ArrowCreek vs. Montreux: Comparing Reno’s Two Premier Luxury Communities

If you’re building or buying a custom home in Reno, two communities dominate the conversation: ArrowCreek and Montreux. Both are guard-gated, golf-centered, and nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada — but they offer very different lifestyles.

As a design-build contractor who has worked in both communities, here’s an honest comparison to help you decide which one fits your vision.

Location and Setting

Both communities sit in southwest Reno with easy access to Lake Tahoe via Mt. Rose Highway, but the feel is distinctly different.

ArrowCreek sprawls across 3,200 acres in the east-facing foothills, with elevations ranging from 5,060 to over 6,100 feet. The elevation change creates multiple microclimates across the property. Views face north and east toward downtown Reno and the Truckee Meadows — perfect for watching city lights at sunset.

Montreux is a more intimate 726-acre community at the base of Mount Rose, sitting between 5,400 and 5,900 feet. Bordered by Galena Creek Regional Park, the setting feels more forested and alpine. Views look toward Mt. Rose’s snow-capped peaks and the surrounding old-growth Sierra Nevada forest.

Bottom line: ArrowCreek gives you sweeping valley and city views. Montreux gives you mountain and forest views.

Golf and Amenities

Both are premier golf communities, but the scale and history differ.

ArrowCreek has two 18-hole championship courses — The Legend Course designed by Arnold Palmer and The Challenge Course designed by Fuzzy Zoeller and John Harbottle III. The Club at ArrowCreek completed a $60 million clubhouse renovation in 2022, adding 40,000 square feet to the original 42,000-square-foot facility. It was named Clubhouse of the Year by Golf Inc. Magazine. Amenities include three swimming pools, an indoor pickleball facility, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and five dining venues. Club membership is separate from HOA dues.

Montreux features a single 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Championship Course — a par-72 layout stretching 7,472 yards that ranked among Golf Digest’s top-3 best new private courses when it opened in 1997. It hosted the PGA Tour’s Barracuda Championship for 21 consecutive years (1999-2019). The 34,000-square-foot French Country clubhouse offers three dining areas, a members’ grill, and a wine cellar, plus a separate fitness center, pool, and tennis and pickleball courts.

Bottom line: ArrowCreek offers more variety and a newer, larger clubhouse. Montreux offers PGA pedigree and a Nicklaus-designed course with a more exclusive atmosphere.

Homes, Lots, and Prices

This is where the communities diverge most.

ArrowCreek has approximately 1,081 total homesites (506 semi-custom, 575 custom) on 3,200 acres. Lot sizes range from 0.29 acres to 5+ acres, with an average around 0.75 acres. Homes range from 2,500 to 7,500+ square feet. The median sale price is approximately $2.3 million, with active listings from $1.8M to $4.6M+. Vacant custom lots start in the high $200Ks.

Montreux has approximately 540 homesites across 726 acres. Lot sizes range from 0.4 acres to 3+ acres, with most homeowners enjoying 0.5 to 1 acre. Homes range from 2,200 to over 10,000 square feet. The median sale price is approximately $1.95 million, but active listings range from $2.8M to $5.9M. Vacant lots average around $500K, ranging from $450K to $695K.

Bottom line: ArrowCreek has a wider range of price points and more available inventory. Montreux has fewer homes, larger custom estates at the top end, and higher lot prices — reflecting its more exclusive positioning.

HOA and Club Costs

ArrowCreek HOA runs approximately $385 per month, covering 24-hour gated security, trail maintenance, common grounds, and the resident center. Club membership is optional and separate.

Montreux HOA is approximately $530 per month ($1,600 per quarter), covering 24/7 manned security, private road maintenance, and common area landscaping. Golf club membership is optional but most residents join at some level — full golf equity membership runs approximately $110,000 in initiation and capital fees, plus roughly $1,700 per month in dues.

Bottom line: ArrowCreek has lower ongoing costs and more flexibility around club membership. Montreux’s higher fees reflect the more exclusive, full-service experience.

Architectural Style

ArrowCreek has evolved over its nearly 30-year history. Early homes featured Greco-Roman and Mediterranean influences. Recent construction trends toward mountain contemporary and modern desert styles — clean lines, open floor plans, and natural materials. All plans must be approved by the Architectural Design and Review Committee (ADRC) and submitted by a Nevada-licensed architect.

Montreux maintains a stricter Northern European aesthetic — French Country and English Manor styles with stone facades, steep rooflines, and timber detailing. The newer Parc Foret enclave blends alpine traditions with contemporary touches. All designs must pass rigorous architectural review to maintain the community’s cohesive look.

Bottom line: ArrowCreek allows more architectural freedom and contemporary design. Montreux requires adherence to a specific European aesthetic — beautiful but less flexible.

Building a Custom Home: What to Know

Both communities have remaining custom lots, though supply is limited in each. Here are a few things we tell clients who are deciding between the two:

If you want a modern or contemporary home, ArrowCreek is more likely to approve your design. Montreux’s architectural review strongly favors traditional European styles.

If you want maximum privacy and a forested, alpine feel, Montreux’s smaller community and mountain setting deliver that.

If you want the best clubhouse and amenity package, ArrowCreek’s $60M renovation is hard to beat. If you want PGA-caliber golf, Montreux’s Nicklaus Signature course has the history and pedigree.

If budget flexibility matters, ArrowCreek offers entry points at a lower price, with lots starting in the high $200Ks versus $450K+ at Montreux.

Both communities require careful planning around Washoe County permitting, grading for sloped lots, and coordination with architectural review committees. Working with a builder who knows both communities — and their specific review processes — can save months of back-and-forth.

The Bottom Line

There’s no wrong choice between ArrowCreek and Montreux. ArrowCreek is the larger, more diverse community with a wider range of price points, architectural styles, and a world-class renovated clubhouse. Montreux is the smaller, more exclusive enclave with a Jack Nicklaus course, PGA history, and a cohesive European aesthetic.

The best choice depends on what matters most to you: variety and value, or exclusivity and tradition.

Ready to build in ArrowCreek or Montreux? Daoust Design & Construction has built custom homes across Reno’s luxury communities since 2012. Contact us for a free consultation and let’s talk about your vision.