$100 million later, Edgewood Lodge opens to the public

They broke ground on the new Edgewood Lodge at the south shore of Lake Tahoe in October of 2015, but plans and environmental improvements began years before that in preparation for the new 169,000 square-foot hotel and spa with dining, shopping and adventures options along with 154 rooms.

A step inside the lodge will give one an impression unlike any other in Lake Tahoe. Two-story high windows with views of Lake Tahoe, unique use of wood, rock and decor in a mountain theme, an infinity pool with several outdoor fire pits around the lodge are just a few of the eye-catching elegance.

“The Edgewood Lodge, with all its amenities and lakefront location, represents what makes Tahoe a timeless destination,” said Carol Chaplin, executive director, Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority during the October, 2015 groundbreaking. “It signifies what visitors want by combining the great outdoors and indoors with a central and spectacular location.”

The Lodge opened their doors Wednesday, with 70 rooms completed and ready for guests. The rest will be rolled out through the rest of June. Rooms are available with lake, mountain or golf course views and range in size from 500 sq. feet Tahoe Rooms to the 1,500 sq. foot Presidential Suite. All have high-end amenities included bathrobes, fireplaces, Keurig coffee makers and access to the beautiful infinity pool.

The pool area is one of the only areas restricted to hotel guest use. The public can visit the massive lobby which leads to The Bistro, a bar and grill with inside and outside dining options, and to the shopping and adventure options. There is an Camp Edgewood for kids of hotel guests or those dining, golfing or using the spa. Guests can rent paddle boards and boats and have them dropped off at the Edgewood pier and beach.

The Bistro menu is priced in-between Edgewood's famous waterfront restaurant in the clubhouse and the popular Brook's Bar. Inside is a bar with plenty of seating and a restaurant with the chefs and open kitchen right alongside. There is a brick pizza oven, seating inside for 120, outside for 80, and two private dining rooms that seat 20 and 40.

Contractor Sierra Nevada Construction (SNC) brought in a large work crew including local contractor Bernard Creegan to create the barn doors and other woodwork and paneling in the hotel rooms.

Two large walls boast works of art: The two-story lobby wall is a hand carved display of Aspen trees and the concierge area has a hand carved display wall of Lake Tahoe. Unique ceilings and light fixtures are where ever your eyes land.

The idea behind the Lodge was to have several common areas where guests could interact in a stunning backdrop. There is a wall full of Park Family historical photos and a second floor library.

A spa like no other in the area is also open to the public as well as hotel guests. It is 8,500 sq. feet and has stations for hair, makeup, nails, pedicures as well as several single and couples massage rooms, and several relaxation spots.

Valet parking is complimentary for everyone utilizing anything at Edgewood: Hotel, dining, golfing and the spa. Edgewood also purchased new shuttles to take their guests to shopping, skiing and hiking.

Some of the environmental improvements completed to date include moving the stormwater off the casino corridor and pulling through the ponds on the golf course, a dam system at Friday's Station that supplies water to the course and Edgewood Creek improvements, with much more to come including dredging the current ponds around the course and bring back to their natural state and the daylighting of Edgewood Creek.