The title might shock you, but it’s actually a real thing! There’s an amazing concept that more travelers need to know about called HomeExchange Collection. It’s an exclusive luxury community where like-minded travelers from around the world swap homes, allowing you to stay in extraordinary, high-end properties without paying for accommodation. This HomeExchange Collection review will give you a better understanding of what it’s like.
This group trip was generously hosted by the HomeExchange Collection. This was my very first time experiencing Lake Tahoe, and I don’t regret a single second of it. If you love to travel and want to enjoy top-tier luxury while saving on accommodation costs, HomeExchange Collection is for you.
My Third-Floor Luxury Sanctuary
We stayed in a breathtaking, three-story luxury vacation home in Lake Tahoe. I experienced the very top floor, which offered incredible views.
The room was super spacious and large, featuring a cozy fireplace right in the room and its own private balcony—each floor of the house had its own balcony! Some had rocking chairs on the balcony, mine specifically didn’t have a rocking chair, but it was still very nice, views of trees, and other nearby neighbours huge luxury homes.
A Spacious Kitchen Built for Gathering
The kitchen area was extremely spacious. It’s ideal for hosting a group or prepping meals together. When you book or swap a home through HomeExchange, you often arrive to find thoughtful amenities already provided by the host.
In our case, the kitchen was pre-stocked with plenty of fresh water, which is always a welcome touch when you’ve just arrived from a long flight. This might not be the case for every home you stay in, but after reading other experiences with Home Exchange Collection, a lot of hosts homes have items like this already stocked up.
Unwinding in the Forest-View Hot Tub
One of the most fabulous highlights of the property was the hot tub area. It was such a treat to soak in the warm water after a day of exploring while taking in stunning views of the surrounding alpine forest. It created the ultimate peaceful, mountain-retreat vibe. However, I noticed it’s a lot better to enjoy the hot tub during the day or evening, when it gets late at night, it might be a bit too dark out to fully enjoy.
Living Like a Local: A Private Chef Experience
If you’re wondering how to elevate your HomeExchange stay to the next level, we highly recommend booking a private chef. HomeExchange Collection allows you to truly live like a local, and having a custom dining experience at home is the best way to enjoy the space.
On our very first night, we had a private chef come in to prepare a multi-course dinner. Our menu featured a fresh salad, pear and walnut flatbread, roasted balsamic chicken, and a delicious blueberry crisp with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Everything was paired with fantastic wine. If you’re looking for something unique and memorable to do during a home swap, hiring a private chef is an absolute must!
Dining Out: Enjoying The Bistro in Lake Tahoe
While eating at the house was amazing, Lake Tahoe’s culinary scene is top-notch. One of my absolute favorite spots during the trip was The Bistro. The restaurant is located at the one of a kind Edgewood Tahoe Resort in Stateline, Nevada.
The restaurant is known for their seafood, gourmet American dishes, artisanal, flatbreads, and also breakfast and brunch. I went straight for my all-time go-to meal to share with my group. A massive seafood platter with King crab legs, followed by a delicious seafood pasta.
Alpine Retail Therapy at Heavenly Village
You can’t visit Lake Tahoe without doing a little shopping! We had so much fun exploring Heavenly Village, which is known as the vibrant heart of South Lake Tahoe. It’s packed with lively cobblestone walkways, boutique shops, outdoor fire pits, local eateries, and great entertainment.
I stopped into one of the local gift shops and picked up a couple of cute glasses to remember the trip. It’s the perfect spot to stroll around, pick up souvenirs, and soak in the mountain town atmosphere. Lake Tahoe in general, pure mountains everywhere.
Watch the Full Lake Tahoe VLOG!
Want to see what this luxury home swap actually looks like in action? We put together a dedicated YouTube video showing the full Lake Tahoe experience, the complete house tour, and some of the best spots and experiences we tried!
Be sure to give it a watch, let us know in the comments if you’re planning a trip to Lake Tahoe, and don’t forget to follow us for more luxury travel inspo.