Room Blocks in Lake Tahoe: What Wedding Couples Need to Know

Planning a wedding in Lake Tahoe is a dream come true, with its breathtaking scenery, year-round outdoor activities, and luxury resorts. However, one of the biggest challenges couples face is securing hotel room blocks for their guests.

Unlike many other wedding destinations, Lake Tahoe hotels rarely offer traditional room blocks, especially during peak summer and winter seasons when tourism is at its highest. If you’re planning a wedding here, it’s important to understand how room blocks work, why they’re difficult to secure in Tahoe, and what alternatives are available to ensure your guests have a great place to stay.

What is a Room Block?

A room block is when a hotel reserves a set number of rooms at a discounted rate for a group of guests—typically for weddings, conferences, or events. These blocks allow guests to book their accommodations at a guaranteed rate and within a certain timeframe, ensuring they stay at the same hotel. These are generally offered to couples getting married at the hotel. However, if you are getting married at a venue-only location, hotels do not often extend this courtesy.

There are two main types of room blocks:

1. Courtesy Room Blocks - these are rare to come by in Tahoe due to demand.

✔️ No financial commitment from the couple
✔️ Limited number of rooms (usually 10–20)
✔️ Rooms are released back to the public if unbooked by a set deadline

2. Contracted Room Blocks

✔️ Couples sign a financial agreement with the hotel
✔️ Typically requires a deposit or minimum occupancy commitment
✔️ More room availability, but comes with financial risk

Many hotels in major city wedding destinations offer one or both options—but Lake Tahoe is a completely different story.

Why Room Blocks Are Hard to Get in Lake Tahoe

Unlike traditional wedding destinations, Lake Tahoe hotels and resorts don’t rely on group bookings to fill their rooms. Here’s why:

1. High Demand in Peak Seasons

Lake Tahoe is a top travel destination, attracting visitors for:
🏔 Winter Ski Season (December–March) – Thousands of skiers and snowboarders book rooms months in advance.
☀️ Summer (June–September) – Prime season for hiking, boating, and lake activities.

Since hotels sell out quickly during these seasons, they prefer to leave rooms open for higher-paying, individual bookings rather than committing to discounted wedding room blocks.

2. Small & Boutique Hotels Dominate the Area

Unlike large metropolitan areas with major chain hotels, North and South Lake Tahoe are home to smaller lodges, boutique hotels, and luxury resorts that often have limited availability.

3. Limited Incentive for Hotels to Offer Discounts

With constant demand from tourists, skiers, and vacationers, hotels have no incentive to offer lower rates for wedding groups when they can book rooms at full price.

What Are Your Best Alternatives?

Since traditional room blocks aren’t widely available in Lake Tahoe, here’s how to help your guests find accommodations without stress:

1. Provide a List of Recommended Hotels 🏨

Instead of a room block, create a customized hotel guide of 2-3 Hotels for your guests at different price points (luxury resorts, mid-range hotels, and budget-friendly options):

For South Lake Tahoe, we suggest:
✔ Luxury: Edgewood Tahoe Resort
✔ Mid-Range: The Coachman Hotel or Black Bear Lodge
✔ Budget-Friendly: Harrah’s or Harveys or Econlodge

2. Book an Airbnb or Vacation Rental for Your Group

Since Tahoe has limited hotel room blocks, many wedding couples opt for a large vacation home rental for larger parties. Large Airbnb or VRBO homes can accommodate groups of 10+ guests, offering more space, a kitchen, and shared amenities.

Great options are available on AirBnb and VRBO.

💡 Pro Tip: Book rentals early! Tahoe’s best vacation homes fill up fast, especially in summer and winter.

3. Encourage Guests to Book Early

Since hotel rooms sell out quickly, warn your guests early about Tahoe’s lodging challenges and encourage them to book ASAP. We recommend:

🔹 Send a "Save the Date" with lodging details at least 8–10 months in advance
🔹 Include hotel options & booking links on your wedding website
🔹 Suggest guests book their stay when RSVPing

4. Consider a Buyout at a Small Lodge

If you love the idea of having your guests stay in one place, look into a full buyout of a boutique hotel or lodge. Some smaller properties may allow you to reserve the entire space for your wedding weekend. Contact us direct on some of these local options.

Be Flexible & Plan Ahead

While traditional wedding room blocks aren’t common in Lake Tahoe, there are still plenty of ways to ensure your guests find great accommodations. By providing hotel recommendations, encouraging early booking, and exploring vacation rentals, you can help your guests have a stress-free and enjoyable stay.

✨ Need help coordinating lodging for your Tahoe wedding? Let Pomegranate Occasions guide you through the planning process! Contact us today to create a seamless guest experience.