The motto at Margaritaville has always been that it’s a state of mind, rather than a place. But its newest location in South Tahoe is quite notable. Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe is the brand’s first mountain location and, set on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe and nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, it’s perfectly positioned as a year-round destination for meetings.
Meeting guest attendees and incentive groups can paddle on the iconic turquoise lake in glass-bottom kayaks during the warmer months, schuss down the ski slopes come winter and, all year long, find that elusive “lost shaker of salt” that Jimmy Buffett crooned about.
“We are a beach resort set in a ski destination,” says Michael Punchios, Director of Sales at Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe.
Like other Margaritaville resorts, the new Tahoe resort is a place for fun and escapism. “It really resonates here because we are walking distance to not only all the summer activities, but the winter activities as well,” Punchios says.
When it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work, Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe is the ideal spot to meet: The resort has 14,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. Large groups can also take advantage of the neighboring Tahoe Blue Event Center that’s a short walk from the resort.
Ready to whisk away to Margaritaville? From productive meetings in an inspiring setting to group activities in the great outdoors, here’s what it’s like to meet in Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe.
Early Morning: Wake Up to Suite Views
Located in the south Lake Tahoe basin and 56 miles from the Reno-Tahoe Airport, Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe is outfitted with 399 suites designed with relaxing blues and whites to evoke the light and airy island ambience synonymous with the Margaritaville brand.
Guests can wake up and enjoy sunrise views with the lake, downtown area, and mountains in the backdrop. Some of the resort’s upgraded suites have balconies that overlook the lake.
While rooms are furnished with Keurig coffee makers, meeting guests can also grab a coffee and pastry or breakfast sandwich at Joe Merchant’s Coffee and Provisions. Fuel up for the day at the breakfast buffet, which has a beloved build-your-own breakfast burrito station as well as pancakes, waffles and other morning staples.
Before the day gets going, meeting guests can take a nature walk, venturing down to the shores of Lakeside Beach or heading to the nearby Van Sickle Bi-State Park, a scenic forested area that’s one of the most accessible parks in the Tahoe Basin. Another option is an early-morning workout at the Fin’s Up Fitness Center, which has brand-new fitness equipment.
Pro tip: Before heading out of the guest suites, meeting attendees can grab complimentary water bottles from their rooms. Filling stations throughout the hotel help keep guests hydrated -- a must in the mountains!
Morning: Meet in Paradise
Snow-capped mountain peaks, deep-blue waters and swaths of pine-scented evergreen forests. The natural beauty of Lake Tahoe provides plenty of inspiration for those coming to meet and learn. Plus, the team at Margaritaville can help meetings and events run smoothly.
The resort’s flexible floor plans include meeting rooms for breakouts, private dining spaces, outdoor areas for events plus a 4,212 square-foot Compass Ballroom. Margaritaville’s meeting spaces are equipped with state-of-the-art presentation equipment and high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the resort.
Meeting planners can also arrange for themed breaks with Margaritaville’s catering team. Examples include a guacamole bar with toppings like queso fresco, diced mango, cotija cheese, pineapple, and agave bacon bits as well as seasonal aguas frescas. The island break includes shrimp lettuce wraps, coconut fruit cups, cinnamon and brown sugar grilled bananas and more. For a mid-morning pick-up, the build-your-own trail mix station is accompanied by sparkling lemonades and non-alcoholic sangrias.
For groups that want to weave in some wellness, the resort can also arrange for mini massage breaks, bringing in local massage therapists and massage chairs.
Early Afternoon: Time for Teambuilding
Ready for some friendly competition or a group outing to catch up with your team?
Groups convening at Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe can arrange for on-site team building activities like scavenger hunts or a spirited competition that involves making margaritas in a pedal-powered bike blender.
Lake Tahoe is a top-rated vacation destination, and teams can break out in smaller groups to enjoy the outdoor playground, whether that’s hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, or getting out on the lake in a glass-bottom kayak, which provides a window into the crystal-clear waters below.
Hitting the links is another popular group activity: Margaritaville is close to Edgewood Tahoe, which is Tahoe’s only lakefront golf resort and is also home to the American Century Celebrity Championship. Golf Digest has recognized it as one the country’s top public courses.
Afternoon: Explore South Lake Tahoe
Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe is in a prime location, steps from the majestic alpine lake and a short walk to the Heavenly Mountain Resort gondola.
When guests have downtime, they can explore the destination. In the winter, Heavenly Mountain is a draw for serious skiers: The ski resort straddles the Nevada-California border and has 4,800 acres of skiable terrain and gets pounded with more than 250 inches of snow each season. In the warmer months, though, visitors can cruise up the gondola and take in panoramic views of Lake Tahoe.
Resort activities include mountaintop yoga, summer tubing, a climbing wall, a zip line, and an alpine coaster that zips between the trees in addition to the hiking trails.
Meeting guests looking to unwind can also hang back at the hotel and enjoy a soak in the hot tub or a swim in the indoor pool or step out to peruse the downtown shops. Grab an island-themed cocktail or margarita at License to Chill, a favorite resort hangout that’s anchored by a roaring fireplace, and is a fun spot to play games or listen to live music. Insider tip: Ask for the Orange Dreamsicle on the secret menu.
Evening: License to Chill
When it’s time for dinner, Margaritaville meeting guests have plenty of tasty options.
Landshark Bar & Grill’s menu whisks diners away to tropical locations with dishes like steak tacos topped with mango slaw, Hawaiian luau burgers, and fish and chips with a jalapeño tartar sauce and slices of key lime for dessert.
At JWB Prime Steak and Seafood, small groups can gather and enjoy bone-in ribeyes, lamb chops, and surf and turf. For the table, order an alpine-inspired starter like raclette, a melty cheese dish served with pickled vegetables, cured meats, sourdough bread, and fingerling potatoes.
After dinner, it’s time to retire to your suite and prepare for another fun and productive day in paradise.