Basecamp Tahoe South

In California a surprising number of roadside motels have survived the swing of the wrecking ball, Basecamp Tahoe South included. And now that hip, modern travelers have a taste for a revamped motel or two, they’re a hot commodity. This one enjoys a more exotic location than many of its cohort, a few minutes’ stroll from the edge of the lake just south of the state line. But the two-level structure was a simple affair before undergoing a grand makeover into an eco-conscious boutique hotel with a beer garden and a rooftop hot tub.

It’s all the fun of camping — that’s the unifying theme, as the name suggests — without actually sleeping outside. The lobby, with its deep leather sofas, wood-burning fireplace, and racks for storing your gear, is pleasingly outdoorsy. Guest rooms are rustic-chic, outfitted with crisp white 300-thread-count sheets, furnishings made of repurposed wood, and vintage pieces from metal desk chairs to retro camping lanterns. Family Rooms even have bunk beds; many rooms also have private balconies with Adirondack chairs.

You won’t be lingering on a balcony much, though — not with the range of cool outdoor spaces open to guests at the Basecamp Hotel. There’s the rooftop hot tub, and several decks: one has a fire pit with do-it-yourself s’mores available every evening, another has mountain views. Both are served by the beer garden. Open to the public, the central bar is well-attended in peak seasons — a second bar, in the lobby, is thoughtfully reserved for hotel guests when things get busy.

You’ll have to fend for yourself outside the hotel grounds, though: the popular Heavenly Mountain ski area is right here, the closest gondola just a four-minute walk away. In warmer weather, it’s easier to experience the solitude of the great outdoors. Just rent a bicycle at the hotel and take off to explore the lovely network of trails around the lake.