Nestled on the southern shores of Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge literally has a strip of beach between its back doors and the lake’s lapping blue waters. Every room in this place boasts a majestic view of snow capped mountain peaks and sailboats bobbing on the lake. It’s seriously the type of scene that commands a busy family to slow down and take notice.

You’ll be captivated by the beauty; it certainly had my family’s full attention. We were lucky to stay in a room perched over the beach with windows full of the winter wonderland on both sides of us. Simply opening the drapes rendered the reaction of, “WOW!”

Both condominium and hotel style lodging are offered here. Cozy gas fireplaces, chunky log furniture and grizzly bear lamp fixtures make visitors feel like they’re staying in classic cabins. If you’re traveling with children, the condo arrangements are the way to go. The kitchen facilities in these rooms make breakfast with youngsters an easily executable matter before hitting the slopes. A toaster, microwave and coffee maker along with the standard kitchen appliances make it easy for older kids to pop in toast or waffles. Both Raley’s and Safeway markets are just minutes from the lodge, making it simple to stock up on provisions.

Whether you kick start your stay visiting with the resident ducks while walking on the lodge’s 500 feet of private beach or enjoy a soak in the hot tub, you'll find that the Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge has a great deal to offer. Conveniently located near convenience stores and fun boutiques, casinos, skiing and other activities, the friendly staff is all too happy to help you in hone in on points of interest that will suit your family.

Other amenities of the lodge include:
● A seasonally operated outdoor swimming pool and a year round hot tub
● An amazing full service day spa staffed by caring therapists
● Free wireless Internet access
● Free continental breakfast—including coffee and hot cocoa during the winter months
● In room DVD players

Nearby activities include:
● Ice skating at Heavenly Village: For about $15 dollars per person (including skate rental), your family can enjoy South Lake Tahoe’s only outdoor ice skating rink for the entire day ---rink re-entry is allowed even if you decide to remove your skates and return several hours later.

● A Mind Bending Magic Show: A Mind Bending Magic Show: Illusion Fusion at the Horizon Casino is fun from beginning to end. Illusionist Alex Ramon will make your kids laugh and then wince minutes later as he tosses Dad’s iPhone into a shrouded tank making them believe all the games and apps they’ve downloaded are lost. Audience members are pulled on stage at various points in the show so you may be traveling to the mountains with the Horizon’s next stars! Money saving tip: On Sunday’s, with each paid adult, a child under 12 is free.

● March in a Parade: Meet at the fountain in the center of Heavenly Village for the Ripperoo Kid’s Snow Parade. The resort’s ski school mascot caps off the ski day leading kids in song and dance complete with marching band. Kids receive hot chocolate and cookies from Seattle’s Best Coffee at the end of the parade. The Ripperoo Parade is from 4:30PM to 5PM, each Saturday through March 24.

● Sledding at Adventure Mountain: Sure there are sledding areas located closer to South Lake Tahoe but they are costly and they come with time limitations. If you’re willing to drive a short distance, an affordable and fun alternative awaits at the top of Echo Summit. Adventure Mountain (http://adventuremountaintahoe.com/) is open 7 days a week, weather permitting, and for a mere $18 PER CAR (not per person), you and your family can all ride your own sleds the whole day long.

● Enjoy some Arcade Fun at the Horizon Resort: Tucked away just down the hall from the Horizon’s casino floor, is a kids arcade complete with all sorts of fun opportunities to win tickets for prizes which you can later redeem at the arcade counter.


This review is based on a complimentary stay at the Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge in South Lake Tahoe, CA. I received no other compensation besides the hotel stay. The Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge did not request that I express any particular point of view and my reviews always express my honest opinions.

A Kona staple for the past fifteen years, this place often has a line extended out its front door. It is worth the wait of you have the patience though! Think huge servings of shave ice encasing your favorite ice cream or frozen yogurt flavor. Yeah, that's the way to cool off!

The crew of the Body Glove makes it all look so easy. They keep the atmosphere casual and fun yet at the same time make sure that every passenger on the boat is safe and following the rules.

Our voyage with them was amazing! Spinner dolphins jumped in front of the boat. We spotted whales and we snorkled in an area filled with fish. The crew was polite, plesant and fun. They were also playful with the kids and ever vigilant while their passengers were in the water.

The group sailing with us ranged in age from 2-mid-40's and all enjoyed the experience including the snorkeling!

The trip we took included a light breakfast, a sandwich bar-style lunch and unlimited fun on the boat's water slide.

Steeped in history and offering the best front row seat to Hawaiian sunsets, The Kona Inn is magnificent outdoor seating and a casual atmosphere for those gathering to watch that big orange ball drop onto the waters that lap Kona's shoreline. My family has actually been present when the entire patio has erupted into applause over the spectacle!

Our only complaint --- while there are many fresh tasty and delicious items on the adult menu, the Kona Inn has one of the most limited kid menus I've ever seen!

Who knew that Hawaiian Vanilla beans were the fruit of the vanilla planifolia orchid? I didn't until I visited the Hawaiian Vanilla Company!

Perched up in the green hills of Paauilo on Hawaii's Big Island, the place was founded by the Reddekopp family in 1989. More than two decades later family is still the centerpiece of the vanilla farm's operation. In fact, our tour was conducted by the Reddekopp's eldest son!

Apparently if you choose to come for a Vanilla Experience Luncheon, it would not be uncommon to be greeted and served by the other children in this family! If you are bringing children though, I would recommend the tour. Our guide did a marvelous job providing us with a brief overview of how vanilla is cultivated before walking us down to the Vanillery. Afterwards we enjoyed some beverages --- the choice of vanilla lemonade or iced tea--- as well as some vanilla ice cream before we browsed through their offerings of vanilla items to purchase. We were absolutely amazed by the many uses for vanilla! Vanilla corn bread? It never occured to me!!

If you decide to visit, make a reservation first!!