Finding a cozy retreat in Truckee
Here’s the California wimp in me talking: One of the greatest things about playing outside in the snow is having somewhere warm and cozy to retreat.
Renting someone’s home/cabin can feel like coming into a cozy home, but can also be a hassle to arrange. A successful lodging experience may be determined by thinking through details ahead of time: Is it centrally located? How much will the cleaning deposits add to the cost? Who will I call if something doesn’t work? Hotels are great for weekend stays; maid service is included (sometimes breakfast is as well!), you can reach the front desk any time day or night, and they are located more often than not in the middle of town. Some hotels can feel a bit sterile, however, so I tend to look at this option when we don’t plan to spend much time at home base.
Its refreshing, then, when you stumble upon a hotel that makes an effort toward being a cozy retreat. When we were tubing last week we stayed at the Hampton Inn and Suites. The first thing I noticed when coming in from the frozen tundra (okay, maybe a slight exaggeration) was a huge fireplace directly across from the front desk. It was a great place to warm up with the kids while my husband gathered our bags from the car. Mounted on the fireplace on the opposite side from the front desk was a large flat-screen tv, with several couches gathered round. Here was a perfect place to watch some Olympic sports or curl up with a good book. Behind the couches there were several tables and a buffet of games available. Throughout the weekend I noticed that the games were well utilized. This table area became like a dining room at home, groups of people would be hanging out there at different times. Also worth mentioning, behind the tables was the breakfast buffet area which, in the morning, offered both hot and cold breakfast items. So if you are looking for a cozy hotel with a good location, the Hampton Suites in Truckee is it.
We stayed in a studio suite. When you are traveling with kids, one ammenity I shoot for is some separation in the room between where the kids will be sleeping and my own bed. Without it, the entire room must be dark to get the kids to settle down and sleep, leaving me little ability to do much after their bedtime. The studio suite did not offer any separation. For an additional $40 per night you can rent a one-bedroom suite which has a wall with a door between the bedroom and the couch pull-out bed. The only drawback I find for this hotel is the price. During the high season studio suites cost $299/night and one-bedroom suites are $317 during the weekend (with a two-night minimum). Standard rooms start at $199. In April there is no two-night minimum, and suites are $259/$299. This drops to $149/$169 on weekdays. This cost, combined with lift tickets and skiis, would make a weekend getaway outside many families’ budget. If, though, you are looking for a luxury retreat, there’s something to be said for finding a cozy home away from home.
Note: Our family received a complimentary night’s stay. My review reflects our family’s experience there.
