Hotel Hot List: Northstar-at-Tahoe Ritz Carlton Highlands

The first from-scratch hotel in the Tahoe Basin in decades, the Ritz boasts a ski-in/ski-out midmountain location on Northstar, accessed by gondola from the new village. The 170 guestrooms and suites offer goose-down comforters and fireplaces in every room, but that’s nothing compared to the heat generated by the hotel’s Manzanita restaurant. In her open kitchen, San Francisco chef Traci des Jardins blends French-California flavors with mountain influences. Rounding out the experience is the Highlands Spa, 17,000 square feet of treatment rooms, fitness center and heated outdoor lap pool. $249–$699; ritzcarlton.com