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Spacious Donner Lake Retreat – Perfect for Families & Groups 🌲🏔️

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Living area
Living area
Living area
Private kitchen
Dining

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 81696 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Gym
  • Outdoor space

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 4

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Spacious Donner Lake Retreat – Perfect for Families & Groups 🌲🏔️

Indian Hill Hush

Our calendar is updated in real-time & our nightly rates are accurately displayed. Simply enter your desired dates and click 'Book Now!'

Planning a family getaway or group trip in Northeast California? This roomy four-bedroom mountain home near Donner Lake and Truckee is the perfect basecamp. With space for up to 8 guests, it blends cozy cabin charm with modern comfort.

Gather & Relax

Warm, knotty pine finishes and rich wood accents throughout

Living room with two reclining sofas + swivel loveseat by the gas fireplace

Loft with a flatscreen TV (cable + Netflix)—ideal for movie nights

Shelves stocked with books for quiet evenings

Cook & Dine Together

Full kitchen with granite countertops, breakfast bar, and modern appliances

Expandable dining table for family meals and game nights

Outdoor Living

South-facing deck with forested ridgeline views and glimpses of Donner Lake

Perfect spot for morning coffee or evening stargazing

Sleep Comfortably

Bedroom 1: King bed (lower level)

Bedroom 2: Queen bed (lower level)

Bedrooms 3 & 4: Twin beds side-by-side (upper level)

Location Highlights

Minutes from Donner Lake & Downtown Truckee

Easy access to hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding

Close to local dining: Alibi Ale House, Morgan’s Lobster Shack, Trokay

Summer fun: Truckee Thursdays street fair (food trucks, beer garden, live music)

Winter skiing: Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Northstar, Sugar Bowl

Things to Know

Free WiFi

Full kitchen & private washer/dryer

Family dogs welcome (small nightly fee)

Winter driving: Chains required, 4x4 recommended

If you are bringing a dog on your trip, the pet fee is already included in your quote when selecting ‘Yes’ to pets. If you would like to add more dogs, please contact us.

Parking notes: There is free parking available for 4 vehicles.

Ski shuttle details: Northstar Free Shuttle to ski area and Village: please download the app "Northstar Transportation"




Damage waiver: The total cost of your reservation for this Property includes a nightly damage waiver fee, plus tax if applicable (the “Damage Waiver”). (A discount may be applied for stays of 28 nights or longer, if permitted.) The Damage Waiver covers you for up to $3,000 of accidental damage to the Property or its contents (such as furniture, fixtures, and appliances) as long as you report the incident to the host prior to checking out. The Damage Waiver fee eliminates the need for a traditional security deposit.
More information can be downloaded from the "Rental Agreement" on the checkout page.

Due to local laws or HOA requirements, guests must be at least 21 years of age to book. Guests under 21 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the duration of the reservation.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
Dogs only. Max of 2.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises.
For information about quiet hours, please refer to the listing description.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number STR22-5808

About the area

Truckee

Located in Northstar, a neighbourhood in Truckee, this holiday home is in the mountains and near the beach. Northstar California Resort and Palisades Tahoe are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Donner Lake and Sand Harbor. Village Ice Skating Rink and North Shore Parasail are also worth visiting. Take in the nearby slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, or try out other outdoor activities such as snowmobiling and ice skating.
View more Holiday homes in TruckeeOpens in a new window
Map
Truckee, CA

What's nearby

  • Northstar California Resort - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Village Ice Skating Rink - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Highlands Gondola - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Big Springs Express Gondola - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort Golf Course - 4 min drive - 2.9 km

Getting around

  • Truckee Station - 12 min drive
  • Truckee, CA (TKF-Truckee Tahoe) - 9 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Lodge at Big Springs - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Coffeebar - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪The Village at Northstar California™ Resort - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪The Sawyer - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪FiftyFifty Brewing Co. - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Spacious Donner Lake Retreat – Perfect for Families & Groups 🌲🏔️ pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Spacious Donner Lake Retreat – Perfect for Families & Groups 🌲🏔️?

As of 14 Mar, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Spacious Donner Lake Retreat – Perfect for Families & Groups 🌲🏔️ on 26 May, 2026 start from S$440, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Spacious Donner Lake Retreat – Perfect for Families & Groups 🌲🏔️?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Spacious Donner Lake Retreat – Perfect for Families & Groups 🌲🏔️?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Spacious Donner Lake Retreat – Perfect for Families & Groups 🌲🏔️?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Spacious Donner Lake Retreat – Perfect for Families & Groups 🌲🏔️ located?

Located in Northstar, this holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Tahoe National Forest and Northstar California Resort. Big Springs Express Gondola and Highlands Gondola are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

7.6

Good

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 24 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 24 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 24 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 24 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 24 reviews

7.8/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Check-in

8.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

8.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Samantha A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful stay. Love this place and always come back for our annual ski trip.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2026

6/10 Okay

Walt S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location and overall it worked out well for a family of 5. The lack of a TV with a cable/satellite service was frustrating and you'll have to use the dryer to dry out your ski gear as the fire doesn't get hot enough.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
This review is from a guest who booked and stayed through a partner site and can't be verified.

8/10 Good

WILLIAM E.

Indian hills house

Great location, comfortable layout, well furnished.

6/10 Okay

Kelly K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Comfortable home, great location, missing some key items

Overall we enjoyed our stay. The home is very comfortable and in a great location, but some key items are not there. Lots of pillows and extra bedding but no pillow cases. Minimal cookware and only a sponge to clean them - no brush or scrubbing pads, only 1 flimsy pot holder, etc. This home had lots of potential but needs better provisions.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021
This review is from a guest who booked and stayed through a partner site and can't be verified.

6/10 Okay

Jason D.

WiFi down but cabin good

Cabin was nice, but when we arrived WiFi was down. Took 2 days and a couple of visits (second by the Internet company) to get up and running again. Asked Vacasa about any potential recompense for the inconvenience, but as of yet haven't heard back.
This review is from a guest who booked and stayed through a partner site and can't be verified.

2/10 Terrible

william J.

It has four bedrooms...

The rental company personnel we worked with were very helpful. However, this house is a tired, old ski cabin at best and a dreary dump in honest terms. If all you are interested in is a place to sleep, it has four bedrooms. However, the kitchen is poorly equipped for anything more than morning coffee; the bathrooms are dismal and small (bring your own towels); the lighting is poor, the furniture old, and the front door makes a horror movie sound every time you open or close it. The floors are plastic, fake wood and parts of the floor sink when stepped on. But it has four bedrooms...
This review is from a guest who booked and stayed through a partner site and can't be verified.

2/10 Terrible

Lise S.

The Previous Reviews were True

Our recent stay at the house fell short of our expectations, primarily due to cleanliness oversights and maintenance issues that detracted from our experience. It was apparent that the housekeeper focused solely on surface areas, neglecting crucial details that significantly impacted our comfort. Among the oversights, we discovered a pair of Tiffany’s eyeglasses left behind by a previous guest in the bathroom, indicating a lack of thorough inspection between stays. Additionally, behind the toilet, remnants of small trash persisted, suggesting inadequate cleaning procedures. Furthermore, we found a used face towel in the upstairs bathroom, adorned with someone else's hair and indications of alternative use, which was unsettling. Further adding to our disappointment, a sippy cup from a previous guest was found in the bedroom, reflecting oversight in the cleaning process. Even the mudroom had trash hidden beneath the cushion, which we encountered while ensuring we hadn't left anything behind. Though we disposed of the used wrappers we found, it highlighted the need for a more meticulous cleaning routine. On top of these cleanliness concerns, upon arrival, we noticed a broken cabinet door, indicating a lack of attention to maintenance. Moreover, the WiFi connection was unreliable throughout our stay, causing inconvenience. To exacerbate matters, the extra blankets provided were filled with sand and dog hair, leaving us feeling gross after unwittingly using them. While we understand that the house doesn't need to be new, cleanliness and basic amenities are essential for a satisfactory stay. We hope that these issues are promptly addressed to enhance the experience for future guests.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

2/10 Terrible

Stephen M.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness

Wanted. Period. Peri... Competent cleaning stuff!

The cleaning fee was over $200 for our three night stay. When we arrived there is a tangerine slice about 6 inches from the back of the sofa in plain view on the floor. Underneath the sofa there was some sort of nuts like almonds and there was quite a bit of dust. On the kitchen floor in front of the refrigerator was a blue toothpaste cap and again some dust bunnies. Most alarming was when my wife and I went to bed after a nice evening sitting by the fireplace. We crawled between the sheets at about 11:30 pm and found what I initially thought was some sort of dirt or small grams of sand. That material turned out to be crumbs. Closer inspection showed that the sheets and bedding linens did not appear to have been changed. Also, my pillow had a bubblegum smell to it and my wife’s had no scent whatsoever….but none of the bedding smelled cleaned or freshly laundered. We checked the adjacent bedroom, pulled back to covers and found crumbs maybe along the lines of potato chip crumbs or Cheez-it type crackers. So here it is 11:30 PM and we were forced to wash sheets and the mattress cover. It was 2:30 AM before we were able to crawl back into bed and feel comfortable and clean in our sleep. On the morning of our checkout time which was at 10 AM, I started loading my truck. When I walked outside there was a black SUV stopped in front of the driveway with its right turn signal on signaling that it apparently wanted to park in the driveway. They were there for approximately 5 to 10 minutes as I was making trips in and out to load luggage and other items into my truck. This SUV made me feel uneasy and rushed which should not have happened. I also felt that a 10 AM check out time was not really reasonable if you’re trying to stay and relax. And 11 AM check out time would be much more reasonable and less pressure. I will say that the location is excellent, the house is very cute and well laid out. However because of the aforementioned negative issues I would not stay at this property again.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023
This review is from a guest who booked and stayed through a partner site and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kristin B.

Nice location good layout

Solid cabin and nice layout for 4br. Kitchen is a little sparse but we read reviews ahead of time and brought some extra things, including throw blankets. Beds were comfortable and the kids even built a little slide in the snow in the back. It’s not luxury but not sure it’s advertised as such. Cabin through and through and we would definitely stay there again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2023

4/10 Poor

Joseph S.

Liked: Check-in
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication, listing accuracy

Not Great Experience Staying

Overall, me and my friends had a pretty bad experience with our stay here. The house was fairly clean when we arrived, however, it got very hot inside, which we were anticipating, but there was no AC and ceiling fans did not help much. The very first night we were there, at 11pm the carbon monoxide alarm went off and woke everyone up in the house, including our infant daughter who had just fell asleep. The fire department showed up and confirmed the alarm was broken, and it was against the law to not have it working. When we reached out to the owners, they confirmed it would be fixed the next day, but that never happened. The wi-fi was super slow, and very hard to connect to, which made it very difficult for the few of us working. Also, pretty gross, you could hear something running around in the walls (likely rats), mostly when you were sleeping or showering. Really hope there is some way to get a partial refund, but needless to say we will not be staying here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
This review is from a guest who booked and stayed through a partner site and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Ronald S.

Great cabin in Northstar

Cozy nice cabin! It had everything we needed and was in a great location.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

6/10 Okay

Rose v.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Adorable space that needs some TLC

I love VRBO stays and have booked many stays through these sites with family and friends all over the world. Sizing and amenities obviously vary by location but there are a couple of qualifiers that will make me want to come back. This particular home is in a great location, minutes to walking trails and North Star shopping and dining. It is cozy as the description states but plenty of room to house 8 people very comfortably. The loft space with tv and sitting area was perfect for the teens and my husband and I enjoyed our space downstairs and on the two patios. Having said that, the house is dated and with the exception of a couple of updates looks like it hasn't been renovated since it was built in the 1980s. Also, when we first walked in, I could smell bug spray which had likely been just applied by the cleaning crew. I understand we were staying in the middle of the woods but when you wake up to find dead bugs in the kitchen each morning as you're grabbing your coffee, it sort of takes away from the experience. Biggest issue I think we had was the cleanliness - I do believe that the basics are being done in terms of surface cleaning but there was either dust (plenty on the mantel) or it's not being cleaned thoroughly after pets stay there as we noticed animal hair left on the sofa pillows. Half our group suffered with stuffy noses and itchy eyes. I would absolutely welcome staying there once it goes through some nice updates as that and the cleanliness of the property were the only things that took away from this cozy gem.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
This review is from a guest who booked and stayed through a partner site and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Timothy N.

cozy and convenient

We loved this super cozy place. Lots of indoor and outdoor space, nooks for reading or hanging out, and we found the furniture and beds to be very comfortable. Shuttle gets you to Northstar village in just a few minutes. Everything was clean and in good shape, host was responsive. Bonus - easily the best book selection of any place we've rented. One drawback - if you plan to do your own cooking, there isn't much equipment for that.

8/10 Good

Laura G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good older house with skiing shuttle pickup

Good house for skiing , close to North Star with shuttle pickup at the driveway. It could use a kitchen facelift and a few more items for cooking but overall OK.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2022
This review is from a guest who booked and stayed through a partner site and can't be verified.

8/10 Good

Louisa F.

Great location

House is clean & kitchen is well maintained. All beds should definitely get changed. Mattresses are lopsided & very firm. All pillows probably should be replaced. Upstairs shower so small & really only for one little kid at a time.

10/10 Excellent

sheila I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We enjoyed our stay!

Very convenient shuttle service to Northstar! Very comfortable and warm home!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2022

8/10 Good

Gabriele H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy cabin with all basic features

We stayed with 6 adults for a week. Overall good experience. The kitchen equipment is bare bones. You may need to eg buy Cup measures if you plan to cook. We left some items behind that were added during our stay. Twin beds upstairs are challenging for adults Otherwise great location with good service
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2021
This review is from a guest who booked and stayed through a partner site and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Elexus S.

Nice

The house was so nice and it was so beautiful when it snowed I'm glad we saw it before we left, the temperature in the rooms was a little hotter than the whole house and a little stuffy at times. The house creeked a lot at night so that was creepy lol, I would love to stay here again soon.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

8/10 Good

Amy A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Perfect location only 2 minutes to north star village. The house is a bit dated but spotlessly clean. Only negative is the mattresses are rock hard and none of slept well because they were so uncomfortable.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Laurie W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Comfy cabin, great location

This cabin was in a great location! Close to Tahoe and downtown Truckee. Northstar Village 2 minute drive. Cabin was clean and the beds were comfortable! It it not updated but it is clean! I look forward to coming back. Thank you to the owners for allowing dogs. It is very much appreciated!!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jessica R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Place, great location!

Beautiful Place, great location!
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Katie K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location and comfy

Easy access to rent and all communication was timely and clear. The house was in a terrific location in Northstar. A little outdated but totally comfortable.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
This review is from a guest who booked and stayed through a partner site and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

James T.

Great Summer Trip

Really enjoyed our stay here. The house gave us access to the Rec Center and their fantastic pool. Easy access to hiking and biking trails, as well as the Northstar village. Super close to the Truckee River, and the lake. House was super comfortable.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
This review is from a guest who booked and stayed through a partner site and can't be verified.

8/10 Good

Tricia S.

A nice place.

The house was nice and clean. The beds were comfortable. The appliances are fairly new. Northstar Village was a five minute drive away. If you like to cook, you need to bring your tools with you. You can reheat, assemble, and serve, but there are limited pan and cooking utensil options--like a decent frying pan. I had to be creative to make scrambled eggs.

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