Honeymoon On The Water | Lakefront 446 State Route 28, Crystal Bay, NV

This Crystal Bay lakefront estate includes a guest house built directly over Tahoe's waters. Prior to the existing main house was a lodge and restaurant known as Eugene's Crystal Bay Chalet, serving dinner on the water and offering overnight accommodations, through the late 1940s and 1950s. Famed for having hosted Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner, the guest house became know as "The Honeymoon Cottage," and is a true piece of Tahoe history.

The 4 bedroom & 4 bath main house offers spectacular panoramic views with two decks spanning the length of the house and two patio areas, maximizing outdoor living. An electric tram connects the main house to the waterfront 2 bedroom & 2.5 bath cottage.

Enjoy the privacy of 150 feet of lake frontage. Three large decks on the guest house offer lakeside lounging and privacy like no other. Steps literally take you into Lake Tahoe's waters.

With two buoys, breakwater and a deep water pier, you can spend endless days enjoying the crystalline waters of Lake Tahoe where the shoreline highlights the many blues and greens of the lake.

For those wishing to redevelop this home, the property has 6,300 square feet of impervious coverage.

Property History

A waterfront resort, Eugene’s Chalet and Restaurant was once one of Lake Tahoe’s biggest hotspots during the late 1940s and 50s. It’s close proximity to Reno, once known as the Divorce Capital of the World, and the Crystal Bay casinos, made it a draw for the wealthy and the Hollywood set.

The entire structure burned down, on New Year’s Eve of 1960. Ironically, it was found that the Kings Beach Fire Captan, who had had a beef with Eugene Jarvis, set the fire. Undeterred, the family (of Eugene Jarvis) decided to raise their three children on the property, and built the existing 4 bedroom, 4 bath home, overlooking a stunning Lake Tahoe with access to a sweeping waterfront.

Via an electric tram, guests were able to easily transfer from the restaurant to The Honeymoon Cottage (built on stilts over the water), past a smattering of small guest cabins (that have been torn down) scattered throughout the rustic property.

Often dinner guests were sent down to enjoy a cocktail, while waiting for a table, at the bar in The Honeymoon Cottage. In addition to the bar, there were 3 bedrooms, each with their own bath, that were available for rent. One of the bedrooms is now the dining area.

It is rumored that The Honeymoon Cottage was so named after Frank Sinatra and Eva Gardner; who found it to be one of their favorite romantic hideaways. Just down the road a bit, Sinatra purchased the CalNeva hotel and casino from Leon and Jackie Nightingale in 1960.