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La Quinta Resort & Club
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47 reviews for La Quinta Resort & Club
Stayed for 2 nights as the Halloween crowd was clearing out. The grounds are beautiful as stated, and our room seemed very clean and nice. No cockroach problems as some of the reviews have mentioned. Over the course of the two days, I enjoyed 3 different pools / jacuzzis over the property and didn't have any problems. The food was a bit pricey at their restaurant, Twenty6, though, but this seems geared toward an older, wealthier crowd. Not many vegetarian options here either, again, that seems to be the case all over Palm Springs.
The staff was very friendly and helpful, and I'd come back here again at the rate we were able to get. Don't overpay for this hotel though, I see a few folks have done priceline and scored.
The California sun in October is a beautiful thing! Aah....I wish I were still poolside.
Just so this is clear, this review is for the HOTEL ONLY. My 5 star review for the spa still stands.
It is really hard for me to give this place two stars. Everyone who works here is very friendly. We were even lucky enough to score a slightly larger room in a smaller quadrant of rooms (less rooms surrounding a single pool).
And, as my traveling companion points out, the sheets and bed are freaking amazing. Why does it get a 2? Lack of confidence. For some reason, despite all of the niceness, there is little confidence that things will just be done right the first time.
Example 1: Parking.
I have had many many MANY issues with parking here during peak season. The place is like a labyrinth and if you have to fight for parking on the property at night, good luck finding your car in the morning. I feel like this was just poor design planning...so I don't take any real points off for this, it is just noted as an annoyance.
Example 2: The room wasn't ready.
Uh...huh? We checked in at 10pm. We were told where our room was and went straight there.....only to find that after the last guests had left, no one had cleaned the room. Again, everyone was perfectly nice. We weren't starving or tired, so we remained in good spirits. But....uh...shouldn't the hotel KNOW when a room has been cleaned? Is that a computer error?
Example 3: Overcharging
I WISH this (and all of the others, really) were limited to just this trip, but it has literally happened EVERY time I have stayed here. Last time it was a couple of spa charges. Unfortunately, I didn't notice until months later after my credit card had been charged and by then had no recourse. This time? A $40 meal that we didn't eat was billed to our room. The staff of course were nice and removed it, but dude...I should NOT have to go through a bill line by line (or in this case...see a charge when there were NO charges) every single time I stay with you.
Example 4: The pools
The pools are just...well...gross. Gross as in dirty...a yucky film over the top of them. I don't know if the filters need some work, or if this is just a consequence of being an outdoor pool in the desert. But still...ick.
Example 5: Water Waste
I am so so SO sad that this place wastes so much water. I get it, you need to water to have such a lovely lawn. But...uh...shouldn't your sprinklers go on at NIGHT? Not at 2pm? As far as I know (and I have spent at least one drunken night out by the pool until 4am) their sprinklers only go on during the day. And not at any time during the day...during the hottest freaking hours!! Come on! Plus, they have those nifty signs in the room saying how they are trying to conserve water, and that as a guest you can help. So I think, yay, I can help!!! What do I need to do? Well simply put any towels you want replaced in the bathtub, and hang up the ones you want to keep.
Like a good girl, I follow directions. Somehow, every time, they replace ALL of the towels. Why!? Please stop! i like my not-so-clean-towel!!!
The property is incredibly lovely. But honestly? I would never recommend to anyone that they stay here...hence the "Meh, I've experienced better" rating. Visit the spa? Sure. Have a meal at one of the restaurants here? Maybe. But though this place is beautiful, and everyone is nice...I would recommend staying somewhere else if you can.
However, if you must stay here (this location is chosen a lot for conventions and events because it has a lot of large ballrooms and convention rooms), here are some tips:
1.) Check around for rates. I have never had it be the case that booking directly through this hotel was the cheapest rate. Also, allowing the hotel to charge you increases the likelihood that your bill will be screwed up. I booked through http://hotels.com this last time and got 4 nights for the price of three which was great, and everything was pre-paid before I got there.
2.) Don't just leave...make sure you officially check out, get a copy of your bill, and check EVERY ITEM.
3.) Don't order room service. It takes forever, and it is not very good.
4.) Have a car. There are a few places to eat here but they are all very expensive, even for lunch, and the service is slow. There are a lot of good places within driving (but not walking) distance.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/25/2009
I have decided to write two separate reviews here, because my experience with the resort itself and… Read more »
So let me start off by saying we found this place by priceline. You know... the name your price?
When we arrive I was excited and amazed by the beauty of the landscape. Even the check in was awesome, they were extremely nice.
smiles all around.....
Exactly how a horror movie begins..... :)
We checked into our room and it once again was BEAUTIFUL. except, we weren't the only one in the room. It was infested with cockroaches!
Now I'm a pretty manly guy, and I'm not scared of much besides ghost and loud asian people.... but cockroaches top the list. A phobia I never got ride off when I saw a nest of them in my Lego's chest at the age of 5.
This thing was bigger then my dog. And it was crawling all over the bathroom.
We called the office and they sent someone down to get it. We decided to move rooms.
on to the second room.....
We walked in and saw 2 cockroaches. :)
on to third room....
Dead cockroach on floor.... Biggest one yet....
on to fourth room (which was now upgraded to suite)
air conditioning is not working. Room temperature is 80 degree's.
on to 5th room (another suite)
finally comfortable and relaxed after 2 hours of dealing with all of this.
cut to:
later that night after we went out to eat and got back.... I decide to turn on the T.V before bed and I somehow order a 25$ adult program that I didnt even know I did. Much less get to watch. Ended up watching Hannah Montana for some odd reason.
next morning was also a trip trying to check out and not make a scene at the front office saying I didn't order the Jenna Jameson special.
yeppers,
La Quinta.....
might as well take Disney tagline as "happiest place on earth"
Great room and service. Had a problem with tha Ac on my room and got service and room change right away. What a great place.
As I write this review, I'm still not sure how I feel about the resort. It's BEAUTIFUL, but really lacks in some fundamentals as others have pointed out and I'll do again.
I also encountered the cockroach problem while staying in one of the rooms with the private patio. We trapped one under a glass before it could crawl under bed then called the concierge about it, hoping she would give us a later check-out than noon out of sympathy. She could only give us 30 extra minutes for our cockroach problems... not very understanding. Also, the pools do have a noticeable scum layer, but you get over it once you're laying out in the sun for more than 15 minutes and must cool off. When we checked in and when we checked out, the lady and the front desk offered the groups before us complimentary smoothies. I still don't know why we weren't special too.
Nonetheless, the grounds are gorgeous and if your looking for beauty matched with peace and quiet there's no better place. There are enough pools that you can find your very own and spend the afternoon. The rooms are very spacious and the staff are very friendly.
So do as you will. I can't say I wouldn't stay here again, even though my experience wasn't 5 stars. The resort still has qualities that could make me come back. If you have never been, you should still check it out for yourself, but beware.
I stayed here for a conference and have to keep reminding myself that the rate was $100 a night so it isn't fair to compare this resort to others I've stayed. That's why I'm not going to go into detail about the rodent sized cockroach in my room or the issues with my reservation. This review will focus on the food.
I understand if you eat on property at a resort you will pay more - but compared to the quality of the food and the service the prices were outrageous. If the restaurants want to charge this much they need a complete refresh on the food, presentation and service.
1st meal - two hamburgers with fries, 2 glasses of wine. $65. Now the burgers were fine and fries were good, but for $65 I'd like to see something a little more stellar.
2nd meal - Ordered a club sandwich from room service. By far the most disappointing meal I had. $32 with tip for a club sandwich and fries. The sandwich was on a standard grocery store wheat bread and was missing the avocado it was supposed to have. The bacon appeared to be the kind that is pre-cooked, or at best it was cooked several hours before. The presentation was horrific - the sandwich thrown on a plate and falling all apart with a bowl of fries - yes, a regular white bowl - of fries. Again, if I'd paid $12 for this it would have been fine - but $32?
3rd meal - At the pool I was excited to order some simple pool snacks from the cafe menu that were actually affordable. Not so - they informed me the kitchen was not open so I'd have to order from room service. Well, I have a lot of food issues so there goes the club sandwich again. They didn't ask me what side I wanted and brought fruit. I said I don't want fruit, I wanted fries. The guy says no it says here fruit. I said well someone took some liberties with that because I never said what I wanted and I want fries. He looks at me like he's been totally put out. For $23 (less expensive today for some reason!) you better bring me what I want.
Meal 4 - Adobe Grill. Fish Tacos with beans and a small side of guacamole, and a Corona. Now this meal was very tasty - guac was good and fish tacos were excellent. But for $34 it should be.
Meal 5 - Eggs, bacon, potatoes, toast and coffee - $23. Simply put this meal was so greasy, especially the potatoes, I could barely eat any of it. For that price, I expect high quality bacon, well cooked potatoes etc... And I while I waited patiently for my bill staring with anger at my waiter, he and the entire waitstaff were standing in a corner laughing, dancing and making a huge amount of noise. Again, if I was at Denny's I wouldn't think twice. But this resort seems to want to play with the big boys in price, but not in service and quality.
Ahh, while I would probably keep LA Quinta's rating at 4 stars, this update is for the totally effin awesome room we got this weekend.
If you want total privacy, if you want your own private pool and jacuzzi, if you want an 8 foot wall enclosing your back yard so you can sunbath nude (or at least so your woman can), if you want a 1,400 square foot villa with 8 sets of French doors that open to your private pool and backyard, and most importantly if you can afford it, then get one of their 2 Pueblo suites (I was in room 629).
It was amazing, it was like having our own private house, and unfortunately I don't know if I'll ever be able to be happy with just a regular room at La Quinta again.
**Note - do not be bashful about calling the front desk to have someone come out and skim your pool - I had to do this in the morning and at night as bugs are attracted to the light in the pool at night and there would be lots of beetles floating in it - they will come out right away to do it (i.e. 30 minutes or so depending on when you call).
Really, this room was amazing. Movie stars stay in it all the time, it is pretty much the best La Quinta has to offer, and it made for an amazing vacation.
**Note #2 - while I of course can't promise your experience will be the same, my girlfriend and I didn't originally book this room, but when we were there we were talking to the director (head guy) at the front desk and asked if the room was available - he said it was so we asked if we could have it for an obscenely low price since it was vacant and he agreed. So it never hurts to try.....
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/10/2009
I so want to give La Quinta 5 stars. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. From the moment you drive up the… Read more »
I've stayed at La Quinta Resort for the past three years, during the middle of August for a work conference. And each time I've been happy to be there. There is something about being able to walk the beautiful grounds (even while dripping sweat) and not be on top of all the other work people. The ability to feel privacy in the middle of 100 work colleagues is something that other hotels lack.
The rooms are basic but nice. I do recommend bringing in your own wine, snacks and water since the minibar is painfully over priced. And while a charge showed up on my bill, it was taken care of immediately by the friendly staff.
So beyond the feeling of privacy, the ability to be in the middle of everyone and not know it, the hotel room (casita) door that opens to the pool which was a pleasure to swim in nightly, the hotel also has a fabulous gym (if you have time for it).
Other reviews mention cockroaches and bugs. I didn't see any during any of my stays but I have had other people mention that they saw them.
I definitely recommend this hotel as a relaxing place to stay. If I can find the chance to relax at times in the middle of day-long meetings, then it is definitely a good place. And some days, when I'm back home, I find myself dreaming of the pools there.
I've stayed at LQRC about twice a year for the last few years. The only reason I keep going back are the grounds. The lovely atmosphere really makes me feel refreshed, even in the heat of August. The maintenance on the suites themselves leaves me wanting more. In addition, when the place is full or near-capacity, it feels like they are under-staffed.
Fantastic resort! Maybe they are all like this in Palm Springs, but this is the only resort i've been to there.
Every little group of suites has it's own pool and hot tub.
The staff is very polite and there always seems to be someone around to ask you if you need anything. I was very happy.
I was disappointed with this resort. My guest room certainly was not as nice as the rooms on their website. It had no fireplace and old furnishings. I had problems with bugs, a broken toilet, a broken fridge and peeling paint. The room was so small the king size bed practically touched the door. When I returned to the front desk to ask a question two other guests were told they were being being upgraded to a wonderful suite free of charge. I guess all my Hilton Elite points are for nothing.
When I initially checked in I was ignored by the gentleman at the front desk even though there was no one else waiting, not even a greeting. Finally I asked if he could check me in and he responded "just a minute sir".
The resort is very spread out and it's a trek to get anywhere. Not fun when it's over 100 degrees.
La Quinta is also about 35 minutes from Palm Springs. Not very close if you want to do the tourist thing. I can see how this place was the bomb in 1926, but I wouldn't return.
Certainly add 2 stars if you're there to play PGA West.
I love this resort. The grounds are beautiful and it's a great place to escape from the city and unwind. It's off the beaten track (about 25 minutes from the freeway), so the property is secluded and a bit of a drive from the nearest gas station, grocery store, restaurant, etc. If you wanna be close to the action (and I use the term loosely being that it is the desert), I would stay in Palm Desert - close to Riverwalk, the mall and El Paseo street.
The property is absolutely huge - I think you can actually rent a golf cart to get around. There are over 40 pools, with the main one having a bar, cabana's and live music. I was there recently on a weekend, and it was definitely a scene - lots of young, good looking people. Not many kids on that occasion, which was interesting. I bet parents didn't want to make the trek from their room to the main pool. And it is a trek, lemme just tell you! Think 15 minute walk clear across the grounds in 110 degree blistering heat. The next day, we opted to lay by the small pool just outside our room - which was super convenient.
There are tons of different room options. My favorite are the bungalows, which have their own walled-in patio. I typically bring my dog with me (it's a dog friendly hotel), so that set-up is perfect. Most of the rooms are in need of renovation. The casita we stayed in last trip had a broken bed and phone as well as a shower drain that was clogged. Not exactly a perfect stay, but I really feel like the good things about this resort far outweigh the drawbacks.
Room rates vary by season - with fall, winter and early spring being high season and summer being so friggin hot, you can get a room for a steal.
There isn't a lack of things to do on the grounds. They have a huge gym with state-of-the-art equipment. There is a mini golf course, ping pong tables, game room, tennis courts, volleyball courts, restaurant and a strip of stores. During my last stay, there were tons of people participating in the activities and the property was hoppin'.
I plan to go back again and again.
*Random fun fact - During a visit last year, Roger Federer was practicing on the main court while friends Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale watched. Funny, none of the old geezers recognized Gwen or Gavin, but Federer was swarmed for autographs while standing right next to them!
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When my then boyfriend (now husband) told me we were going to stay at a La Quinta, I kept thinking of those hotels on I-95. I was very nervous until we arrived. This resort is beautiful, well manicured with mountain vistas. Our room was very romantic and we had a little pool. We learned a lot about this resort and that old Hollywood used to vacation here as well.
We went during the summer months b/c the rates were much better. That is, if you don't mind the heat. The year we went, they offered a golf and spa package. Spa La Quinta was phenomenal too. I would classify this resort as a hidden jewel in the desert.
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They didn't care that we used http://priceline.com at all. They treated us like the other cash chuckers who paid a ridic amount to stay there. It was easy 110 degrees as we walked across the parking lot.
Our room was huge and beautiful. A separate shower and bath. The bathroom was very clean.
We sat out in our private yard and sweat as we drank cold beers that quickly became warm beers.
I'm looking forward to returning.
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To fully appreciate a place as beautiful as this and all it's amenities is to be deprived of such an experience and the glory of the warm sun in the bitter cold of winter.
This winter wonderland features one of the most scenic golf courses in America. From the artificial waterfalls to the snow capped peaks to the mild weather, just snap a pic and send it to your best friends!
Was here for the Bob Hope Classic and saw the celebrities and even got Arnold Palmer's autograph. He's as good a person as he was a golfer. The legend. Golf lovers paradise!
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When I visited this resort five years ago, I thought I stepped into an oasis that truly was five star from check in to check out. I recently went back with my family and although certain aspects of it were nice, it is not worthy of a five or even four star rating.
First, the good: When you pull in you still get that immediate feeling of relaxation. The grounds in the front are beautiful with fountains, flowers galore and a friendly, helpful staff.
But, behind the lobby lies the maze of rooms. Although the rooms are clean and the bathroom spacious, they are very dark, but overall, pretty good.
The pools for each cluster of casitas are nice and generally quiet. If you're going to hang out there, it's nice to have your own stash of drinks, or you have to walk to the main bar.
We did in fact want some adult beverages so we went to the main pool. I think they must have been having a bro's and ho's weekend special. There were groups of 20-something's everywhere, each trying to play their boom box louder than the next. This in addition to families and kids everywhere.
While I can live with all that, what I couldn't really stomach were the grounds around the pool. They were a mess with trash everywhere, including food plates that were kind of stinking up the place. Trash cans were overflowing and it was just generally dirty.
I felt very melancholy for the old La Quinta with charm, killer margaritas and beautiful grounds. And, while the entrance is very nice, it pretty much ends there. *Sigh*
I wish there was a way to give this place less than one star. We made a reservation 1 YEAR AGO and they bumped us from our room one week before our reservation because they had oversold the place. There was a convention and a golf tourney in town and apparently we weren't important enough to keep the room. They decided to make up for it by "upgrading" us to one of their many "villas" on site. First of all, the "villa" is not on-site. It was about a ten minute ride by golf cart!! Yeah thats right, they wouldn't take us to our room in a normal car. The bellman couldn't even find the place! In addition, it is not one of their units. It is a private residence rented out by the hotel.
The accommodations were horrible. Very musty, dirty, dead roaches/other bugs and it seemed like nothing had been updated in about 20 years; no joke. We finally left and stayed at the Embassy Suites 2 mintutes away, which was ten times better. I normally never give bad reviews like this, but the hotel, after bumping us, wasn't even sensitive to the fact that we weren't happy with what they had set up for us. They tried to send us to the Embassy Suites in Palm Desert, which was over 20 minutes away. Thanks La Quinta Resort...Thanks a lot...
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This place is classy. Classy like Clark Gable or Greta Garbo is classy. Was Garbo classy? Or was she the whorish one? I forget, but we'll call her classy for these purposes.
This place was built in the 1920's, but has all the amenities you'd ever want - tennis courts, good restaurants, and more swimming pools than you could ever want. Well, it is the desert, so you might want a lot, but they have you covered. They're close to La Quinta (town) and Palm Springs, but you'd never know it. Nice and quiet.
Our room was spacious, had a great shower and a nice balcony for star gazing and margarita drinking in the comfortable desert night.
The only negative thing I could think of is possibly the sluggish in-room internet service. But hey, it's free, so I can't complain too much.
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Even "under construction," this place was truly classic.
There were a few snags when we arrived, because the lobby was under construction and the parking situation was confusing, but when we found the place, it was very beautiful.
We booked the spa gettaway package which included a $50 dining credit, choice room ($ according to preference), and 2 50-minute services at the spa. This was perfect for a couple or for 2 girl friends looking to have an enjoyable spa day and dinner.
I understand why they offer the dining credit. They will pay people to go to their restaurants. We went to Twentysix, which offered Japanese and American food. The menu was very impressive offering a sushi bar, however the service was less than stellar. Our waitress looked like she was around during the opening of the resort in the 20s. Although she was friendly, it took her thirty minutes to get our bill. I would have ordered another drink, but didn't want to wait.
We were pleasantly surprised with our casita, which was one of the original casitas built in 1920. The room provided a king bed, seperate shower and bath, walk in closet, plenty of windows, and a gorgeous porch. Slept beautifully on the soft and comfortable sheets.
The spa was very relaxing. I would recommend not going on a busy day (New Year's Eve). I enjoyed my massage and curling up outside with my book.
I would definitely return to La Quinta Resort and Club, but venture outside the resort for dinner.
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For sentimental reasons alone, I give it Five Stars! My family keeps a vacation casa nearby and I've been going to La Quinta Resort since I was a child in the eighties.
The spa is a dream, outdoor Vichy showers, every type of service imaginable (well every clean, safe & legal type of service), great staff, clean and well appointed.
This resort is truly the Shangri la of the desert. If you like thousands of flowers, butterflies & hummingbirds this is the place to be.
Easter is a spectacle: the largest brunch I have ever seen! It takes place in, outside and around a huge 1920's ballroom. Hundreds if not thousands appear each and every year. Reservations well in advance are highly recommended.
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Let me begin with saying that this place is gorgeous with all their orange and grapefruit trees (yes, I took some, why not?). The adobe buildings are very cute and everything was exceptionally clean.
On New Year's Eve, this is what happened (and apparently to quite a few others who complained upon check out):
There was a couple bugs (looking like mini cockroaches) running around on a ledge below the TV. We got in touch with the front desk and they explained they were water bugs from the palm trees. Ok, great, now please send someone to get them out of here! After careful inspection and watching the bug mysteriously disappear, there was a large HOLE behind that ledge and countless areas in which these bugs will crawl. No one came to exterminate.
25-minutes later we walked to the front desk and waited to speak to the manager. It took another 20-minutes to track him down! Maybe deciding to WORK would be a good idea, yeah it's New Year's Eve, but it's 8:45pm! He finally said he would send staff to close up the hole and it shouldn't be more than a 10-minute ordeal.
Ok, so we wait. Another 25-minutes later two yahoos come in and check it out and said they'd be back. Another 25-minutes later, one of the yahoos came in with ANOTHER one, saying he needed to check it out. By this time, we were furious and it was time for another call to management. It took 10-minutes to get him on the phone this time and said he told the maintenance to go in, patch it up with silicone and get out. Easier said than done.
The yahoo came back with a piece of wood (???). He measured and goes out on the porch and saws the damn thing down (this is nearly 11pm by now). He almost seems so proud of himself he thought of this "genius" idea. He then attempts to screw the thing on to the open space. Well, genius forgot they could probably get through the TOP part that was now exposed. Well, he then shimmy's another piece of wood to screw on that area. (This is all real, I'm not making this up! Please, David Sedaris, make this into a short story!) He takes out his large bottle of silicone and seals every single crevice and says the smell will be gone in 10-minutes. He leaves, thankfully, while we are left with the stench of silicone and this unsightly piece of wood below the TV.
We had to open every window in the place to get the smell out! This is the desert, in winter, it's damn cold! Ugh.
New Year's Eve was ruined. I honestly could go on with other gripes about this place--such that NONE of the staff smiles or greets you! If I am spending this much money to stay here, then you should be polite and greet me. I think the last time I stayed in a Motel 6 the security guard even said hello. :)
Yes, it may be a bit old school, but this resort is one of my favorite places! I've been meeting my friend Natasha here once a year for the past 3 years - it is our annual trip to just chill and catch up face-to-face. She comes from LA and I (obviously) come from Phoenix. With LA traffic, her drive is usually 3 hours and mine is 4. The best part? La Quinta is dog friendly!
It is expensive, but we usually get a decent room rate somehow. Then we don't feel as guilty splurging on sushi nearby, room service, and spa services! Speaking of the spa, it is fantastic - the massage therapists and estheticians are really wonderful at what they do. They offer some unique services there as well!
Some of the other guests may seem a bit pretentious, but I find the resort to be comfortable and laid back - it is fantastic! I love the small pools outside of the rooms and the big pool by the tennis courts and fitness center usually has a little more action. The fitness center has great equipment and it's well kept. They also offer classes such as yoga and zumba depending on the day...
Kid and dog friendly, La Quinta is a perfect get-away no matter where you are coming from!
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How can you say anything bad about a place that has 42 POOLS?!?!?
Des and I were privileged to spend the weekend here at the Rock Solid Marriage Retreat.
It was absolutely AMAZING!!!
Miles gave 4 great messages about the wonders of marriage, kept us laughing, and brought us all down to earth to how we need to treat our spouses to keep our marriage going strong!
We got in Friday night, and after, we spent kicked it in the pool and hot tub (which didn't feel that hot since it was 99 outside!!!)
Saturday started off with another Miles message, and then we proceeded to bake outside by the pool for the entire day!
Adobe Grill: the only reason a star was dropped. Very average, overpriced, and...mediocre service. Had I known better, and on future visits, I will only dine outside the resort!
Saturday night, and Sunday, were two more messages, followed by another hour at poolside.
All in all, a great weekend, and a fabulous time!
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I love this place. It somehow succeeds in blending old Spanish colonial, 1920s Hollywood glam, and modern convenience. I'll call it Modernial Spanwood glamvenience. Yes, that will do nicely.
I've been here twice, once for a golf retreat and once (this last week) for an industry convention. And I loved it both times. Understated but elegant, homey, and traditional. It actually makes me contemplate moving out to the desert when I get old.
Conveniently located near many excellent restaurants, an easy drive from the airport, and staffed with people who love to help. What more can I say, really? I won't stay anywhere else in the Palm Springs area.
P.S.: Apparently, even dirty hippies and bike messengers love the La Quinta Resort, because when the Cochella Music Festival kicked into gear a day before I left, we were overrun with drum circles and hackeysacks. Oh, and Paris Hilton. Who is less attractive in real life. And even worse than dirty hippies and bike messengers. Which is all to say, she wouldn't sleep with me. How dare she?
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The good:
The sheets and the bed are absolutely perfect. Smooth, cool cotton is the best way to fall asleep after braving the 100+ degree weather during the day.
There are lots of pools and hot tubs so you don't have to share.
The golf cart transportation service is a cool idea but it feels weird to be escorted around when I have two working legs and one and a half good feet.
The bad:
I felt bad watching the greenery get watered in 100+ degree weather. All that water... just sprinkled all over the desert.
The service at the front desk wasn't warm or welcoming. Just plain cold.
I got lost walking back to my room during the day and in the evening. This place is a major labyrinth that needs better path lighting and signage.
The ugly:
Cockroach in my room. It was alive and had to be murdered. Thank goodness for brave friends.
Spider in my bed. It crawled up my arm and totally freaked me out. It was tiny but still unnerving to find it in bed.
Majorly gross dust ball on the high-speed internet cable in my room.
No, thats not how a 5 star resort is supposed to work and feel. Even though I am Diamond Hilton member, I was treated based on the basic casita category I had selected. The grounds were nice and the open spaces beautiful, but guys, please spend some more time on maintaining and cleaning the rooms. I am not visiting a resort for its lobby.
Yeah, most of the reviews of this place are pretty accurate.
Pros: Good deals, esp summer rooms w/ unlimited golf, that is, if you can brave the weather.
Beautiful grounds......landscape very well taken care of.
Service at it's finest.
Great little casitas, with fabulous, relaxing beds.
Cons:
Restaurants fairly overpriced. Didn't eat at any of them after seeing menu prices. Went outside hotel grounds.
Pool was a little hot. I'm guessing around 92 degrees? Should be closer to 80......
I would probably go back here, but personally might think twice about summertime. The morning round is no problem, a little hot (95 degrees, average--tee off around 7 am, 90 deg F, finish around lunch time, around 100 deg F), but the afternoon round is HOT HOT HOT. Hard to concentrate when it's 114 deg F. I guess I'm a wimp, but, be very careful of heatstroke. No joke.
Heaven in the desert.
We were in room 386 and the location was perfect for getting to everything within a minute. The room was great. we had a fireplace and a little fridge. The bathroom was TINY, but I wasn't there to stay in a bathroom so who cares.
The pool outside of our room was heated to about 85-90 degrees and no one hassled us to get out, even at midnight. Hell, a couple was having a little intimate time in the pool and no one even hassled them.
The grounds are amazing. If someone told me that I was in Mexico, I would have believed them. It was like a beautiful Spanish village out of a sappy a romantic novel. The margaritas are the best I have ever had. None of the premix crap, but fresh squeezed lime juice. I could have had one for breakfast if I were a bit more of a lush.
LOVED it.
My husband (then boyfriend) and I have not been coming to La Quinta every single year for nine years por nada. La Quinta takes you on a walk back in time to 1926 when a dusty desert welcomed what was then a refuge for celebrities, socialites and cowboys. It has since blossomed into a massive yet still charming village of casita-style villas surrounded by lush gardens and pools. If you're a golfer, a stay at La Quinta will get you access to any of five PGA championship golf courses. The Mountain course is one of the most stunning I've been fortunate to play (and you'll get to see some desert wildlife!)
I am a spa fanatic, and the La Quinta spa does not disappoint eventhough its prices are high.
Speaking of high prices... The only reason we have been able to come to La Quinta religiously over the past decade is because we come in the summer (read: 110 degrees in the shade). But if you can brave the heat, the summer deals are truly unbeatable. I recommend the "Best of La Quinta" package (if you're a golf and spa fiend like us) which gets you a beautiful casita, two 50-minute spa treatments per day, unlimited golf per day, AND a $50.00 dining credit per day. There are other deals for simply a room and $50.00 food credit in the summer that literally bring the room rate down to $139.00 per night instead of regular season rates of over $400.
La Quinta is an ideal mix of old Hollywood glamour, Mexican traditionalism (and gorgeous decor), desert majesty and luxurious indulgence. Whether you're an outdoors-person or just a spa and pool kitten, La Quinta has something for you.
Place a bid on priceline for $60 and they gave me this place. When I saw La Quinta pop up, I was majorly disappointed. The La Quinta name does not mean quality. I was pretty down. Them I checked their website and it says that they are a Waldorf Astoria property. So I decided to keep an open mind. Te pictures on the website was that nice, but maybe I might be wrong.
When we arrived, the path to the registration desk was very nice. The property looked well groomed and nice. But I toldyself to not gety hopes up. We checked into the resort casita. My first impression was that the room was very outdatd. It felt like a motel along route 66. The room has a mildewy smell to it. The bed was of better quality than the most motels. The sheets were of hotel quality. I can't really say that I dislike the bathroom decor. I guess if the bedroom didn't resemble a motel room, I might have warmed up to the bathroom decor. Anyways, right when I sat on the bed, there was a cricket that jumped ontoy leg. I chased it under the bed buy was unsuccessful. But I did find a little treat under there. There was some debris of some sort. Looked to be candy or something. I did not voter to pick it up. Not sure what it was. I'm just glad that we didn't stay in the room much. It was a means for sleeping only.
If I was just rating the landscaping, view and the staff, I would give it 5 stars. But the room was a big disappointment. I would love to come back here if they renovated the room. But until then, I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.
This resort is like a dream. There are literally 40 swimming pools and fifty three hot tubs, plus beautiful landscaping, fountains, a spa, tennis courts and so much more. When you check in, you are taken to your room via golf cart. The staff is very friendly without being at all stuffy. It is very peaceful and you can see the mountains from the pools - they are just outside the resort. We picked the third cheapest room with our AAA discount, which turned out to be a poolside king room. It was very nicely decorated, the bathroom was large and the bed was comfy. The fireplace was very nice and it had wi-fi access and everything you could want. If I come back, I will probably go with the slightly cheaper king room that doesn't face the pool - simply because then you get your own little secluded patio and can still walk to the pool in 60 seconds. The pools are great - some are more lap pools and others are lounging pools. each pool is accompanied by a hot tub that accommodates 8 people. The service is very good but it is not what you might expect at a newer 5 star resort, where there are pool attendants and pool waiters etc. You are pretty much on your own. Your room is supplied with pool towels and you take them out to the pool. You will have to dust off your chair from leaves fallen in the night etc. and if you want a drink, you will have to get your own. However, I much preferred this low key service than having a million staff milling around you and expecting a tip for everything. There is room service too, so they would probably deliver to the pool if asked. There are also plenty of restaurants and cafes in the resort. Parking is free and easy. We were able to park within 1 minute walking distance to our room. The only thing I would change is a slight upgrade to the service, i.e. they forgot to restock the pool towels in many rooms and I wish they had someone brush off the pool chairs early in the morning before everyone arrives at the pool. However, I wouldn't trade this hotel with its peacefulness for any super-modern full-service hotel (and normally I'm into the super modern stuff).
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This place is amazing.
I stayed here for three nights over the weekend for Coachella and I couldn't have been happier. I checked in a little earlier and my room wasn't ready so they had it rushed and ready within an hour. What service!
They also took us to our rooms on golf carts. Fancy fancy.
The rooms were beautiful, Spanish style and fully stocked. There was a mini bar (with room so you can bring your own stuff), and little trinkets every night with turn down service. There were 42 pools at this place, one in every little nook. I loved the robes that were in the room, the extensive amount of closet space, and especially the comfortable bed!
As for the golf course, the ladies that work in the Pro Shop are SNOBBY, SNOBBY, SNOBBY. They looked my boyfriend and I up and down the second we walked in and talked down to us and every other person in the shop. However, the guys downstairs were great. The golf course was beautiful.
We've stayed in this resort twice - once for my wedding anniversary and second for my youngest daughter and her friends. For the second reason... we rented a casita for a very reasonable price. They drove us to the casita - and found out that we were in the BIGGEST casita with a private pool and hot tub!!! It was a 1-bedroom casita with a beautiful dining room and living room. Because we got such a deal, we rented 1 more room to accomodate my daughter's friends. We had such a great time for 3 days - the girls loved it. The only complaint I have is that the pool was heavily chlorinated - I think the water needed to be drained and replaced. Otherwise, we had a ball!
La Quinta is lovely - reminds me of when we were in Santorini. Blue and white casitas with pools and hot tubs galore and an abundance of stunningly beautiful gardens and fruit trees.
Two stars though... because, yes, I have experienced far better.
We stayed (just last week) in a condo ($3,400) that we had reserved for one week. Two days in I had a whole list of complaints - from roaches and yellow jackets somehow finding their way into the bedrooms/condo even though we only used the A/C; staff (and I mean Manager/Director of the property) too arrogant for her own good; how she has a position that requires attentiveness to guests at a "luxury resort" is beyond me. I left a message for her to address my complaints and almost three business (and five days total) I have yet to hear from her. That alone makes me not want to stay there again.
The lock on the front door to the condo... broken. Showers recently remodeled, really nice, but the shower doors did not align with the tile along the shower door seam so even the least fun shower ended up with a flooded floor in the bathroom... not fun! I did not go there to have to mop and clean and risk breaking my neck while slipping out of the shower.
Lastly, the amenities for a baby are not even satisfactory. One might say well why would you take your baby there... well it's a family resort and there were other babies and children there... maybe the drove in from LA where flew into PS from San Francisco so we could not possibly bring everything... plus what hotel/resort does not have a bed for a baby?!?
Leasing office had a very old crib that was spray painted silver to make it look new but the paint chipped so when my son woke up the first morning and I saw chips of paint in his crib (because he would stand up and hold the rail) I almost went postal! Is spray paint considered toxic for babies or children if swallowed or inhaled??? Hmmm I believe so.
I was told I could rent a crib from an outside baby rental business as they had nothing else. $50 for a one-week crib rental and $75 delivery fee. I insisted La Quinta get me a pak-n-play and finally they did. No mattress in it though - I used the mattress from the crib.
Anyway - very disappointing considering this property is a Waldorf Astoria Collection Hotel. I expected far better and was devastatingly disappointed.
My boyfriend and I had a great time here. The grounds are spectacular, and the tennis facilities and staff superb. Highlights included all of the separate pools in each grouping of casitas, the peaceful grounds, tennis lessons with Leif, and walking to the Adobe Restaurant at dinner for a nice meal on the patio. Don't let them stick you with an "upgraded" room out by the back tennis courts (privately owned and rented out)--insist on one of the traditional casitas. Can't wait to return for another visit, this time with a margarita shaker and ingredients to make our own cocktails by the pool!
All of the reviews that preceded this one are true! I had read them before going to the hotel and was prepared for the worst. However, I was pleasantly surprised.
The grounds are absolutely gorgeous! The profusion of flowers was unmatched at any other resort that I have stayed at. Furthermore, the personnel was very friendly, including the groundskeepers (quite a few given the amount of grounds) that always greeted the guests.
Alas, the rooms were clean but dated. Our fireplace was gas but had to be lit with a match. However, the kids fireplace had an electric fireplace starter - quite a variation of offerings. The other amenities were also dated - old coffee pots, old television (again, the kids had a flat panel), tub that drained very slowly. We really enjoyed staying in the casitas with only a few other guests at the pool.
The coffee bar, which is a mini-Starbucks, was constrained. The lines are long so get there early. Also, be sure that they get your name when ordering a coffee drink. The comedy of errors on one visit led to many dissatisfied customers as they couldn't get the orders straight.
We also learned that La Quinta imports hawks to keep the small birds away - naturally. The hawk master walked around one morning at breakfast (outdoors), introducing the clientele to the latest addition to the bird control troup - a hawk from Africa.
I love this resort, though it is a little off the beaten path. But then again, that's one of the reasons to come out here. The standard casitas are a bit tired, though I believe they are updating them. The good thing about them, is that a group of casitas are bunched around a pool. So each little group has kind of a private pool feel. If you go, spend the little extra and get a spa villa. I think they're time shares, but I could be wrong. These are the best places to stay on the property.
The service was impeccable. There was mix up with my room once, and it was sorted out with a quick call to the front desk. A bellman was sent with a golf cart to come pick us up and get us to the right room. No need to go to the front desk, the guy was able to handle everything. And he drove me back to get my car and showed me where a good parking spot was since parking was full right near the new room.
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I attended a conference & stayed here. It's got Spanish style architecture & decor and beautiful landscaping. I love all the decorated tiles everywhere! It's a huge place...you can just walk around all over the grounds for a decent workout.
Rooms are arranged in casitas, buildings grouping 2-4 rooms together. There's usually a swimming pool with a hot tub every few casitas, so there should be a pool near your room, which may also be quieter. They do have some larger main pools too, one by the tennis courts, & one southeast of the lobby area. Towards the back of the resort, they look more like townhouses (probably the spa villas that The Sock mentioned).
I think I was in a standard room, which was fine. The bathroom does have a sunken tub and a separate shower stall, which I liked. Double sinks. Walk in closet attached. There's a digital temperature control in the room, which makes it easier to regulate the temp. Flat screen TV. They have high speed internet connections in the room (I brought my computer because I worried about suffering internet withdrawl--email & yelp, not because I have to use it for work). Did not use the mini-bar--I think they're all way overpriced. There's a cordless phone in the main room, but also a phone in the bathroom--go figure. Hi, mom, guess where I'm calling you from! Looks like some rooms had a fireplace too.
Service was good...when I checked in, they directed me to the bell desk for directions to my room & gave me a map (I believe that's standard procedure...you do need a map to get around...it's a humongous place). So, the bell desk gives you directions to parking (if you have a car) & your room. They also offer to help you with your luggage (I didn't need any help; I didn't have a whole ton of stuff because I was there for less than a week & don't golf, but thanks).
Gardens were gorgeous, with fountains every once in a while (like by the lobby). There was a photo shoot going on in the gardens between the lobby & shopping area one day...I'm not sure for what.
Our conference room was a bit on the chilly side...I always put on my sweater when I went back inside. I liked the continental breakfast they provided...great fresh fruit...pineapple, honeydew, canteloupe, strawberries, grapes. Also, the yogurt & granola was a nice touch.
There's 4 restaurants on site...Twenty 6, Adobe Grill, Azur, Spa Bistro. You can check out reviews for the ones I tried.
The fitness center looked decent, but had somewhat limited hours, because it's attached to a store (some sports apparel), so I didn't use it. There's a bunch of tennis courts (both hard & clay), spa/salon, golf. Oh yeah, & a little shopping area.
Oh, if you fly in & out of Palm Springs airport, taking a taxi supposedly costs about $70/way. After hearing that, I opted to rent a car.
Kinda pricey, but it is a nice resort.
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Don't get me wrong, this place is beautiful, and they have 42 pools, which you simply can't beat.
However, I wasn't completely satisfied with my room. This is an older property, and though it's considered high-end, I killed between 2-4 bugs a day, ranging from spiders and crickets, to a cockroach in my shower. Cockroach does NOT equal luxury.
The size of the room was wonderful though, and the beds were absolutely heaven for someone who had to spend 12 hour days working at a convention.
It can also be a little hard to find your room at night, and there's not a lot of signage for room numbers, even though there are maps everywhere, but those can sometimes be difficult to figure out. However, if you go to the lobby they'll drive you to your room on a golf cart, which is nice for the older guests.
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I would go back here in a heartbeat. The amenities aren't cheap. The staff wasn't perfect. But the location and all of it's pristine desert majesty was true magic. There's nothing like simmering in a pool as the desert heat attempts to kick your hindquarters. And there's truly nothing like doing so while palm trees and rocky peaks surround you. It's quietness -- the town of La Quinta is about twenty miles beyond Palm Springs -- is worthy of mention, too. You don't need to be a golfer or tennis aficionado to love this Resort.
_C$
