Squaw Valley Lodge
9 reviews for Squaw Valley Lodge
I got a great deal on http://hotels.com for my 2nd stay at Squaw Valley Lodge. I didn't realize the condos were all individually owned but I've had great luck with the studio suites I've been in both times.
This time I was in #238, which was lovely. It had a super comfy L-shaped sofa, a shelf of books, stocked kitchenette (paper towels, pots, pans, utensils, etc.), dvd player, and a fan (which I discovered after being hot all night, oh well).
Olympic Village is DESERTED in May but it was very peaceful at the lodge (I think we saw about 5 other guests total the whole weekend). The whole area was quiet and peaceful actually, which was perfect for a nice relaxing weekend.
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12/21/2008
During the off-season this is a great place to stay. You can find tons of deals online that make it… Read more »
GREAT for the pre-season.
A buddy and I crashed here this week for some pre-season skiing before the slopes got busy and found this place to be awesome. Since no-one shows up till Xmas, they have incredible deals though Central Reservations (ours was $110/night) for the regular Queen room, and it says "you may be eligible for a complimentary upgrade to a suite." We figured that was just a lure, but we arrived at 10am (long before the standard 3pm checkin) and they not only upgraded us for free, but let us check in early.
The room is loaded with amenities for a longer stay. TV, stereo (including tape decks!), dining table/chairs, pull-out coach, love seat, coffee table, bureau drawers, wireless internet, queen bed, ski rack, closet, big bathroom, central air (not the noisy window unit), and a full kitchen (burners, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, plates, silverware, bottle opener, glasses, blender, pots & pans etc - the works! - no stove). Although we didn't use them, we did see the gym, pool, sauna, and jacuzzi's.
Unlike other reviews, we experienced no unsavory smells, the "fancy" toiletries smelled good and didn't leave any slime. Overall, I was really happy. We were about a 3 minute walk to the Gold Coast cable car (and ticket sales) so it's not really ski-in/out, and there is no breakfast so this isn't a B&B.
On our checkout day, they let us check our bags into the bellboy room, ski all morning, and then go to the big gym locker room and cleanup before heading back to Monterey.
Overall - no complaints, although, not sure I would want to pay $300/night for holiday season.
This place is T I R E D. We refused our first room since it was so funky, and the second room wasn't much better, although it was a bit larger. All of the condos are individually owned, so you basically get a big surprise when you open the front with regard to furniture/furnishings. In this condo, the beds were so frigging hard it was difficult to get a good nights sleep.
The living room didn't have any table or floor lamps, just VERY BRIGHT FLUORESCENT OVERHEAD LIGHTS that made you look green. We were wearing our sunglasses inside any time we were in there. The bathroom was pretty standard and had decent toiletries and fluffy towels, and the fully stocked kitchen was a plus.
The meeting room that we used was another VERY TIRED room, and the catering - from Wildflour - featured under ripe fresh fruit, very sticky and damp danish, and not enough of it for what we were paying. Jeeze. It was kind of weird, since I had a breakfast bagel the very next day at Wildflour, and it was delicious. I guess their strength is not in their catering skills.
I also had a massage there from one of their on-call therapist. I wasn't expecting anything fancy, but the massage room was basically a large linen closet and was freezing - not very conducive to relaxation. I was eying the hot tubs, but decided against going in when I realized they were co-ed and my (male) co-workers were blissfully soaking their privates in 'em.
Ack!
I like this place. It's very convenient if you plan to spend a weekend on the slopes because you can retire to your cave within a few steps from the slopes which is super nice after a very tired day of skiing!
The 1-bedroom suite we've stayed in is also nice because there's a kitchen, so often times we make a pre-run to Safeway and retreat to our little cave with home-made dinner and/or breakfast.
The bathroom also has tiles that will heat up (by water) so when you get out of the shower your feet will feel warmth instantly. There's also a nice cozy fireplace and two tvs.
This was my first experience staying slope-side, and it convinced me that this is the way to go. Extremely convenient and you save a lot on food.
That being said, I maybe expected a little more for the price we paid (3 nights for ~$1850 for a "regular winter season weekend"). We had six people in a two bedroom suite. This would be nice for two couples, but it was awkward for two couples and two singles. The common area was pretty small. The table only sat four and only seating for five on the couches and lounge chairs. The two bedrooms were large, and each had a connecting bathroom. That meant that one had to enter a bedroom to use the bathroom. We didn't really want to close the bedroom door at night, but we didn't want the people sleeping in the living room to feel like they couldn't use the bathroom at night.
Pros:
- Proximity to slopes
- Free underground parking
- Excellent Housekeeping
Cons:
- Pricey
- No wireless internet - there was wired internet, which ran through one of the cabinets.
- Toaster didn't work and we had to get a replacement
- Said the hot tub closed at 10pm. At 8:50, an employee came out and said hot tub closes in 10 minutes. Hmm, seems like it would close in 1 hr and 10 min...
Nice room, though I don't think that it is worth its cost. Ours had a nice room with a pull-out trundle bed, enabling us to sleep four. There was a fairly complete kitchen that we were unable to utilize, as we were justing staying for the night. And honestly, if someone is paying $300 for the night, are they about to bring safeway sandwiches? I think not. And how does one "ski-in, ski-out" of a second floor room. I just don't understand, though I am just a beginner skiier. I guess you have to be a double black-diamond skiier to attempt this ski-out.
Funky toiletries were provided. Their "spa" soap, shampoo, and conditioner were all of kelp. So where you expected a sweet-smelling clean, you were left smelling slightly briny and seaweedy. Weird. Worse than garlic ice cream in its dissonance.
The receptionist gave us a frosty welcome, but her colleague was very pleasant. I really don't think that this is a four-star place, despite its price. I think it has much to learn from the Ritz.
Only loses one star for no breakfast and the high seasonal prices! Still, we got a good deal through Travelocity on a "studio suite" - about 700 sq ft with a full sized kitchen (stove, fridge, dishwasher, dishes and other shit - the most crucial of which was a bottle opener :)). The pool was crowded (but big) and there are 3 "spas" (germ-infested chlorinated hot water, no doubt). Nice dining area, desk, TV, sofa (pull-out, I think) and slightly separate bed area. Nice bathroom. Can't be snotty or snide about a damn thing other than they don't allow dogs unless you own a condo there - bollocks!
This is a little gem- so why the low score? I assume people expect luxury accommodation and some of these units are a little dated. They are all very well maintained- just not the 4 Seasons. So what makes it a gem? It is one of the few true ski in / ski out at Squaw. It also has a pool (not heated) and huge outdoor hot tubs throughout the property. The units all come with mini kitchens so you can have breakfast in the room and keep beverages cold for the afternoon. The Village at Squaw Valley is also a great option in the valley but if you are not careful you can have to walk a distance from your room to the lift. Another bummer- if your room faced the inside of the village you can hear the late night bar traffic. Granted if you get slope side at the Squaw Valley Lodge you could be woken up by the grooming equipment as it heads up the mountain...personally that is music to my ears. In the summer the hotel also has tennis courts and a fitness room that is well equipped.
Squaw Valley Lodge is our second choice when we cannot get rooms at Resort at Squaw Creek or it was just way too expensive. It is a good hotel to go if you are going with a group of people(6 or more), it has a fully equipped kitchen so you can make breakfast or dinner. One good advantage of this resort is that it is very close to the Squaw One Express Life which is only about 50ft. It is a blue lift so if you are just the beginning then depends on which building you live in you will have to walk a considerable distance before you can reach the ticket booth and the cable car. If you decided to stay here always book in advance way advance and try to arrive early so you can find a good parking spot, the lower level parking is only 6'6" tall so make sure your car does not go over that height before you enter. Overall the rooms are nice, clean, staffs are helpful and location is very convenient.