At The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, you can settle into a high-altitude luxury haven — plus have a singular lakeside experience at the resort’s newly opened Lake Club. Set upon its own piece of shoreline on magnificent Lake Tahoe and possessing direct lake access, the stone-and-cedar clubhouse features a private boat pier — a launching spot for parasailing, waterskiing, luxury boating, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. Other watery activities include fishing charters, sailing, wake surfing, formula yachting and excursions on the Wild Goose II, a fabulous 36-foot handcrafted wooden boat. Architect Clare Walton of Walton Architecture & Engineering designed the building, beautifully merging the lines between indoor and outdoor environments with floor-to-ceiling glass, a collapsible wall in the great room connecting to the terrace and glass guard rails and natural materials, including cedar, walnut, teak, stone and steel.

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, Lake Club living room

On the ground level, a dining terrace allows for views of the lawn sweeping down to the lake’s edge, where an outdoor spa and fire pit are ready for cool evenings. Inside, a long bar and gathering space awaits, while the upper level includes a dining deck with more views of the water and the not-too-distant rim of snow-peaked mountains. Dining choices include gourmet Bento Boxes, along with a selection of creative a la carte sandwiches, delicious salads and treats. The Lake House space has expansive changing facilities and sumptuous showers so you can enjoy your activities of choice and freshen up after you’re through. There are plenty of environmentally conscious elements as well. In the front of the building, pavers collect sediment and filter rainwater before it flows into the lake, while native flora such as aspen, bearberry, creeping wild rye, lupine, rabbit brush and mountain mahogany are key elements in the landscape, created by Nevada-based landscape architects Design Workshop. Lake House privileges apply to premium resort guests (and, based on availability, any guest at a daily fee).