Cal Neva Resort Spa and Casino, Crystal Bay

The place needs a total renovation. Everything is outdated with the decor. Our room had furniture that had been around since the 1960s. There were gnats in the lamp in our room and in the window. The best part was the view of the lake. The $200+ daily room rate led me to believe that the accommodations were going to be of above average status. I'll never stay at this dump again.

I called the hotel and made reservations for a 5 nights 6 days stay in a Chalet 4 months before I planned on staying there with my husband and mother-in-law, for my mother-in-law 65th birthday and my 10th wedding anniversary. When I called they required a deposit which is the first days stay. I then called once a month to pay towards the bill so I wouldn't have so much to pay when we got down there, so that we would have a lot of spending money. When we arrived on July 27, 2010 the lobby was okay, but not what I would expect from a famous resort. The casino was closed (which is fine with me). There was a big crack in the mirror in the lobby. When we got our key and got to our room, it was not what I expected either. It was smaller than I thought for the price I paid. A lot of the doors wouldn't shut. I also had to kill 3 spiders in the bathroom before I could take a bath. The beds were very big and soft, which is a plus. The view was beautiful. The next morning though I was in shock. I checked my account to find out that they charged me an additional $200. I went to the lobby to find out why, they told me they charge $50 per night for incidental fees (room service, parking, mini bar, etc.; which they don't even offer). Nobody told me about this fee. They were giving 5 times to tell me (when I called to make reservations, when I called every month to pay of the bill, and when I arrived) and nobody informed me of this. I was outraged. There went pretty much all of my spending money. I checked out that same day. I only stayed one night there of my 5 night stay. We later went to Tahoe City and stayed at Pine Tree Resort. I asked them if they charge an incidental fee when you check in and the guy at the counter so no, and if a hotel automatically does, then that's shady and wrong. The website is deceiving. I think Cal Neva should be shut down because they're ripping people off and are run down. The only thing that's keeping this place open is the view.

Rented a suite there for Saturday night. Came back from the lake to take a shower and the hot water didn't even work in one of the bathrooms. 20 minutes later they show up to fix it and after a few minutes of doing whatever they did in there they tell me it was hooked up backwards and the hot water was toward the cold water side. Hotel staff is very rude! Robert the GM is a real piece of work, who doesn't want to fix any problem. Security follows people around like everyone is a criminal. Not a very good experience. There was a nice view of the lake from the room.

Start a fire on the Hotel, Nobody(staffs) called us to the our room!!!! The elevators was off. There was eletriccal problems, smoke smells. We need evacuated the room soon, and let everything in the room and did go down by the stairs so fast. Old furnitures Old bed Old bathroom At midnight we decided go to other Hotel, much nicer and less price, because the elevators does not work and our floor was to high. It was nightmare!

It was old, smelled like smoke, stains on the carpet, I will never go back it cost too much money.

First the plusses: The view from our room (7th floor) is incomparable. Cleaning lady is friendly and polite Interesting history Interesting that the state border runs through the hotel. Window opens Now the minuses: No internet (which was one reason why we stayed here instead of the Hyatt where we would have a daily fee). Few electrical outlets (details below) No Thermostat (details below) Bed too soft (yes I realize this may be personal preference. Furnishings outdated. Bathroom, tile, etc date from the early 60's. Thin walls. We could hear the neighbors talking (not arguing, just talking) A few details lacking (like channel guide to the tv) Note that we have 2 nights left in our trip. There is a chance that some problems will resolve. Some details: On the thermostat. There is heating and cooling in the room: Heating if outside is cold, cooling if outside is hot. However you can choose level of heating, not target for heating. It is very difficult to heat 'just right'. Basically it will be too warm sometime, if heating is on, even on low. So I had to wake up several times during the night to turn off or turn on the heater. There are few electrical outlets in the room: 1 free in the bathroom, 2 if we unplug the hair dryer. -1 in the room (there is a lamp with no place to plug it). We asked for an extension cord and we were told that we had to wait for an electrician to show up (and our room number was not taken for delivery)! We tried to connect to the 'free internet' and when we failed and went to the front desk, we were told "were you trying from the room? You can't connect from your room, you have to go to the 'Indian Room'. The next morning, my wife went to the Indian room. She could not connect and the receptionist insisted it was my wife's fault. When I went to check, they told me that the internet was down and that it would be back when the man came to service it later that day. I said that I was qualified to do the service but they said I would not be allowed near the equipment. That night, still no internet. The receptionist was confused but offered that somewhere in the Crystal Bay Casino, there was free internet. She didn't know where, but she knew it was there. She was right. I love the staff at the Crystal Bay Casino.

I had a terrible experience from the moment I booked the hotel, but since Hyatt resort was booked for a Saturday night stay, I booked this hotel for one night. I saw the website, that they had one room available, but decided to call to make the reservation. I was told I can not book for one night, despite the website indicated I could. Rude reservationists and complains got no where. I booked online for one night, out of desperation so I can get into the Hyatt Resort for the next day. The reviews on this hotel sucks and I wish I had checked before booking, otherwise, another hotel would have been chosen. Don't waste your money, unless you don't care. New Management has to re-hire staff and work on updating the rooms and work on customer service, it can be a good place if it's updated with good staff and modern clean rooms with aminities.

The hotel is old and in need of updating, but it was clean and comfy. If we were to go to Northshore Tahoe again I would be happy to stay here again. My husband and I went to see The Shakespear Festival which I would recommend.

Was in the area for business. The rate was the reason it was chosen. It is in serious need of a face-lift. Am told the new owner is close to doing just that. Rooms tired, decor dated. The rooms were clean. The casino staff looked quite bored - I don't gamble, just an observation. You could fire a cannon through the casino & restaurant and not hit anyone, the 3 days I stayed there. Oh, and the restaurant - the staff appear (through no fault of theirs) completely clueless on how to give a modicum of service. The F&B Manager is the one at fault here. The food was however, consistently good, so kudos to the kitchen staff She may have been the 'Lady of the Lake', but she needs to have a 'What Not To Wear' makeover. That entire area is about to undergo major re-development, so hopefully this is just an awkward respite, to soon see her back in her previous glory.

The feeling of the hotel was very unique. It was quiet and not a lot of people, which we actually like. The dining experience wasn't good but they are currently renovating - can't wait to see it when they are done. The view from our room was spectacular and from the way the hotel was laid out it appears there is a view from any room.