If you're staying in South Lake Tahoe in the summer (winter is different) and want a condo or house, it's hard to beat The Tahoe Keys. This is a large waterfront community with small, finger-like lagoons allowing homes to be on the water with their own boat docks. There are hundreds of condos and homes rented here, ranging from $125 per night to $2,000+ per night. Quality varies dramatically, but homes tend to have nicer views and backyards than condos. We have stayed here for six years, two or three times a year. Best selection is from tahoevacationguide.com.
They have an office in the Keys and are AAA-approved.
We call this "suburbia on the lake" because many of the homes look like they belong in a Southern California development, not at Tahoe. If you're looking for tall pines and seclusion, this is not it! Close to restaurants, shops, boat rentals and other tourism necessities, it is a very convenient place to stay in the summer. Many expensive rentals at Tahoe are quite isolated around the lake, and getting to a restaurant or grocery store can be a 15 minute drive -- not at the Keys. If you're bringing a trailer boat, this is the best possible location -- nearby launch ramp, marina, and the boat in your own back yard! About winter -- same place, but no ski atmosphere. Heavenly is about a 10-20 minute drive, depending on snow and traffic. Have fun!

The Tahoe Keys is a waterfront sub-community within South Lake Tahoe.
Although several property management companies rent homes & condos in the Tahoe Keys we recommend Tahoe Keys Resort, Inc./Lake Tahoe Reservation Bureau as it is the only one which is AAA approved. The staff is friendly and fully informed us of all the amenities and charges involved with our reservation. They have their own maintenance and housekeeping staff which were promptly dispatched the two times we needed them. The homes and condos we have stayed in were all clean, well maintained and stocked with clean linen. We have stayed with Tahoe Keys Resort at least 8 times in the past 4 years both in the Tahoe Keys as well as in homes they manage near Heavenly Ski Resort. As family vacations go staying in a home or a condo has been great for our family, and we highly recommend this management company and the properties we have stayed in. Al & Kris

Our family vacations at Lake Tahoe frequently since it is so close to the SF Bay Area. We discovered Tahoe Keys Resort several years ago and fell in love with the waterfront homes. We bring our boat up in the summer and park it right behind the rental house or condo. We have rented both the condos and houses and found them to be an excellent value for the money. it beats the heck out of a hotel room--kitchen, livingroom, fireplace, backyard for the kids, views. The front desk people at Tahoe Keys Resort are exceptionally knowledgeable about the area and are very friendly & courteous. Any problems at the rental we have reported have always been taken care for promptly by their staff. There are some minimal fees for use of the pools & tennis courts which are part of the homeowners' association but Tahoe Keys Resort provides free use of a great health club right on site. We also like it in the winter time because it has great sun expoure and the streets are virtually dry and free of ice unlike the rest of town so the driving and walking is easy.
Elizabeth and I both highly recommend this vacation rental company, I understand that they are the only AAA approved company at Lake Tahoe. We are seriously thinking about buying a home at Lake Tahoe and having them manage it.

I recently stayed at the Tahoe Keys Resort in South Lake Tahoe. We loved the ability to take our dog along for the trip as some of their places allow pets. The service was incredible - very friendly.
It is different from motels as they break out charges such as housekeeping but still very economical. We are planning another trip - and this time staying in a cabin with a hot tub.