Donner Lake Village
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About
#1 of 2 resorts in Truckee
Location
4.7
Rooms
3.7
Value
3.9
Cleanliness
4.0
Service
4.2
Sleep Quality
3.9
Situated on the western shore of Donner Lake, this relaxed, all-condo resort is 4.6 miles from Sugar Bowl Ski Resort and 6.6 miles from Tahoe Donner Golf Course. The polished condo units are equipped with microwaves, minifridges and coffeemakers, as well as TVs with DVD players. Wi-Fi is free. Complimentary coffee and tea are offered. Additional amenities include a seasonal dock and marina with equipment rentals, and a waxing room for skiers.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Sauna
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Canoeing
Hiking
BBQ facilities
Non-smoking hotel
Parking
Wifi
Complimentary tea
Vending machine
Skiing
Fishing
Picnic area
Shared lounge / TV area
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun umbrellas
Express check-in / check-out
Self-serve laundry
Room features
Kitchenette
Microwave
Refrigerator
Kitchenware
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Lake View
Great View
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
15695 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, CA 96161
Getting there
Reno-Tahoe Intl Airport
30.2 mi•
See all flights
Rental Cars
42 Restaurants
within 5 miles
Reviews
Traveler rating
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- 34
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Detailed Reviews
Donner Lake Village is great. They are individually owned units and we stayed in 215. Beautiful Furniture very clean easy access to the beach and the lake really enjoyed the view of the lake from the upstairs fireplace room. Great place to read a book and enjoy the scenery
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was our first visit to Donner Lake Village, and we didn't really know what to expect. But its all about location here! The small, private beach and dock were great (!), with beautiful lake views. Also, we loved the Pub down the street, ice cream shop across the street, and the Kitchen about 2 miles away. The reception manager was exceptionally helpful, and keyless entries for all gates and doors was perfect!
Our studio room came equipped with cooktop, dishes, refrigerator, and microwave. But TV was limited, the furnishings were old, rug and curtains gross, loose window screens, and there was a faint musty-vintage smell that matched the 1970's decor. This room practically screamed for a remodel! Also, blackout curtains without a thin daytime privacy curtain were disappointing, since there was quite a bit of foot traffic outside our first floor room window.
Our studio room came equipped with cooktop, dishes, refrigerator, and microwave. But TV was limited, the furnishings were old, rug and curtains gross, loose window screens, and there was a faint musty-vintage smell that matched the 1970's decor. This room practically screamed for a remodel! Also, blackout curtains without a thin daytime privacy curtain were disappointing, since there was quite a bit of foot traffic outside our first floor room window.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It's an older property which has seen some wear, especially over the summer months. We arrived at night and it appeared our room hadn't been used for a few days (or longer) with a stale and odd smell. Furniture is worn and walls badly need to be painted. Touching up walls after obvious months of scuffs and wear have gone by is an easy and inexpensive fix and honestly, pretty inexcusable to neglect. They appear to have housekeeping, but aside from cleaning the obvious surfaces like counters, sinks, furniture tops - things like chairs, ceiling fans, bed headboards are dusty. Some minor things just didn't work - bathroom heater, tv in the bedroom, hairdryer. Whatever, but just a minor annoyance. Fortunately, the weather was fantastic and it allowed us to keep windows open for our long weekend stay, giving the room a much needed airing out. The super kind manager even offered to place an ozone generator in the room if we'd be out for the day to help with the odor. I've seen in other reviews that stale-smelling rooms are an issue and would like to think that it becomes an item to address. The furniture and extra blankets have absorbed the stale odor and it's certainly hard to make it go away. It appeared that our bathroom had recently been redone with new fixtures and tub insert, so that was a nice thing. The full kitchen with a stovetop was great, along with dishes and utensils to use.
That being said, it's right on the lake. There are boat rentals of all types to be had rignt there and a small private beach/dock with seating was really nice. Truckee, obviously is just a few miles away and obviously Lake Tahoe is down the hill into the basin. The beautiful and quiet location is the main reason to be here. I'd give this 2.5 stars for the rooms itself, but bonus credit for it's location and beach/lounge area.
Overall, as the Tahoe region has become more and more expensive to visit this is certainly a value. But with this value, there is a trade off in quality.
That being said, it's right on the lake. There are boat rentals of all types to be had rignt there and a small private beach/dock with seating was really nice. Truckee, obviously is just a few miles away and obviously Lake Tahoe is down the hill into the basin. The beautiful and quiet location is the main reason to be here. I'd give this 2.5 stars for the rooms itself, but bonus credit for it's location and beach/lounge area.
Overall, as the Tahoe region has become more and more expensive to visit this is certainly a value. But with this value, there is a trade off in quality.
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Date of stay: October 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Â I'd recommend a second floor room. Take the online website photos as a 'best case...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was by far the worst stay at hotel in a very long time…
1) Our confirmation said that check in was at 4pm. On our way to the property, my fiancé getsa call from the front desk at 3:30p wondering if we were going to get soon because there was an event in town and the front desk would be closing at 4:30pm. WTF? You’re a hotel. How are you going to cal ll your guest and tell them they better hurry up because the staff wants to call it quits for the day.
2) After checking in, it appeared that the heater wasn’t working. We thought maybe it was some sort of radiant heating and it might take some time so we left it set to 80° and we went to dinner. When we got back, the room was still cold. Know that the weather was going to drop into the low 50’d that night, I decided that I would call. But since the front desk decided to punch out at 4:30pm, my call got routed to another hotel’s front desk. That person could not help because she wasn’t even familiar with our thermostat. She said she would contact someone from Donner Lake Village and have them cal us back in the room. After waiting 20minutes, we got a call but it’s to my fiancé’s phone. Basically they told us it was too late to call anyone to fix it. That’s it. No offer to move us to another room. No offer to do anything to make our stay more comfortable. The best they could offer was to send someone the next morning. They were supposed to come at 10am but by the time we left at 10:30am, we still hadn’t seen them. Apparently they came later.
3) So if spending the night in a hotel room with no heat wasn’t enough, the walls are paper thin. Between being cold from not having heat, we also had to listen to the people in the adjacent room cough and sneeze all night.
4) and if all that wasn’t enough, after a night of poor sleep from being cold and being forced to listen to the neighbors, housekeeping is apparently told to disturb the guests at 8am on check out day. I can only imagine that they’re told they can go home early if they get the rooms cleaned so I’m surprised they weren’t banging on our door asking us to leave at 7am.
I will never stay here again. I hope this review will keep people away from the poorly managed property.
1) Our confirmation said that check in was at 4pm. On our way to the property, my fiancé getsa call from the front desk at 3:30p wondering if we were going to get soon because there was an event in town and the front desk would be closing at 4:30pm. WTF? You’re a hotel. How are you going to cal ll your guest and tell them they better hurry up because the staff wants to call it quits for the day.
2) After checking in, it appeared that the heater wasn’t working. We thought maybe it was some sort of radiant heating and it might take some time so we left it set to 80° and we went to dinner. When we got back, the room was still cold. Know that the weather was going to drop into the low 50’d that night, I decided that I would call. But since the front desk decided to punch out at 4:30pm, my call got routed to another hotel’s front desk. That person could not help because she wasn’t even familiar with our thermostat. She said she would contact someone from Donner Lake Village and have them cal us back in the room. After waiting 20minutes, we got a call but it’s to my fiancé’s phone. Basically they told us it was too late to call anyone to fix it. That’s it. No offer to move us to another room. No offer to do anything to make our stay more comfortable. The best they could offer was to send someone the next morning. They were supposed to come at 10am but by the time we left at 10:30am, we still hadn’t seen them. Apparently they came later.
3) So if spending the night in a hotel room with no heat wasn’t enough, the walls are paper thin. Between being cold from not having heat, we also had to listen to the people in the adjacent room cough and sneeze all night.
4) and if all that wasn’t enough, after a night of poor sleep from being cold and being forced to listen to the neighbors, housekeeping is apparently told to disturb the guests at 8am on check out day. I can only imagine that they’re told they can go home early if they get the rooms cleaned so I’m surprised they weren’t banging on our door asking us to leave at 7am.
I will never stay here again. I hope this review will keep people away from the poorly managed property.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Â Avoid this hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I was happy that we were located on the beach next to the boat ramp and little beach. So the location was very good for water sports and views of the lake from the small first floor balcony.
However, Unit 136 looks like it did in the mid 1970's I think. Other than newer carpets and living room couch, this place felt historical. Have the owners remembered that this is 2022? The old mismatched furniture looks like it was found in a garage sale in the 1980s. The bathroom has loose fixtures and I counted at least 4 things that need repairing, including a broken tub drain plug. New shower head needed, this one hits you like a fire hose and no longer adjusts. Loose towel rack and wall plate on Kleenex dispenser falling off the wall. The BR linoleum looks original from the 1960s and and belongs in a museum, and I haven't seen it curved up on the wall like this since the 70's. Do the owners not feel guilty charging over $450 a night for this? There are expectations for updated accommodations at this price point. With the $1400 I paid for 3 nights, they can buy new living room furniture. At a furniture store! And lets fix and upgrade the bathroom! Its 50 yrs old! And do not any room service, it does not exist. At least the lake is nice,
However, Unit 136 looks like it did in the mid 1970's I think. Other than newer carpets and living room couch, this place felt historical. Have the owners remembered that this is 2022? The old mismatched furniture looks like it was found in a garage sale in the 1980s. The bathroom has loose fixtures and I counted at least 4 things that need repairing, including a broken tub drain plug. New shower head needed, this one hits you like a fire hose and no longer adjusts. Loose towel rack and wall plate on Kleenex dispenser falling off the wall. The BR linoleum looks original from the 1960s and and belongs in a museum, and I haven't seen it curved up on the wall like this since the 70's. Do the owners not feel guilty charging over $450 a night for this? There are expectations for updated accommodations at this price point. With the $1400 I paid for 3 nights, they can buy new living room furniture. At a furniture store! And lets fix and upgrade the bathroom! Its 50 yrs old! And do not any room service, it does not exist. At least the lake is nice,
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Date of stay: August 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Ugh, see above.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
While visiting my mom, we decided to check out Donner Lake Village. We were delighted at the amount of snow still surrounding the area, giving us a lovely vista, but once we stepped inside our room that smelled of old Chinese food, stale air and saw the shabby carpet and the accommodations, I knew we would not be returning. Although it is a great location, the unit was basic with furnishings that looked like they had been purchased at a swap meet.
We were on the ground floor, which allowed us to hear every footstep of the family above us who had small children, so at 9 pm and 7 am, we knew they were awake.
Some investing in upgrades to the units would be a wise choice.
We were on the ground floor, which allowed us to hear every footstep of the family above us who had small children, so at 9 pm and 7 am, we knew they were awake.
Some investing in upgrades to the units would be a wise choice.
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Date of stay: March 2022
Location
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is the 2nd time we stayed at Donner Lake village. We loved this place the first time we stayed in 2019. We promised ourselves we would return the next year. Unfortunately due to the pandemic it took us 3 years before we could return. To our pleasant surprise the place was even better than what we had experienced before. Many of the units have been upgraded. Another family travelling with us got the upgraded suite and it was fantastic. Ours was not upgraded but was absolutely clean and fresh. The common areas were cleaned thoroughly with sanitizers and wipes placed strategically for patrons to use. The front desk was very helpful and pleasant during our check in. They have trash cans in multiple locations indoors and outdoors that are regularly serviced. This place is only 3 miles from our favorite donner ski ranch. Additionally, it is right on Donner lake which is absolutely stunning all year long. We really hope this place keeps up the good work so we could return year after year, season after season. Love their pricing and hospitality. We might even return for the summer :)
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Date of stay: March 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We love this place as lodging for Winter skiing. There are a variety of room configurations available, ranging from a pretty basic 300 sq ft room, to the same size room with a compact kitchen, to lovely larger rooms and suites, with fully equipped kitchens. Some rooms, for a little more $$ have a fantastic view of Donner Lake. Even if you don't pop for the view room, there are corner lounges at the end of each building which do have that view, and that's for free.
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Date of stay: December 2022
Value
Location
Room Tip:Â Ask for specifics about rooms you may choose. The website covers the basic types, but not the...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We rented a one bedroom lakeview condo and were very disappointed. The view out both of our windows was the side of a building. If you stood in a particular spot and craned your neck, you could see a portion of the lake. It did not feel like a condo at all, it was more like a worn out motel room with a small bedroom attached and a small kitchen. The room was dirty when we arrived. This is very frustrating at any time but during COVID when you expect every room to be sanitized, it is unacceptable. The table had food stuck to it. The cutting board still had food on it. There were crumbs in the cabinet from the previous guest and there was dirt and old food swept into the corner. The kitchen was woefully equipped. The coffeemaker only brewed their pre filled packets of coffee, there were no oven dishes or cooking sheets despite the fact that they had a full oven. All the other pots, pans, and utensils were the absolute worst. They don't provide any cleaning during your stay(which is understandable) but there was no broom or cleaning supplies to clean up the mess we found when we arrived or any mess we might make during our stay. When I complained to the front desk, they were very unhelpful.
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Date of stay: February 2021
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â Make sure you stay in a "deluxe" room unless you want a shabby motel room. If you want...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Becky M, Other at Donner Lake Village
Responded Mar 8, 2021
I am so sorry to hear of you experience at Donner Lake Village. It is not what we expect to hear from our guests as it is not how we want to operate. Your review is being shared with those involved and will be looked at very closely.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The reservation was made early and directly with Donner Lake Village because I had a special request. I said that we needed a downstairs room because "My husband cannot climb stairs".
Weeks before our reservation I called again to say that we needed a downstairs room because, "My husband cannot climb stairs". Before we checked in, I asked to see on the map where our room was located because, "My husband cannot climb stairs". As I was checking in, I heard one of the clerks say that they were sold out for several days.
When we got to the room, we were shocked to see the bathroom split in half with a full size step up to the toilet and bathtub - and there was no rail to hold on to.
Since they were sold out, there would be no place for us to move to. Fortunately, our son was with us, but each time my husband had to use the toilet, even in the middle of the night, one of us had to go and help him step up and down so his leg didn't give out. He said it made him feel like a child.
There was just no excuse for us being given this room.
Weeks before our reservation I called again to say that we needed a downstairs room because, "My husband cannot climb stairs". Before we checked in, I asked to see on the map where our room was located because, "My husband cannot climb stairs". As I was checking in, I heard one of the clerks say that they were sold out for several days.
When we got to the room, we were shocked to see the bathroom split in half with a full size step up to the toilet and bathtub - and there was no rail to hold on to.
Since they were sold out, there would be no place for us to move to. Fortunately, our son was with us, but each time my husband had to use the toilet, even in the middle of the night, one of us had to go and help him step up and down so his leg didn't give out. He said it made him feel like a child.
There was just no excuse for us being given this room.
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Date of stay: August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Charlesvincent A, the Studio is bigger and has a kitchenette (no oven). Below are room descriptions.
Lodgette: Approximately 360 square feet with one Queen bed and a sleep sofa. Features a small refrigerator, microwave and coffeemaker.
Accommodates 2 to 4 people.
Studio: Approximately 420 square feet with one Queen bed and a sleep sofa. Kitchenette has a small refrigerator, small oven, microwave coffeemaker, cookware, utensils and two-burner stove top. Accommodates 2 to 4 people
Hope that helps. Let us know if you have any other questions.
Becky
Hello! We do not have a complimentary shuttle that runs directly from Squaw at this time. Please see below for shuttle options to Squaw (the North Lake Tahoe Express is very popular). Uber is also available around Lake Tahoe now!
North Lake Tahoe Express | 530-584-3922
Anytime Taxi | 530-414-4187
FAST TAXI Airport Shuttle | 530-583-6699 or 800-977-TAXI
Please do not hesitate to contact our front desk with additional questions or assistance with transportation. (888) 976-5913
- Becky
Hello, Krista!
Dogs are great Tahoe companions, however, Donner Lake Village is pet-free when it comes to room accomodations. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Please let us know if you have any further questions, or need assistance otherwise.
Everyone has their own perspective and expectation. Sometimes an experience is totally based on a mood or mindset.
"Ask for specifics about rooms you may choose. The website covers the basic types, but not the details."Read full review
"I'd recommend a second floor room. Take the online website photos as a 'best case scenario'."Read full review
…
PRICE RANGE
$481 - $642 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
donner lake village hotel truckee, donner lake hotel, donner lake resort, donner lake village resort
LOCATION
United StatesCaliforniaLake Tahoe (California)Truckee
NUMBER OF ROOMS
36
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including any mandatory fees. Taxes not included. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingDONNER LAKE VILLAGE - Updated 2025
Frequently Asked Questions about Donner Lake Village
Which popular attractions are close to Donner Lake Village?
Nearby attractions include Donner Memorial State Park and Emigrant Trail Museum (2.9 miles), Donner Pass (2.0 miles), and Tahoe Donner (4.0 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Donner Lake Village?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free parking, and self serve laundry.
Which room amenities are available at Donner Lake Village?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Donner Lake Village?
Guests can enjoy barbeque facilities, complimentary tea, and free instant coffee during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Donner Lake Village?
Conveniently located restaurants include Wild Cherries Coffee House, Donner Lake Kitchen, and Tacos Jalisco.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Donner Lake Village?
Yes, guests have access to a sauna during their stay.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Donner Lake Village?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Are there any historical sites close to Donner Lake Village?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Rainbow Bridge / Donner Summit Bridge (2.0 miles).
Does Donner Lake Village have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the mountain view available here.