Lodge of the Nightingale

I would love to welcome you in our newly renovated modern mountain cabin. As a French-American family, my husband and I have combined our creative sensibilities and lifestyles to create what we consider to be a unique, enjoyable, and enchanting Tahoe retreat. Our partners at Grand Welcome will be your hosts, and are committed to assisting you with great care.

The house is located in a neighborhood that we have come to really love, as it offers a blend of quietude, nature, and practicality – easy access to a multitude of activities and beautiful places. The North shore is considered the Banana Belt of the lake, and with our house facing south, we get plenty of sunlight.

We've restored the house with the Tahoe experience in mind, through our own time as a family living there for parts of the year. We've tried to think of everything to well-equip the home with everything you'll need, and if there is something we forgot, we always welcome your feedback.

SPACE DESCRIPTION
The house sleeps 7 comfortably and 8 on a trundle bed.
It is a 4-bedroom home, however one room is equipped with a twin and a trundle so it can be used either as an office or a bedroom for up to two people. There are two full bathrooms plus a half-bath that also has a washer/dryer.

The main room has vaulted ceilings and ample seating, and is a lovely place to gather around for food, drinks, games, the fireplace, or a movie. Enjoy the view of the trees, the neighborhood, and a filtered lake view through the majestic mountain pines with a cup of coffee and a book on the oversized couch. Our family loves to lounge and watch the chipmunks and squirrels busy at work carrying pine cones twice their size.

The gourmet and very well-equipped kitchen and coffee station will make any chef or cook feel right at home. As a French native who loves cooking and good food, this aspect of the house is very important to me. It can be difficult in a short-term rental (where many people come and go) to keep everything updated, but I hope you will find all the kitchen amenities you need. For the coffee enthusiasts, we provide a regular drip coffee machine, a French press, and upon request we offer an espresso machine.

In the summer — or whenever there is no snow — there are several outdoor spaces for relaxation, both on the front decks and in the more private back area of the house. There you can enjoy the hot tub, an outdoor dining space, and a gourmet BBQ. The hot tub is accessible year-round.

One of the most practical aspects about the layout of the home, especially in the winter when there is lots of snow, is that you can enter through the garage without having to walk through the snow. Leave your outdoor gear such as helmets, ski boots or backpacks in the mud room, before walking directly up and into the house through an inside staircase. In heavy snow conditions, this is a very easy way to get in and out of the house, since the front road is frequently plowed and we have a private snow plow service for our driveway.

THE AMENITIES
We offer one king sized bed in the master bedroom, two bedrooms with queens, and a twin bed in the office, with a trundle. Sleeps seven very comfortably, but can also sleep a maximum of eight people with the trundle. Our permit is for up to four cars, and I ask that you respect this limit as well.

Our main room provides a cinema-esque experience, with an easy-to-use projector and retractable screen. There is also a regular flat-screen TV in the office. Apple TV is available for both of these setups. The living room has a gas fireplace – controlled by remote – for a cozy atmosphere or to warm up the room quickly.

The office includes an adjustable sit/stand desk and an ergonomic kneeling chair. We have high speed internet and wi-fi throughout the home..

The bedrooms each have a large closet, available to our guests.

The garage fits two cars. The garage doors are high, and depending on your vehicle height, will likely fit most sprinters. It is also equipped with a 220v outlet for charging your EV, for a small fee. There are ski racks for winter, and many beach accessories for the summer, such as chairs, a cooler, an umbrella, and floaty devices.

Although this is a newly redone home with nice furniture and amenities, we welcome well-behaved children and offer a booster seat and Pack-and-go for the very small ones. We understand that Tahoe is a magical place for little ones, as we also came here frequently with our children when they were younger.

The kitchen is kept well-stocked.

Back yard: year-round hot tub, dining area, and BBQ.

Unfortunately we do not allow pets on the property. We had previously permitted it, but the immediate impact and damage to the house and neighbors put a quick stop to our pet friendly policy. On the plus side, this is a good house for people with pet allergies. This is a no smoking home.

THE LOCATION
The location of the home is an essential part of it’s appeal. It offers privacy in a charming and quiet neighborhood, but is also in a very central and convenient location relative to many attractions and activities. Step out the front door and share the locals’ experience of Tahoe, surrounded by trees and spectacular lake views.

Local nature life includes squirrels and chipmunks, birds of many kinds, deer, and of course the brown and black bears that have become part of the daily life of Tahoe residential living. If you are interested in the nearby towns, the house is about a 10 minute drive from both Kings Beach and Tahoe City, two small towns on the lake offering many restaurants and cute stores. Tahoe city has a farmer’s market on Thursdays during the summer, where you can also catch some live music. Gar woods, a famous local restaurant on the water, is only 5 minutes away. Incline, Truckee, Reno and Carson city are all between 20 and 50 minutes car drive.

For more Tahoe flavor and history, visit the whimsical Thunderbird lodge or the beautiful parks on the lake in either direction.

For nature and adventure lovers, this is the perfect sanctuary. In the summer, the lake is a two minute drive to a local neighborhood pebble beach, or a 10 minute hike down the hill. Note that walking does mean you will have to hike uphill on your way back, which might be challenging if you are carrying gear.

If you prefer sandy beaches, you can drive either towards Kings Beach or Tahoe City and stop at any of the numerous of beaches along the way, or discover some of the beautiful parks that have been preserved along the lake. The lake offers many activities for all ages, from swimming to renting boats and other floating devices such as the popular and very user-friendly paddle
boards.

The Truckee river rafting is also a fun and relaxing summer activity that starts from Tahoe city (about 10 min away). Let yourself be gently carried through the trees down this sweet mountain river to the lodge at the Alpine ski resort.

Right up the street is an amazing network of trails that will delight you both in the summer and winter. Hikers will also find an endless possibility of daily hikes, long or short, that start right in our back yard; no need to get in the car. Whether you like to hike, bike, sled, snowshoe or even cross country ski, there is something for everybody.

For bike enthusiasts, our lodge is a prime location, with one of the richest networks of epic and single track trails right up the road. For more tentative riders, you can rent any type of bike in Tahoe city or one of the other nearby towns, and ride alongside the lake or the river on the designated flat bike paths.

In the winter, the summer hiking trails become great places to snowshoe or to find sledding spots. The closest trailhead to our house has some great sledding spots. Please do not try to sled near the house, however, as there are rock walls and landscaping elements that could be damaged or be dangerous for your little ones.

Alpine skiing is very convenient, as the house is quite close to 4 reputable resorts. The world class ski areas of Palisades Tahoe (previously known as Squaw and Alpine), Northstar, and the charming family resort of Homewood are all about a 20-25 minute drive away.

For Nordic skiing, it is a 6 minute drive to the Dollar point Cross Country ski area, where you can rent equipment and buy a pass for the day. You can even walk up the street and ski to the
center in less than 15 minutes on a fire road that locals generously groom for that purpose.

NEIGHBORHOOD
This is a neighborhood loved and cared for by locals.
The house sits on a street that offers spectacular lake views, and even without going on the trails you can enjoy some lovely walks around the neighborhood.

No parties in this home please. Although this is a great gathering spot, be mindful of our human and animal neighbors. Tahoe has a noise ordinance of 10 pm, and we ask that you respect the local community by keeping the decibels down and being mindful with your trash.

A big issue in Tahoe is being aware of bears and the damage that they can cause to your car or
if they are allowed to enter your home. Taking the necessary precautions protects both you, the house, your car, and the bear. Once a bear becomes too comfortable around humans, they have to be put down, so try and help reinforce those healthy boundaries that keeps you mutually safe.

Please do not leave the garage doors open for ANY extended amount of time, as they have and will come in looking for food. Keep your cars clear of food if they are parked outside. The house
is bear-proofed as another precautionary safety measure.

Things offered
Hair dryers
Iron and ironing board
Fans
Beach supplies (Beach chairs, umbrella, cooler etc)
Toddler booster chair
Pack and go
Games
Shampoo/ conditioner/ body wash
Washer/ dryer
Clothes drying rack
Kitchen: blender, electric tea kettle, rice cooker,
Slow cooker, espresso machine, drip coffee machine

= Weather =
Weather can change rapidly. We encourage guests to check the weather routinely before their arrival so they know what to expect.

= Travel =
Changes in weather will impact roadways, which may result in road closures. We encourage guests to plan for travel by making sure vehicles are in good condition and prepared with 4WD or chains to drive in the snow. Guests should also bring paper maps as cell service can be limited.

= Wildlife =
Bears live at Lake Tahoe, too. Do not leave any food or toiletries in your car. Lock all doors and windows when not in use. Do not leave any trash outside. If you see a bear, do not approach it. Secure all children and pets from disturbing the wildlife – it’s their home too.

= Trash =
Trash must always be secured in bear-proof garbage cans (we call them bear boxes) or in communal dumpsters. Do not leave any trash outside.

= Fires =
Outdoor wood or charcoal fires are prohibited year-round. Guests may not build, create, or bring outdoor fire-pits to any property. During Red-Flag Warnings, all open flames are prohibited (even gas).

= Starter Supplies =
We’ll provide some basic supplies in the home for your stay including 2 rolls of toilet paper per bathroom, hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, 2 rolls of paper towels in the kitchen, a fresh dish sponge, dish soap, and a few loads of dishwasher soap, laundry detergent (if you have on-site laundry), and some trash bags. Supplies are provided for your convenience, but if you need more, you’ll need to purchase them for your stay.

= Local Regulations =
Vacation rental properties are regulated by local agencies. Guests are expected to maintain compliance with occupancy, parking, trash, exterior lights, quiet hours, and fire restrictions at all times. Failure to abide by the regulations may result in fees or a removal from the property without refund.

= Trip Insurance =
Sometimes even the best laid plans fall through. We encourage guests to plan for the unexpected by purchasing trip insurance at the time of booking.

= Terms and Conditions =
Please review Grand Welcome’s Terms and Conditions carefully at the time of booking. If you have any questions, please contact us and we’d be happy to discuss your concerns.

= Grand Welcome =
We want each guest to have the best experience possible. If something isn’t right, please contact us so we can resolve it.