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Desolation Hotel Hope Valley

Rustic cabins and wood-fired sauna at Desolation Hotel Hope Valley. LGBTQ+ friendly, near Kirkwood Mountain Resort and Lake Tahoe in Hope Valley, CA.

14255 CA-88, Hope Valley, CA 96120, United States View on map
9/10
Exceptional Based on 524 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Paid breakfast Free parking Accessible Pet-friendly
What recent guests emphasize

A Serene, Cozy Retreat with Scenic Wonders

Visitors consistently highlight the tranquil natural setting, comfortable and well-equipped accommodations, and the welcoming atmosphere enhanced by attentive staff and quality dining options.

Guests often praise

  • Cozy, well-designed cabins and yurts featuring comfortable beds, fireplaces, and high-quality natural materials.
  • Beautiful, peaceful location surrounded by pine forests, rivers, and hiking trails.
  • Friendly, accommodating staff providing excellent service and flexibility, especially with sauna access.
  • The wood-fired sauna and clean, modern wellness facilities.
  • Quality meals at Sorensen’s Cafe, with positive remarks on ambiance and food taste.

Worth knowing

  • Breakfast options are limited; the restaurant does not always serve a full breakfast despite online claims.
  • Sauna bookings can require advance reservations, with limited same-day availability during busy times.
  • Some guests experienced mixed feelings about pricing, especially grab-and-go food items.
  • Winter weather can occasionally impact travel plans, but the hotel provides a cozy refuge in such cases.
  • While very relaxing, some guests noted the remote location requires a car and planning for nearby activities.

Best for

  • Travelers seeking a quiet, nature-focused getaway with rustic charm and modern comforts.
  • LGBTQ+ friendly visitors looking for an inclusive and welcoming environment.
  • Outdoor enthusiasts interested in hiking, wildlife, and nearby ski resorts like Kirkwood and Heavenly Mountain.
  • Couples or small groups wanting cozy, romantic stays in cabins or yurts.
  • Guests desiring wellness retreats featuring saunas, fireplaces, and scenic relaxation.
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About this property

Welcome to Desolation Hotel Hope Valley

Desolation Hotel Hope Valley offers a blend of country-style rooms and rustic cabins set in a tranquil resort surrounded by pine forests along the Carson Pass Highway. The property includes a range of accommodations such as cozy yurts and wood-fired sauna facilities, creating a peaceful retreat that appeals to visitors seeking comfort amid natural scenery. Guests often highlight the comfortable beds, natural materials, and well-equipped kitchen and dining areas in their reviews.

The on-site Sorensen's Cafe serves as both a restaurant and a gathering spot, receiving positive marks for its quality food and friendly service. Dining options cover breakfast through dinner, though some visitors have noted limited grab-and-go breakfast choices. The resort embraces an LGBTQ+ friendly environment and provides amenities geared toward wellness and relaxation, including the popular wood-fired sauna accessible by reservation.

Located at 14255 CA-88 in Hope Valley, California, the property is well-suited for guests looking to explore nearby attractions like Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Heavenly Mountain Resort, and Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, all offering extensive opportunities for skiing, hiking, and outdoor activities. Reno-Tahoe International Airport is approximately an hour’s drive, adding to the accessibility of the location for regional travelers.

Guest impressions generally underline a calm, nature-oriented experience that is well-maintained and inviting. Some feedback points to minor areas for improvement, such as breakfast service availability and reservation policies, but overall the setting and accommodations receive commendations for their rustic charm and comfort. This makes Desolation Hotel Hope Valley a fitting choice for visitors seeking a quiet mountain getaway with simple but thoughtful amenities.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Paid breakfast
Free parking
Accessible
Pet-friendly
Room service
Kid-friendly
Restaurant
Kitchens in some rooms
Bar
Smoke-free

Not available at this property

Pool
Air-conditioned
Business center
Airport shuttle
Fitness center
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

DR
dack ragus Mar 30, 2026
10

How does it get better than this? I want to know. I was traveling solo and my little cabin was so cool it felt like I was in a magazine. Constructed with all natural materials including a stone floor in the bathroom. The bed was so comfy, with a fireplace at its foot! There was white and red wine, water bottles, and coffee (which was world-class). The restaurant was nearly as good. Get the veggie pot pie. I can't overstate how great this place is. Now I want to try the one in South Lake Tahoe. Major kudos to whoever is behind this business.

DC
Dan C. Mar 24, 2026
8.0

Feb 2026 This should have been a 5 star. The location is awesome. The room, Doug fir, was very nice. Cute and cozy. The bed was comfortable. The kitchen-dining area is well equipped. The staff was friendly. We dined at the restaurant one night and it was great. We also tried the wood fired sauna. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Here is why it was not a 5 star review. The hotel is listed as a place you can purchase Sno-Park passes. To make sure they actually had passes I emailed the hotel a few weeks before our arrival date. I got no response. Two weeks before arriving I called during business hours, had to leave a message. I got no response. To be on the safe side I ordered the pass from the state. It is a good thing I did. As it turns out they were out. The lack of communication could have been a real problem. That said we are looking forward to returning.

G
Gtodan02 Feb 26, 2026
10

This place was great we had a wonderful time. we got a yurt it was awesome It was nice and warm the windows supplied spectacular views and our skylight was the perfect touch. They even put logs right there next to your fire pit . There's a bridge at the end of the road . Walk over that and they have games for you there . We played this game where you toss bean bags into hole. Take turns go back and forth. It was fun . She won every single game we played . I wanna Rematch . Before checking in we went to Sorensen's Cafe for lunch. The food is great The staff is even better, the place is just a lot of positive vibes and good food. We made our way back to the yurt . The bathtub in there was big enough for two ,after hiking around We soaked in that tub so relaxing .We got out dried off and went straight to bed . The bed was comfy it was warm it was clean and cozy, just a perfect 10 right there. We woke up the next morning took a walk. There's a river that runs the entire length of the camp . we rolled our pants up ,took off our shoes and explored the river for buried treasure. The sun was shining through the trees we were in the river was so beautiful that day. We found this big triangular hammock of sorts You can get on it and lay on your back looking up at the trees and the sky , there's a gentle breeze. The only difficult thing about that weekend was leaving. I wish we could have stayed longer. We really didn't want to leave. I sitting outside in the forest taking in nature the river The trees for the last time she was glowing . When I reminisce or drive by that hotel. I think about her and our yurt, us playing in the river I remember how she looked at me, how can i make this feeling last . We didn't want to leave. Didn't want to go back to the grind of our regular lives. That's how successful this weekend was to me. Thank you desolation hotel for making this whole weekend possible. Thank you for protecting The wildlife the river and the natural landscape there. Thank you for the Yurt the bed we slept in and the wine we shared. The memories of that weekend I'll never forget for as long as I live. Thank you.

JR
Jennifer Rutherford Feb 12, 2026
10

Driving back to the Bay Area, the snow storm got worse and an avalanche caused a road closure. I turned into the first hotel that I saw and the Desolation Hotel did not disappoint. They had a single room left and so I took it to wait out the storm. The room/cabin was super cute and already warmed by the heat of a gas fire place (looks like an old wood burning stove which was wonderful). The restaurant has indoor and patio dining and the outdoor patio is covered and heated for winter months. We dined in the enclosed patio space and were super happy with the quality of food and kindness of the staff. They have a sauna available to guests with a reservation and while they said that normally, same day reservations were easy to do, in our situation, they had no availability until the next day at 11am (which was our checkout time). They let us take that time slot anyway! How nice of them to allow us to checkout and then use the facility. I could not be more thankful for the wonderful accommodations and the amazing staff. The entire property is just gorgeous and everyone was super helpful and accommodating. I took only a few photos because of the short duration of our stay, but honestly, I will be back!!! I absolutely love this place!

ML
Mary Ledahl Jan 21, 2026
8.0

Overall pretty good experience. We stayed in a luxury yurt overnight. It was super disappointing that they did not offer breakfast in the morning even though the website mentions the restaurant being open for breakfast. There were a few “grab n go” options but they were pricey for oatmeal. Clean yurt, comfy bed, beautiful scenery.

DO
Denis Oliferchik Jan 19, 2026
10

AMAZING EXPERIENCE, MY WIFE AND I CALLED IT A HEALTH AND WELLNESS RETREAT. Great Hiking, tree weaves, tree swings, suana, bon fires, delicious dinner at the cafe. Our cabin was super clean, modern and cozy. All healthy accommodations in the kitchen : cast iron pans or stainless steel, organic seasonings, pink salt, olive oil, and complementary lake tahoe roasted coffee. Extremly beautiful scenery.

GP
Grace Pipkin Jan 11, 2026
10

My husband and I enjoy visiting at least once per year, during any season! We particularly love fall; the leaves are changing, the air is crisp, and the sky is clear. DHHV is the complete package with excellent and warm service, delicious and nourishing meals at Sorenson’s cafe, thoughtful and romantic amenities, and the scenery on and around the property really cannot be beat. We love staying in one of their cozy cabins or inviting yurts. Our pup loves the hiking trails and she can be included everywhere we go, as the property is dog friendly. Bring your loved ones, family, and friends. You have memories to make at DHHV!

DC
D Chu Dec 25, 2025
10

When you want to just 'get away', this is exactly the place. Away from any big city, crowds yet still able to enjoy the finer things in life. The yurt was toasty, spacious for 2 ppl (and a pup!) In the middle of winter. The bed (omg the bed!!!) Was the softest mattress, shame that they did not have a brand name to share. There's a beautiful full size tub as well as a shower n bathroom all filled with the nicest soaps and shampoos. Staff was attentive and eager to help. I posted pictures and every friend and family asked where I was and how much. Could not ask for a better getaway.

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find Desolation Hotel Hope Valley

Hope Valley, California, USA

Surrounded by a pine forest, this tranquil resort off Carson Pass Highway is 17 miles from the Kirkwood Mountain Resort and 25 miles from Lake Tahoe.

  • Reno-Tahoe International Airport 1 hr 8 Car
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in California. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Heavenly Mountain Resort 5,803 reviews

Heavenly Mountain Resort

United States

4.4 · Ski Resort
Kirkwood Mountain Resort 3,474 reviews

Kirkwood Mountain Resort

1501 Kirkwood Meadows Dr, Kirkwood, CA 95646

4.6 · Ski Resort
Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort 3,550 reviews

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort

1111 Sierra-At-Tahoe Rd, Twin Bridges, CA 95735, United States

4.6 · Ski Resort
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