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Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Review: Why We Wouldn’t Stay Here Again
- Alyssa
- Jul 21
- 9 min read
Updated: Nov 24
South Lake Tahoe is home to several well-known casino hotels, but Harrah’s is one of the most iconic, and often one of the most debated. We recently spent three free nights at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe thanks to a Seven Stars family benefit, and while the location is excellent, our stay left us feeling underwhelmed.
In this honest Harrah’s Lake Tahoe review, we break down what the rooms are really like, how the casino compares to others in South Lake Tahoe, and whether this resort is still worth booking in 2025. If you're deciding between Harrah’s, Harvey’s, Bally’s, or a more affordable South Lake Tahoe hotel, here’s everything we wish we knew before checking in.
SEO-Optimized Rewrite: Getting to Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
Getting to Harrah’s Lake Tahoe: Airport, Shuttle & Transportation Options
The closest major airport to Harrah’s Lake Tahoe is Reno–Tahoe International Airport (RNO), located about 56 miles away and usually a one-hour drive. Whether you’re visiting for skiing, summer activities, or casino nights, here are the most reliable ways to get from the airport to Harrah’s Hotel & Casino.
Ride-Share (Uber/Lyft)
Ride-share is the most convenient option, especially if you’re heading directly to Harrah’s.
Typical cost: $100–$150 from RNO to Harrah’s (higher in summer or during peak weekends)
Travel time: ~1 hour
Pricing varies by time of day, weather, and holiday traffic.
Taxi
Taxis from Reno–Tahoe Airport are available immediately outside baggage claim.
Estimated cost: ~$170 total
Travel time: similar to Uber (about 1 hour)
Yellow Cab allows advance reservations, which can be useful during high-traffic weekends.
Shuttle Service (South Tahoe Airporter)
The South Tahoe Airporter is the only dedicated shuttle connecting Reno–Tahoe Airport to the South Shore casino hotels, including Harrah’s.
Cost: $33 per person
Drop-off: Harvey’s/Harrah’s shuttle stop
Schedule: Limited departures, so booking ahead is strongly recommended
Best for: Solo travelers or anyone trying to avoid the high cost of Uber or taxi
This is the most budget-friendly airport-to-Harrah’s option.
Rental Cars
Enterprise, Budget, and Avis operate directly at RNO.
Average price: ~$500/week for an economy car
Important: Enterprise at RNO is closed on weekends, which can catch travelers off guard.
Best for: Visitors planning to explore Emerald Bay, Heavenly Village, or other attractions beyond Stateline.
Helpful Planning Resource
Visit Lake Tahoe’s official transportation page offers updated airport, shuttle, and road conditions, a great resource if you’re flying in during winter storms or busy holiday weekends.
Check-In, Check-Out & Parking at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
Parking: Valet vs. Self-Parking
When you arrive at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, you’ll first encounter the hotel’s split parking setup: a large self-parking garage and a multi-lane valet area directly in front of the entrance.
The valet lanes can be confusing, each one is labeled differently (drop-off, standard valet, exit only, and a Caesars Rewards priority lane). In practice, most guests use whichever lane is open, and the service does not seem significantly different between them. Even when the valet area is packed, the attendants move quickly and are efficient at keeping cars flowing.
If you prefer to avoid valet altogether, the self-parking garage is located just steps from the lobby and typically has plenty of open spaces, even on busier weekends.
Check-In Experience
Harrah’s has two separate check-in areas:
A general check-in line for all standard guests
A separate room for Caesars Rewards elite members
The standard line can get long during peak hours, typically between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM, when most guests begin to arrive. Wait times during this window can drag, and staffing seems inconsistent for a hotel of this size. The official check-in time is 4:00 PM, though early check-in is sometimes available for an additional fee if rooms are ready. Based on our experience, staffing during peak periods felt limited, which made the process slower than expected.
Check-Out Experience
Harrah’s offers a convenient digital checkout, which allows guests to check out by text and receive a final bill by email. This worked smoothly and saved time on departure. The official check-out time is 11:00 AM, and late check-outs are available for a fee when occupancy allows. If you’re visiting on a busy winter or summer weekend, you may want to request late checkout in advance, as availability can be limited.
Room Review: Executive Double Room at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
Room Layout and First Impressions
We stayed in an Executive Double Room at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, a room type that is supposed to offer more space and comfort than the standard options, but the overall condition left us disappointed from the moment we walked in. The layout itself was promising, with two queen beds, a sofa, two full bathrooms, a small coffee bar with a mini-fridge, and even a partial lake view if you stood directly in front of the window and leaned to the right. Unfortunately, the room’s condition quickly overshadowed its size. The furniture showed significant wear and tear, including chips, stains, and loose outlets, some of which didn’t work at all. Dust coated several surfaces, crumbs were left from previous guests, and the carpet didn’t feel clean, which made us keep our socks or shoes on throughout the stay.
Bathroom Cleanliness and Maintenance Issues
The bathrooms were the most concerning part of the room. One shower had black mold growing along the grout lines, and the heat lamp above it was covered in rust. Paint was peeling off the adjacent wall, and the air vent was thick with grime, suggesting it hadn’t been cleaned in a long time. The second bathroom wasn’t much better. The shower floor looked discolored and dirty, the baseboards were dusty, and the shower door had only a small knob that made it difficult to open due to its strong magnetic seal. Even the toilet setup was awkward, with the toilet paper holder positioned far behind the seat and a metal floor-mounted door stop creating a tripping hazard, especially at night. While the sinks and vanity areas were cleaner, the overall lack of upkeep made us uncomfortable. Cleanliness is a basic expectation at any hotel, and the issues in both bathrooms, particularly the mold, were difficult to overlook.
Cleanliness Throughout the Room
Beyond the bathrooms, the room itself needed attention. We found food crumbs under the sofa, dust on the coffee bar items, and stains on several pieces of furniture. Even though the beds were comfortable once we requested extra pillows, the general lack of cleanliness overshadowed that small positive.
View and Overall Value
The “lake view” aspect of the room felt misleading. The lake was only visible if you stood directly in front of the window and looked sharply to the right; the rest of the view faced the neighboring resort, a shopping area, and the mountains. If we had paid extra for a lake view, we would have been disappointed.
By the end of our stay, the room felt usable only in the most basic sense: a place to sleep and shower. If we had paid full price, we would have requested a room change or spoken with management. The combination of mold, dust, stains, and general disrepair made the room one of the biggest reasons we cannot recommend Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. No amount of perks, like complimentary Wi-Fi, valet parking, or a small Starbucks credit, can make up for the foundational issue of poor cleanliness and upkeep in a room that should be held to a higher standard.
Property Perks:
Gaming and Dining at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe features a large ground-floor casino, which is one of the property’s biggest draws. The casino has hundreds of slot machines, table games, and several bars where guests can grab drinks while playing. During our visit, we did see a few impressive jackpots hit, which added to the energy of the space. We ended up breaking even, and a woman next to us won a grand jackpot, which set off cheers across the casino. From a gaming perspective, the atmosphere is lively and the machines seemed reasonably active, which made this part of the experience enjoyable.
Dining options are spread across the property. The casino floor has a small food court with quick-service options like Fatburger, Tahoe Asian Kitchen, and Tahoe Italian Kitchen. We stopped at Fatburger late one night and were pleasantly surprised, the service was quick, the food was fresh, and the dining area was clean. For sit-down meals, Harrah’s offers rooftop restaurants such as Friday’s Station (steak and seafood) and Sapori (Italian), both known for their views overlooking Lake Tahoe. While the locations are beautiful, the menus lean expensive, and based on our overall experience with the property, the premium price point doesn’t fully match the quality.
Harveys Next Door
Harrah’s is connected to its sister property, Harveys, via an underground tunnel, allowing guests to easily access additional gaming, dining, and amenities. Harveys has its own casino floor, several quick-service options, and the rooftop restaurant Sage House, which we tried during our stay. Unfortunately, the meal was underwhelming. Service issues, starting with being given a shattered wine glass, set a negative tone, and the food did not justify the high price. While the convenience of accessing two casinos is a plus, neither property delivered a dining experience memorable enough to offset the room and cleanliness concerns we encountered.
Amenities Outside the Casino Floor
Harrah’s offers standard hotel amenities including a gym, sauna, and indoor pool. The pool area is family-oriented and often busy midday, especially with parents heading to the casino while children swim. The hotel also has a surprisingly large basement arcade with claw machines, ticket games, and a decent prize counter. It’s one of the better features for families, offering entertainment late into the evening.
However, Harrah’s charges a $26.95 nightly resort fee, which includes Wi-Fi, gym and pool access, and local calls, amenities that many modern hotels provide without an added charge. There are also several small shops on-site, though most were closed whenever we walked by, and there is a spa and hair salon available by appointment. None of these perks meaningfully elevate the experience, especially given the condition of the rooms and the overall dated feel of the property.
Beach Access and Location
While Harrah’s is close to restaurants, shopping, and the Heavenly Gondola, its beach access is limited. There is a beach within walking distance, but it is private and costs around $30 per person per day. The nearest public beach is over a mile away, which can feel like a long trek after a day in the sun, especially in summer heat. Driving is an option, but parking at Tahoe beaches fills up early, and lots can remain full all day.
This is important to note because many guests choose Lake Tahoe specifically for the lake, and staying at Harrah’s makes accessing the water more challenging than expected. If being within walking distance of a public beach is a priority, this hotel may not be the best option.
Despite these drawbacks, the area around Harrah’s does offer plenty to do. There are numerous restaurants, bars, art galleries, and shops within close walking distance, and the gondola is only a short stroll away. Other casino hotels are nearby as well, making this location a good fit for travelers whose main focus is gambling or nightlife rather than lake access.
Final Verdict: Is Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Worth It?
After three nights at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, our overall impression is that the property simply does not justify its price point. Even though our stay was complimentary through Caesars Rewards, the Executive Double Room we received would have cost roughly $936 for the same dates, and based on the condition of the room, we would have been extremely disappointed had we paid that amount.
The most concerning issue was cleanliness. The presence of black mold in the shower, grime on vents and baseboards, stains on furniture, chipped surfaces, and crumbs left from previous guests made the room feel neglected. For an Executive-level room at a well-known casino hotel, this level of upkeep was far below expectations. The space felt outdated, worn, and in need of significant maintenance. Cleanliness is a basic standard, and unfortunately, this was the primary reason our experience fell short.
To Harrah’s credit, the property does offer a variety of amenities: multiple dining options, an energetic casino, a rooftop restaurant, a spa, a gym, an indoor pool, and even a large arcade. The location is convenient for walking to restaurants, shops, and the Heavenly Gondola. However, it is not ideal for travelers whose main priority is enjoying the lake. The nearest beach requires a paid daily fee, while the closest public beach is over a mile away, a long walk after a full day in the sun.
While the casino and location may appeal to some visitors, the room quality and cleanliness issues significantly impacted our stay. Given the condition of our room, we would not choose to stay at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe again, especially at nearly $1,000 for a three-night stay. There are other types of accommodations in South Lake Tahoe that offer better value, more modern rooms, and easier access to the lake.