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Enjoy the High Sierras at the Hillside Mountain Retreat, elegantly rustic cabin

Photo gallery for Enjoy the High Sierras at the Hillside Mountain Retreat, elegantly rustic cabin

Nothing but blue sky
Terrace/patio
A warm and inviting back yard w miles to roam
Aerial view
An inviting living area w fire place

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Firepit available
    One of the few properties with a dedicated outdoor firepit.
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Garage parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Barbecue
  • Deck or patio
  • Free Wi-Fi

Explore the area

View map
Soda Springs, CA
  • Place, Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, beach near Serene Lakes
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Donner Lake
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Airport, Truckee, CA (TKF-Truckee Tahoe)
    ‪33 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1 - Master Suite

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2 - Log Room

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3 - Red Room

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4 - Off the Loft Room

1 Queen Bed

Living Room 1

1 Double Sofa Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1 - Master Suit

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2 - Main Floor

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3 - Downstairs

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Number of living rooms
Dining area

About this property

Enjoy the High Sierras at the Hillside Mountain Retreat, elegantly rustic cabin

If you are looking for an upscale cabin get-away, you will love your stay at our Mountain Retreat located in beautiful Serene Lakes, just outside Truckee, Ca. Whether you and your family enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, swimming, star gazing, or simply book reading by the fire - you've found your perfect destination.

Located in the community of Serene Lakes, on top of Donner Submit, you will enjoy unapparelled access to the beautiful Sierra Mountains, offering year-round outdoor experiences. Our lovely home backs up to hundreds of square miles of wilderness with the Royal Gorge and x-country skiing in our back yard. An outdoor fire pit and patio adds to the rustic mountain ambience.

Our house includes; 4 bedrooms with luxury linens, 3 fully equipped baths, a well appointed kitchen, washer/dryer, gas fireplace and stove, heated bathroom floors, and convenient secured garage parking.

Not only can you and your family enjoy time on our two spacious decks, but our large backyard with stone patio is the perfect location to while away an afternoon.
In spring and early summer, the wildflowers surrounding our property flourish, and fill your senses with color and scent. Hiking trials and lookout points are easily accessible out the back door as well as world class mountain biking riding, so pack your hiking shoes and bikes. Is star gazing your thing? On a clear night the stars fill the sky and are nothing less than brilliant.

Summertime on Serene Lakes is perfect for outdoor activities such as swimming, paddling, floating and fishing, making a week in the mountains a delight. Easy access to the lake is on foot or on bicycle. We have two kayaks stored on the lake for your use. Bring you SUP or other non-motorized water toys, as it is an excellent way to explore the High Sierra lakes, and to view the beautiful mountain backdrop.

Once the snow falls, it's time to strap on your snowshoes or your x-country skis to experience the largest X-Country Ski Resort on the west coast, the Royal Gorge X -Country Ski Resort. Ticketed patrons have access to miles of groomed trails with access just out our back door. There is easy car access to 4 local ski resorts within minutes.

We have furnished the house with all the amenities you've come to expect and enjoy in a high-end experience. We love it here and know that you will too. The Hillside Mountain retreat sets the standard for elegance on Donner Summit. This slice of heaven is available for your family and friends to enjoy.

A vacation or holiday at our Upscale Mountain Retreat will help create memories that your family will love for years to come.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 35
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
We encourage your family's mountain experience
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Turn down thermostats to 60 degrees. Confirm BBQ is clean, off and covered. Leave used beds unmade and towels in bath tub on main floor.
Summer quests - Ensure the life vests, paddles, SUP, and bicycle are stored in the garage, kayaks are locked on the boat rack at the lake on Lot 1. Store umbrellas in the down position.
Winter guests – ensure that toboggans are stored outside on the hooks under the back deck.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Per Placer County STR Ordinance - no outside audible noise between 9 PM and 8 AM, no on-street parking, no more than 4 vehicles allowed on premises
The Placer County "Good Neighbor Polices" will be forwarded to your email following booking. Also available on the Counties Web site.
Bookings are accepted only from guests with prior reviews of 4 stars or higher. Requests that do not meet this requirement will be declined.

Important information

You need to know

Property Registration Number STR24-8937
Property # 20055132
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

About the area

Soda Springs

Serene Lakes, a neighbourhood in Soda Springs, is home to this cabin. Donner Lake and Tahoe National Forest reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include KidZone Museum and Olympic Museum.
View more Cabin rentals in Soda SpringsOpens in a new window
Map
Soda Springs, CA

What's nearby

  • Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • beach near Serene Lakes - 3 min drive - 1.1 km
  • Donner Lake - 20 min drive - 20.6 km
  • Northstar California Resort - 40 min drive - 45.2 km
  • Palisades Tahoe - 47 min drive - 51.5 km

Getting around

  • Truckee Station - 23 min drive
  • Truckee, CA (TKF-Truckee Tahoe) - 29 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Upper Deck Bar (at Boreal) - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪For Real Dough - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Village Espresso - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪The Pub At Donner Lake - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Mid-Mountain Lodge - ‬15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Enjoy the High Sierras at the Hillside Mountain Retreat, elegantly rustic cabin pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Enjoy the High Sierras at the Hillside Mountain Retreat, elegantly rustic cabin?

As of 17 June 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Enjoy the High Sierras at the Hillside Mountain Retreat, elegantly rustic cabin on 27 Sept 2026 start from AU$732, 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 Enjoy the High Sierras at the Hillside Mountain Retreat, elegantly rustic cabin?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Enjoy the High Sierras at the Hillside Mountain Retreat, elegantly rustic cabin?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Enjoy the High Sierras at the Hillside Mountain Retreat, elegantly rustic cabin?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Enjoy the High Sierras at the Hillside Mountain Retreat, elegantly rustic cabin located?

Located in Serene Lakes, this cabin is steps from Tahoe National Forest and within 3 mi (5 km) of Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort and Soda Springs. Sugar Bowl Resort and Sugar Bowl are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

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. 7 out of 7 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 7 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Whitney K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing home! Perfect access to Soda Springs Resort. Our family loved it and we’d happily stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Caleb J.

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

Great stay!

This was a beautiful and well situated vacation home base for us. The house was well appointed, clean, and communication was great.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Mar 2025
Caleb, we have been out of the country on vacation, hence our late response. We are happy that you had a good experience at the Hillside Mountain Retreat. We do our best to meet or exceed your expectations, and hope we did. If we have the opportunity to host you again, the only request that we would ask of you, is that you leave our home in a more tidy condition. There were dishes, socks, and trash items scattered throughout and our home wasn’t left in the clean and tidy condition that we generally expect. That said, most people like being on the summit in the winter, but they love it in the summer. If you have any desire to be on the summit during the summer, the Hillside Mountain Retreat, and the outdoor living experience we offer is tops. If your summer plans include a visit to the mountains, the Hillside Mountain Retreat awaits and we hope that you will give us a good recommendation to your inner circle of family and friends Enjoy today Chris and Denise
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kevin S.

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

Great house!

It is fantastic!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Caleb J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Clean, well appointed, and spacious! Great.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Aug 2025
Caleb and family enjoyed a pleasant stay and are welcome back. We're happy that they spent some of their summer time with us and would not hesitate to recommend them. .
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
they even have really cool (our kids are older now, but we commented on how great that would have been for when they were smaller)
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Josephine P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Chris is a wonderful host! Everything was just incredible. The check-in was as easy as it could be. The house is just lovely and so inviting. In short, it feels like home. The hosts have thought of absolutely everything. The beds are very comfortable and there are plenty of extra blankets to feel cozy before the fire after a day of c-country skiing. They even offer toothbrushes and toothpaste in case you forgot it.The kitchen was by far the best stocked kitchen we have ever experienced in a rental. Thank you for sharing your home with us.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Feb 2026
Thank you for your kind words - our hope is to always meet or exceed your expectations. We are happy to be part of making your family time special and appreciate the respect and care you showed for our home. Always welcome back.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly M.

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

Perfect home for families!

We had an absolutely lovely stay at the Hillside Mountain Retreat. The home was beautifully designed and the host made us feel so welcome. We spent our evenings relaxing on the couches by the fireplace after skiing at nearby Soda Springs. What really set this home apart for us was the many amenities for young families. Multiple baby gates, pack n plays, high chairs and toys for all ages. It was so easy to feel settled and safe with our babies. It snowed on the last day and the big kids had a fun adventure making snow angels on the deck. We were two young families traveling together and are already making plans to come back next year.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

About the host

Hosted by Chris

Host profile image
We have been on Donner Summit for nearly 30 years and love it. Previously we owned a local condo and allowed quests to occupy it when we weren't. We feel that by sharing our space with others they too will learn and find a fondness for the outdoors and a respect for open spaces and nature.

Why they chose this property

The community of Serene Lakes is full of like-minded people who embrace an active lifestyle, are willing to lend a helping hand, and enjoy fresh air and the mountain experience. It's a place where the kids can tie their fishing poles to their bikes and ride to the lake to test their luck - while you enjoy rest and relaxation on one of the two decks or on the backyard patio.

What makes this property unique

We built the house over the course of several years with the design idea of "elegantly rustic". We wanted it to be airy and light with unique features and one-of-a-kind detail. We wanted it to have that cabin feel, not crazy modern and what we feel would be out of place in this exquisite mountain environment. Yet we equipped it with all the amenities and creature comforts that we, and you, have come to enjoy. We know you'll love it and look forward to your perspective as well as your recommendations.

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English
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