A reimagined 1960s motel in South Lake Tahoe, blending clean, artisan-led design with a communal, mountain-town basecamp vibe.
The Coachman Hotel stands on Pine Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe, a design-forward reimagining of mid-century roadside lodging that successfully bridges vintage Americana and modern alpine utility. The property’s roots trace back to the tourism boom of the 1960 Winter Olympics in Olympic Valley (historically known as Squaw Valley), when it functioned as three distinct motels: the Green Lantern, the Royal Coachman, and the Tahoe West Motor Lodge. These properties were eventually consolidated into a single complex during the 1980s, but it was not until 2016 that founders Justin and Peter Watzka initiated a multi-million-dollar transformation. Working alongside local architect Brian Shinault and Sierra Sustainable Builders, Brooklyn-based design firm Studio Tack (now known as Post Company) stripped away decades of kitsch to establish a clean, communal retreat. In late 2022, hospitality investment group CL Hotels acquired the property, subsequently expanding the boutique hotel to 104 guest rooms and suites, which are now managed under the lifestyle portfolio of Sage Hospitality Group.
The interior architecture deliberately honors the building's mid-century footprint while elevating the tactile experience of a mountain stay. Inside the guest rooms, the design team utilized a high-low material strategy, lining walls with plywood paneling painted in Benjamin Moore’s deep gray Iron Mountain and installing custom-built plywood platform beds. These beds are dressed in yellow canvas covers by Utility Canvas, Woolrich blankets, and high-thread-count Frette linens. The rooms cater directly to outdoor enthusiasts with highly practical details, including a dedicated wet entry zone complete with heavy-duty rubber flooring, custom ski racks, and Malin+Goetz bath products. Furnishings throughout the property highlight a curation of American craftsmanship, featuring tables and chairs by Jason Pickens, custom light fixtures by Studio Tack, and contemporary furniture pieces from Stephen Kenn, Eric Trine, and Brendan Sowersby of 100xbtr.
Social spaces at the hotel are crafted to foster a sense of shared adventure, centering around a communal lobby that transitions effortlessly from day to night. In the morning, the lobby café-bar serves Stumptown coffee and fresh waffles, while sliding glass doors open directly to the outdoor courtyard. Here, guests gather around a year-round heated swimming pool and a custom-poured concrete hot tub, or unwind on the patio. As dusk falls, the outdoor area shifts focus to the communal fire pits, where s'mores kits are provided nightly for fireside gatherings. The lobby bar pivots to pouring regional craft beers, local wines, and signature cocktails, establishing an analog, relaxed atmosphere just blocks away from the bustling Heavenly Mountain Resort gondola and the shores of Lakeside Beach.
Pick up a complimentary s'mores kit at the front desk to roast over the courtyard fire pits, and ask the lobby bar for a pour of regional craft beer.
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