Carnelian & Pines

Perched among Sierra pines in Carnelian Bay, this apartment is a proper mountain retreat – the kind where a dip in the communal pool feels restorative and the balcony among the treetops makes it hard to come back inside. Vaulted ceilings and exposed wood beams give the main bedroom real character, while the fireplace in the living room earns its place after a day on the slopes – three ski resorts are within a twenty-three-minute drive. Patton Beach, a dog-friendly swim spot, is a three-minute drive away, and a trail from the home connects directly to the Tahoe Rim Trail.

Home truths:
* You'll have two parking spaces right outside the front door. A car is well worth having here – the nearest towns, beaches, and ski resorts all require a drive.
* If you're visiting in winter, you may need four-wheel drive or snow chains to reach the home safely – worth checking conditions before you set off.
* The community hot tubs are only available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between 12:30pm and 8:30pm – they're not accessible outside those hours.
* The only full bathroom here is the en-suite off the main bedroom. While guests staying in the first bedroom have access to a separate toilet, they'll need to use the main bedroom's en-suite for showering.
* One of the bedrooms comprises a single over double bunk bed.