We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andrew Gauthier. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andrew below.
Andrew, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?
The Incline Lodge was founded by the Warner family, who live full time in Incline Village. For many years, they dreamed of owning a business where they could share their passion for creating memorable Tahoe experiences for travelers from around the world. The Incline Lodge is their vehicle to make that dream come true by combining guest-first hospitality, in-depth knowledge of the area, and a desire to enhance the outdoor experiences of their visitors. In the summer of 2021, the Warner’s were presented with an opportunity to purchase the Parkside Inn. It was at this moment that the vision for The Incline Lodge was born.
At the time of their purchase, I was contemplating new opportunities out side of my current role at the time of Marketing & Communications Director for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team just ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics. I was then recommended by community members to the Warner’s as potential fit for the GM role focused on Front of House operations, marketing, PR, groups, and revenue management. Although I had a hospitality MBA, I never anticipated running hotel. However, between the immediate connection with the Warner family, the opportunity to own a full rebrand project, as well the chance to give back to the community that’s given me everything, I couldn’t turn it down. Days later I was hired with the goal of embracing the fundamental principles of fun, kindness, community, quality, and adventure. Also inherent in the DNA of The Incline Lodge is the desire to inspire an adventurous spirit and empower the potential to push personal boundaries, whether that’s for a relaxing escape or an adrenaline rush. This was a vision I new I was eager to embrace.
We spent the next 8 months reinventing the property including a full renovation, rebrand, and complete overhaul with our technology systems. We believed that technology would not only facilitate an amazing guest journey, but also free up time for our staff to focus on a curated guest experience. Today, our reviews and accolades are a true illustration of this vision coming to fruition.
When a guest arrives at the Incline Lodge, they are no longer just a guest, they are part of an amazing network of
like-minded individuals who are living for the next unforgettable moment
Andrew, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
How you got into your industry:
Prior to starting with The Incline Lodge and the Warner Family, I was the marketing and communications director for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard team traveling about 6 months year based out of Incline Village, Lake Tahoe. Most of of my previous roles were focused in one way or another on supporting the careers of professional ski and snowboard athletes. Whether through marketing, public relations, sponsorships, event management, or event sanctioning, all my time was spent in attempt to further develop the sport and support the careers of athletes.
What type of products/services/creative works you provide, what problems you solve for your clients and/or what you think sets you apart from others:
The Incline Lodge is focused on owning the guest journey from booking to departure allowing for a seamless guest experience for our guests. By having full control over our guest journey using a variety of state of the art systems, we are ablet to develop relationships with our guests, curate experiences, and facilitate truly unforgettable memories in the area.
What are you most proud of and what are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work/ etc.: As a renovated motor lodge, we recently received our AAA three diamond certification. Furthermore. our review volume and quality is a direct representation of our staff, product, and services across all review platforms: Google (4.9/5 rating | 136 reviews), TripAdvisor (5/5 rating | 45 reviews),
Expedia (9.6/10 | 157 reviews), Yelp (4.6/5 | 22 reviews), Booking.com (9.2/10 | 73 reviews). To sweeten these numbers even further, 35% of all of our reviews specifically mention a staff member by name with a positive sentiment. Lastly, stemming from the goal of creating a culture of care, empowerment, and personal ownership within our team, we have maintained a 90% retention ratio since opening in July of 2023.
Furthermore, who doesn’t appreciate awards including: AAA Three Diamond Certification (2025), 2024 NAOP CRE Winner -Hospitality Tenant Improvement of the Year, 2024 North American Business Award – Best Boutique Hotel – Sierra Nevada, Booking.com Traveler Review Award 2024, Hospitality Design Gold Key Award Finalist, 2024 ANDYZ Award: Best Hospitality Space, LuxLife 2023 Best Mountain Style Boutique Hotel.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
The following review is is a direct reflection of our teams resillience and ability to be flexible to meet specific guest needs. The Florez Wedding (Google 5/5 rating) | Context: A Wedding Block with a surprise ceremony due to a unexpected winter storm in April:
The Incline Lodge made our wedding absolutely unforgettable! We booked their lounge for our reception (34 people) and arranged everything remotely—via phone, email, and FaceTime. From the very beginning,
their team, led by GM Andrew and the Operations Manager Ty, was outstanding. They answered countless questions,
helped us figure out catering, and even sourced specific liquor for our signature drinks, which they added to their bar
menu. The rates were fantastic, and the open bar option was a hit! I also upgraded to their One-Bedroom Apartment for the bridal suite, and it was perfect. With a separate living room, micro kitchen, and balcony, it was not only gorgeous but functional—it even became the stunning backdrop for our first looks in the snow. The staff was incredible—so kind and attentive. Every guest commented on how welcoming and friendly they were. They went above and beyond to make everything perfect, from arrival to departure. And when a blizzard derailed our original ceremony plans at Lake Tahoe, their staff stepped up in a way I’ll never forget. In just one hour, they converted the lodge lobby into a breathtaking ceremony space. This wasn’t part of our agreement, but they didn’t hesitate to help. They even cleaned snowy, sandy chairs from our lakeside setup so we could use them indoors. Who does that? Pure kindness and dedication! The lounge itself was stunning, and the bar setup was gorgeous. They let us taste-test our custom drinks the night before to ensure everything was just right—our guests couldn’t stop raving about them! The pool rental included in our lounge package was a fun bonus, and many guests ended the night with a magical, celebratory jump into the pool. As for the rooms, my guests were blown away by how comfortable and cozy they were. Everything was newly remodeled, beautiful, and designed with comfort in mind. Whether you’re looking for a place to stay, accommodations for your guests, or a venue to host an event, stop searching. The Incline Lodge has it all—heart, style, and a staff that genuinely cares about making your experience perfect. I’m still speechless over how much they did for us. Thank you, Incline Lodge, for turning a snowy wedding day into a dream come true!
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
I met the Warner family (Owners) through what I would refer to as calculated serendipity. When I started to consider other options away from the ski industry, I was looking for something that would allow me to travel less, learn new skills, while also feeling a sense of ownership and empowerment to build a career and life that I was seeking at that point in my life. I new to find what seemed to be an impossibly perfect fit in a small town, I would need the help of friends, colleagues, and local professionals. This is when I began to plant seeds with a very small community of well connected and long time residents I’ve met over the year in Incline Village.
When the Warner’s began their search for a general manager, they had the same idea and began to contact individuals in the area that may know a good fit. Two residents they contacted both recommended me with the understanding I was looking for something new. Over the course of two meetings in three days, I was hired and we began our journey to open The Incline Lodge together.
To date, I consider the Warner’s family and could not be more grateful for our partnership. Their support, guidance, and mentorship in life and professionally has been second to none.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theinclinelodge.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theinclinelodge/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinclinelodge
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-incline-lodge/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-incline-lodge-incline-village
- Other: Trip Advisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g45956-d119517-Reviews-The_Incline_Lodge-Incline_Village_Lake_Tahoe_Nevada_Nevada.html
Image Credits
Public Spaces: @BeholdCreators
Rooms: Tida Svy Photography