Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe has completed a significant phase of renovations at its Stateline, Nevada, property, marking a major milestone in an ongoing transformation that began after the resort’s acquisition and rebranding. The latest round of updates spans hotel accommodations, dining venues, entertainment areas, and retail offerings, with management positioning the improvements ahead of the busy winter season.

The property, formerly operating as the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, officially became a Golden Nugget resort in September 2023. It is one of eight casino properties under billionaire Tilman Fertitta’s Golden Nugget portfolio, which includes locations across several U.S. gaming markets. Fertitta Entertainment Inc. acquired the 539-room hotel and 25,000-square-foot casino from Paragon Gaming for an undisclosed amount.

Guestroom Renovations Anchor the Latest Phase

At the center of the newly completed work is the renovation of the Sunset Tower. All rooms in the tower underwent a full redesign, with updates extending beyond cosmetic changes. Each unit now includes remodeled bathrooms, newly installed heating and cooling systems with individual controls, and updated furnishings.

The redesigned rooms feature designer furniture in natural tones alongside custom black-and-white artwork depicting Lake Tahoe scenery. Additional upgrades include Simmons Beautyrest mattresses with Sobel Westex bedding, integrated USB and USB-C outlets, and 65-inch LG flat-screen televisions powered by Sonify. Bathrooms were rebuilt with walk-in showers, Speakman showerheads, dual vanities with backlit mirrors, updated lighting, and motion-sensor night lights. Gilchrist & Soames toiletries were also added as part of the refresh.

The room renovations represent a portion of a broader plan outlined to regulators. When appearing before the Nevada Gaming Control Board, Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe General Manager Jason Sides emphasized the scale of the project, stating that “every square foot” of the property would be addressed during the revamp.

“We have big plans for the property with significant capital investment,” Sides explained according to Reno Gazette Journal. “We’re going to touch basically every square foot of the property.”

Dining, Sports, and Nightlife Spaces Reopen

Several food and beverage venues have reopened following renovations, including the Oyster Bar, which had been closed for a month. The restaurant, known as Lake Tahoe’s only raw seafood bar, serves freshly shucked oysters along with gumbos, pan roasts, and traditional jambalaya. It is open daily for lunch and dinner and remains a popular option among both locals and visitors.

The property has also introduced Bill’s Sportsbook as a newly enhanced game-day destination. The venue offers 1,200 square feet of high-definition screens, seating for up to 240 guests, and a bar equipped with built-in slot machines. Guests can place wagers through staffed betting windows or self-service kiosks available around the clock. Bill’s Sportsbook now includes a full menu of comfort foods and bar staples, such as wings, pizzas, smash-style burgers, sandwiches, and signature milkshakes, along with a complete beverage selection.

Nightlife options expanded with the debut of Rush Lounge, formerly known as the Center Bar. The redesigned space features a modern bar, video poker machines, a performance stage, and updated seating. Live music is scheduled on weekends, and the lounge operates extended hours, including 24-hour service on Fridays and Saturdays.

Retail Updates and Broader Overhaul Plans

Additional changes include the expansion of Bean & Bread, a grab-and-go café that now occupies a 920-square-foot space with an enlarged menu. The refreshed concept offers Starbucks coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and local products. Nearby, a revamped micro-market called Essentials has replaced the former basic retail area, offering travel necessities, snacks, drinks, and premium brands such as Ray-Ban and Jellycat.

These completed upgrades align with a longer-term redevelopment strategy announced after the acquisition. Fertitta previously told regulators that the Lake Tahoe property represented “a great opportunity” within his casino portfolio.

“We will take this property and totally transform it,” Fertitta told the Nevada Gaming Control Board at the time. “And, as we always do, add the Golden Nugget name to it. We expect it to be one of the top properties in the [South Shore Lake Tahoe] market.”

Future plans include two new restaurants under Fertitta’s Landry’s umbrella—Mastro’s Steak House and Saltgrass Steak House—as well as enhancements to the casino floor, which houses 500 slot and video poker machines. New table games are also planned. While rooms remain open during construction, capacity has been reduced as work alternates between hotel towers. Sides has said the company expects the broader renovation effort to conclude by early next year.