1960's Green Lantern evolves into modern Coachman Hotel

A multi-million dollar remodel of the old Green Lantern Motel in South Lake Tahoe has been completed, and emerging out of the dust is the new and trendy Coachman Hotel.

Doors will open to the public on Wednesday, March 23.

The new owners of the hotel, Peter and Justin Watzka, bring with them years of hotel and hospitality management. Peter was the Executive VP of Ritz-Carlton Destination Club and VP of Marketing for Marriott Vacation Club International, while Justin was previously a director with Ritz-Carlton and Marriott Vacation Clubs in Florida and Asia.

The Green Lantern and Royal Coachman motels were created for the tourism boom experienced on the South Shore during, and after, the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley. They merged into one lodging property in the 1980s and remained the same until closing to prepare for the remodel.

“We want to provide visitors to Lake Tahoe with a space that is comfortable yet hip, creating a sense of community while paying tribute to the beauty of the landscape and the history of the property,” said Justin Watzka, who is the Managing Partner of the hotel.

The remodeled hotel will have features not found at all lodging properties on the South Shore: a coffee and craft beer bar, handcrafted beds, Frette linens and towels, Apple TVs, a custom poured hot tub, and Malin+Goetz shampoos and soaps.

The team behind the Coachman Hotel have created a re-envisioned, affordable approach to the traditional mountain hotel that is modern, yet affordable. There are fire pits, outside grills, lawn games along the pool (in summer). They will offer local excursions, food options from local chefs and food trucks, and, since they are close to the Outdoor Concert Arena, concert packages.

Each of the Coachman Hotel’s 42 guestrooms and suites are contemporary and have a combination of sleeping options including a combination of king beds, two queens, or double sets of bunk beds.

They plan to add meeting rooms with outside access to a deck, bar and grilling area in 2017. View website here.

- South Tahoe Now staff report