Nakoma Resort is a gem of a place, so it isn’t surprising that it sits at the base of Gold Mountain in the Sierra Nevada Mountains high above Lake Tahoe. This wilderness region of California is known as the “Lost Sierras,” as these mountains and buttes are a bit off the beaten path.
Nakoma Resort consists of the Lodge at Nakoma, an extremely comfortable, 42-room modern wood frame building nestled in the woods, a full-service spa and the breathtaking Altitude Recreation Center. That 12,000-square-foot facility has everything, from a large swimming pool and a challenging indoor climbing wall to a 30-seat movie theater/media room and an outdoor amphitheater.
Nakoma also boasts a famed 18-hole, semiprivate championship golf course. Known as The Dragon, the course is designed to make corporate meetings a walk in the sun, with perhaps a few frustrations. There are some challenging holes, albeit with spectacular views and a family of golden eagles that live on the cliffs nearby.
The crowning glory of this hideaway resort that is perfect for a full corporate buyout is the resort’s Clubhouse, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1923 and finally realized here in 2001. Influenced by the shape and look of Native American teepees, the Clubhouse is a unique wood and hewn stone structure that is enhanced by stained glass windows and friezes throughout that evoke the harmonious design motifs of the Cherokee tribe. The massive building’s large outdoor patio looks down onto the golf course and into the wooded mountains beyond, while inside Wright’s design genius extends to the Wigwam Room Restaurant as well as into various meeting rooms (capacity 20-140), all of which boast high ceilings and large windows that bring the views inside, even in the snowy season. And the food is top-notch, too.
In addition to Nakoma’s beautiful lodge and clubhouse, the resort offers numerous opportunities for group experiences, ranging from summer fishing excursions to nearby mountain lakes (including Gold Lake) and along the Feather River or hiking expeditions to famed Mills Peak Trail. Winter experiences including ice skating or skiing at nearby Northstar.
No matter what the season, Nakoma Resort truly is a retreat like no other, where an easy pace, crisp mountain air and a welcoming atmosphere create a soothing setting—and a golden opportunity for having a meeting to remember.
