The Ritz-Carlton highlands, Lake Tahoe

The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe, situated mid-mountain at Northstar-at-Tahoe™ Resort is anticipated to become Northern California's premier mountain retreat.  Schedule to open December 9, 2009, guest services will feature a mountain concierge with ski-in, ski-out access in winter, as well as easy access to mountain biking and hiking in the spring, summer and fall. An inter-mountain gondola will connect guests between the nearby Village-at-Northstar and the The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe resort. Perched slope-side within a 15 minute drive of both Lake Tahoe and the historic town of Truckee, the year-round destination resort includes 170 guest rooms, 23 private Ritz-Carlton Residences and 25 Ritz-Carlton Destination Club fractional ownership residences.

Manzanita, the resort's signature restaurant created by renowned San Francisco chef Traci Des Jardins will also open inside the hotel on December 9, 2009. The menu at Manzanita will be a combination of Des Jardins' signature French inspired California cuisine, with a regional mountain resort influence, sourcing organic, sustainable and locally grown meat and produce when possible. The 94-seat restaurant along with 71-seat bar and lounge is all about the kitchen and its acclaimed chef. From the moment you enter the restaurant, the design radiates warmth, texture and natural materials. The open kitchen is visible from all vantage points in the restaurant, showcasing the chef's organic cuisine. For more information about Manzanita, please visit www.manzanitalaketahoe.com .

The Ritz-Carlton Highlands Spa, Lake Tahoe is a 17,000 square foot spa and fitness center and will also open on December 9. The Highlands Spa will feature treatments and therapies themed around water and the woods. Separate relaxation areas for men and women feature the signature rain experience, steam, sauna and Jacuzzis. Both yoga and spin studios have floor-to-ceiling windows maximizing the views of the nearby Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort.

In addition to the hotel opening, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, Lake Tahoe will open its doors to Members on December 18. Located directly adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe, the 25 two-, three- and four-bedroom fractional residences ranging from approximately 1,423 to 2,434 square feet will boast mountain and valley views of the Sierra Nevada. Currently, fractional prices range from the low $200,000s to more than $700,000 per interest. Deeded, fractional ownership at The Ritz-Carlton Club, Lake Tahoe provides Members and their guests with a minimum of twenty-one days of use each year. For more information visit www.ritzcarltondestinationclub.com .