Harvey's at Lake Tahoe... anyone been/stayed there?

Thinking of taking a side trip to Lake Tahoe for a couple of days in late October. I can get two comp nights at Harvey's on certain nights through Total Rewards during the time I'm planning on going. Any feedback on Harvey's would be appreciated.

Also, should I be concerned about snowstorms hitting the Lake Tahoe area during the last 10 days of October?

 

We prefer Harrah's over Harvey's if you can get your comped rooms there. However, if you can't, Harveys is fine especially if you can get a lakeview room. Harrah's and Harvey's are connected by an underground tunnel so you don't have to walk outside. Harrah's casino is more lively than Harvey's and we seem to do better there
Yes, you should definitely be concerned about the weather in late Oct. We've had beautiful weather at that time but have also hit snowstorms and you don't want to be driving up there in a snowstorm.

 

Maybe you'll miss a blizzard back home!
(Like Halloween of '91)

RICHARD

 

I always stay at Harrahs over Harveys because I prefer the location of everything. The elevators connect Harrahs to almost everything (restaurants, valet parking, casino).

At Harvey's it's kind of a walk to everything.

Just my .02 because I'm old and am not a fan of walking.

However, Harveys is a nice hotel. Nothing wrong with it.

 

We stayed at Harveys last September, one night, on a Monday, we were comped at either but wanted to be closer to the lake and their "Sports Book" is non smoking so we thought that would be nice for MNF. I think I have a bigger television in my den than their Book, so we went to a VP bar to watch.

It's fine, rather unremarkable.....clean, employees were nice, we had pizza from the sports themed pizza place, decent pizza.

There was no one there, I did the twenty dollar trick and likely wasted my money, could have just asked for a lake view room high up and I am sure they would have obliged.

We walked south a couple blocks for breakfast, Driftwood Cafe, really nice place for breakfast......would suggest that if you are a breakfast person.

 

If you have extra time, take the drive around the lake going or coming. We have done that.

Comments about the hotels are good. Been there a few times.

 

I've stayed in Harrah's twice and Harvey's many times, but the last time for either was easily 15 years ago... we live at north shore now, so easier to drive home! I've always preferred Harvey's, but that's for old reasons that are non-existent now. My wife's grandpa helped build the place and we always felt a loyalty to Harvey Gross. Since the merger, they really are the "same" place IMHO.

With regards to weather... October is one of "those" whacky shoulder months and later in the month it gets diceyer... it could be 70 and sunny or could have a foot of snow! As is well documented, we had a winter for the ages this past year "16-'17, but the several years before that were drought years and you could have a picnic in January. While winter weather is a possibility, it's rare, however, that it would paralyze the area. Plenty of snow-plows and equipment ready to deal with it... ya just add in some extra time and go a little slower.

 

I once had a waitress chase after me yelling at me inside Harvey's. Since then, I've always favored Harrah's. Also, it did feel more lively at Harrah's, with a younger crowd if that's of any importance.

 

Aren't they the same company?

 

Yes, both are Caesar's properties.

 

Yes, but it was more psychological I guess. Plus, after I brought the incident up to a SVP at Harrah's, they made made a generous comp offer valid at either Harvey's or Harrah's and we picked Harrah's.

 

Is the OP sure he can get two comped rooms at Harvey's but not Harrah's? I recall if I got room offers at one place, I got offers for both.

I prefer Harrah's because there are two bathrooms for each room (even standard rooms). But Harvey's rooms are fine. Harvey's Diamond Lounge requires an elevator ride, but is a wonderful view.

If you are driving in late October you may want to carry chains.

 

Thanx for the responses everyone!

My plan is to drive west on U.S. 50 a.k.a. 'The Loneliest Road in America' (always wanted to do that) through Nevada, visit Virginia City for an hour or two and head to Tahoe from there.

Did a little research on weather too and as some of you have said, October can be a fickle month weatherwise in the Lake Tahoe area.

--------------------

I remember that! That really sucked! 29" of snow we got during that storm.

I'm planning on doing that. From what I've seen on Google Maps it looks like a very scenic drive.

I double-checked and it turns out I can only get comp nights at Harvey's for the dates I'm thinking of. Harrah's is $60/night for those nights.

 

One more question: How is the BlackJack at Harvey's & Harrah's as well as at other casinos at Lake Tahoe? Do you get 3-2 for a blackjack or have they gone 6-5 like lot's of Las Vegas casinos have done?

 

I was at Harrah's a couple times last week. The lowest denom at BJ I saw was $10. My brother in law played some and said it was 6:5. There was a $1 table at Hard Rock, but it paid even money for a BJ.

 

My wife or I have been there for several mid Octobers and occasionally see falling snow, but nothing that required chains or snow tires. It's always a possibility though. I just made the drive from Reno to Carson City to South Lake Tahoe, via US 395 and US 50 this week. It was beautiful.

Bear Crossing on Spooner Summit, US 50


On US 50 looking east toward the Carson City valley area


On US 395 just south of Reno looking west toward the sunset. I had some better ones of the sunset behind Mt Rose taken with a real camera and not while driving, but haven't downloaded them yet.

 

I play Harrah's frequently during ski season and there are always a set of 3-2 tables in the center of the BJ pit. Hours and minimums will vary with the season/day of the week
One table is typically single-deck, another double-deck and the third (when open) is a shoe. You will see 3-2 painted on the felt.

There are also two more (little known secret) that are only open on weekend nights, typically both shoe games, and are directly across from the entrance to HL.

All of the rest of BJ is 6-5

 

Just checked the long term forecast for Stateline and so far the weather looks to cooperate during the time I'm going to be there. Will be on the cold side at night but that's better than f**king snow!

.

 

We stayed at Harvey's around this time last year. It was our first time to Tahoe and we loved the area. Hotel was very nice and the lake view was beautiful. Highly recommend getting a burger at Lucky Beaver, I don't know if it was all the beer flowing through me but it was one of the neatest burger bars and one of, if not the best, burgers I've had.

As far as weather, it snowed a day or two before we got there but only the mountains still had any snow on them when we were driving in. Roads were fine. We also made a stop in Genoa and had a couple of beers at what is claimed as the oldest bar in NV. Very quiet town with several mule deer walking around like the owned the place.

I can't speak to the BJ tables as I stuck to VP that trip but the big casinos were pretty quiet as October appears to be the off season.

I would stay there again comp or no comp but having a road trip plan and comp'd room. Sounds like a blast to me.

 

We liked the room and view. Slots were okay-won a little but played our winnings back in. Did not play VP or BJ.