The scene at BEST WESTERN Plus Station House Inn mostly consists of families looking for affordable rooms while they explore Lake Tahoe. The inn is a series of identical two-story buildings arranged in a square formation around parking lots. There's a separate lobby in the front, with a fireplace and small business center, with the pool and restaurant towards the back of the lot. The restaurant has seasonal outdoor seating and can get pretty crowded in the mornings. Towering pine trees, flower beds, and trimmed lawns look pretty outside. The swimming pool could use some updated patio furniture.

BEST WESTERN Plus Station House Inn's location is the main draw for guests who choose to stay here. The inn is just a few blocks from the lake and the semi-private beach that hotel guests (from this hotel and several others in the area) get free access to. There's a free shuttle to the ski resorts and Heavenly Village is about two miles away. Montbleu Casino is less than a mile away. Parking is both ample and free at the hotel.

There are 98 rooms, suites, and private cabins at BEST WESTERN Plus Station House Inn, and though none of them are especially memorable, they are clean. Flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and air-conditioning are standard. Orange upholstered armchairs and sofas look dated -- same goes with the green wall-to-wall carpet. Beds are covered with thick pillows and contemporary coverlets. Bathrooms are a decent size and have standard shower/tub combos and mostly single sinks. Hairdryers are mounted to the wall. Past guests have reported that rooms with queen beds are on the small side, so it may be best to book a king room or suite if you prefer extra square footage.

The BEST WESTERN Plus Station House Inn offers some great features for this price point. The on-site restaurant serves a free breakfast every morning, and not just the basic serve-yourself coffee and bagels, but an actual sit-down meal at LewMarNel's Steaks and Spirits with a menu and made-to-order options. The restaurant is open seasonally for lunch while the bar and dinner service are open year-round in the evenings. There's an outdoor (seasonal) swimming pool and whirlpool. The lobby has a small business center and computers for guests to use while Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Guests get free access to a nearby beach on Lake Tahoe. There's water equipment (jet skis, kayaks, paddle boards) to rent there and an outdoor restaurant.