The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort recently finished a $700,000 renovation to its famous Lone Eagle Grille, which greatly expanded the mountain lodge’s dining establishment, and upgrades to its Lakeside Ballroom. In May, the property wrapped up a $20 million renovation with the complete redesign of its 422 guest rooms and suites, as well as a new look for the resort’s all-day dining restaurant, Sierra Cafe, and the Spa Terrace Conference Center.
Boulder Bay is moving forward on environmental and government approvals for creating a cultural village that will transform the existing Tahoe Biltmore casino property in Crystal Bay into an environmentally sustainable, economically viable wellness resort. Updated plans call for a 275-room hotel with a 10,000-square-foot casino and a spa. At press time, start and completion of construction wasn’t yet determined.
Homewood Mountain Ski Resort received government approval from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency in December 2011 to begin redevelopment. The $500 million project will include a five-star hotel, 15,000 square feet of retail space, a swimming pool and an ice-skating rink. Phase one is scheduled to begin in 2014.
In terms of skiing, snowboarding and snow play enhancements, Northstar California recently completed its $30 million on-mountain capital improvement project, and Squaw Valley just entered year two of a five-year program that will implement $50 million in improvements.
The Tahoe City Transit Center, a $4.5 million project, opened in fall 2012. The transit center provides a modern and convenient place for TART (Tahoe Area Regional Transit) passengers to transfer between public buses while waiting for arriving buses.
The North Lake Tahoe Water Shuttle began operating in August 2012. The water “bus” carries 12 passengers, crew and up to eight bikes. The program employs a paperless reservation system, with tickets booked ahead of time.