South Lake Tahoe's Harvey's Resort Hotel Casino 

Harvey's Hotel Resort-Casino in South Lake Tahoe is one of the area's finest hotels.  Recently purchased by the Harrah's hotel chain, the hotel combines large, well-appointed rooms; unique and exciting restaurants; and a stunning view of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains.  Our editors personally inspected the hotel and here are the findings from their mystery shopping experience.

Historically, Harvey Gross started Harvey as a roadside stop in 1944 when the road wasn't even paved around Lake Tahoe.  The roadside stop featured fuel and food (served by Harvey's wife Llewelyn)-- but patrons could also play casino games.  Harvey's slogan said it all, "Good food for the money.  Drinks priced right.  Treat people right.  "

The check-in process was efficient and polite.  The check-in staff treated us professionally and the short line moved quickly.  We made a special request for the room and it was brought to the room within 15 minutes of check-in.  The parking was smooth in a large and modern parking structure.  There is also valet parking at the hotel. 

Our room at Harvey's Lake Tahoe was of excellent quality and a substantially larger than average size.  The rooms have a "V" shaped window that maximizes views in all directions.  Our view was an amazing view of the nearby mountains and the golf course next door.  Considering that our room rate was a very low discount rate, the room provided was far better than expected.  The room included a very well stocked mini-bar; telephone with dataport; high-speed internet for fee; and a nice dining table with two chairs. 

The room's bathroom was stunning.  Surrounded in solid red marble-- walls and floor, the bathroom includes a separate toilet room; two sinks in two separate rooms; and a separate walk-in shower (marble!) and tub.  All of the plumbing fixtures were new.  The bathroom includes a television to watch in the bathtub, and a coffee maker.  We give this bathroom an "A+". 

 

Harvey's hotel at Lake Tahoe includes a complimentary outdoor swimming pool and hot tub.  Harvey's hotel guests also have "pool rights" to the indoor pool at Harrah's across the street. We tried both pools and they were great.  The Harrah's indoor pool was warm and the large dome over the pool allowed in a great deal of sunlight.  The indoor pool's walls can be opened to let in fresh air and light. 

Lake Tahoe beach passes are also available upon request. During the hot summer days, the beach at Lake Tahoe is a must.  Harvey's is a very large hotel with 740 rooms that include 36 suites.  The hotel has 20,000 square feet of convention space and completed a $120 million remodeling in 1986.  

The Reflections Spa at the hotel provides massage, body waxing, skin care, and all other spa services.  The hotel also provides extensive room-service and free voice mail with telephone data-port.

Harvey's has a large arcade for kids (or adults!) with many video games and carnival games with prizes.  The arcade is a lot of fun for kids that can't or don't want to partake in casino gambling. 

RESTAURANTS & NIGHTCLUBS:

Harvey's at Lake Tahoe slogan is "The Party's at Harvey's" and they do make that happen.  In addition to a very active casino floor, the hotel features some great and unique restaurants:

• Cabo Wabo Cantina - Sammy Hagar presents his casino in a fun and exciting restaurant.  Mexican inspired spicy dishes are combined with tequila drinks for an awesome party time...  This restaurant is located in the tunnel that connects Harrah's and Harvey's underground.

• Hard Rock Cafe - It's known around the world and the only one at Tahoe is at Harvey's.  Great bar food, a fun atmosphere and reasonable prices make the Hard Rock a consistent favorite.

• Pacifica Seafood Buffet - When you live in Reno-- you get to try a lot of buffets.  You understand buffets; you rate buffets.  This is one unique buffet.  Instead of the usual starchy carbs and fatty meats, this is a buffet for the diner of today.  Newly renovated with water features, the food is 70% seafood.  If you love fresh seafood, you will love this buffet.  You don't like seafood, they also serve chicken <grin>.  The only downside to this buffet is it's rather ambitious price of $30-- about double the normal buffet price in the area.  I would state both the food and uncrowded atmosphere make this far different than any buffet we have seen.

• Starbuck's Coffee - A full size Starbucks Coffee franchise operates in the hotel lobby.  You can get it just like in <fill in your town name here>. 

• Carriage House - Your typical casino coffee shop with reasonable prices and prompt service.   

• Improv Comedy Club  - World class comedy club at Lake Tahoe. 

• Harveys Cabaret features dazzling shows and your favorite stars in an intimate, luxurious showroom, located on the Casino Floor.

• Cuba Havana Lounge--the name says it all, located on the 19th floor with spectacular views of Lake Tahoe. It's a nice place to unwind and have a drink while taking in the views.  The sunset views are particularly recommended.

• Llewelyn's Restaurant - Located next door to the Cuba Havana Lounge, Llewelyn's Restaurant is the top restaurant at Harvey's.  With incredible food and stunning Lake Tahoe views, this romantic restaurant is a top luxury choice.  Llewelyn Harvey's wife-- the founder of Harvey's and was the main cook and food server when "Harvey's" was just a roadside stop. 

 

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