SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - May 14, 2003 - From a simple vision over a decade ago to one of the most celebrated new mountain villages in the West, the new Heavenly Village and the two adjacent Marriott resorts have made a major impact on South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
Since the opening in November, the alpine-style village has quickly become the gathering place of this scenic resort region for visitors and locals alike. A high-speed gondola picks up skiers, sightseers and boarders in the heart of the village and whisks them away on an epic ride to the top of Heavenly Ski Resort.
The new Marriott Grand Residence Club, Lake Tahoe, a fractional ownership resort, and Marriott’s Timber Lodge, a traditional vacation ownership resort, flank the gondola, shops and restaurants and provide the ideal mountain vacation getaway for both owners and renters.
“With the resort located in the Heavenly Village, we don’t have to drive to get a bite to eat, go shopping or take a sightseeing trip up the gondola,” commented Troy and Sally Buchanan of San Jose, Calif., owners at Marriott Grand Residence Club. “We’re really looking forward to the ice skating rink and the movie theater too. Having all the village amenities just footsteps from the resort is a wonderful benefit to our family.”
“Our owners purchase villas or residences at our resorts because they are looking for a complete vacation destination,” said Michele Strieck, general manager of the two Marriott resorts. “While many of the aspects of the village are already complete, we are pleased at the variety of other entertainment-related amenities and services that will soon round out the experience.”

New resort and shopping amenities are scheduled to open throughout the summer and remainder of the year with the promise to add more visitor services and entertainment options. A city-run parking garage directly behind the Marriott resorts is expected to open in June and will add convenience for both day skiers and shoppers. The city will also begin sidewalk improvements and additional landscaping surrounding the village area this summer.
“While the redevelopment process is still in progress, this new village is a significant step towards the rejuvenation of Lake Tahoe’s South Shore. The commitment from our village partners like Heavenly, Marriott, the City of South Lake Tahoe and our retailers will continue to fuel interest in the village and ensure its long-term success,” said Lew Feldman, a lead redevelopment attorney in South Lake Tahoe. “The momentum from this project has energized the community, which bodes well for future redevelopment plans.”
The Heavenly Village now has 17 shops, restaurants and general retailers including Cold Stone Creamery, Wolfgang Puck Express, Quizno’s Subs, Rocktonic Juice, High Chaparral Western Wear, The Gold Store, Sealed With a Kiss, Poe Rava Gem Company, Powder House Sports, Wyland Galleries Lake Tahoe, Redwood Sign Shop, Espresso Etc., Century 21 Tahoe Paradise, Hearts of Light, Marriott Discovery Center, Heavenly Sports/The Boarding House and Patagonia at Heavenly.
Anticipated opening dates for new additions to the Heavenly Village:
- FiRE + iCE restaurant offering an interactive dining experience at Marriott’s Timber Lodge: July 1
- Cecil’s Marketplace: June 15
- Parking Garage: June 1
- Nestle’s Toll House Café: July 15
- Cineplex Theater: December 15
- Ice Rink: December 15

Other Redevelopment Plans Adjacent to the Heavenly Village:
In December, the Town Center, Lake Tahoe (formerly Crescent V Shopping Center) is scheduled to open across from the Marriott Grand Residence Club. The shopping center, which includes a Raley’s Supermarket and a variety of boutiques, will all be extensively refurbished to reflect the design of the Heavenly Village.

About Marriott Grand Residence Club, Lake Tahoe:
Marriott Grand Residence Club, Lake Tahoe represents Marriott’s newest second home ownership opportunity. It offers a unique quarter ownership option with upscale residences ranging in price from under $120,000 to $620,000 for studio, one-, two-, and three-bedrooms and penthouse floor plans. Owners have flexible usage options in utilizing the allotted weeks, including reciprocity arrangements with other Marriott Grand Residence Club properties (currently, there is a second location in London) and an on-site rental management service provided by Marriott. Furthermore, owners may choose to trade their weeks for Marriott Rewards points or exchange through Interval International’s network of resorts worldwide
Resort amenities include:
- Shopping, dining and a future cinema-plex in the adjoining Heavenly Village
- Steps from Heavenly Ski Resort’s Gondola
- Year-round outdoor swimming pool and two spas
- Health club with steam room and spa services
- Concierge
- Private ski lockers
- Owner’s club and library
- Daily maid and laundry service
- Underground valet parking
About Marriott’s Timber Lodge
Marriott’s Timber Lodge is a vacation ownership resort offering one-week intervals. Villas range from $11,500 to $42,900 per week for one-bedroom/one-bath and two-bedroom/two-bath floor plans based on seasonality. The 137 villas (265 at build out) range from 835 to 1,185 square feet of living space featuring a fully equipped kitchen, living and dining areas, fireplace, multiple televisions and a VCR, washer and dryer, as well as a private balcony in some villas. Marriott’s Timber Lodge features a flexible usage program with options such as priority week(s) exchange within the MVCI portfolio, trading their week(s) for Marriott Rewards points or exchanging within Interval International’s system of resorts.
Resort amenities include:
- Shopping, dining and future Cineplex in the adjoining village
- Steps to the Heavenly Ski Resort’s Gondola
- Year-round courtyard pool and whirlpool spas
- Children’s Activity Center
- Fitness center and steam rooms
- Self-service ski lockers
- The MarketPlace convenience store and deli
- Underground valet parking
Marriott Vacation Club International is the recognized, industry leader in vacation and fractional ownership worldwide with over 225,000 owners and approximately 6,400 units around the globe. For more information regarding vacation ownership at Marriott’s Timber Lodge, please call (866) 300-3032 or visit www.marriottvacationclub.com. For second home ownership with Marriott Grand Residence Club, please call (866) 89-GRAND (866-894-7263) or visit www.grandresidenceclub.com. Nightly rentals at either property can be reserved by calling (800) VILLAS-9 (800-845-5279) or by visiting www.marriottvillarentals.com.
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