Description: We were invited to spend the 4th July week with relatives who had rented a house for two months near Donner Lake. I haven’t given full address details because the house is rented through "Vacation Rentals By Owner" (
www.vrbo.com) and I didn’t think it would be fair to disclose that information. Also I wasn’t a big fan of the house and know that it isn’t going to be indicative of other accommodations offered on this website. However I did want to review it in the hope that anyone else looking for a long-term rental might be prompted into doing more in depth research before committing.
Flying into Reno, the house we stayed in along with seven other family members was a 45-minute drive away. The three-bedroom house that was to be our home for the next five days was set on a quiet residential street in a hilltop suburb about a ten-minute drive from the town of Truckee. The house was outfitted with all the appliances and furnishings you’d need to be comfortable but there were a few hidden costs and shortcomings. For example there was an additional charge for Internet connection (despite it being listed as a "feature"), the barbecue didn’t work and the promise of guests being able to enjoy local amenities of the local Homeowner’s Association (gym, pool, etc.) actually came at a cost of almost $8 per person per day.
These are minor criticisms though. My main gripes were with the house itself, which was in dire need of some updating. The wood on the deck badly needed treating and the wooden exterior was in desperate need of a new paint job. Inside, the decor was bland and despite high ceilings, the bedrooms felt dark and claustrophobic. We drew the short straw and had to sleep on the sofa bed in the living room but at least we had access to the television, DVD player, and ceiling fan. There was also a utility room with washer and dryer and a large garage.
I imagine that this area may be more pleasant during the winter months. During the 4th July week the air was hot, dry, and unforgiving and ants with body parts the size of blackberry seeds invaded the kitchen. Despite no air-conditioning, the house stayed relatively cool and by early evening it was nice enough to have dinner on the outside deck.
The house was utilitarian and was in some ways perfect for such a large family gathering but it was simultaneously uninspiring and dislocated in a way that suburbia can be. I felt removed from the action that can be found closer to Tahoe and Donner. Whilst I fully appreciate that being closer to these places would cause an increase in accommodation costs I personally think it would have been worth it to have a nice view, a place of interest within walking distance or to stay in a place with a little charm or character.
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