I had the opportunity to stay at La Quinta Resort and Spa (sometimes also referred to as La Quinta Resort and Club) in Palm Springs recently. Have you been to Palm Springs in November? It is beautiful. Generally speaking, the air is crisp, the clouds are few and it’s the kind of weather that makes you want to stay outdoors. When I was there, it was cool and dry in the mornings but much warmer in the afternoons. A light jacket for the mornings and evenings was a necessity.
I flew into Palm Springs international airport late in the evening. This small airport is quite easy to get around and the people are friendly. I skipped the rental car and hopped in a taxi. About 35 minutes later, I arrived at La Quinta Resort.
Greeted by construction, I didn’t get to experience the long driveway all lit up. Oh well, I was still pumped to see the hotel and rooms, because I had heard so many great things about them. Once in the hotel lobby (which really does not feel like a hotel lobby), I knew this was going to be a great hotel to work with. The lobby was quaint and warm – the type of place that you want to hole up for a while – and the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. And after check-in, I was taken off to my plush room by a bellman in a golf cart. Quite the life, right?
The resort has amazingly beautiful grounds. As I learned the next day, the casitas (rooms) are spread apart in clusters, which made it quite necessary to carry a handy La Quinta map with me at all times. But if you do get lost, the hotel was well-staffed to help guests find their way, or to offer a ride in the golf cart.
My first impression of La Quinta Palm Springs was the sheer number of pools they have! All of the sleeping rooms are clustered around a pool – this in addition to the main pool by the spa. And all are so clean and crystal clear. What a great place for pop-up pool parties!
Also, as I mentioned, the grounds are beautiful. Part of what adds to this are their fresh fruit trees – such an interesting and unique feature. Mostly there for looks and beautification, but feel free to pick the fruit for a little snack. I had an orange tree on my patio and it bore the most delicious oranges.
When working with a hotel that is so expansive, here are a few tips:
- Have the travel staff stress to the participants to keep a map with them at all times; it gets very dark at night and can be very hard to find your way back to your room. It happens to the best of us …
- Also, plan early. It does take a while to get to your next location. If an event starts at 6:00 PM, be sure to leave plenty of time, or call a bellman to pick you up.
- Ask the hotel if they will light the way to your function with luminaries. It is a welcoming sight if you have been wandering around looking for the party.
- Consider having golf carts ready to pick up and drop off your VIPs. That way, their transfer time is kept to a minimum and it takes the stress off of them.
Overall, the hotel is quite well equipped to handle larger groups and do a great job. Our group definitely had a great experience.
