If you are looking for an enchanting and unique location for a wedding or special event, you won't find a more memorable setting than the Thunderbird Lodge at Lake Tahoe!

Thunderbird Lodge is a magical, multi-building historic site nestled in a pine-forested, secluded promontory on the pristine eastern shore of Lake Tahoe. The stone Lodge was built between 1936 and 1940 for San Francisco millionaire playboy, George Whittell, Jr. The Lodge was designed in the Tudor Revival style and is reminiscent of the "Old Tahoe" tradition. Quality craftsmanship - masonry, iron and woodwork - are found throughout the buildings, along the stone pathways, the tunnel and in the beautiful fountains. The second owner, investment banker Jack Dreyfus, added a great room and guest accommodations to the Lodge in 1985. Today the Lodge is operated by the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society who manages this National Register Historic District as a museum facility. Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society, Inc. is a Nevada non-profit corporation having 501(c)3 tax-exempt status.

Thunderbird Lodge is approximately 2 miles south of Sand Harbor State Park and 5.6 miles north of Spooner Summit on Highway 28. The Lodge is a 1-hour drive from Reno, ½ hour from Carson City, ½ hour from Stateline (south shore), and 45 minutes from Tahoe City. See location map. Access to the Lodge is by appointment only. Please call to schedule a site visit and to learn more information about the extraordinary Thunderbird Lodge.


Special Event & Wedding Information

Special Event & Wedding Policies

• An approved event/wedding planner required.
• A two-hour minimum charge applies to all weddings and special events occurring Tuesday through Thursday.
• A four-hour minimum charge applies to all weddings and a two-hour minimum charge for special events on Fridays and Saturdays.  
• The Lodge is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
• A signed Facility Rental Agreement and a 50% deposit of the anticipated total rental fee will be required to reserve the Lodge for an event.
• Thirty days prior to the event, a guaranteed guest count and hour usage must be given. The adjusted balance of the total rental fee will be due at this time.
• An additional $2,500-$5,000 security deposit is required thirty days prior to the event. Providing no damage is done to the property, the security deposit will be refunded within thirty days, minus a $500 cleaning fee.
• A Certificate of Liability Insurance from a Nevada-licensed carrier listing the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society Inc. and Pulte Homes as additional insured parties is required. Coverage amounts are $1 million per incident and $2 million in the aggregate.
• Event times available between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m.  Guests must be clear of the property by 10 p.m. and vendors by 11 p.m.

Meeting Policies

• Meetings may not use any other part of the Lodge or grounds besides the room being rented.
• There is a two-hour minimum rental Tuesday through Thursday and a four-hour minimum rental on Fridays and Saturdays.
• The Lodge is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Special Event, Wedding and Meeting Prices*

• Dinner-on-the-Terrace .......... $5000
  Includes 16 people, 4 hours, chef’s selection hors d’oeuvres, pre-ordered 3-course meal from chef’s menu, non-alcoholic beverages, guided tour, on-site parking, service, and gratuities. Guests may bring own wine & beer for service w/o corkage.
  
  Additional person (total head count not to exceed 24) .......... $250
  Charitable contribution value .......... $4000
  
  
• Event Rental .......... $2500/hr
  
  Corporate dinners, retreats, bar mitzvahs, family reunion parties, meetings, weddings (ceremony or reception), rehearsal dinners. No proms, bachelor or frat parties. Available spaces are Lighthouse Room, kitchen, lawns, terrace, wishing-well patio, garden spaces, gazebo, dock, and Dreyfus bedroom. Includes docent-guided tour and self parking for ten guest vehicles. Old Lodge only with manager’s approval and additional donation. Guests clear of property by 10PM; vendors clear by 11PM.
  
  Friday-Saturday wedding receptions 4 hour minimum; other events 2 hour minimum.
  
  

  Refundable security deposit (wedding receptions) ... Refundable security deposit (other events) .............. Non-refundable cleaning fee .....................................

  $5,000 $2,500 $500

  
  

  Captain’s Club (Captain’s Level) member discount May – Oct / Nov – Apr ..... Captain’s Club (Admiral’s Level) member discount May – Oct / Nov – Apr ...... Castle Club member discount May – Oct / Nov – Apr .....................................

  5% / 10% 10% / 15% 25% / 50%

  
  Note: Captain’s and Admiral’s Level Discounts Limited to One Event Rental Per Year.
  
  
• Non-Profit Meetings & Retreats .......... No Charge
  
  Limited to board and staff meetings, retreats, planning sessions by compatible non-profit organizations and Nevada State, County, and local governments. November – April only. 6 hours maximum from 10AM – 4PM. Subject to availability. No outside catering or vendors. Box lunches and prepared food permitted with cleanup and trash haul-away. Non-profit organization to sign liability waiver and release. Tours conducted at prevailing tour price.
  
  
• Docent-Guided Educational Tour Per-Person Pricing
  
  

  Shuttle Bus Tour from Incline Village Adult Shuttle Bus Tour from Incline Village Child Water Tours Drive-on Group Tours (15 person minimum) School Field Trip Tours Volunteer Friends & Family Tours     (scheduled with office; volunteer gives tour)

  $39 $19 $39 $39 $5 $15

  
  The Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. A portion of your event rental fee may qualify as tax-deductible.

  *All prices subject to change without notice and may vary based on event's impact on this National Register Historic District. Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society Inc. reserves the right to assess additional fees.

For more information please use our Information Request Form or call (775) 828-3536.

Thank you for your interest in the Thunderbird Lodge Historic Site!

Rental fees enable the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society to achieve its mission of preserving and interpreting this important National Register Historic District and State of Nevada cultural resource.