From the Spaghetti Bowl in downtown Las Vegas, you get on US 95 north; the signs there point to Reno. In a little less than 20 miles, you'll see signs for NV 157; take a left off US 95 and head straight into Kyle Canyon, one of the numerous short, narrow, and sheer gashes in the massive Spring Mountain range that hems in Las Vegas Valley on the west for more than 50 miles.
Ten miles along NV 157, you climb into the forest. Another five miles or so from there, you come to the Mt. Charleston Hotel (2 Kyle Canyon Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89124; 702/872-5500 or 800/794-3456). This alpine-style log-built chalet-hotel opened in 1984, but it underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation and upgrade in 2005 and now features a cool glass, wood, and stone décor, with a forest green lobby and a huge fireplace.
Accommodations include the standard rooms, mini-suites, and full suites, some with balconies and fireplaces.
The Bistro is the hotel's casual dining spot; it serves breakfast, lunch, snacks, coffee, tea, and juices. You can eat inside or at an outdoor table on a patio overlooking the duck pond. There's also a steakhouse, situated in a spacious round dining room supported in the center by a mammoth pine log. The adjoining lounge has overstuffed couches, a plasma TV, and fireplaces; you can also get bar food. As of this writing, there's no Sunday brunch.
Beyond the hotel, NV 157 continues for another four miles. You pass campgrounds and a residential village, then the road ends at Mt. Charleston Lodge (702/872-5408 or 800/955-1314). The Lodge has 23 individual log cabins, each with a two-person whirlpool, fireplace, king bed, and private deck. The restaurant surrounds a large open fireplace; 20-foot ceilings and picture windows give it an airy mountain feel. The menu features wild game, such as elk chops, ostrich filets, and pheasant, plus steaks and prime rib, fresh fish, burgers, pasta, and sandwiches. The lounge stays open till midnight. As of this writing, no Sunday brunch is served, though sometimes they do a barbecue or serve a special menu on holidays.
