Located in the Sierra Mountains, South Lake Tahoe is a popular tourist city in northeastern California. It is known for its ski resorts, such as Kirkwood, Sierra at Tahoe, and Heavenly as well as for its vibrant nightlife, casinos, shopping, and restaurants. There are quite a few activities you can do with your fur buddy as well, including dog parks and beaches.
True to its name, it is located on the southern banks of Lake Tahoe, so you and your cuddly canine companion can enjoy all sorts of water activities here, including swimming, boating, water skiing, and fishing. During the winter, tourists flock to the area for cross-country and alpine skiing. However, dogs are not typically allowed on the slopes.
There is no shortage of hotels and motels in South Lake Tahoe either, with many of them being dog-friendly. In fact, there are close to 100 to choose from. Whether you are searching for a hotel on the beach where you and your pooch can swim and play, a place with an indoor pool, or a luxury hotel where you can be pampered, we have it on our list of the top 15 best dog-friendly hotels in South Lake Tahoe.
Quality Inn South Lake Tahoe
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/hotel-pine-blvd-south-lake-tahoe.en-gb.html
4127 Pine Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Best for: Ski resort Overall
Not even a half of a mile up the road from Heavenly Village and Gondola, Quality Inn is not just an average hotel. In fact, it is one of the lowest-priced places around, and they only charge $15 per night for dogs. They also have free breakfast, a heated pool and hot tub, a sun deck, a picnic area, and an outdoor fireplace. And being just a block from Lakeside Beach is also a plus during the summer.
You get free ski passes for the Heavenly Village Gondola to take you up the hill for a bit of skiing. However, dogs are not allowed to join you so you will need to find a pet sitter. The rooms range from a small single queen bed to a huge two-bedroom with a living room, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a sofa bed. You only have a few miles to get to Bijou Dog Park, where your poochie can play off the leash with other fur babies.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $15 per night per dog.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two.
Hotel Azure
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/hotel-azure-formerly-inn-by-the-lake.html
3300 Lake Tahoe Boulevard,, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Best for: Large dogs
No matter whether you have a little pooch or a humongous hound, all dogs are welcome to join you at Hotel Azure. The small fee of just $25 per day includes the cost of the dog bed, bowl, treats, and doggie bag. After you get your fur buddy settled, go check out the pool and hot tub or get in a good workout at the gym. If your cuddle buddy is not used to being left alone, you may want to consider hiring a local pet sitter to keep him company while you explore.
There are plenty of dog-friendly places nearby to take your pup to as well. Bijou Dog Park is a short walk from the hotel and allows your dog to play with the other dogs off the leash in a safe environment. Fallen Leaf Lake and Echo Lakes are also pup popular. You can choose from any size room, from a 250-square-foot single queen to a deluxe two-bedroom suite with 1,150 square feet.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $25 per night per dog.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two.
Motel 6-South Lake Tahoe, CA
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/motel-6-south-lake-tahoe.html
2375 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Best for: No pet fee
Wherever you go, there is always a Motel 6 nearby… and they always allow pets with no pet fee at all! This one has no weight or breed restrictions either, so you can bring your pup here without worry. And with the extra money you save from not having to pay a pet fee, you can take your pooch out to do something special. There are more than 30 pup-friendly restaurants in South Lake Tahoe to enjoy, like the Burger Lounge and Artemis Lakefront Cafe.
Back at Motel 6, you and your canine companion can enjoy the free Wi-Fi flat-screen TV with premium cable, and you can grab some snacks from the snack bar or vending machines. Or you can enjoy the pool (sorry, no dogs allowed) or just soak up some sun. If your pooch likes to swim, the beach is nearby, and most of them are dog-friendly as long as he is leashed.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: None.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two.
Beach Retreat & Lodge at Tahoe
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/south-lake-tahoe-3411-lake-tahoe-boulevard.en-gb.html
3411 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Best for: On the beach
Speaking of the beach, the Beach Retreat & Lodge at Tahoe is right on the waterfront so you and your cuddly canine can pick a spot on the sand and relax or splash around in the water. You get a stunning view of the mountains in the backdrop, so it is a great spot for selfies. The hotel has a whole floor just for pets and their pup parents on the bottom floor with patios to give you easy access to walks on the beach. Be sure to bring doggie bags.
Pick from a single king or double queen room. They all have patios with seating and lake or garden views, flat-screen TVs, and premium bedding. Get out and enjoy the area no matter what time of year it is because Lake Tahoe is a skiing community where you can hit the slopes or do some cross-country skiing as well. The hotel has a shuttle that takes you to Heavenly Village for skiing, dining, and shopping.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $35 per night for one dog. $15 per night for each additional dog.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two.
3 Peaks Resort & Beach Club
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/3-peaks-resort-beach-club.en-us.html
931 Park Avenue, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Best for: Affordable
If you want a pup-friendly hotel that is less than $100 but still has all the amenities, 3 Peaks Resort is where to go. Less than half a mile from Lakeside Beach, you and your pooch are within walking distance of a swim or walk on the sand. With views of the lake on one side and the Sierra Mountains on the other, there is no room without a view here. And for under $100, you can pick from a double queen room or king with a fireplace.
During the winter, you are just two blocks from the Heavenly Village Gondola, which will take you up to the best skiing in the area, as well as shopping, dining, and clubs to enjoy. They even have a gorgeous pool. However, your fur buddy will have to skip the adventures to the slopes and the pool. The hotel will help you find a dog sitter, though, since you cannot leave him alone in your room.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $25 per night per dog.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: Up to 60 pounds each.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two.
Forest Suites Resort at the Heavenly Village
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/forest-suites-resort.en-us.html
1 Lake Parkway, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Best for: Family friendly
With a game room featuring an Xbox game center with two terminals, dart boards, basketball, foosball, and a pool table, the kids will never get bored here. In fact, they would be happy just staying at the resort the whole time you are in South Lake Tahoe. There is also a kid-friendly breakfast buffet with sweet pastries as well as hot meals. The two pools are open from May to November, so you and your little ones can enjoy a swim too.
Out in the yard, the kids can play lawn games while you enjoy an adult beverage or two while relaxing in a shaded hammock. Your furry family member will enjoy his stay too and will be greeted with his own special dog bowl and tasty treats. There is even a whole dog-friendly building just for pup parents. Nearby, take your cuddly canine for a meal at Sprouts Cafe, Basecamp Pizza, or Jimmy’s at the Landing.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $50 per night.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two.
The Landing Resort and Spa
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/the-landing-resort-and-spa.en-us.html
4104 Lakeshore Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Best for: Spa
Speaking of Jimmy’s at the Landing, you will find it at the pup-friendly Landing Resort and Spa, less than five minutes away at the beach. This 5-star hotel has an amazing spa right on the water. Relax and enjoy a massage, aromatherapy, a facial, reflexology, or a body wrap. They also offer many of their exquisite wraps and skin care items for sale at the boutique. Although your pooch cannot go to the spa with you, he is welcome to join you for a meal at Jimmy’s.
The resort also has a fitness center with treadmills, bikes, steppers, and more, as well as a heated pool and hot tub. If you want to take your pup for an adventure, grab your free beach passes for Lakeside Beach. It is just across from the parking lot. And each room has a 55-inch TV, fireplace, espresso machine, pillow-top bed, robe, and slippers, as well as heated floors and toilet seats.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $75 per day.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/hard-rock-amp-casino-lake-tahoe.en-gb.html
50 Highway 50, Stateline, NV 89449
Best for: Casino
Just three miles from South Lake Tahoe in Stateline, Nevada, you can enjoy a deluxe room with a casino on-site. In fact, the casino is bigger than the hotel! You will find more than 500 slot machines, 24 game tables, and a sportsbook, as well as a baseball deck, vibe pit, and tournament zone. There are also a couple of bars and three restaurants, including the Oyster Bar, Center Bar, Fuel, Park Prime, and Alpine Union.
The hotel and casino also have five retail shops that include Hair of the Dog, Revolt Tattoos, and the Rock Shop. You can enjoy a swim in the heated pool or relax in the hot tub on the promenade between the Heavenly Tower and Sunset Tower, or get a good workout at the gym. And you can choose from a classic room with a double bed to a deluxe queen room with two queen beds and a lake view.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $65 per pet per night.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: Up to 60 pounds each.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two.
Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/lake-tahoe-resort-hotel.html
4130 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Best for: Indoor pool
If you want an indoor pool where you can swim no matter what the weather is like outside, Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel has that and more. The large pool is even lighted at night as is the whirlpool hot tub. What’s more, part of the fee you pay for your dog goes to the Heavenly Avalanche Rescue Dogs! And the Echo Restaurant has a dog-friendly patio where you can grab a bite to eat with your cuddle buddy. Unfortunately, pups are not allowed in the pool though.
But your pooch is allowed to join you on a horse-drawn sleigh ride that is right there at the hotel. You get a narrated tour that lasts 45 minutes for just $50. And they have it all whether you want a standard king suite with 548 square feet and a wet bar or a 1,098-square-foot family suite with a kitchen, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms. Of course, there are several parks in the area that allow dogs, including the Van Sickle Bistate Park, less than a half-mile away.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $50 per day per dog.
- Pet deposit: $75 per day refundable.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: Up to 25 pounds each.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two.
Big Pines Mountain House
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/big-pines-mountain-house.en-gb.html
4083 Cedar Avenue, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Best for: Jacuzzi
Get the King Jacuzzi room at the Big Pines Mountain House, and you can relax in your own hot tub with jets. You do not have to go to the spa to get what you need. The room also has a fireplace, fridge, microwave, and cable television. Located just a half-mile from the beach and less than a quarter mile from the Heavenly Mountain Gondola and shopping plaza, this is the prime spot to be for all fun activities.
This family-friendly hotel also has a large gated pool with pool toys, a barbecue grill, and plenty of seating. Dogs are not allowed in the pool so you will have to get a sitter. There is no restaurant, but you are only a few hundred feet from Poke Rok, Taqueria Jimenez, and Super Taco. If you want to dine with your pooch, get your food to go, and you can enjoy a meal in the picnic area.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $25 per night.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two.
Desolation Hotel
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/desolation.html
933 Poplar Street, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Best for: Kitchen
No matter which room you choose at the Desolation Hotel, it will have a kitchen with a stove, oven, fridge, microwave, and kitchenware. That means you do not have to eat out for every single meal, even though both restaurants here are awesome. Maggie’s Restaurant is the place where you can go to get sophisticated food and craft cocktails with a mountain view. Velma’s Pool Bar brings all the cocktails and some of the food from Maggie’s right to the pool.
Speaking of the pool, this saltwater pool is set in a lush landscape and has a jacuzzi as well. Or you can hit the fitness studio, enjoy a sauna, and take a cold shower plunge to refresh yourself. Rooms range from the 350-square-foot Alpine Studio to the 740-square-foot Granite Suite. They all have kitchens, fireplaces, and a soaking tub. And the hotel also provides your fur baby a dog relief area as well as bowls and pet cleanup baggies.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $75 per night per pet.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two.
The Coachman Hotel
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/the-coachman.en-gb.html
4100 Pine Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, 96150
Best for: Electric vehicle charging
Because it is the way to go now to protect the environment, The Coachman Hotel takes pride in having electric vehicle charging stations to keep your car going while you are here. You can also use their free bikes to get around or just stay at the hotel. It is so beautiful and has so much to do you may not want to leave. The rooftop yoga, paint & sip classes, and sunset beach picnic are just a few ways to enjoy the day here.
You are only a couple of blocks from the beach, so the hotel has a rubber-floored entry to leave your wet items. This also works well if you are going skiing or snowboarding. You can pick from a variety of rooms, from the standard king to the huge three bedroom suite with enough room for 11 people. The casual dining area in the lobby serves everything from burritos to waffles and your dog is welcome to join you too.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $50 per day.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two.
Tahoe Mountain Inn
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/tahoe-mountain-inn-9-south-lake-tahoe1.en-gb.html
2650 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Best for: Extended stay
You can stay for one night or one month, however long you like. All rooms have a kitchenette with a microwave and mini-fridge, a queen-sized bed, a gas fireplace, smart TVs with streaming, and high-speed internet. Several of the rooms also have a full fridge with a freezer and a stove, which would be perfect for those who plan to stay for a while. After all, sometimes you just want to stay inside. Especially if you are here to ski in the winter.
This boutique inn is locally owned and centrally located, so you can reach the slopes or the beach in minutes. Your cuddly canine companion will be glad to know that you are only one mile from the Bijou Dog Park at Bijou Community Park. Your pooch can run and play off the leash in 38,000 square feet of space, and there is lots of seating for pet parents.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $20 per night.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: One.
Bally’s Lake Tahoe Casino Resort
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/montbleu-resort-casino.en-gb.html
55 Hwy 50, Stateline, NV 89449
Best for: Resort
If you are looking for a place for you and your fur baby to be pampered with a full spa, indoor pool, fitness center, and a sauna, Bally’s is where to go. You can get a relaxing aromatherapy massage, detoxifying facial, or even get your hair and nails done at the spa. They even do make-up so you can look perfect for your night on the town. But you do not have to leave the hotel to be entertained because there are all sorts of music, comedy, and magic shows year-round.
The hotel also has a fully packed casino with hundreds of slot machines, dozens of table games, and a few bars and eating establishments. But that is not all. There is the Opal Nightclub, open until dawn, an escape room, and lots of shopping. Then, when you are ready to relax, head back to your room, where you can chill out and watch a movie, post some photos and videos on your social media pages, or enjoy the jacuzzi in the Tahoe Suite.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $75 per pet per stay.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two.
Hotel Becket
https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/becket-a-joie-de-vivre.en-gb.htm
4003 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Best for: Rustic
At Hotel Becket, you and your pooch can explore the outdoors, from the wooded yards to the beach or ski resort. You are right in the middle of South Lake Tahoe, so you will be close to everything, but when you are at Hotel Becket, you will feel like you are in a private retreat. During the winter, you can explore the woods on a snowmobile, hit the slopes for some skiing or snowboarding, or do some snowshoeing with your furry friend.
The hotel loves dogs and only charges $25 per night for them to stay. They even have a special doggie bag with treats waiting in the room. Speaking of the room, each one is unique with modern decor, premium bedding, a flat-screen TV with cable, and free Wi-Fi. If you brought the family or some friends, choose the huge double bunk room with two queen-sized bunk beds, a living room, and a refrigerator.
Pet policy:
- Dog fee: $25 per day per dog.
- Pet deposit: None.
- Breed Restrictions: No restrictions.
- Weight Restrictions: None.
- Dogs allowed per stay: Two.
The Final Woof
While you are in South Lake Tahoe, you will find plenty to keep you busy with and without your pup. There are 35 dog-friendly eating establishments, from the small and casual Sprouts Cafe to the classy Fire & Ice Restaurant, where they cook your meal at your table. Or you can take your furry friend fishing on the lake with Tahoe Sport Fishing, kayaking with Tahoe City Kayak, or floating with Truckee River Rafting. He can even join you on the Palisades Tahoe Aerial Tram! Our favorite hotel in South Lake Tahoe is Quality Inn for its awesome low prices, a pet fee of just $15, free breakfast, a heated pool and hot tub, and free ski passes. And there are several parks nearby that are dog-friendly, too, including Bijou Dog Park, Fallen Leaf Lake, and Echo Lakes.
