Marriott Timber Lodge: A Review

The most noteworthy call-out about this hotel is its proximity to the gondola. When I say you are steps away from the gondola entrance, you are actually steps. For those of you who ski, you know walking in ski boots is the worst part about the sport, so having this convenience really made it a great way to start and end your day. For this reason alone, I would stay here again.

However, if you are not a skier or snowboarder, I wouldn’t recommend this hotel. A few of the disappointments we faced are included below.

Unfortunately, when checking into our room, I found miscellaneous pieces of hair on our bed and in the shower.

There were two phones in each villa, but one didn’t work.

The drawers in the dresser would get jammed every time opening and closing.

The shower was very old and stained.

The shower’s water handle was installed upside down, making it confusing at first to work with.

The hotel was huge, so the walk just to get to the lobby took a few minutes. This seems silly, but in ski boots it feels like an eternity.

The jets in the one hot tub did not work.

Overall, if you are coming to Lake Tahoe to ski, this is a great option with all the basic necessities you’ll need. In addition, they have a large outdoor pool with multiple hot tubs that feel great to take a dip in after a long day on the slopes.

If you aren’t a skier, I would recommend the Edgewood hotel. It’s a beautiful five-star resort, right by the water and a five-minute drive to Heavenly Village. There is a private golf course, spa and elegant dining. They also have a ski concierge team to bring your rentals to you so you don’t even need to leave your room to try on boots and get the right length skis and poles. They have a shuttle as well, that runs frequently to and from the mountain as it’s not walkable to the gondola.

The Marriott Timber Lodge has earned a three-star rating. Thanks for reading!

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Lake Tahoe. In need of further inspiration? Check out Mica Sangiacomo’s guide, 3 Days like a Local in Lake Tahoe.