The changing face of South Lake Tahoe continues. There are a number of major changes underway in South Lake Tahoe as the area immerses itself in a renaissance with more than an estimated $150 million of improvements and new construction.
South Lake Tahoe, rated among “America’s Best Ski Resorts for Summer Adventure” (USA Today, May 2015), has reconstruction of lodging properties taking place, and new restaurants and businesses in a market that continues to expand.
“An energetic vibe is obvious throughout town in the midst of Tahoe South’s transformation and change,” said Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “Public and private partnerships have led to more places to stay, play and explore, which is great for our visitors and residents.”
Groundbreaking plans are in the works for Edgewood Tahoe Lodge, an exclusive LEED-design with 154 lakeview hotel rooms, health spa, bistro style restaurant, and conference center. Plans also include 40 fractional residences, and expansion of the existing clubhouse. The development will serve as a catalyst for South Shore’s reinvention while delivering water quality benefits for the 4,200 acre Edgewood Creek watershed.
Heavenly Mountain Resort’s Epic Discovery program will engage summertime guests with the national forest in unique, interactive ways with zip lines, ropes courses, a mountain coaster, canopy tours, and interpretive tours about Lake Tahoe’s cultural and environmental resources. The resort added three ropes courses and two zip lines during summer 2014 and hopes to break ground on select Epic Discovery activities later this summer, pending final approvals from partner agencies.
The summer surge of reinvestment includes Harrah’s Lake Tahoe investing $12 million toward renovation to the convention center and for all 520 hotel rooms with new bathrooms, furniture, lighting, carpets, bedding and appliances. In addition, a new fleet of limousines will be available this season.
POSTMARC hotel and spa suites (formerly the Fantasy Inn) opened mid-May with a complete renovation to its mixture of spa suites and modern hotel rooms. Located directly across from Ski Run Marina, POSTMARC – a name based on the nostalgic image of a travel theme stamped postcard – has transformed its interior and exterior to reflect the modern mountain town lifestyle with vintage Tahoe photographs, all new furniture, fixtures, carpet, paint, lighting, and driveway. The property will continue offering wedding services now at its new lakefront chapel.
The Château at the Village will expand its existing 19,571 square feet of retail shops and restaurants to include two new levels of condominiums at the state line across the street from Harveys on the California side.
The $15-20 million first phase of the development will include 30 condominiums that will occupy the upper levels designed to promote short term rentals. Construction will continue this summer and will also include an exercise facility, swimming pool, spas and fire pits.
The arrival of 2015 introduced a new resort casino to South Lake Tahoe, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe (formerly Horizon). The property owners invested $60 million in the 25,000-square-foot casino floor; 539 rooms, four restaurants – including a 24-7 oyster bar and signature live music and rock memorabilia that reflect the iconic Hard Rock brand.
In spring 2015, MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa completed a $24 million phase one renovation to its casino floor, convention center and all 437 rooms. Described as “Scandinavian fantasy,” the look incorporates clean, contemporary aesthetics that combine beauty, functionality and efficiency. The rooms feature all new furniture, HD flat screen TVs, fully remodeled bathrooms, counters and fixtures. Phase two will include the showroom, exterior upgrades and signage with construction slated for fall 2015 with completion by winter.
Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel invested $8 million in top to bottom upgrades with mountain ambiance touches to its premium and balcony suites, lobby, banquet rooms and pool area. In the first phase, completed last year, all 400 suites received new 42-inch flat screen televisions, furniture, bathroom touches, granite countertops, mini refrigerators and microwaves.
Located in South Lake Tahoe on the California/Nevada border just steps from casino entertainment, the nine-story all-suite hotel is the largest and only full-service hotel in South Lake Tahoe.
Basecamp Hotel, recognized for alternative themed rooms, added 24 units, bringing its current inventory to 74. In addition, Basecamp opened a beer garden, meeting space for 40 people, a private event meeting space for groups of 10-15 in a vintage Air Stream trailer, a 20 person hot tub, four more fire pits (six total) for roasting s’mores, and two large rooftop decks with views of Heavenly Mountain Resort.
Ridge Tahoe Resorts is investing $10 million in property enhancements to its 302 units, on-site recreation facilities and meeting space. By late June kitchens and bath remodels in all rooms will be complete along with majority of the two-bed, two-bath rooms. Upgrades for the remaining units are slated for spring of 2017.
The Factory Shops at the Y, a longtime shopping center at the intersection of Highways 50 and 89 has new owners, Sutter Capital Group. Renovations include outdoor modernization of the communal space for pedestrians and bikers.
Summer romance is reinvigorated with Tahoe Amore, a new company that offers scenic Venetian Gondola rides through the channels of the Tahoe Keys Marina accessing Lake Tahoe. The gondola holds two to six people and caters to variety of groups, including couples, wedding proposals, intimate wedding ceremonies, families, and girl’s night out.
The one-hour cruise with a gondolier rowing is available daily, reservations can be made between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Guests are welcome to bring their own beverages (water is included).
The new Bijou Bike Park will become a four-acre hub of two-wheel activity from BMX to mountain bike skills courses. Tahoe South is already known for its world class off road cycling. With $100,000 from the city and a passionate crew of volunteer help, the park will expand to serve as a trail head with information kiosks and signs with maps of local trails.
For real time updates on events, promotions, packages, individual personalized itineraries, conditions and events in South Lake Tahoe, visit www.tahoesouth.com.
Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at [email protected]. Thanks for visiting his winter website at www.tahoeskiworld.com
