Big Pines Mountain House

We’ve stayed at Big Pines a few times this ski season and have been happy with the large, clean rooms and attached kitchenettes. They worked perfectly for us as vegetarians. The managers and staff have been very responsive and helpful. Highly recommend it for a nice getaway with easy access to the liveliest spots in South Lake Tahoe.

The parking was a problem too. We returned from dinner one evening to a completely full lot. When I asked where guests should park, the front desk said it was first come, first served and that parking wasn’t charged for that reason. Meanwhile, vans with people living in them were taking up spaces. That’s not acceptable for paying guests. The staff were also unhelpful and not especially friendly. We were told our room would be ready in 15 minutes, but ended up waiting 45. Once we got in, it looked nothing like the online photos. It was spacious, but badly run down and in need of deep cleaning and renovation. The old appliances were filthy, the refrigerator was very loud, and the bathrooms were disgusting. My son crawled under the bed to retrieve his phone and came out covered in dust, so the room clearly hadn’t been cleaned properly. Several things didn’t work. The master bedroom TV was dead, and a wall outlet shocked me when I plugged in my charger, which is a serious safety hazard. The front door didn’t lock properly and had a large crack letting cold air in. I wouldn’t feel safe leaving valuables there. This place is poorly maintained, unsafe, and misrepresented online. I wouldn’t stay again and would strongly recommend looking elsewhere.

Our stay at Big Pines Mountain House was relaxed and fun. The staff were friendly and shared local tips that saved us time and effort. The room was spotless, the beds were very comfortable, and the amenities made everything more comfortable.

I stayed two nights at Mountain House Hotel with my baby, and we weren’t very comfortable. The room was cold, and the fireplace didn’t do much to warm it. The curtains or blinds wouldn’t close all the way, so people could see inside and light came in at night. It was too bright for my baby to sleep easily. The bathroom had leftover hair, there was gum stuck on the floor, and the room felt dirty overall. The microwave and fridge weren’t in great condition either. I appreciated that nobody complained even though my baby cried a lot because he was uncomfortable. The location was convenient, not far from downtown. I’d expected better comfort and cleanliness, especially while traveling with a baby.