Station House Inn

After having a fabulous stay at the HiMark hotel in South Lake Tahoe, my husband Rich and I decided to stay at another property under the same ownership. The Station House Inn is owned by Daniel Ramsey of Playpark Hospitality. It has been in business since 1972 and went through significant renovations in 2020. Then in 2025, Playpark improved the property further with their focus on sustainability. The Station House Inn is known for their “vintage summer camp” vibe.

Station House Inn

As soon as we approached the property, we both fell in love with the surrounding ambiance. It was set back a couple of streets from the main road, a short distance from the lake shore. Surrounded by luxurious pines trees, standing tall like guardians, the 96 room hotel seems to sit in a natural energy vortex. It has a very relaxed, beachy feel to it. As we walked around the grounds, we saw couples playing corn hole and a family roasting marshmallows at a fire pit. Then, as we entered the lobby, we were greeted by a friendly employee named Katrina. She expressed her excitement over joining the Playpark team and told us how valued she felt by management. Just outside the lobby another family was playing a board game next to a cozy fire.

Station House Inn Welcome

We were offered a welcome drink and opted for the Marlette Sunrise Blood Orange Blonde. Erica, an employee from the HiMark, suggested this popular locally crafted ale, so we gave it a try. We were both happily surprised. It was light crisp and delicious. Brandon, the general manager, dropped by and encouraged us to visit the beach just two blocks away. It became our go-to destination to watch the sunsets over the lake. As guests at any Playpark property, we were free to enter the private beach. The short walk to view the sunsets after dining at Toulouse turned out to be a highlight of our trip.

Station House Inn Room

The room was simple, but very relaxing. Just like the HiMark, I loved the bed and the pillows. Whenever I arrive in any hotel, I usually flop down on the bed first thing. As I did this, I noticed this beautiful wood ceiling. The room also featured a very comfortable mid-century modern chair with an ottoman. This became a perfect spot for me to write. I also used the desk which was across the room adjacent to a bureau. My husband Rich commented on how strong the water pressure was in the shower when we first arrived, and boy was he right. It was perfect for my sore neck!

Rich took full advantage of the outdoor jacuzzi. Brandon informed us that the pool and the jacuzzi area, was open all year round. Just like the beach, guests from all of their hotels have full access to this area.

Best Onsite Restaurant

Of course, an added bonus was the amazing on-site restaurant called Toulouse. The food there turned out to be truly exquisite and notably better than most of the restaurants up the street. I absolutely adore Cajun food, and Toulouse features a New Orleans inspired menu with some traditional fare as well. Review link should be up tomorrow.

Station House Inn is close to all the action but just far enough away to be incredibly peaceful. Literally within a 2-3 blocks radius, you can walk to the beachfront, the casino, Heavily Mountain Village and the gondola at Heavenly Mountain Resort, as well as an array of wonderful shops and restaurants.

Of course, in the dead of winter when you’ve got your snow boots on and your skis or board in hand, you might want to request a LakeLink Shuttle for door-to-door service. Many guest however do make the walk. See below for a link to the shuttle app that’s very convenient. LakeLink will take you all over the South Shore area and also to the California Lodge to access the California side of Heavenly Mountain Resort. Station House Inn, 901 Park Ave., South Lake Tahoe, CA, 96150; https://www.stationhouseinn.com/

Read the ETG Review of the HiMark Hotel and visit the ETG Lodging Page.