Sorensen's Resort
Categories: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Hotels & Travel Bed & Breakfast Restaurants Hotels, Bed & Breakfast, Restaurants [Edit]
Highway 88Hope Valley, CA 96120
(530) 694-2203
- Hours:
Mon 7:30 am - 9 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
Theodore O. said: "The location is prime. You can walk to the lake, you can walk to the casinos, you can walk to the gondola. The hotel itself is just a 3-star on yelp…" read more »
30 reviews for Sorensen's Resort
Review Highlights
-
"...remote, yet convenient to Lake Tahoe and Grover Hot Springs..." In 4 reviews -
"Cozy, great service and close to Kirkwood for skiing." In 9 reviews -
"We love that they are dog-friendly." In 4 reviews
Loading...
30 reviews in English
-
Review from Steve I.
Stockton, CA
3/27/2012
We recently stayed at Sorensen's for the third (or was it the fourth?) time, and thoroughly enjoyed it. We spent my wife's 50th birthday in Foxtail, which is a cozy little cabin perfect for two. Our only complaint with the cabin was that the shower stall is too small for two! I had a momentary feeling of panic when I remembered there was no TV in the room, but then I remembered that was one of the major selling points of Sorensen's!
We did not have dinner at the restaurant that evening because we had other plans, but when we checked in, the smells coming out of the kitchen were fantastic (lamb, I think), and we did have breakfast the following morning. The quiche (spinach & mushroom) was excellent, with a buttery, flakey crust, and the fried potatoes were amazing. We will be back. -
Review from Julie A.
Santa Cruz, CA
12/21/2011 7 photos
I liked this place. It's pretty rustic - small cabins, pretty basic amenities, and very close to a highway. (Many reviewers have commented on the noise -- you definitely can hear it at night, but it's not THAT loud).
The cabins are small. Don't expect anything fancy - it's extremely casual. The appliances are not top notch - (the oven and microwave in our cabin didn't work for a while), and we had problems with the plumbing - the bathroom sink was unusable for about a day. They did fix it promptly, however.
We stayed at the Homestead Cabin. It was fairly nice, with a small main room with a little kitchen, table, and queen size bed, a bathroom with a shower and sink, and a very small second room with another queen size bed. It was pretty cozy, and it stayed warm.
There is a little restaurant there that serves breakfast lunch and dinner. It's EXCELLENT. We had both the breakfast and dinner, and for such a tiny place it was incredibly formal and the food was delicious. There were plenty of things on the menu, too. It's pretty expensive however.
They also will let you go into the office/restaurant for free hot chocolate, which is delicious and very festive during the winter season.
As for the location -- it's great!! The property is beautiful in the wintertime. There is a great trail in a very scenic location, and you can explore the frozen streams and banks of snow. It is PERFECT for sledding. They offer a lot of sleds that you can take even off the property. The trails are superb sledding areas.
The managers were friendly and accommodating, offering late checkout and other services.
Overall, this was a very nice place, and if you're looking for a rustic winter getaway, this is a great place to stay. -
Review from .caroline C.
Hayward, CA
12/19/2011
I took myself for a little getaway here and it was absolutely everything I wanted it to be. I stayed in the Pinon cabin (a bed and breakfast, as it has no kitchenette) -- vacation perfection: a warm, toasty (gas) fire, two comfy rocking/sliding chairs, a comfortable bed with plenty of blankets and pillow, and a clawfoot tub with bubble bath. So cozy and complete. Complimentary hot cocoa (or coffee and/or glass of wine) each day, too. I could not have asked for more! Snow outside, warm inside. It was just right.
I had dinner at the cafe, which was good, though not remarkable. The cafe itself is also quite cozy and warm with a wood fireplace. Service was attentive without being overbearing.
The included breakfast was also served at the cafe. Choice of breakfast entree, plus juice/coffee. Bacon and eggs were great.
I found the folks at Sorensen's to be very friendly and warm, and their service was just the right balance of being available without being intrusive. (Thanks!)
I would definitely come back!
(OK. Guilty. I lied. I'd prefer to cook my own meals, so the one thing I could've asked for in the Pinon cabin would've been a little kitchen. But, really, they won me over with the fireplace AND the bathtub in the coziest little cabin. I'll not be griping about the lack of a kitchen...) -
Review from Marcia P.
Applegate, CA
Updated - 1/13/2012
On our 2nd trip , the lamb was no longer to die for. In fact it no longer even tasted like lamb. It tasted more of some artificial browning sauce that restaurants have. I am not thinking I want to waste my money on the restaurant again.
Worse they made a mistake and charged some other persons dinner on my credit card ( as though it was charged to my room.) The receipt they sent me had someone else's signature and someone else's room number. STILL they took 3 days and 2 phone calls on my phone bill to resolve the issue.
Still I like to come up here to get away from it all. Plus I love hiking on the Carson pass, but I am burning out on this place. I sometimes think of renting a cabin for a week in the summer and just hiking everyday. But now perhaps I am burning bridges.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
10/19/2010
Restaurant first. The lamb is to die for! The seafood pasta was great. DO NOT buy the stew. The… Read more »
-
-
Review from Sue U.
San Francisco, CA
5/30/2011
I really had a nice experience here. Even though this place is close to the road, it didn't seem like it to me. We stayed in St. Nicks cabin which was in the back of the enclave. I highly recommend this cabin if you want a more romantic setting. The great thing about Sorensens is that the staff are super friendly and helpful. They helped me pick the right cabin so I wasn't disappointed.
The restaurant is very good. We had dinner and breakfast and both meals were fresh and tasty. They must make their own salad dressings because they tasted awesome. The meat and vegetables were perfectly cooked. It was actually better than we expected, based on some of the other reviews.
It's nice to be able to stay someplace that feels like home. -
Review from erica r.
Carson City, NV
9/19/2011
Four years ago, my husband and I came here for our honeymoon. It was perfect. When we first arrived, we were warmly greeted in the office, and the fire was going as it was slowly snowing outside. We stayed at the St. Nick's cabin, and it was spacious, quiet, and comfortable and just steps away from the old school sauna. While we were there, we did some easy hiking, and some wonderful dining. They have a little cafe that served surprisingly delightful meals. Very cozy, quiet, and relaxing.
Listed in: Perfect Lazy Day
-
Review from Antonia M.
San Francisco, CA
2/19/2011
Staying at Sorensen's was a disappointing experience. First, it's supposed to be a dog-friendly place, but they provided nothing (besides two dog treats and two poop bags) for our two dogs. A long list of dog rules was posted in the room, including an injunction against letting your dog on the furniture. Okay (although I've stayed at luxurious places that do allow dogs on the couch), but how about providing a dog bed (something washable would be fine -- it doesn't have to be plush!) or at least a blanket to spread on the floor? And how about a water bowl and a food dish??
Also, considering the price of a night's stay, it's just not that delightful. I didn't mind that the cabin was very small, but the couch was not comfortable, the decor was spare (and not in a cute way), the shower was like one you'd see in a dormitory (and there was a note on the bathroom wall telling guests to take short showers), and the bed was small. The only really nice things were the duvet and pillows.
The website indicates that they provide lush skin-care products. But this amounted to two packets of mediocre (though all-natural) body lotion and a couple of soap bars.
We ended up leaving a night early, and even though we cleared out before the check-out time, Sorenson's didn't refund any of our money.
Needless to say, I won't be going back. Whether or not you have a dog, look for a place that makes an effort to give you a good experience. I just didn't feel like they cared.Comment from Patty B. of Sorensen's Resort 3/21/2011
Sorensen's is an all-season resort and one catering to… More » -
Review from Angela Q.
Pacifica, CA
1/13/2011 3 photos
We just got back from our stay here & the overall experience was great.
Had dinner there the 1st night & unfortunately it was a disappointment, their jacked-up prices were terrible for what it is worth. Yes, their beef stew is not good...hope they'll change their recipe, I had a huge bay leaf floating around with a lot of spices that were not tasty at all & it was way too watery only tasting like old wine.
However the rest of the stay was awesome, we totally enjoyed the snow & the fact that they allow pets in some of their cute cabins, oh & the bed was excellent, we slept like babies. They are clean & neat, we will definitely want to come back for sure!! -
Review from John G.
10/17/2010
This review is for the restaurant. We were in South Lake Tahoe for the week, and a local suggested we tour Hwy 88 for the fall color foilage, and stop by Sorensen's for lunch. So we did.
The fall colors along Hwy 88 were truly magnificent. The restaurant food was so/so. We had the "famous" beef burgundy stew. Like, it was okay, but the meat was generally tasteless, and the broth mix just was not that good. Then we tried the mixed berry cobler and it too, was just bland. Not tasty and it came with a big splat of ice cream.
They serve all three meals. Breakfast may have been a better option. Pricey as the small bowl of stew was $8.95 and the large $10.95. The cobbler in a small dish was $8.
Overall, not the place I'd recommend for lunch especially with the high prices. -
Review from Alison B.
San Francisco, CA
3/21/2011
Just got back from a weekend at Sorensen's to hit up Kirkwood (great proximity).
The place is very cute and cozy. The cabin we were in was small for 4 people, but that just makes it easier/faster to heat up with the wood burning stove.
We brought our dog and appreciated that they left some treats and some poop-baggies for us, even though we brought them. We let our dog on the couch and the bed...those rules posted about no pets on furniture are probably just a disclaimer and we didn't take them too seriously.
Other than 1 not so nice woman at the front desk, everyone was SO friendly and accommodating. There was a big storm and they let us use their phone to call long distance several times w/out charging us or even griping.
The snow shoeing trails right off the resort are beautiful, and free snow-shoes at that! And as for the food, we loved it. I had the stew twice! It had a great flavor and heartiness!
We survived a weekend storm that killed all wi-fi and cell reception and still had an enjoyable weekend...I'm sure with those creature comforts, the stay would have been even better.
See for yourself - this place is worth a visit. -
Review from Jon S.
San Francisco, CA
11/24/2009
One of the best places we have ever stayed. Cozy, great service and close to Kirkwood for skiing.
The restaurant is out of this world - we ate ALL of our meals there. The Burgandy Beef Stew is so good. -
Review from Jin I.
Oakland, CA
2/12/2009 1 photo
This place is not your typical hotel. It's comprised of a restaurant, bed and breakfast, a series of cabin, and a sauna.
The restaurant was pretty good but a bit pricey. I had dinner there for twenty something dollars and had salmon that was just a bit dry but the asparagus and salad were very good. They serve a mean breakfast, the whole schebang... eggs, bacon, waffles, juice, fruit, coffee.
The people there are the nicest people ever. They offered us a complimentary glass of wine, which is included in the price of the room.
The cabins are really charming. Ours had two full/double sized beds, a kitchen (equipped with cooking and eating utensils), a bathroom (with plenty of fluffy towels), and a wood burning stove (the wood is provided). They have wi-fi but it's a little slow, good for checking e-mail but probably not much more. There's no cell phone reception, which is probably good if you want to get away.
The sauna is great after a cold day on the slopes. Too bad they don't have a hot tub.
I highly recommend this place for as a nice departure from the crowds. -
Review from Eric B.
5/1/2008
Sorensen's IS a nice place to stay and year round. I'm partial to fall and winter. It's remote, yet convenient to Lake Tahoe and Grover Hot Springs is near. The route is also a nice back way into the Genoa/Carson NV area.
Each cabin has it's own unique personality and they are comfortable and clean. The fish pond is also a kid favourite. I also thought that the restaurant was very good and some of their evening and weekend programs are worth the trip alone. -
Review from Rose S.
Mountain View, CA
2/28/2007
Sorensen's exceeded our expectations! It's a winter wonderland there! Each cabin is different, so your experience might vary based on the one you choose. We were picky: we wanted full kitchen (most have), tub (few have) and dog friendly (few are), so the intersection of these needs was basically The Homestead cabin.
The cabin was exceptionally clean, the kitchen filled with basic utensils and nice appliances, the bedding was good, the fireplace amazing. It felt very warm (despite sub-freezing temps) and homey there, not flashy but nice. Onsite restaurant has decent food and a shockingly good wine list. Staff was friendly.
We did find the location a bit remote, at least during and right after a major storm. Hope Valley X-Country Ski Center, a sister business just down the road, didn't groom any of the 60 miles of trails during our stay, even after the storm. Kirkwood is nearby, but that's about it for skiing, and the road to Tahoe proper takes about an hour. Other nits we had: slow lot plowing after snow (although the road was open, so we got stuck in the lot) and very snowy, slippery trails from the parking lot to the more distant cabins.
All in all, we loved it here and would return. To us, it felt more like a winter place than a summer one, a place totally geared towards lounging in bed for hours and doing "nothing." :-) -
Review from shannone e.
San Francisco, CA
2/4/2010
After a lot of anticipation about getting to finally stay here, I was a little disappointed. The cabin was tiny and thankfully not full of the usual Tahoe bear and moose tchotke. No TV which has pluses and minuses. It was clean. The bed was comfy. The staff was more than a little grumpy and unhelpful which doesn't seem possible for such a paradisical setting and the cost.
The restaurant was quaint and sweet. My soup was overly salty which probably doesn't bother anyone but me. The staff cranked at us for not making reservations when it was nearly empty and didn't change the whole 1/2-3/4 hour we were there.
It's 14 miles from Kirkwood which was a plus. -
Review from John K.
Concord, CA
8/23/2010
We visited Sorensen's for a 4 day summer stay and had a wonderful time. We stayed in the Norway cabin, which is one of the larger two story cabins on the resort. It is pretty rustic, and quick 15 minute drives to incredible vistas, hiking, fishing, and small general stores. 20 minutes and you're in Tahoe! We loved the deck out back, and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Free coffee each day was awesome. Really nice place to unplug and recharge (and they have free slow wifi if you want to check email - my Sprint cell phone didn't work at all).
Positives: great getaway, friendly service, nice ambiance and great location for outdoor activities.
Negatives: noisy road in front of the resort - cabins towards the back will be quieter (they provide ear plugs), futons are uncomfortable to sleep on, housekeeping is not top notch (but it's ok for a cabin).
Summary: I'll be back! I look forward to a winter visit. -
Review from Angela C.
Brisbane, CA
8/8/2007
If you're looking for a nice, remote place to stay when you visit South Lake Tahoe, this is the place. They have a variety of different lodging, ranging from cabins to B&B rooms that comes with a little loft (which is where we stayed). Great, friendly staff, and the restaurant served pretty decent food with a great wine list.
Rates were the same for the B&B room as a budget motel right in South Lake Tahoe. Location is right next to the West Fork of the Carson River.
I think the only qualm we had is that right at 8am in the morning they had someone watering the grounds, and I guess the spigot was attached to our B&B cabin, so it sounded like a semi-truck driving through our room. -
Review from Laurel B.
San Francisco, CA
1/11/2009
Hope Valley is nice, and Sorensen's is close to Kirkwood. The cabins are pleasant, and they have wifi (though no cell service, and no phones) (kind of great, actually). Our cabin had a full kitchen, and they have a restaurant with a very decent wine list and an emphasis on organic ingredients. We didn't eat there, but the coffee was good, and so was their cobbler. A bit pricey.
Listed in: Lake Tahoe
-
Review from Kristen L.
San Mateo, CA
8/2/2011
Seriously the perfect weekend getaway with the dogs, could not have asked for anything more. I'll start with how dog friendly they are. We had 3 dogs with us, none too small and no problem at all. In fact, the first 2 dogs are free! Then $25/night per extra dog. Not bad at all. Next, FREE absolutely delicious hot chocolate every day with whipped cream and nutmeg and cinnamon on top! Drool! The property itself is absolutely beatiful and well taken care of. They even have a hike that starts on their property that is 3 miles up a mountain with an amazing payoff. And then, on to Hope Valley itself. In two days, this has become my 2nd favorite place after Lassen. It's absolutely amazing. It is national forrest land so you can just go out there and camp out, total wilderness. Not a lot of people out there so you can just escape, but not too few that you feel like some psycho will come out of the woods and chop your head off. This is seriously a magical place and I hope it never changes.
-
Review from Scott L.
Carson City, NV
11/30/2009
This is a review for the restaurant. We had breakfast here with friends and were quite pleased. The omelet was delicious--avocado, spinach and mushrooms. It was cooked perfectly. The breakfast potatoes were some of the best ever-perfect texture and seasonings. The cinnamon roll was not memorable, but the rest was so good that it didn't matter. The coffee was quite good. Service is slow, but the kitchen is small. Very relaxing.
-
Review from Christafarian v.
San Jose, CA
12/29/2010
This place is so cozy and rustic! The cabins are clean and rustically appointed. The beds are in need of being replaced though. We've stayed twice in different cabins and they both had lumpy mattresses. The food is great... not spectacular. They use fresh ingredients that are prepared simply, but flavorfully. The food is pretty hearty, but they also have great salad. I'm a dedicated regular on their dining room after playing in the Kirkwood area!
-
Review from J G.
South Lake Tahoe, CA
10/31/2009 5 photos
Review is for dinner. Very charming restaurant in an older log cabin. On a Sunday it was full for dinner. Food was very good.
-
Review from Joe J.
Santa Cruz, CA
9/16/2011
Our experience at Sorensen's was mixed. All of the praise in other posts is well-deserved. Helpful staff, lovely gardens, really well-equipped kitchens, comfortable bed. However, for us, the truck noise on Highway 88 was too much, both at night (wearing earplugs provided in each room), and during the day -- for instance eating breakfast in a lovely courtyard, or reading a book outside. The owner said that cabins other than ours (further back) were quieter, and a local told us later that truck traffic at that spot was higher than normal (due to various road projects). In addition, we live in a fairly quiet area, and must be particularly sensitive to noise (since only one other post refers to the noise). A friend who has stayed at Sorensen's many times in the winter thinks that this is less of a problem when there is snow. Bottom line: if you are looking for peace and quiet, this may not be the place for you, or ask for one of the cabins towards the rear.
-
Review from Liz G.
San Jose, CA
8/4/2008
We have been here three times. All during the winter. We love that they are dog-friendly. It is quite pricey- but a great way to get away for the weekend. Very romantic. Love the little restaurant, with the yummy stew and big wine selection. Love that we can also cook out own food int he cabins. The last cabin we stayed in though- was really tiny. Do not know the number but it is the furthest one on the left as you face the resort from the parking lot. It was decorated really bad too. I would recommend spending the extra money to get one of the larger units.
-
Review from Dan A.
La Jolla, CA
12/30/2008
Excellent service, delicious food (delivered to our room!), wonderful setting.
Worth the extra cost. It's really not that much more than other lodges in the area, but it is far better. -
Review from Pat R.
Ferndale, WA
5/27/2010 1 photo
Hope Valley is a place I know well as I lived a Sorensens the summer of 1976. The valley is idyllic. The present owners of the resort have done a great job in making it eminently habitable without changing the feeling of this historic resort. If you need TV you must stay away from this place. There is a wireless connection in the office, but it is satellite and somewhat unreliable. So, if your goal is to find some peace then you will be happy here. The cabins are very clean with well equipped kitchens. The beds are great. There is a lot to do in the area.
-
Review from lynn b.
San Francisco, CA
2/4/2010
Great for dog owners. Perfect location for Kirkwood. Quaint cabins close to Kirkwood. I stayed in the Cedar cabin, which allows dogs. Clean, great kitchen. A little pricey.
-
Review from Michele D.
Dublin, CA
7/16/2008
Not only are they great in the winter, but the place is magical in the summer too. 20 minutes to Kirkwood, great food, amazing service. They've got it all!!
-
Review from Darrell K.
Blackhawk, CA
9/12/2010
Sorensen's is a fantastic choice for a relaxing stay in a beautiful valley with endless hiking options. All staff were friendly and helpful, our room was very clean, and the meals were absolutely delicious! We can't wait to return for some more lamb and to try the stew. We hope to return often for summer and winter fun.
-
Review from Lyndsay B.
South Lake Tahoe, CA
5/28/2010
Sorensen's is such a beautiful, quaint little resort for anytime of year. It is set right in the middle of a forest of Aspen trees that turn gorgeous colors in the fall. Perfect area to go hiking in the summer and cross country skiing or snowshoeing in the winter and spring. The staff is wonderful and the food is delicious. It's also only about 20 minutes from Kirkwood ski resort or 25 minutes from South Lake Tahoe. The cabins are all very unique and cozy and some of them are even pet friendly. We definitely recommend staying here for a romantic getaway.
