Mount Charleston Cabins — Local services in Summerlin South

Mount Charleston Lodge is truly a unique establishment within the Las Vegas area. Located at 7,717 feet atop Mount Charleston in Kyle Canyon's Humboldt National Forest, this rustic restaurant feels like it is actually located in Denver or the Alps as opposed to Vegas. It's probably for this reason that it's so popular among the locals, as a 45 minute drive can make you feel like you're in a completely different country.

The drive to the lodge, along the long and windy roads leading up the mountain, is an entertaining and peaceful one. You get to see lots of interesting houses, campsites, and trees that help you forget you're in the desert. Just be sure to gas up the car before starting the journey, because there's literally no place to stop and fill up your tank on the way up the mountain. Oh, and pray you're not stuck behind a slow driver! The road only has 2 lanes.

The view from the Mount Charleston Lodge is simply breathtaking. It's not so high that you're above the treeline, so you can see sweeping vistas of tree-covered mountains all around you. (And it's even more breathtaking in the wintertime when there's snow!) The air feels crisper up at that elevation, and it really is refreshing to get out of the hustle-&-bustle of Vegas and relax at this rustic retreat.

However, I think it's safe to say that the view is the best thing Mount Charleston Lodge has going for it. Parking up at the Lodge always seems to be a hassle, as it is a popular destination and the parking lot is not very big. Often, you'll have to brave the back parking lot to find a space, and it's a big dirt field without well delineated parking spaces. If it's rainy or snowy, this area becomes a mud field, making walking from your car to the lodge a messy affair. (I've even seen cars get stuck in the mud here.)

The interior of the Mount Charleston Lodge is very homey. It's all wooden walls and floors with a 20-foot loft ceiling, a huge fireplace, and lots of windows overlooking the mountain views. It's even more atmospheric at night when the lights are low and the candlelight-ambiance is in full effect. The dining area takes up most of the establishment, but there is a large and well-stocked bar inside the lodge, as well as a small stage and dance floor where bands will perform during dinnertime. However, these performances make it impossible to hear anyone, even if you're sitting next to them, as the acoustics make the lodge extremely loud. The lodge is especially pretty during the holidays when Christmas decorations are adorning it.

A huge minus in Mount Charleston Lodge's column (and a reason for docking a whole star from my review) is that its bathrooms are, quite frankly, gross. They are oddly shaped, always messy, never clean, and stinky as all-get-out. This is especially true for the women's restroom. My female friends who I've brought to the Lodge feel like they need to shower and throw away their underwear after using the Lodge's toilets. It seems no one ever bothers to clean these restrooms, and in the case of the ladies room, the door is often propped open giving the entire restaurant a view of the inside, even as its being used.

The food at the Lodge is also disappointing. The fare here is about on par with what you'd typically get at a restaurant like Applebees. The biggest positive I can give the food is that the portion sizes are large, but large portions of mediocre food is still mediocre. When it comes to the Mount Charleston Lodge, you come for the experience, not the cuisine. I can say that the drink menu is quite large and varied, so at least the Lodge has that going for it. But the food definitely leaves something to be desired. (The service is also subpar.)

Overall, I really enjoy going up to the Mount Charleston Lodge and it's a fun getaway for the family or to take friends who may be visiting town. It's best to go in the wintertime to get the snowy views and the crisp air. However, if you're looking for a good place to eat, I'm sad to say Mount Charleston Lodge is not it. (Nor is it a good place to go to...

I really enjoy coming here, one of the true treats to visiting Mt. Charleston. Located just 4.3 miles down the road from the Mt. Charleston Resort, the Lodge offers picturesque views of the mountain sides, with 2 large patios on the front and side (pet friendly area) of the restaurant, situated amongst the tall pine trees of the area. Inside, is a beautiful seating area, with a giant fireplace in the middle, surrounded by large windows looking out to the mountains.

The service is really on point here, and they are more than happy to seat you wherever you are comfortable. We had our dog with us, and upon asking, the manager advised us we could sit on the pet-friendly patio on the side of the restaurant--a very welcoming surprise! Upon sitting down at the patio table, the manager brought out a water bowl for our dog, and menus, to include a "pet only" menu.

We ordered an appetizer of the chili nachos (half order), and a plain hamburger patty from the dog menu (really thought that was a nice feature to offer). While I've had the nachos on a previous visit, they weren't quite as good this time, and would probably skip them on my next visit, as they seemed a bit plain, this time around. The doggie hamburger was scarfed down in a matter of moments, so I gather it was pretty good! It was quite relaxing sitting out of the patio, as there was a slight breeze, which quietly whistled through the trees, as we sat gazing at the blue sky hovering over the green mountainside.

My wife ordered a delicious, wood-fired peperoni pizza, which was covered in delightful, oozing mozzarella cheese. The pizza was so good, it goes down as one of the top five I've ever tasted. I had my go-to favorite Reuben, on Rye bread, and it too was delicious. I'm a sucker for corn beef, and was quite happy with my selection. The fries were really good as well! Our server consistently came out to check on us, refilling our drinks as needed. Although it was the middle of summer, I couldn't help but picture how nice it would be, to come here on a cold winter day, surrounded by snow, sipping a warm hot chocolate, while sitting next to their giant fire place.

This place is so relaxing, I could spend all day here. Kudos to the management, for having the forethought to make a section of their restaurant "pet friendly", and even having a pet menu! Everyone was very friendly there, and for a moment, you really forgot your are just 45 miles from the hot and dry desert of Las Vegas. I will definitely be coming back; again, and...

I've always wanted to rent a cabin here for years now, because spending over $250 a night (may fit 4), for a cabin that doesn't even have amenities like a 5 star hotel, (we could have gotten a spa treatment with that price on the strip), is a rarity in my budget. Since it was my partners birthday two days ago, I made sure to save my tips to afford such event. Check their website for current prices, I think there was a couple cabins under $200, for double occupancy and before taxes. They also give you a choice to add roses and a cake for your side piece or your partner, wife, husband, ftf or boo thang, for an extra charge of course. You'd think anything over $179 a night would be prices for weekends, not mid week. It's true what they say, "you're paying for the view!" No complaints here. I honestly wanted to pay more, for more room of course. They do allow pets for an extra fee, such! Hahaha!

What made up for the lack of cable, was the jetted tub, gas fireplace, heat lamp bathroom separated from the jet tub, with a shower tub and toilet in the bathroom, portable a/c unit and check this, a heater, also the beautiful view of the snow dusted mountain tops.

Since our cabin was on parking level, it was convenient to walk about 10 feet to the car and the bright security lights lit up the parking area for safety. The downside of having an upper level cabin is listening to all the early morning tourist cackling and talking loudly a couple hours before checkout, which is 11 am. Living near the Las Vegas Strip, I'd thought we would get away from all the city noise and disturbances for 24 hours, I guess not! What made up for that was the snow ball fights with random people. And thanks to all those who knew how to have fun!

Check in was at 2pm for those of you who really read comments for reviews and information. The family who runs the office in cabin 19 were super nice. They even sell kid gloves and beanies for you breeders, LoL! And trinkets and a few adult size sweaters. And two last things, get ready to swipe at least 4" of snow off your vehicles if you're staying the night. It would be smart to cover your windshield with a visor (on the outside), cause cardboard just looks tacky! And raise your wiper blades so you don't look like a moron wiping your windshield under 4" of snow and accidentally breaking them,...