Harveys Lake Tahoe

Encased in dark, reflective glass, the towering Harveys Lake Tahoe could easily be mistaken for a corporate office. The interiors have an equally corporate vibe, and there's a large beige-walled lobby with escalators, seating areas and a tunnel leading to Harrah's Lake Tahoe, a sister casino hotel across the street. Guests here range from family travelers to casino-goers. The lobby and other public areas can get pretty busy at night with concerts and casino guests. There are 740 rooms and suites in total, and the property's gargantuan size gives it an impersonal feel.

Harvey's is located on the Nevada side of Stateline Avenue, which demarcates the California-Nevada border. It's right in the heart of one of the noisiest areas in South Shore, and the plethora of concert venues, restaurants, and casinos means that there's usually a lot of foot traffic in the area.There's a parking garage, a golf course, and casinos in the hotel's immediate area. It's a 10-minute walk from the shore of Lake Tahoe and a 15-minute walk to the Heavenly Ski Resort. The Lake Tahoe Airport is 15-20 minutes away by car, depending on traffic.

Rooms and suites at Harveys vary quite a bit, but all have simple modern decor. Generally, the higher category rooms are on higher floors and tend to be larger and better furnished than the classic "Mountain Tower" rooms, which have red accent walls, white bedding, and plaid bed runners. Though the decor is contemporary, upon closer inspection, some rooms are showing signs of wear, and elements such as the cheap popcorn ceilings indicate their true age. All rooms have safes but lack certain basics such as coffeemakers. Suites have separate living areas and 50-inch flat-screen TVs. Some Executive Rooms allow up to two dogs weighing 50 pounds or less, each. Bathrooms have free toiletries and shower/tub combos. Wi-Fi is available and one device is covered under the resort fee.

Harveys doesn't have many amenities for a hotel of its size, but there is an outdoor pool with a bar, adjacent whirlpool, and lots of lounge chairs; a spacious gym; a video game arcade; and, of course, a casino. There's also a multi-story parking garage, tons of conference space, and eight restaurants and cafes on-site, including a Hard Rock Cafe and a Starbucks. There's also a weekly stand-up comedy show, and concerts and other performances are frequently held in the on-site concert hall.