The Retreat on Charleston Peak

Hotel · Mount Charleston ·

The Retreat on Charleston Peak

Hotel · Mount Charleston ·

Rustic lodge with updated rooms, mountain views, and dining

Information

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

@cntraveler

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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 Its dark and outdated lobby has been overhauled with an updated tribute to the Old West: big leather couches and seats dot the great room under vaulted timber ceilings with view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

The Retreat on Charleston Peak

@cntraveler

42,481 Postcards · 5,683 Cities

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 Its dark and outdated lobby has been overhauled with an updated tribute to the Old West: big leather couches and seats dot the great room under vaulted timber ceilings, with view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

The Retreat on Charleston Peak

D G

Google

We spent Christmas weekend here and it was pure magic! 😊 The snow-capped mountains provided a breathtaking backdrop, and the lodge's cathedral ceilings and crackling fireplaces perfectly captured the cozy mountain vibe. The restaurant was a highlight, and the bar was on point. We even won a little money on the machines And for those phenomenal bartenders😍❤️! It's funny, we actually stayed here back in the 90's when the golf course was still around. It is amazing how some things only get better with age. The place has evolved, yea, but that only adds to the charm.

Atousa G.

Google

Do not stay here! We had a frightening incident in the restaurant with another guest who became verbally assaulted and aggressive—yelling and screaming at our table and disrupting the entire dining room., moreover, scaring the three kids that we had. Management (Christopher) and (Avalon) were notified immediately and did essentially nothing beyond “we’ll file an incident report.” No meaningful intervention, no follow-up, no attempt to separate the guest, and no effort to make us feel safe. This resort and its management failed both on safety and basic room/hygiene standards. Because we had ski tickets the next day, leaving late at night wasn’t realistic, and the hotel offered zero accommodation or support to make the stay feel safer or more pleasant after the incident. I asked for a refund and that was declined. We will notify corporate as well of the incident. The property itself is in poor condition. The rooms are very old, smell unpleasant, and feel poorly maintained. There were stains in the bedding, broken light fixtures in the room. The beds squeaked with their old hard mattress. Bedding and linens feel worn and outdated. Overall it was an uncomfortable, disappointing, and frankly gross stay. I would not return and would not recommend this hotel to anyone. In Response to "Managements Reply": Your response doesn’t match our experience. Management on-site was notified immediately, and I followed up the next day with Avalon (the head manager on property), who said she would call and never did. The lack of follow-through is exactly why I left this review. Please don’t imply this is being “escalated for review” when the full management team was already made aware at the time and no action was taken.

Rebecca L.

Google

This review is rated more towards the restaurant on site. While there are beautiful views, the restaurant is outdated and drab. The women’s bathroom in the lobby is missing a door handle from the inside. The staff is all friendly and service from all was good. The food and beverages however are highly limited and very overpriced for the quality. With them being one of the only options currently on the mountain I would figure the pricing would reflect accordingly, however moving forward we will definitely be leaving the mountain to dine or brining our own food. We ordered a tbone and received what looked like a heavily overcooked thin sirloin (photographed with the review) we asked for medium and received very well done. When we received our correct cut steak and cook it was very chewy and tasted heavily salty. I would not recommend eating here, 30 mins and you can be in Vegas to pay the same pricing for a better quality in meal. Dinner time the dining room was empty and unfortunately I see why.

Alfredo David S.

Google

This business’ restaurant charges an unlawful service fee at the end of the bill and it’s NOT shown anywhere in their menu for the consumer to understand what they will finally be paying. It’s a “mandatory” and unlawful surprise fee that hits the consumer financially as it’s not possible to determine a transparent cost for eating at this place. The service provided by the server was unacceptable: The wait time of 15+ minutes to just be acknowledged was so unprofessional, the wait time of 1+ hours to serve the food was a poor experience with food already cold and not fresh was an obvious red flag. Finally, the rudeness of that waitress, demanding that their surprise fee, for which I’m really not receiving ANYTHING in return, be paid as if that was part of the menu that we’re able to taste or enjoy. It turned out that apparently, it was readable in a small fine print that they were able to show us from a printed menu (stored for these situations, apparently) that we were never shown during the time there. I have filed a report with the regulatory authorities (FTC’s Consumer Protection Bureau, OAG of Nevada and The BBB) for this unlawful and shady practice and I want a complete refund to my account for the unacceptable service that I received. This business needs to be held accountable for bad business practices, overcharging customers, unprofessional service, staff needs to be retrained and behave professionally., especially the blonde waitress with braids (Mindy?). Management could do better: didn’t inquire what was cause of discomfort, whether we received good service, etc. only listened to what this rude and aggressive waitress was saying. She needs to learn to treat customers better. UPDATE: I can see that you have a problem with the menus that are shown to the public but it’s not my problem that your menus didn’t have this warning or notice printed during the day of the incident, as anyone can see from the image. I’m only interest in a full refund to my account for the 6+ people service charge that was not disclosed during the time I received service.

Lesli B.

Google

We had a group event here. Meetings in the morning and dinner afterwards. This hotel is exactly what you think a mountain hotel would be. Very lodge like in theme and deco. It's easy to get to. The property is older, keep that in mind. No elevator. Definitely dog friendly!! The hotel did their best to meet our needs for our event. There was clear communication at all times with the event staff. Although the menu isn't super large, we all found something great to eat for a mixed group. We thank the staff for showing us great hospitality.

Theresa J.

Google

I cannot say enough good things shout our experience at the retreat. Everything was perfect from the booking of multiple reservations to the end of our ski Christmas vacation. Everything employee at the retreat was very kind and helpful. Kudos to Katie and the event staff for making our Christmas party magical. Thank you all for a great stay and we will definitely visit again. It’s a great experience with a beautiful scenery.

Jason G.

Google

This place is amazing and as advertised. Little quaint hotel in Mt. Charleston. The staff is really friendly. Loved Jim! He was always so welcoming and amazing to our dogs. Close drive to Lee Canyon ski resort, but we chose to just take our kid to the sledding area. Will definitely be coming back. Overall a great place to stay and worth the cost.

Heather R.

Google

This quaint hotel is in the middle of the mountains just outside of Vegas. The food is amazing, I recommend the steaks. The chef is great. My son and daughter in law got married there and it was perfect. They helped coordinate everything and it went off amazingly well. The rooms are great! The only thing to be aware of is there are no elevators to get up to the 2nd and 3rd floors, so they're not ADA friendly and you have to carry your luggage up. Staff is amazing. Bartender was great as we gambled and he served us our non-alcoholic drinks. Our family had the best time.