Tucked beneath towering pines, the 10-bedroom, 9-bathroom Mountain Majesty is a stunning three-story luxury home with dramatic wood architecture and expansive windows. Its upper-level deck offers a hot tub with panoramic forest views and warm lighting that glows like a mountain retreat fantasy. RnR Vacation REntals Since 1990, actors and athletes have descended on Stateline, Nevada for a summer golf tournament on the south shore of Lake Tahoe. It’s the longest-running celebrity golf tournament in the United States — and a delightful excuse for people-watching in a picturesque vacation spot where the Silver State meets the Golden State. The 2025 edition of the American Century Championship teed off on July 9. Summer at Lake Tahoe is eclipsed in its beauty only by winter. Six separate lifts with close-up views of the lake whisk skiers and snowboarders to the top of the Sierra Nevada for fresh snow; another nine sit within driving distance of the water. To some, the powder might be better in Utah or Colorado, but the views of the lake are second to none among winter vacation spots in the U.S. Heavenly, Tahoe’s Crown Jewel For Skiing And Golfing Perched atop Heavenly Mountain, Tamarack Lodge is the ultimate alpine social hub — a lively basecamp for skiers, riders, and families alike. Grab a bite from the quick-service kitchen or unwind with a drink from the full-service bar. Outside, lounge chairs line the snow for prime people-watching and sunbathing, mountain-style. Heavenly Mountain Resort Of the local ski lifts, only one (Heavenly) is adjacent to the south side of Lake Tahoe, where the village immediately surrounding America’s most visible celebrity golf course maintains its relatively quaint feel. The casinos on the Nevada side of the lake give way to modest inns, bars, and restaurants on the California side. The volume of amenities on each side of the border caters perfectly to snow junkies, but few historically met the definition of “luxury.” That’s created an interesting dichotomy: celebrities flock to South Lake Tahoe to golf, but the most opulent hotels, restaurants, and vacation homes historically sat to the west and north of the lake. (Incline Village, on the Nevada side of Tahoe’s north shore, boasts Larry Ellison and Mark Zuckerberg among its part-time residents.) Against this backdrop, residents of the city of South Lake Tahoe, California, approved Measure T in 2018 to phase out short-term vacation rentals in residential areas of the city. It was a win for locals living in the city year-round who felt encumbered by seasonal tourists, and a defeat for anyone who purchased a cabin in town with the intent of renting it out. Live Like The Kardashians In South Lake Tahoe - Rental Vacation Homes On The Rise The expansive open-concept living space in the Mountain Majesty cabin with RnR Vacations centers around a plush sofas in front of a fireplace. Two large dining tablez anchors the room, offering ample seating for festive meals and family-style feasts. The chef’s kitchen is complete with gleaming granite counters and pro-style appliances — built for entertaining at scale. RnR Vacation Rentals As a result, the best offerings from luxury vacation-rental operators like RnR Vacation Rentals sat just outside South Lake Tahoe city limits. Mansions disguised as cabins became a secret hideaway for wealthy out-of-towners looking to ski Heavenly in the winter and enjoy a day on the lake in the summer. One such property, conspicuously towering over the rest of the hillside dwellings beneath the ski resort, temporarily became the Kardashians’ home away from home. (The 16,500-square foot property was recently listed for sale at $19.8 million.) Then, in March, a county court overturned Measure T. As the short-term vacation rental market opened its floodgates, visitors to South Lake Tahoe saw a community transform. Family-owned establishments that have sat lakeside for years now sit side-by-side with recently opened microbrew pubs. A brand-new Target opened on the California side of the lake in April; on the Nevada side, the local Caesars casino with its own Hell’s Kitchen is undergoing a $160 million renovation. The gondola riders at the base of Heavenly’s ski lift appear 10 percent better dressed than last year. Rather than infecting a slow-paced resort town with an elitist vibe, however, the new South Lake Tahoe remains warm and inviting. Inside Noel's Coffee & Apothecary, morning coffee gives way to delicious spirits in the afternoon as craft cocktails are served under vintage fixtures, evoking an earlier era of opulence. At TipsyPutt, a kid-friendly indoor miniature golf course has craft beer on tap for grown-ups. An adult-oriented Elevated Wine Experience sits next door. The Loft Theatre serves up an evening magic show for all ages, along with dinner and drinks. Dog-friendly restaurants are the rule, not the exception. Where the 1 Percent Stay In South Lake Tahoe The indoor heated pool inside Mountain Majesty is wrapped in a warm palette of stone and natural wood, with plush lounge seating and soft lighting creating a spa-like atmosphere. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in the mountain sunshine, while the tranquil water invites year-round dips. A perfect pairing of alpine charm and modern luxury. RnR Vacation Rentals Although the Kardashian Kastle is the (literal) high point, the breadth and volume of luxury lodging options is growing. Sierra Shores, a cluster of wood-construction luxury townhomes pressed against the lake, hosts celebrities in town for the golf tournament. At RnR Vacation Rentals, a well-heeled family can rent a 10-bedroom cabin with a private movie theater, sauna and pool. So could a dozen friends looking to turn a miniature high school reunion into a weekend on the slopes. (The “Mountain Majesty” cabin lists at $18,000 for 30 days; those interested in shorter stays can contact RnR through the property’s website.) Inside, the rustic-chic game room of Mountain Majesty features a handcrafted wood bar, pool table, and glowing pendant lights set against a wood-beamed ceiling. Just steps away is the private "Ski Run Theater," a cozy retreat with tiered leather recliners and all the comforts of a high-end cinema. It’s the perfect après-ski spot for cocktails, competition, and a movie marathon. RnR Vacation Rentals “South Lake hasn’t always been the first town that people think of around Lake Tahoe for luxury,” explained Lauren Gresh of RnR Vacation Rentals. “But there hasn’t really been that luxury-stay market in South Lake probably until the last 10, 15 years.” Rather than announcing their presence with an oversized property on a small lot, the new vacation homes are blending seamlessly into the woods, comfortably occupying the same block as Tahoe’s smaller traditional cabins. Added up, the transformation of South Lake Tahoe is opening up more of the lake region to luxury vacationers. Formerly the best-kept secret among locals in Northern California and Nevada, it’s evolving into a national treasure. Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions