Every so often, you know that it’s time to escape the ‘island’. Not just Coronado, but the world that you have created around yourself: work, bills, the never ending to-do list, chores, neighbors (not ours!) and sometimes, even your kids (yes, ours). We were looking for a close escape that didn’t require a flight or excessive driving, but still felt like a getaway.
We chose to spend a few days at Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa and were met with an incredible weekend of sun-filled relaxation and a desert oasis to get lost in and unwind. Ranch Las Palmas is owned by KSL Resorts which is also the owner of the Hotel del Coronado. We couldn’t wait to be introduced to the Del’s desert sister!
It takes about two and half hours to get to from Coronado, unless you make a short (ahem!) bathroom/shopping stop at the Cabazon Outlets. How is it that my wife always has to use the restroom at the outlets? After surviving the outlets, we continued our journey to our destination.
Heading East on I-10, windmills harvest power while taking in the view of San Jacinto Mountains.
As we turned into the long driveway that led to Rancho Las Palmas, we pictured ourselves traveling back in time to the golden days of Hollywood when Palm Springs hosted the likes of Bob Hope, Carey Grant, Roy Rogers, Frank Sinatra and Dale Evans. Here is a wonderful video that covers the history of Rancho Las Palmas including the 2006 35 million dollar restoration by KSL Resorts that has transformed the resort into the ‘New Desert Cool’ that it is today:
The driveway leading to the entrance of the resort.
Noteworthy Numbers & Resort Amenities:
– 27-hole Ted Robinson-designed golf course
– 20,000-square-foot European spa, with 26 treatment rooms
– 25 state-of-the-art hard tennis courts
– 41,000 square feet of flexible event space
– 240 acres of tranquil lakes, gardens, and fountains
– Several onsite restaurant and lounge settings
– Adult & family pools including Splashtopia (water slides, lazy river & sandy beach)
The lobby is beautiful with high ceilings and abounds in desert charm.
A walkway through the hotel connecting the lobby to the conference rooms.
The interior of our room. Room rates and special packages can be found here.
The view from our patio looked out onto the golf course.
Lakes and ponds wrap around many of the rooms.
A view of the ‘adults only’ pool. It was so peaceful to relax, read and just enjoy the stillness.
At Rancho Las Palmas there is a pool to suit every mood and every age. After checking in, we went to the adult pool for some warm, afternoon desert sun and peace & quiet. Beautiful views, pool servers and comfortable lounges made for a perfect place to relax.
Splashtopia includes slides, lazy river, sandy beach and plenty of splash-zone features! Paradise for kids of all ages.
Across the lake and ‘a smart distance’ from the adult pool is the kid-wonderland called “Splashtopia“. When our kids joined us the next day we headed over to the boisterous and more lively Splashtopia grounds much to their delight. Our kids squealed with glee as they saw the two large 100-foot water slides, lazy river (complete with intertubes) and water playground. All four of us enjoyed going down the water slides and floating on the lazy river together. For treats, you have the option of the snack bar or ordering poolside. Splashtopia provided hours and hours of entertainment for the whole family (mom even got to read a book while our kids floated in the lazy river). Splashtopia is a unique feature of this hotel and a definite draw for families looking for something more than the typical pool.
The highlight of the resort was the massage and the ‘spa pool’ after treatment.
Spa Las Palmas is a slice of heaven from the moment you walk in. The attendants welcomed us in and offered robes, slippers and a gorgeous meditation room where we waited for our massage therapist. The spa is perfectly appointed to preserve the “old desert” feel while also being very modern and luxurious. One of us chose the Oasis Swedish Massage ($180 for 50 minutes) and the other tried the Mirage Therapeutic Stone Massage ($195 for 50 minutes). The 50 minutes went way too quickly and we enjoyed every minute of the massage. To continue our relaxation, we soaked in the indoor jacuzzi before heading outside to the immaculate pool. After soaking up the rays in the peaceful surroundings, we ordered a citrus chicken salad poolside.
We enjoyed an excellent California cuisine menu at bluEmber complete with live jazz music playing on the patio.
bluEmber is one the dining options and the signature restaurant at the resort. Executive Chef Sean O’Connell has prepared an mouthwatering menu for all to enjoy. Our server (Amanda J.) took excellent care of us from drinks to dessert and carefully guided us through our meal to ensure the best choices to satisfy our taste buds. Highlights included: sweet corn cappuccino, mac & cheese with truffle oil, charbroiled lamb chops, seared salmon and strawberries with sambuca for dessert. We recommend eating on the patio to enjoy the sunset and live music. View the menu here.
This drink symbolizes our stay: calm, sweet, bright, sunsets, cool and ever so refreshing.
Staying at Rancho Las Palmas is definitely a bridgeworthy weekend getaway. While the resort may be a bit of a splurge, you will definitely have a high-quality stay and be impressed by the grounds, amenities and service. Whether you go away for a romantic getaway or a family adventure, you will love your Rancho Las Palmas experience. We came back refreshed, renewed and ready to step back into our world.
Learn More About Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa:
– Official Las Palmas Resort Website
– Specials & Packages
– Facebook Page (News, Deals, Offers)
Additional Desert Information / Activities:
– Take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for amazing views & hiking
– Walk over to The River for additional food options, movies & shopping
– Hike Indian Canyon – pack a lunch and eat under the shady palm trees
– Spend an afternoon at the Living Desert
– Get more information from the Palm Springs Visitor Center
– Additional desert things to do and reviews from TripAdvisor
