Considered a small town by most visitors, “The Biggest Little City” is full of surprises. The Truckee Meadows offers year-round entertainment, sports activities and special events. The town is undergoing Reno-vation and it shows; the downtown area has revitalized itself with major changes along Virginia Street and the Truckee River Walk. Business people will have every amenity necessary to make their stay pleasurable, while family vacationers will find activities for each member to enjoy. Accommodations are available to suit everyone at very reasonable rates compared to most vacation spots. Sparks, our neighboring city to the north, and Lake Tahoe both have excellent lodging and are included in this guide.

If you are a traveling on business, accessibility and convenience may be a factor when you decide where to stay. The Airport Plaza Hotel is located right outside the Reno/Tahoe Airport for your traveling convenience and they offer shuttle buses to and from the airport. To stay near the Reno/Sparks Convention Center, the Atlantis Casino is located directly across from it to make your commute a breeze. The marvelous Peppermill Hotel is in the same vicinity with some of the best rooms in town. If you are a big spender in the casino or have an extra $5,000, you might want to spend a night in the Safari Suite. And, of course, you might want to mix a little pleasure with your business. Most of the major casinos have huge convention areas including John Ascuaga’s Nugget in Sparks with more than 100,000 square feet of meeting facilities, not to mention the fine casino and restaurants. The Silver Legacy downtown offers 150,000 square feet of convention space and has excellent catering and convention services.

Reno is more than just a gambling town; gone are the days when the casinos catered only to adults; here to stay are the family-oriented resorts we see today. This new era of casino resorts offers entertainment for people of all ages. Most resorts have elaborate arcades and some even have actual thrill rides to keep the kids busy; families come to the “Biggest Little City” from all over the world to enjoy them. You can indulge in any number of adventures and outdoor activities that will keep the entire group happy. Boomtown Casino is a great place for kids to have fun while the parents might be trying their luck at the machines or table games. Another obvious choice might be Circus Circus. The Reno Hilton offers a large arcade and a bowling alley for both children and adults to enjoy.

If the weather is hot, parents might want to drop the kids off at Wild Island in Sparks for a day of wet fun. If the hustle and bustle of 24-hour fun is appealing to you, then maybe you should stay in the heart of downtown Reno. There is something to do all hours of the day and night; with spectacular shows and around the clock gambling, this is an insomniac’s dream come true. Most of the larger casinos such as Harrah’s Reno and the Flamingo Hilton have showrooms and entertainment. The Sands Regency Hotel and the Eldorado are also excellent choices for nightly shows and fine dining.

If you have the time, spend a relaxing and serene visit to nearby Lake Tahoe. The Sierra Nevada Mountains encompass this breathtaking crystal clear blue lake and you will find a multitude of choices for your lodging pleasure. Skiing is the big winter sport here, and most hotels offer ski packages that give you a ride to the slopes, an all day ski lift pass, a room to stay in and usually a free breakfast or dinner. The Tahoe Biltmore and Harvey’s Tahoe would both be good choices and offer such packages. The Fantasy Inn or The Castle at Summer Place are great picks if you are coming up for your honeymoon or just a romantic get-away. The ideal place for combining a business trip with outdoor activities is Granlibakken Resort and Conference Center. If you like to walk along the beach or just soak up the sun, the Haus Bavaria is within walking distance of the lake. Consider a stay at the south shore where the majority of the casinos such as Caesars Tahoe and Harrah’s Lake Tahoe are located. During the summer months there are hikes to take, bikes to rent and lots of water activities in this area. Zephyr Cove Resort features horseback riding and cruises on the M.S. Dixie II. For the ultimate in lodging both winter and summer, consider Squaw Valley Resort.

The many types of accommodations in the Reno/Sparks/Lake Tahoe area include several motels dispersed throughout the area. While these may be convenient and adequate for some, the lodging mentioned above is by far the best bet: offering so much more for the same amount of money. The rates, of course, are seasonal with Reno/Sparks prices being higher in the summer. Hot August Nights, Artown, the National Championship Air Races and the Great Reno Balloon Race are major calling cards spring through fall. The peak seasons at Lake Tahoe are winter because of the world-class ski resorts and summer with the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and Summer Music Fest. Come when you can; you’ll enjoy what this area offers no matter the season.