularly enjoyed the nightly turndown service, which included dimmed lights, water and slippers within easy reach by the bed, mini chocolates on the pillows, spa music playing from the TV and an optional aromatherapy menu.
Dining at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
The property offers four dining outlets with elevated mountain fare in a hip, casual setting.
Arranged around the hotel's towering central pillar is the Living Room Lodge, a seat-yourself space where you can enjoy views of the surrounding trees or warm yourself by the fire while grabbing a bite (or a full meal). You can also order handcrafted cocktails from the bar beneath a gorgeous glass chandelier made with pressed wildflowers.
For a slightly fancier but still low-key dining experience (the dress code is "smart casual"), Manzanita is a smaller, cozier restaurant with gorgeous natural touches, like a hosting table made from a tree trunk and a chic open kitchen.
Both menus rotate seasonally, with an emphasis on showcasing in-season ingredients. The dishes I ordered at Living Room Lodge — a summer salad ($18) and black-eyed pea hummus ($26) — felt very of-the-moment and were delicious.
At Manzanita, you'll find mountain fare with a twist thanks to the restaurant's team of Mexican chefs, with dishes like fettuccine en rajas ($31) and ahi tuna tiradito ($38). I ordered the pan-seared tofu with green mole ($34) and a side of roasted Nantes carrots ($14), which were cooked to perfection and extremely flavorful.
Then there's The Backyard, a casual outdoor spot where guests can relax by a fire pit, make s'mores, or order barbecue fare like smoked Thai chicken wings ($32) and brisket sandwich ($32). Indoors, the Cafe Blue coffee shop serves drinks that will put a pep in your step as well as grab-and-go breakfast and lunch bites, like a turkey burrito or vegan burrito ($17), muesli ($16) and alpine soup ($16).
Amenities and service
I experienced friendly, attentive service throughout my stay, whether I was ordering food or calling the front desk late at night for help connecting to the Wi-Fi. Here are some of the amenities the hotel offers:
- Nightly turndown service
- Outdoor swimming pool with kids' pool and whirlpool, as well as luxury cabanas available for rent
- Recently renovated fitness center with stunning views, plus two rooms hosting complimentary fitness classes
- An outdoor dining area with fire pits and complimentary s'mores (which they even vegan-ized for me) year-round
- Expansive spa offering massage and facial treatments, with men's and women's saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and pre-treatment lounges, plus an adults-only outdoor pool
- Two new on-site stores: the Alpine Exchange boutique for apparel and travel accessories, and the Alpine Market for snacks, drinks and toiletries
- Complimentary ski valet, gear rental shop and mountain concierge to help coordinate equipment
- Club Lounge
- Topgolf Swing Suite (available for a fee): a private sports entertainment simulator with food, drinks and your own personal attendant
- Seasonal Lake Club (available for a fee), including buffet, grill, paddleboards, kayaks and add-on guided excursions, and Mastercraft boat rentals
- Pet-friendly accommodations with up to two pets per room, with a $200 cleaning fee per stay
Things to do
With its complimentary ski valet, full gear shop and mountain concierge, this Ritz property allows guests to take advantage of the area's snow sports. Guests can enjoy ski-in, ski-out access to the Northstar ski resort, with an inter-mountain gondola steps away from the property. Several other resorts are within driving distance, including Palisades Tahoe (on the Ikon Pass) and Heavenly Mountain (on the Epic Pass).
If you visit in the warmer months, hiking opportunities abound, including a 3-mile trail that you can access directly from the hotel.
For an additional fee (which varies throughout the season), guests can access the supremely relaxing Lake Club. I took a guided paddleboard excursion with the hotel's partner, Tahoe Adventure Guides, then refueled on the Club's buffet and signature cocktails.
For a more affordable alternative, guests may opt to explore the public beaches and restaurants in Kings Beach, less than 10 miles away.
Other nearby activities include visiting the charming town of Truckee, golfing at various courses and seeing Donner Lake (where the ill-fated Donner Party spent the winter of 1846).
Location and logistics
The nearest major airport is Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), about 45 minutes to an hour away from the Ritz-Carlton. There's also the private Truckee Tahoe Airport (TKR), only 15 minutes away.
If you're coming from RNO, the North Lake Tahoe Express shuttle stops at the Ritz-Carlton and costs $99 (with discounts for multiple passengers). Ubers from RNO hover around $90 each way.
However, if you're staying more than a day or two and want to take advantage of some of the nearby attractions, you'll probably want to rent a car. Just keep in mind that the hotel charges $60 per night to park.
What it costs to stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe and how to book
Winter and summer months are peak seasons at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, so you'll find the lowest rates during spring and fall.
In November, you can snag a basic king room from $485 or 96,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, or a one-bedroom suite from $794 or 156,000 points. These come out to an uninspiring value of 0.5 cents per point — well below TPG's June 2025 valuation of 0.7 cents for Marriott points.
However, prices for a king room can reach $2,612 or 152,000 points per night on peak ski dates, providing a stellar value of 1.7 cents per point. If you prefer to travel during winter or summer break, this is a great use of your points and can save you thousands of dollars.
When booking The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, you'll want to use one of the credit cards that earn the most points for Marriott stays, and perhaps one that offers automatic Marriott Bonvoy® elite status for value-added benefits. These include:
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Platinum Elite status; and 25 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Gold Elite status; and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful® Credit Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Gold Elite status; and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Gold Elite status; and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Silver Elite status; and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 3 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Silver Elite status; and 5 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is also available on Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Edit by Chase Travel, where you can access elitelike benefits and earn bonus points.
Accessibility
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe offers several accessibility features:
- Braille is provided on hotel signage throughout.
- Hearing-accessible rooms with visual alarms and notification devices for door and phone are available.
- Mobility-accessible rooms with tubs and/or roll-in showers are available.
- You can see which room types offer which accessibility features on this page. The hotel also offers Americans with Disabilities Act kits, which can make any room accessible to a degree.
Bottom line
I enjoyed my stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe and would love to go back during ski season (especially if I can find award night availability).
Between the luxurious rooms, seasonal restaurant menus and a spacious spa, this property seems like a great fit for a NorCal solo retreat, romantic getaway or friends' spa trip. However, with so many kid-friendly activities nearby, you wouldn't go amiss bringing the whole family.
With a prime location at the heart of Lake Tahoe's outdoor adventure scene and relaxing amenities galore, the Ritz-Carlton will suit active adventure travelers as well as relaxation seekers — or those who want a mix of both.
Related reading:
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.