The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe - "A hole in one experience"

The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe was a vision that began 25 years ago when the late Brooks Park and now General Manager Bobby King were talking about a complete experience for golfers who could also stay after a round of golf.

Park's grandfather David bought 571 acres of pastureland at Lake Tahoe in 1896. The property included the historic Friday's Station where the family operated it as a way station and butcher's shop for those crossing the terrain from 19818-20.

Hospitality continues from those early post-Pony Express days at the white building that is still located across Highway 50 from Edgewood Tahoe, to the new Lodge at Edgewood. Even though they opened to the public last week, their official grand opening was held on the event lawn Tuesday with local dignitaries as well as the Governor of Nevada in attendance.

Not only is The Lodge a 169,000 square-foot hotel and spa with dining, shopping and adventures options with 154 rooms, it is also a recreation, environmental and economic project.

"We hope for outcomes like this," said Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Executive Director Joanne Marchetta during the opening ceremony. She listed the benefits from 53,000 square feet of Stream Environment Zone (SEZ), improvements to creeks and ponds that will hold stormwater, wetlands and fertilizer management, and fish habitat. "The kind of project and outcome we need. This is a 4,500 acre water quality project with a hotel."

Every room at The Lodge came from transferred Tourist Accommodation Units (TAUs) from aging and dilapidated motel properties in South Lake Tahoe. According to Brandon Hill, Project Manager for the property, said they acquired 100 from the old Colony Inn behind Raley's at Stateline, 60 from C & M Lodge on Bonanza, and the rest from the old Thunderbird and Carousal motels that were removed for what is now the Chateau. When Edgewood purchased C & M Lodge they demolished it and put Bonanza Park in its place, something that is enjoyed by the neighborhood at the Y.

Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval was also on hand to welcome the new hotel to the South Shore. "Last time I was here there was no hotel," said Sandoval. "The whole world will want to see this. I am proud of the Park family."

Sandoval recalled his first experience in Lake Tahoe was as a nine-year-old at the 4-H camp that was once along the northwest side of the course. "There is no place like this," he said.

The new project employs 200 people, something that benefits both sides of the state line. Many had expressed concern about the lost Tourist Occupancy Tax (TOT) with the demolition of the old motels, but Hill said the added tax revenues from sales and services in the City of South Lake Tahoe will outweigh what could have been earned with TOT.

As many were touting the excellent service at The Lodge, and saying it should set a new rating standard with six stars, SLT Mayor Austin Sass said, "This is a hole in one experience."

On the walls of the hotel entrance once can see a sign from those early days of Friday's Station.

"Vacation at Edgewood Lake Tahoe Nevada. On the edge of this virgin forest and on the edge of this beautiful lake. We offer three miles of private sandy beach as one of our major attractions. White sand and warm water, a boon to health. World famous chefs will prepare your food while you listen to music rendered by worldly famous orchestras. See America First and Vacation at Edgewood in Nevada on Lake Tahoe," it said.