All eyes on the newest Ritz

For almost two years, a castle-like structure rising from the forested, mid-mountain area of the Northstar-at-Tahoe ski resort has been turning heads. Now its almost ready to accept guests and host events.

A December 9 opening date has been set for what has to be the most anticipated new resort hotel to open in Northern California in a decade. The Ritz Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe, is a ski-in, ski-out property sure to become a favored venue for high-end meetings and events.

The property's 15,000 square feet of meeting space includes two ballrooms, multiple breakout rooms, a board room and generous outdoor function space with panoramic views. A new gondola lift with enclosed cars will connect the 170-room property to Northstar's base-area Village, where additional lodging is available. The Ritz complex also will include 23 private residences and 25 fractional ownership units, a 17,000-square-foot spa and a signature restaurant, Manzanita, headed by San Francisco chef Traci Des Jardins.

The hotel is participating in a chain-wide "Meetings Within Reach" package encouraging planners to book events large and small before the end of the year. The deal for groups booking 10 or more nights includes daily continental breakfast, a general sessions meeting room, high-speed Internet access in one meeting room, 20-percent savings on audio-visual needs and selected suite upgrades. For more information: www.ritzcarlton.com/meetings