I have a friend who is fond of staycations: overnights at interesting Las Vegas locations even though she owns a home in Las Vegas. I recently had my own staycation 45 minutes away from home on beautiful Mount Charleston. A friend and I stayed at The Retreat on Charleston Peak. The retreat was full (all 62 rooms occupied) and two weddings had been scheduled for the following weekend. Obviously my friend and I were late in discovering the charms of this location.

Fortunately for us, the resort owner, Deanna Crossman was at the front desk training two new employees when we arrived. Deanna and her husband, Colin, have owned the resort since 2018. Like her father, 42 year-old Deanna is a veteran of 34 home renovations and hotel ownership. The Mt. Charleston retreat is her third hotel, having sold the other two at the beginning of Covid.

A mother of two children, ages 3 and 5, Deanna comes to Las Vegas from Wyoming every other week to spend time at the resort. She said that since she and her husband took over the hotel, renovations began inside the structure, with bigger projects now possible. In the planning stage are a pool deck, hot tub and a shade structure over the resort pond in back, new fencing and landscaping and a deck off the bar.

Why do people come to The Retreat at Charleston Peak? In the summer they come, says Deanna, because the temperatures are about 10 degrees cooler than in the city. Hiking is a popular daytime activity. In the winter, skiing and snowboarding on nearby snow-covered hills are in vogue. And of course, meetings and events (such as weddings) are popular at the retreat as well.

The decor at the Mount Charleston facility is definitely rustic. The bar offers a pool table and bar-top gaming, and outdoors, a number of lounge areas are provided for comfortable conversation. An on-premises Canyon Restaurant means customers can dine in a picturesque setting.

The rooms at the retreat are basic and clean, some with spectacular views. The only downside? The TV is somewhat difficult to figure out, but a conversation at the front desk brought a young tech-type to the room to figure everything out. Also, if one parks on the second parking level, the stairs down require some agility and caution. (So park on the first level.)

Mount Charleston itself is the highest peak in Clark County, The short ride from the city seems to provide immediate relaxation as one leaves behind the glitz and noise of Las Vegas. A popular restaurant at the mountain peak burned to the ground in September. Deanna said the fire was a devastation for the area, but she noted that her retreat was able to take in some of the restaurant staff who lost employment and a couple events scheduled for the restaurant were rescheduled at the retreat.

Previous articles and resources in the area:
Diane Taylor visits the Mt. Charleston Lodge in 2014
Megan Edwards reports on her staycation at the resort, formerly known as the Mt. Charleston Hotel in 2006.
The Spring Mountain Visitor Gateway (complete with a road trip planning map)

Would I recommend a get-away at The Retreat on Charleston Peak?

You bet.