Harrah's Lake Tahoe

I changed my 4-day Christmas getaway trip this week from Quebec City to Harrah's in Lake Tahoe. BAD IDEA!! Harrah's, the airport shuttle and Heavenly Ski package[...]were absolutley AWFUL!! A total nightmare!The hotel was overrun with rude, pushy tourists and screaming, out-of control children and teenagers (few of whom spoke English).My "luxury" room had not been upgraded in 20 years and smelled badly. The hotel looked run-down. The hotel service was absolutely terrible. Example: I asked a bellman to carry my ski equipment from the shuttle to the storage area. He replied "Gee, you can ski all day but you can't carry your own skis and poles to the storage area" (in a totally serious tone). I had been injured, but nevertheless, this attutude was pervasive, frequently encountered and totally unacceptable! Room service brought the wrong food orders. The employees acted like they did not want to be there. The management, on being informed of all this, did NOTHING to make it right (as in "comp" something). (I won't be back, obviously).Recommendations:(1) If you value quality and first-class accomodations, NEVER stay at a casino hotel (unless it's the Wynn/Encore in Vegas). ALWAYS stay at the best ski resort you can afford - preferably an adults-only Inn or timeshare if you are single.(2) Book ski lift tickets and equipment on a DAILY basis - NOT in a multi-day package [...]. If you get injured or are not having fun or the weather does not cooperate, you pay regardless! If you rent ski equipment, always book equipment at the ski lodge store at the base of the mountain[...]. And remember that you cannot leave equipment in rental lockers at the mountain base after the lifts close for the day.(3) If you are single and wish to have a more peaceful vacation and can't stand annoying, screaming kiddies and rude, discourteous young people, don't go somewhere where they congregate on winter breaks. Go adults-only!(4) Always check your airport shuttle service out. The schedules are NOT flexible and are almost always a bus - not a limo or small shuttle van. Pay a little extra and get better service and flexibility. When I asked our bus driver to please turn down the volume of his favorite music blasting on the intercomm radio because we could not hear one another, he replied (predictably), "Well, sure. One man's heaven is another man's hell, I guess." Gee, thanks buddy. We needed that attitude. (Then he had his hand out for a "tip" - yeah, right!).(5) [...] It's YOUR vacation - get what you want and deserve!Live & learn! Happy New Year, everyone!

It's a great hotel and location, but the person in registration was a bit less than friendly. He said--and I quote: "If you touch anything from the snack bar you'll be charged." My response was: "I thought you had a 10 second grace period before you can be charged?" His reply was: "it's more like 8 seconds!" I felt like I was being reprimanded for something before doing it??? Also, what if I was hungry and wanted something from the snack bar??? He made me feel like I was an opportunistic type of individual which no one has ever accused me of being before.

Access to Heavenly Gondola and the village is excellent. Lots to do.

The whole experience here was excellent. The staff here were all very courteous. I won a jackpot and the slot manager Ryan treated me like a king. The only complaint I have is the loud housekeeping staff yelling to each other in the hallway as I try to sleep. Otherwise the service exceeds the value.