The newest and swankiest of Tahoe’s resort hotels, even if you’re not staying here the Ritz is a great meeting point during a day on the slopes. The lift from here to the Village at Northstar is free, for a start. Then there’s a Blue Bottle Cafe inside, serving up some of the Bay Area’s best coffee, and the kitchen turns out solid eats at both the outdoor grill and inside at any of the couches and overstuffed arm chairs in the free-form lobby. Need a break from skiing? Cozy up by one of the giant fireplaces with a nice cup of coffee and just take in the scenery for a moment. The spa here is also top-notch, as is Manzanita, the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant (although you’ll want to stay away on Mondays, when half-off locals night specials pack the place). If you do plan to stay, opt for a lower-cost room and save your money to spend in the spa or on room service, which is better here than at most hotels. The rooms are all very similar, and while the mountain views are nicer, none of the views here are really bad, and you’re unlikely to be spending much time in your room anyway. 

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