I've stayed here about six or seven times over the years and never been disappointed ALTHOUGH I CAN UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS BY OTHERS, especially if they were renting rather than timeshare owners already famiiar with the place. I already knew, for example, that a studio suite would not have a full kitchen nor a view of the lake, and that there isn't much staff on site, and the somewhat unusual check-in methods/locations which can be difficult if they don't inform you in advance. The one-bedroom units do indeed have fireplace, COMPLETE kitchen with everything you could want, balconies with views of the valley. The lack of restaurants doesn't bother me as we usually go with the plan of cooking in our room to save money, and we ride the resort bus over to the free movie theater, ping-pong tables, exercise classes, etc.

My last trip was in Oct. 2009; the one-bedroom had been completely renovated with new furniture, IPOD dock, etc. I felt relief that my timeshare maintenance fees were going for something.

My brother and I, in 2006, decided to try out ALL 13 of the hot tubs in the Ridge Tahoe complex in one day [it actually took one afternoon and one morning.] We decided the one at Ridge Pointe is still the best [although it was closed for repairs when I was there in 2009.]

I've stayed at one other complex on the same side of the mountain as Ridge Pointe -- don't remember if it was Kingsbury or The Ridge -- and found Ridge Pointe to be much more modern, much better lit, better quality everything. From the limited glances I've gotten of other rooms in other buildings as we walked by, I still like Ridge Pointe best.

There are reasonably-priced restaurants down the hill a short distance, some with two-for-one coupons available through Entertainment.com for timeshare owners.

I'm going back in Oct. 2011 and hope everything is as good as I've always found it to be.

And I will add that in 1999 or so when we rented for a couple of nights, the fold-out sofa that the children were to sleep on was broken. We asked for a different room, and were told too bad, just like if you went to a hotel and the TV was broken, that would just be your tough luck and you wouldn't get another one. But in the end, they gave us an entire additional studio suite for the children, so it worked out even better than having the sleeper sofa in the living room fixed.

We had three rooms here for the first week of August. The units were just fine, quite nice in fact. I would have originally preferred to be at the lake instead of up atop Kingsbury, but after seeing the crowds down there in summer, I'm glad we weren't in their midst! Each unit had a fireplace and pretty well outfitted kitchen with full size fridge, a small balcony, and washer/dryer. The second bedroom in each unit also has its own kitchenette, perhaps this is what has caused confusion on the subject of kitchens..... there are separate entrances to each bedroom thru a little entry room. We used the onsite BBQ (nice) and jacuzzi, and also went up to the main resort Ridge Tahoe to eat and use the pool (overcrowded with kids the day we were there.)

There's hiking in the area but you have to shuttle (or drive) to the main resort. The concierge there helped us and was very nice. Also the manager called to check on us, and the housekeeping people were great. Midweek cleaning very nice.

Bedding and pillows all up to snuff - large in room jacuzzi in master BR lovely - all in all I recommend for families.

It would also be great in winter as you are right by the Stagecoach chairlift.

The website says that the rooms have fireplaces and full kitchens - Not! No fireplace, and the kitchen was a microwave and small fridge. No stove. The place is old and there is nobody on-site for anything. The views are nice.

I would seperate two issues in this review: 1) customer service and 2) the quality of the hotel. Be aware that there is no human customer service on site and no signage to indicate the check-in process. Luckily, I met a couple staying there and they directed me to the location on 2nd floor where you sign in your name and get the combination to an adjacent locker which contains your key and facility information. The phone number listed is a national switchboard for other resort properties. Check-out can only be done at a sister resort property 1/2 mile away. 2) the property itself is quite nice complete with washer & dryer. It comes complete with dishes and glassware. An additional fee of $4.95 for WiFi.