Every summer for the past four years, three generations of my family along with three generations of three other families spend one glorious week at Meeks Bay. Sure, the cabins are old (although each summer something gets improved) and there are no "amenities" -- beside the reason we are there - Lake Tahoe and the beach. The white sand beach that is literally outside your door. For the price that all of us pay, we could go on a luxury cruise or go to Mexico or Hawaii - but that still would not beat the experience of having your morning coffee and your night cap right on the water in Lake Tahoe. And being able to literally throw your chair and towel over the railing and spend all day on the beach. They have a marina if you want to rent a boat or jet skis. This is also a good place to kayak.

If you go, don't expect luxury. Bring your food or stop in Tahoe City and stock up. I recommend bringing some Raid as every once in a while a big ant will show up in the bathroom. We used to bring foam pads for the beds, but last year they bought new mattresses so that the pads are not necessary anymore. We have also found that the housekeeping service is getting better over time. If you need to have your cabin cleaned, simply ask and at some point during the day, they will come by and clean it. The lodges on the beach are not as "charming" as the cabins but they are right on the beach and therefore, worth a little less charm. Lastly, listen to what they tell you about the bears. Do not leave food out at night and follow the instructions about the trash cans. We have had bears visit at night but nothing happened as there was no food to get into. When the garage cans were left open, the bears did get into them.

bottom line -- if you are willing to trade amenities for a beach front room on the peaceful west side of Lake Tahoe, you can't beat Meeks Bay.

We have been going to Tahoe for over 25 years and have stayed at every possible location on the lake, including Richardson, Zephyr, Incline, Kings & Meeks. Even though we have traveled extensively around the world & Sierras (Yosemite, Mono, etc), we happen to believe that Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and Meeks is the most beautiful part of Tahoe. The reason is simple: all of the other beaches (including Sand Harbor) are comprised of brown sand, while Meeks is brilliant white granite washed down Meeks Creek from the Desolation Wilderness. There is simply no comparison in terms of water clarity - it is astounding. Add to this the largest swimming zone on the lake (no boats for about 100 yards out x 400-600 yards wide), located in a secluded baylet, and what you have is a huge Bahamas like pool. To enjoy Meeks, you can either drive in for the day or spend the night at the resort. Every prior review of the resort is true: it's poorly run (especially after the tribe took over), the rooms are very small, they're old fashioned (no TV, no phone & limited cell phone reception), and in many cases, dirty. However, and this is a big however, Meeks is on the quiet west shore by Calif 89 - it has the least amount of traffic on the entire lake. If you want to enjoy a small slice of what some of the richest people in the US (or world) enjoy waking up with the sun blazing off the glassy lake surface as it comes over the Carson range in the early morning, hanging out on your deck, or taking a peaceful stroll around the premises in the afternoon after all the day trippers have split, then this place is for you. There's a reason you still have to book almost a year in advance for some of the most expensive lodgings on the lake. Get a clue: there's a reason why people who can afford to travel anywhere & stay anywhere still go to Meeks year after year.

I used to stay at Meeks Bay Resort for a week every summer, but hadn't been for several years. Yes the prices are rediculously high, but you're right on the water at a beautiful small bay, with a fantastic beach. Sure, pay a little less for accomodations without a view across the street from Highway 89, but I love being so close to a great trailhead, and waking up with the wide expanse of the lake to greet me.

I have spent many years vacationing at Meeks Bay Resort. From the 1960's to present. There has been many changes to the place. There used to be more cabins, a minature golf in walking distance, a movie theater, horseback riding, a peer to walk out on, a flat plank to swim out to, a beach that was hand raked each day, a huge lodge, game room, separate gift shop and they used to show reel to reel movies outside at night. But those times are gone. It was once a booming place. Like the other reviews state, it is very pricey for what you get. But you have to realize what you are getting. It had been many years since I had been until 2003. Although you are not paying for a 5 star hotel, what you do get is a very nice place to stay if you have a young family. There are no phones or TV's. We brought a TV/VCR and watched movies. There are rocks kids can fish off of and pretty much catch crodads. A nice beach to hang out at. And a great place to paddle boat or kayak. There were improvments to the cottages we stayed at. Actually I thought they were better than when we stayed there many years prior. The beds were comfortable and had been updated. Same with the bathroooms. There were no holes in the walls etc. It was a "cabin".