Springtime in the California desert is a cleansing experience for body and soul. The subtle breezes kiss your cheek, and like the colorful desert flowers blooming all around, you’ll instinctively be drawn to the warmth of the sun.
In the heart of the Coachella Valley, Rancho Las Palmas offers everything you need for a casually elegant weekend respite – world-class golf, a sumptuous spa and luxurious dining. You need never leave the Hacienda-inspired grounds, but if you do, there is shopping, dining and casino nightlife in nearby Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs to fill your evenings. rancholaspalmas.com
WHAT TO DO: Golf: The 27-hole Ted Robinson-designed course has six lakes to create a true desert oasis. The 5th green goes right up to the resort’s main plaza, where diners and sun worshippers watch.
Spa Las Palmas: Relax in the private, oval-shaped adults-only pool while waiting for your treatment. Lounge on a plush cobalt-blue chaise, and enjoy the soothing sounds of the Spanish-tiled fountain. The 26,000-square-foot European Spa boasts 27 treatment rooms and a menu of choices, including everything from a sugar scrub to the spa’s signature Mirage hot-stone treatment.
Tennis: This is the desert’s largest tennis center, with 25 courts, including 22 hard, three clay and eight lighted courts for the cooler evenings.
Fitness: The Fitness Center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and exercise equipment. Or, you can hike or jog the fitness trails and take in the pristine air and stunning desert views.
Swim: The family swimming center is a hub of activity, with a children’s pool and waterslide, whirlpool and spa. And if that’s not enough, Spashtopia is a two-acre aquatic wonderland for the entire family.
WHERE TO DINE:
There are five different dining options at Rancho Las Palmas to suit every mood and every time of day. Dining options in Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage are too numerous to mention, as the desert is one of the great dining regions in the state.
bluEmber is further stoking the already hot Rancho Mirage restaurant scene. Under the leadership of Chef Todd Claytor, BluEmber is fueling word-of-mouth with its elegant cuisine, utilizing the freshest, highest-quality ingredients. bluEmber is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. dinebluember.com
R Bar, the resort’s stylish lounge, melds elegant old-school styling with three flat-screen TVs, shuffleboard and pool. Wind down the afternoon with a classic martini in a plush leather chair.
Splash Grill – satisfying poolside fare at its best, with burgers, sandwiches and tropical drinks.
Palms Café is open all day, starting with Starbucks coffee and house-made breads and pastries in the morning, to fresh salads, sandwiches, kids’ meals and brick-oven pizzas.
Spa Café – don’t let hunger interrupt your sublime time. The Spa Café offers healthy, delicious snacks to keep you in the maximum-relaxation zone.
