Avalon Lodge is making a difference

A small South Tahoe lodge is stepping up big by committing 10 percent of its Monday profits over the course of a year to one charity.

The Avalon Lodge, a 20-room boutique property, is launching its “Make a Difference Mondays” and inviting the public to nominate and vote to select the non-profit organization that will receive the donation.

Nominations are open for any non-profits with approved 501c3 standing.

Persons can submit their favorite organization through Oct. 10 at avalonlodge.com or clehospitality.com. Each person may provide one entry by completing all required registration information.

Deb Pierrel and Katy Donoghue of Clé Hospitality, the owners of Avalon Lodge, will select five finalists from the nominees. Public voting will be open from Nov. 7 through Nov. 30 on the aforementioned Websites with the winning non-profit announced Dec. 5.

In addition to receiving “Make a Difference Mondays” profits from Avalon Lodge for a year, the grand prize for the chosen organization will also include use of the entire hotel for two nights, all 20 rooms, April 15 and 16, 2013. The rooms can be awarded to friends, staff or volunteers, or can be auctioned to supporters with all additional income donated.

The concept for “Make a Difference Mondays” is only part of the “Gratitude is Key” program and came easy for Pierrel and Donoghue, who started Clé Hospitality in 2010 in Mammoth.

“Our founding philosophy has always included the responsibility and desire to give back,” said Pierrel. “We see needs in every community we’re in so it’s a natural extension for our business.”

“We thought this program would go beyond the typical and help generate additional attention, energy and passion for the selected non-profit,” said Donoghue. “If it does that, then we’re all successful.”

The two started Clé Hospitality with a 10-year goal to build a portfolio of small to midsize hotels in resort destinations each providing the founders’ definition of “casual elegance.”

The Avalon Lodge features all the outdoor and indoor attractions that make Tahoe the “Best Lake in America” (USA Today, 2012).

With completely remodeled rooms, contemporary amenities include luxurious beds with plush mattresses, triple-sheeted linens topped with overstuffed comforters in an Egyptian cotton cover. The bath is stocked with tasteful personal care products and oversized towels and attractive tile designs. Fireplaces add warmth and ambiance for all occasions.

“Gratitude is Key” is the overarching program for incentive-based initiatives, including “Key Rewards” where members receive additional discounts, promotions and preview sales for events while “Key to Success” is a tactic for motivating employees.

A variety of lodging packages are available, including buy three nights and get the fourth night free.

Midweek stays afford options with 35 percent savings; the movie nights package features first-run films and theater style refreshment boxes; romantic getaways packages have champagne or wine, complimentary souvenir glasses, signature chocolates upon arrival and guest rooms with fireplaces.

And since it’s Lake Tahoe, the center of the outdoor recreational world, there are complimentary bicycles, kayaks and snowshoes. There’s also a seasonal heated outdoor pool.

At Clé’s Historian Inn in Gardnerville, Nev., plans for a similar program are underway.

Located in the heart of Nevada’s Carson Valley, The Historian Inn is a fixture of downtown Gardnerville. Its 34 rooms provide a distinctive, classic feel reflecting the area’s Western heritage, enriched with the colors, textures and natural materials reminiscent of the mining booms that established Nevada as the Silver State.

Both properties provide a flat panel TV with Movies on Demand and iPod docking station in every room. Complimentary wireless Internet, activity equipment and daily newspaper allow guests to choose their favorite media over a cup of fresh roasted coffee.

A fresh Continental breakfast with locally baked fare is available daily at the Avalon Lodge and a convenient grab and go breakfast bag at the Historian Inn, and there’s often afternoon food and wine tastings at both hotels through the Market Café; a 24-hour boutique gift shop with gifts, locally made art, sundries, treats and beverage options.

Reservations and information are available by calling the Avalon Lodge at 530-544-2285 or avalonlodge.com or the Historian Inn at 775-783-1175 or historianinn.com.

For a complete set of “Make a Difference Mondays” rules and more information go to avalonlodge.com or clehospitality.com.