Edgewood Tahoe

We aren’t here to cast aspersions on the rest of the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, but we think it’s absolutely safe to say there’s never been anything here quite like the Edgewood Tahoe. In a hotel scene that’s rife with refurbishments and repurposings, it’s that rare sight: a brand-new, purpose-built, LEED Silver–certified luxury lodge. And to its front-row view of the lake it adds a golf course by George Fazio and a shuttle service to Heavenly Mountain, one of the region’s best-loved ski areas.

The lodge itself wears its Alpine influence proudly, but it’s a thoroughly contemporary affair — a modern interpretation, not an exercise in retro nostalgia. Natural materials like wood and stone abound, and although the lobby is vast and open and the rooms are crisp and clean-lined, they never feel cold. (Literally, either, thanks to the gas fireplaces.)

Along with the golf course and the ski valet there’s a spa, one that spans over 8,000 square feet, complete with a hot tub on the terrace and a heated outdoor pool. And while the Bistro at Edgewood isn’t technically in California, it serves a cuisine that’s certainly recognizable to West Coast foodies — and it serves it with a view of the Sierras.