Caesars Entertainment officially unveiled Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino on July 6.
The resort hosted an evening grand opening celebration, welcoming guests with a champagne reception before a ceremonial ribbon-cutting with longtime partner Lisa Vanderpump. The resort also unveiled its newest nightclub, Tessie’s Cocktails & Chords.
“With Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe, we set out to create something truly distinctive for this market. An experience that blends the natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada with the energy and innovation our guests expect,” said Anthony Carano, President & COO of Caesars Entertainment. “The grand opening represents the realization of that vision and the beginning of an exciting new era for Lake Tahoe.”
Harvey and Llewellyn Gross moved to Lake Tahoe in 1937 and operated a meat market and butcher shop, and then decided that gaming could be more profitable and opened Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Saloon & Gambling Hall in 1944. It was a small log cabin with an old wagon wheel nailed above the door, with a few slot machines, a couple of gaming tables, a six-seat lunch counter, and the only 24-hour gas station between Placerville and Carson City.
Those humble beginnings seem far away from the ribbon-cutting ceremony capping off the $200 million renovation and transformation of Harveys Tahoe into Caesars Republic. Present were three generations of the Bill and Llewellyn Gross family, grandson Kirk Ledbetter, great-grandson Kristopher, and great-great-grandson Kamden.
Kirk and his wife Debbie were among the founders of the Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe in 1991. During the celebration, Caesars Republic presented a $10,000 check to the Club.
Changes include newly renovated rooms, the High Dive Pool and Lounge, WOLF by Vanderpump, Gordon Ramsay’s HELL’S KITCHEN, along with Tessie’s Cocktails & Chords in partnership with Clique Hospitality. The casino floor features new slot machines, table games, a modern high-limit and poker experience and renovated Caesars Sportsbook, coffee and cocktail bar, Cleo’s, and other newly designed bars, including Centro and Celeste.
“Our vision was to take everything guests have loved about this destination for decades and revitalize it through a more modern, design-forward lens,” said Karie Hall, SVP and General Manager of Harrah’s and Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe. “The result is a resort that feels vibrant, elevated and unmistakably Tahoe, whether you’re here for the views, the dining or the moments you can’t get anywhere else.”
