I find it hard to believe that other travelers describe Big Pines as comfy, inviting, or pleasant in any sense. I am used to traveling on a budget, but the bare skeleton of a room we had (and we booked the full "kitchen") was worse than my son's run down college dorm.

On top of it, they had overbooked the reservation I have had for the last two months and told me that I'd have to leave after two nights! The rusted and dysfunction wall heater, thin sheets, and bright windows spell out a miserable night ahead.

Buyers beware.

We stayed at the Big Pines in January for four days while touring the various ski resorts around Lake Tahoe. The rooms are basic but warm, clean and comfortable and excellent value for money. The Heavenly Gondola is only a five minute walk so top marks for location! The breakfast is simple but provided everything we needed - Coffee, OJ, Granola and toasted muffins with jam (and hot oatmeal if you like that sort of thing!). Only one minor complaint - the bathroom could do with a heater. We will certainly be back!

My husband and I (and our 2 dogs) stayed at Big Pines recently. The location is great. We literally walked right into town. We love that they were dog friendly and it didn't cost us any extra to have our dogs with us! The room we had was very average. The bed was comfortable....but....we could hear EVERYTHING. We heard the people walking around upstairs, talking, people outside talking, radios, TV's...I felt like I was back in my college apartment. Secondly, we drove to the casino (it's walking distance, but we both wanted to avoid the cold). When we got back we drove in and out of the property for 30 minutes looking for a parking spot. Finally a man appeared and told us we could park in front of the snowbank in the back. Breakfast was so so...they had oatmeal and bagels. Nothing to write home about. Overall, we would not stay here again. We can deal with the breakfast and maybe even the parking, but we sure do need our sleep!

This is my second stay at Big Pines, having stayed here in 2012 also. First: room is GREAT!!! I find Big Pines rooms for the most part inviting and comfortable. Breakfast is still a dissapointment to me. No eggs, meats or any REAL breakfast.The Coffee ( both in-room &,in-lobby) is horrendous, weak, and tasteless. What happened there? Also, why remove all that beautiful Leather furniture from the lobby by the fireplace? That made the lobby inviting, now stuffed full of tables and chairs it feels more cluttered and claustrophobic. Plus, what' s with all the merchandise for sale like a flea market hanging over the breakfast area??? The lobby is WAY LESS inviting and tasteful in it' s layout than it was a year ago. PLEASE put back the leather furniture, that made it MUCH more inviting. Overall, the stay was fine, and I love how pet-friendly Big Pines is also, but some things have changed not for the best at this property. Time to start looking elsewhere. Plus, if Big Pines added a year- round hot tub, the property would be much more inviting I feel, but location is simply it' s biggest selling point, but not much else. The Green Tea Terra Pura bath products are also wonderful, but it's not enough. I would stay again though,, I am not as thrilled as I used to be with this place. Also: inadequate parking is a turn-off.