Margaritaville Lake Tahoe - May 2024
Life is like a box of chocolates …
To quote the great philosopher Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
I say this because it’s the thinking I use when evaluating bidding opportunities at industry silent auctions, such as SITE, IRF and SITE Texas.
The choice to bid is easy when it’s a property or destination I already know and enjoy, but rolling the dice on the unknown and taking a chance is another conversation entirely—just like a box of chocolates.
I was not disappointed.
Now - On With The Show…
The trip got off to a shaky start. How so? Well, Michele and I were sitting in the Admirals Club in Terminal C at DFW while waiting to board an 8 AM flight to Reno, and since it was a Sunday, no alcohol was served before noon.
This meant no preflight Bloody Mary! I had my fingers crossed that this wasn’t setting the tone for the balance of the trip. Oh, how I hate these first-world problems.
The flight was uneventful. After landing, we made our way to our rental car and were off. If you haven’t experienced the drive to Lake Tahoe, enjoy your first look at the lake as Hwy 50 tops out at the pass and begins its descent to the lakeside, giving you a 270-degree view of what is in store.
I’ve driven this many times over the years and I never tire of the view as we approach the lake. A left turn as we approach takes us on a scenic drive that you don’t want to end. If you think I’m overstating things, you obviously haven’t experienced it.
Approximately one hour after we left the Reno airport, we arrived at South Lake Tahoe, straddling the California/Nevada state line. And I know that because there is a traffic light right on the state line and five feet past the light is the driveway of our home for the next four nights - Margaritaville Lake Tahoe Resort.
Wait! You might wonder if this is the same Margaritaville that Jimmy Buffet sang about and eventually developed hotels built around the same sun, surf, beach and margaritas theme.
Yep, that Margaritaville. But this one was a mash-up of the beach vibe and the chill, relaxed personality that comes from a mountain ski destination. It’s pretty much the same ambiance you get with other Margaritaville’s, but with flannel and cargo shorts rather than swimwear and Tommy Bahama shirts.
Built as an Embassy Suites, this newly reflagged and renovated property made the most of its existing attributes and offered a true sense of place.
One of the first things you see when entering the lobby is the much larger-than-life flip-flop and accompanying pull tab, a visual representation of the story we know so well. Suddenly, you find yourself breathing deep, filling your lungs with mountain air and relaxing. The adventure begins!
After a quick check-in, we dropped our bags in the room, and set out to explore the numerous restaurants and shops that line both sides of the road for the better part of a mile. Lots of choices here.
A long-time industry friend, Angela Cava, and her husband, Fred, live in the South Lake area. As luck would have it, Fred, a talented musician, was playing a lunch gig less than a 10-minute walk out our front door. “Oh My Stars,” as Angela might say. I may be biased, but listening to Fred and his bandmate, Allison, play and sing was a memorable and pleasant way to begin our trip. And doing it while enjoying a cheeseburger and an IPA (no surprise, but red wine for Michele) just made it all that much better.
On a side note, our walk to the pub and outdoor terrace, where Fred was playing, took us by an oversized lounge chair made of skis. It was very cool—so cool, in fact, that Michele climbed up in the chair, grabbed a ten-second nap, and jumped down refreshed and ready. While Michele and naps are well acquainted, the ten seconds is never near enough to meet her need. Just saying.
Dinner that evening was at JWB’s, the hotel’s signature restaurant. A steakhouse by design, with a well-rounded menu, provides something for everyone. Our service was thoughtful and prompt. There when we needed it, giving us the space and time to enjoy our evening.
Day two began with lattes and breakfast pastries from the in-house store/gift shop, Joe Merchants. In addition to being a great spot to meet your morning needs, Joe Merchants offers something for every part of the day, including premixed cocktails ready to come off the shelf and jump into your glass. So many problems are solved in one spot.
We made the 72-mile drive around the lake on the way to Truckee just in time for lunch. There is so much going on—restaurants, retail, and anything else you might feel you need to make your trip even better. It took no time to find a spot that suited us: Moody’s Bistro Bar & Beats (https://www.moodysbistro.com/). Service was spot on, the food was great, and our table on the terrace was the perfect spot to appreciate it. We win!
Truckee kept us as busy and entertained as we had any reason to expect (actually more). Add in the downtime to recharge and reflect, and I think you can safely say that the destination checked all the boxes. As a bonus, we had dinner with Angela and Fred. The girl makes me smile. Good times!
I think the major takeaway from the trip is that Reno and the Lake Tahoe area have a lot of accommodation for groups of all types, from Ritz Carlton to Hyatt resort-style luxury located in the North Lake Tahoe area to the upper-middle/sub-luxury properties at South Lake. Group size, budget, group profile are all things to consider.
A consideration might be proximity to a readily walkable area with a lot of shops and retail access. Enter Margaritaville Lake Tahoe Resort. And that is why we have choices.
Care to view a short video I did around our stay? This is posted on my You Tube channel - My Incentive Life. I hope you enjoy it: https://youtu.be/rqoP2GYffkw
Our four-night stay at the Margaritaville Lake Tahoe Resort had come to an end, and it was time to head home with some wonderful memories of a great visit. I can’t wait for the next occasion to head to Lake Tahoe.
Care to know more about the Lake Tahoe and Reno area for you next conference or incentive program? Let’s talk. One of our team members is ready to make your life easier and your program successful. I think you might be pleasantly surprised at the opportunities on offer.
Feel free to contact me at [email protected], and see the team and our story at www.globauxsource.com.
To quote the great philosopher Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
I say this because it’s the thinking I use when evaluating bidding opportunities at industry silent auctions, such as SITE, IRF and SITE Texas.
The choice to bid is easy when it’s a property or destination I already know and enjoy, but rolling the dice on the unknown and taking a chance is another conversation entirely—just like a box of chocolates.
I was not disappointed.
Now - On With The Show…
The trip got off to a shaky start. How so? Well, Michele and I were sitting in the Admirals Club in Terminal C at DFW while waiting to board an 8 AM flight to Reno, and since it was a Sunday, no alcohol was served before noon.
This meant no preflight Bloody Mary! I had my fingers crossed that this wasn’t setting the tone for the balance of the trip. Oh, how I hate these first-world problems.
The flight was uneventful. After landing, we made our way to our rental car and were off. If you haven’t experienced the drive to Lake Tahoe, enjoy your first look at the lake as Hwy 50 tops out at the pass and begins its descent to the lakeside, giving you a 270-degree view of what is in store.
I’ve driven this many times over the years and I never tire of the view as we approach the lake. A left turn as we approach takes us on a scenic drive that you don’t want to end. If you think I’m overstating things, you obviously haven’t experienced it.
Approximately one hour after we left the Reno airport, we arrived at South Lake Tahoe, straddling the California/Nevada state line. And I know that because there is a traffic light right on the state line and five feet past the light is the driveway of our home for the next four nights - Margaritaville Lake Tahoe Resort.
Wait! You might wonder if this is the same Margaritaville that Jimmy Buffet sang about and eventually developed hotels built around the same sun, surf, beach and margaritas theme.
Yep, that Margaritaville. But this one was a mash-up of the beach vibe and the chill, relaxed personality that comes from a mountain ski destination. It’s pretty much the same ambiance you get with other Margaritaville’s, but with flannel and cargo shorts rather than swimwear and Tommy Bahama shirts.
Built as an Embassy Suites, this newly reflagged and renovated property made the most of its existing attributes and offered a true sense of place.
One of the first things you see when entering the lobby is the much larger-than-life flip-flop and accompanying pull tab, a visual representation of the story we know so well. Suddenly, you find yourself breathing deep, filling your lungs with mountain air and relaxing. The adventure begins!
After a quick check-in, we dropped our bags in the room, and set out to explore the numerous restaurants and shops that line both sides of the road for the better part of a mile. Lots of choices here.
A long-time industry friend, Angela Cava, and her husband, Fred, live in the South Lake area. As luck would have it, Fred, a talented musician, was playing a lunch gig less than a 10-minute walk out our front door. “Oh My Stars,” as Angela might say. I may be biased, but listening to Fred and his bandmate, Allison, play and sing was a memorable and pleasant way to begin our trip. And doing it while enjoying a cheeseburger and an IPA (no surprise, but red wine for Michele) just made it all that much better.
On a side note, our walk to the pub and outdoor terrace, where Fred was playing, took us by an oversized lounge chair made of skis. It was very cool—so cool, in fact, that Michele climbed up in the chair, grabbed a ten-second nap, and jumped down refreshed and ready. While Michele and naps are well acquainted, the ten seconds is never near enough to meet her need. Just saying.
Dinner that evening was at JWB’s, the hotel’s signature restaurant. A steakhouse by design, with a well-rounded menu, provides something for everyone. Our service was thoughtful and prompt. There when we needed it, giving us the space and time to enjoy our evening.
Day two began with lattes and breakfast pastries from the in-house store/gift shop, Joe Merchants. In addition to being a great spot to meet your morning needs, Joe Merchants offers something for every part of the day, including premixed cocktails ready to come off the shelf and jump into your glass. So many problems are solved in one spot.
We made the 72-mile drive around the lake on the way to Truckee just in time for lunch. There is so much going on—restaurants, retail, and anything else you might feel you need to make your trip even better. It took no time to find a spot that suited us: Moody’s Bistro Bar & Beats (https://www.moodysbistro.com/). Service was spot on, the food was great, and our table on the terrace was the perfect spot to appreciate it. We win!
Truckee kept us as busy and entertained as we had any reason to expect (actually more). Add in the downtime to recharge and reflect, and I think you can safely say that the destination checked all the boxes. As a bonus, we had dinner with Angela and Fred. The girl makes me smile. Good times!
I think the major takeaway from the trip is that Reno and the Lake Tahoe area have a lot of accommodation for groups of all types, from Ritz Carlton to Hyatt resort-style luxury located in the North Lake Tahoe area to the upper-middle/sub-luxury properties at South Lake. Group size, budget, group profile are all things to consider.
A consideration might be proximity to a readily walkable area with a lot of shops and retail access. Enter Margaritaville Lake Tahoe Resort. And that is why we have choices.
Care to view a short video I did around our stay? This is posted on my You Tube channel - My Incentive Life. I hope you enjoy it: https://youtu.be/rqoP2GYffkw
Our four-night stay at the Margaritaville Lake Tahoe Resort had come to an end, and it was time to head home with some wonderful memories of a great visit. I can’t wait for the next occasion to head to Lake Tahoe.
Care to know more about the Lake Tahoe and Reno area for you next conference or incentive program? Let’s talk. One of our team members is ready to make your life easier and your program successful. I think you might be pleasantly surprised at the opportunities on offer.
Feel free to contact me at [email protected], and see the team and our story at www.globauxsource.com.
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