Best Western Hotels in Reno: Where to Stay and How to Plan Your Trip
Reno sits in a high desert valley on the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada, close enough to Lake Tahoe for a day trip and far enough from California to keep costs and crowds lower than its bigger casino-resort cousin, Las Vegas. It works as a base for skiing, hiking, casino nights, or simply passing through on a road trip along Interstate 80. This guide covers how the city is laid out, what to plan for, and how to secure a good rate when booking a Best Western hotel directly.
Getting oriented in Reno
Reno's downtown core is built around casino row and the Truckee River, which runs right through the middle of the city with a walkable riverwalk district of restaurants and small parks. This is the most convenient area if you want to be near nightlife, casinos, and the Reno Arch without needing a car.
Just south, the Midtown District has a different feel: independent shops, breweries, and coffee places, popular with visitors who want a quieter evening base still close to downtown on foot or by a short rideshare.
Further out, areas near the University of Nevada, Reno and along the main commercial corridors toward the airport tend to have more standard hotel-style properties, useful if you're attending an event at the university or need easy access to the airport and highway.
Reno also functions as a gateway to Lake Tahoe, about a 45-minute to hour drive depending on traffic and season, so some travellers split their nights between a Reno hotel and a lakeside stay.
Planning your stay: when to go and how long
Winter (roughly December through March) draws skiers and snowboarders heading to nearby Sierra Nevada resorts; expect colder temperatures in Reno itself and possible mountain road closures on I-80 or over Tahoe passes during storms.
Summer is Reno's busiest season for events, including its well-known outdoor festivals and air races, and daytime temperatures in the valley can get hot even though it's a high desert climate. Book earlier if your visit coincides with a major event.
Two to three nights is enough to cover downtown, Midtown, and a day trip to Lake Tahoe. Add extra nights if you're combining Reno with skiing, hiking in the surrounding mountains, or using it as a stopover on a longer road trip through Nevada or California.
Reno-Tahoe International Airport is a short drive from downtown, and many hotels are within a 10-15 minute drive of the terminal, making it practical even for a one-night stopover.
How to book the best rate
Rates for any hotel change with demand, so check current pricing directly on the property page rather than relying on a number you saw elsewhere; weekday rates often differ from weekend rates, especially around casino and event nights.
Booking direct through bestwestern.online means no third-party account is required and no added booking fees layered on top of the room rate, which keeps the price you see closer to what you actually pay.
If you're flexible, compare a couple of nearby dates before committing, since Reno's pricing can swing around conventions, races, and ski-season weekends.
Confirm cancellation terms before booking, particularly in winter when travel plans can be disrupted by mountain weather.