The Retreat on Charleston Peak

Hotel · Mount Charleston

The Retreat on Charleston Peak

Hotel · Mount Charleston

2755 Kyle Canyon Rd, Mt Charleston, NV 89124

Highlights

Rustic mountain lodge just 40 miles from Vegas, with cozy rooms, a warm fireplace, lakeside tunes, and locally inspired eats.

2755 Kyle Canyon Rd, Mt Charleston, NV 89124 Get directions

theretreatoncharlestonpeak.com

@retreatoncharlestonpeak

@cntraveler

3 Best Day Trips from Las Vegas | Condé Nast Traveler

"For years, the Resort on Mount Charleston was a fixture here, and its exterior remains much the same since it was rebranded The Retreat on Charleston Peak. Surrounded by towering pines, the timber and fieldstone lodge is exactly what you expect in an alpine forest. You just might not expect it to be 30 minutes away from sweltering Las Vegas. The tall timber building is a dramatic sight at the base of snowcapped peaks as you drive up the mountain, and sits at a 7,500-foot elevation. Its dark and outdated lobby has been overhauled with an updated tribute to the Old West: big leather couches and seats dot the great room under vaulted timber ceilings with view from massive windows to the forest outside. After getting new ownership in 2018, the hotel has a new focus on sustainability and the outdoors." - Andrea Bennett

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-day-trips-from-las-vegas

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@cntraveler

The Retreat on Mount Charleston

"Why did this hotel catch your attention?For years, the Resort on Mount Charleston was a fixture here, and its exterior remains much the same since it was rebranded The Retreat on Charleston Peak. Surrounded by towering pines, the timber and fieldstone lodge is exactly what you expect in an alpine forest. You just might not expect it to be 30 minutes away from sweltering Las Vegas. The tall timber building is a dramatic sight at the base of snowcapped peaks as you drive up the mountain, and sits at a 7,500-foot elevation. Its dark and outdated lobby has been overhauled with an updated tribute to the Old West: big leather couches and seats dot the great room under vaulted timber ceilings, with view from massive windows to the forest outside. What's the backstory?The resort was, for 10 years owned by The Siegel Group, which renovates distressed motel properties. Despite its incredible location and old-school timber exterior, it was never able to break out as a high-end resort, and relied on conference business to keep it going. In 2018, Rhea Hospitality, a small, independent North Carolina hospitality company, bought it with a plan to landscape with native plants, switch to solar power, and decorate with the work of Nevada artists. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book?The Retreat on Charleston Peak is a work in progress (it's on year two of a three-year renovation plan). It's rustic and old-school in the way you'd expect an old mountain resort to be. So there are some dated elements as the resort gets up to speed. Rooms have undergone good soft renovations (floor and wallcoverings, linens and draperies), but some of the baths are still awaiting an update. Wi-Fi is now working in the rooms and all the public areas of the resort (a change from yesteryear). The king suites, all on the highest floors, with timber-beamed ceilings and redone in creamy neutral shades, are the best bets for views and comfort. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?What a change a few years makes. For years, locals came up here for the rustic charm—which included such ancient relics as a cigarette machine right off the lobby. Now the smoky old lounge and restaurant have been transformed into Canyons Restaurant, which serves coffee made from locally roasted beans and baked goods from Mount Charleston's Cathedral Rock Bakery. You won't find experimental haute cuisine here, but you will find an updated menu that includes a "Pioneer Breakfast" (biscuits with country gravy, sausage, and home fries), omelettes, and a boozy hot chocolate. An updated burger menu, plus slightly more modern additions like fried cauliflower, mahi cakes, and glazed pork belly finish it off. Those who are accustomed to Strip dining might not appreciate the actual vintage charm of the place, but that's why locals flock here. How was the service?The Retreat on Charleston Peak is slowly transitioning from mostly convention business to a resort and lodge that's focused on sustainability and love for the outdoors—including Mount Charleston's winter skiing business and major appeal as a hiking destination. It takes a bit of time to transition, so you'll find a resort that's making major improvements to sustainability (LED lights, buying local goods and planting native plants, transitioning to solar power), but hasn't made the changes overnight. Service is sincere and helpful, but they're adjusting to their new normal, too. What type of travelers will you find here?Guests of The Retreat run the gamut from families who've been coming to the lodge since it was built in 1984 (through its various owner changes) and don't care if the resort is sustainable or not, to a new generation of Mount Charleston explorers, who are here for the hiking and love the idea of a sustainable retreat. This area was almost strictly a locals' secret for years, but has become popular in the last decade. Weathered bikers meet annual family reunion groups meet Silicon Valley escapees who are here for the nature but need their connectivity. What about the area? What else is around?The Retreat is in an isolated mountain location. There are occasional little shops and gas stations around, but you're coming here to get away—and it feels like it. Is there anything you'd change?As in any resort rethink, there are plenty of features that are stuck in the resort's past (furniture, some bathroom fixtures). As it continues to update over time, guests will find a resort that's more linked to the Nevada wilderness it calls home. Any other hotel features worth noting?One of the best ways to enjoy The Retreat is to come here in the winter. Even though locals can get up the mountain and back home in just an hour or two (enough time to see a little snow), they love to come here and book a weekend, drink something warm and boozy by the fireplace, and be completely transported from the slick gaudiness of Las Vegas in virtually no time at all. Bottom line: Why are we choosing The Retreat?Prices at The Retreat are gentle and well worth a weekend escape, especially if Las Vegas' lack of seasons gets you down. Up here in the Spring Mountain Range of the Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest, you can quickly leave the sweltering temperatures of the valley below and get into the fresh air and pine-studded mountains you might have had no idea exist so close to the Strip." - Andrea Bennett

https://www.cntraveler.com/hotels/mt-charleston/the-retreat-on-mount-charleston

View Postcard for The Retreat on Charleston Peak

Satisfaction7

Google

Overall this is a decent getaway from the Vegas heat. There are a few issues though. The TV doesn't work. It's Apple TV with free channels like Tubi, Pluto etc. But the internet is so bad, we never saw anything. The screen would freeze for 10 minutes, there's be dialogue, then the spinning wheel. Called the front desk and they said this was normal reception for them and it would not get any better. It didn't. I plugged my phone in and played music instead.||The balcony for the balcony room barely fits two chairs, and there's a glaring bright light outside the balcony all night long. So much for seeing the stars. I get security and all, but it seemed way too bright for relaxation and a "retreat."||The room wasn't ready when we got there. Check-in is late at 4, and many of us had to wait in the lobby and outdoors with our dogs. (It is well-known as a dog-friendly place.)||Nice location, many hiking trails. Bar and restaurant on site looked nice. Overall though, not worth the price paid. Kind of shabby.

Michael R

Google

Excellent Fish-N-Chips at the restaurant. We stopped in for lunch after hiking the visitor center. Restaurant was clean and the waitress was super friendly. We ordered the fish and chips and was cooked well. Came out hot and the fish was all white meat. The hotel entrance was clean and seemed well maintained. Plenty of parking.

Sunday Moore

Google

This is a beautiful hotel. We found this gem when searching for a quick stay on a spontaneous trip. The price was great and we loved that it was off the beaten path and in the mountains. We love the lodge/cabin/outdoorsy decor. If we had more time to spend we definitely would have stayed longer. The room was charming and we can definitely see how this place would be perfect for the skiing season. The electric fireplace was on when we got to our room and it felt very welcoming.

poppet8

Google

Absolutely the worst hotel stay ever! The photos from the website are at least 30 years old. No longer is there any water around the hotel as the pretty pics show. |The lobby is maintained but the rooms were disgusting. Filthy floors that are falling apart, mold in the shower, cracked and dirty sink. Gap under patio door let in flies and awful fried smell from restaurant. Management did not care at all about anything. |The power went out in the night leaving all rooms without electricity, running water (yes no morning commode use or shower) or lighting in hallways and stairwells which were duct taped on the risers. |They actually charged for luke warm coffee in the lobby when we had no power in the rooms. |When I tried contacting corporate 3 times there was total radio silence. DO NOT BOOK HERE, RUN THE OTHER WAY!!!

Crystal Osborne

Google

We booked a king suite at The Retreat on Charleston Peak and were immediately disappointed the moment we walked in. The property is extremely run down. The paint is peeling, fixtures are broken, and the furniture both inside the room and around the property is damaged and unstable. Everything feels sticky. The floors, the tables in the restaurant, even parts of the walls and ceiling. It was hard to get comfortable knowing nothing felt truly clean. The bed was okay, and the linens and towels were clean, which we appreciated. But even basic things did not work properly, like the bathroom sink, which sprayed water everywhere when we tried to wash our hands. Ice and vending machines on the floors do not work. Even worse, the building felt unsafe. The main staircase was crumbling and held together with strips of black tape. It felt like a serious trip hazard and definitely not something guests should have to navigate. What bothered us most was how misleading the online photos are. Even the confirmation email showed a clean, polished building with a paved parking lot and a small pond in front. That photo does not reflect reality. The actual property looks so different that we almost missed it completely if not for our GPS. This place might have been a popular spot years ago, and it still has potential, but it needs a lot of care and investment. Right now, it is not worth the time or money. Our staycation ended up being a complete bust.

Laina Lees

Google

Update: Received a generic response on Google, but still no reply to our emails or any resolution to the overcharging issue. Unacceptable. We stayed here for 1 night, prepaid for 2 through a third party booking, but left early due to a winter storm. Front desk staff charged our card for a 1 night stay (so a 3rd night!) on check-out. And it was charged at their hotel rate, which was more than our 2 night booking total with the 3rd party site!! This was in addition to the security deposit. When I asked for a refund and showed my prepaid invoice, I was told only the manager could issue refunds (even though the clerk had just charged my card without my signature or consent, and would not issue us a receipt). Was told the manager would contact us the next day. It's been a week, and 3 emails to the management with no response. We've tried to file a dispute with our credit card company, but an invoice is required in order to proceed with that, which we haven't been given. Hotel itself has seen better days, as mentioned in many other reviews. Our whole family said it had a bit of "The Shining" vibe to it. Not what we were hoping for on our last 2 nights of vacation. We won't be back, and we certainly wouldn't recommend it to others due to the complete lack of professionalism on the part of front desk staff and being ignored by the management. Side note: on arrival, requested a ground floor room due to sports gear, were told they only had a 3rd floor room. No elevators. Hauled our family's gear up 3 flights of stairs to a room with a fan that sounded like a chainsaw. Asked for a room switch, and suddenly they had a ground floor room available. So back down 3 flights of stairs. So disorganized. We did have breakfast there before leaving, and our server was lovely. They should consider putting her at the front desk instead. Food was mediocre for the price.

Maria E

Google

We had a great stay! The retreat is a cozy rustic stop halfway up Kyle Canyon. The restaurant was delicious and the staff was attentive and pleasant. The rooms were clean, rustic and a great view. The firepit in the lobby is a sweet touch for gathering the family. It was snowing heavily when we were there so we didn’t go outback but it looked welcoming. We definitely recommend and will be back all the way from Florida! The night stay price was very affordable.

Mo Jo

Google

Filthy and rundown lobby bathrooms . Why? As I entered , a lady on her way out told me to make sure to go into the only stall which had toilet paper. One had a broken lock and was could not be used. There was liquid soap dripping and pooling on the counter and the sinks are obviously long overdue to be replaced. This is supposed to be a retreat, a nice getaway from the city. This place has so much potential . We are locals and we enjoy heading up the mountain to escape the Vegas heat. We ate at the restaurant and I've a separate review for there, but no hotel should have such unpleasant ladies room.