FollowPalm Springs packs a punch as a perfect short getaway!
when i think of Palm Springs i think of vintage Hollywood glamour. even though the desert cities and Palm Springs have grown up, modernized & changed – that vibe still exists. it was fun to experience the best of the old with the new recently. i love the retro influences in all things design these days – Palm Springs & the desert cities certainly fell into this fabulous category. it offers the best of modern luxury but still has that kitschy feel. even better yet, it honors its history with reminders in the names of the Aqua Caliente band of Cahuilla Indians that have forever inhabited the area as well as its ties to old Hollywood.
an example of swanky luxe is the four diamond award-winning Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage, with its modern fabulousness. it has all the amenities you could wish for in a casino property. obviously, there’s the casino aspect but it also has lounges, pool parties, a state of the art theater, multiple restaurants, a posh spa – i could go on! right up the LOLA APPROVED alley.
then there’s their sister property, Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs, which fits perfectly into the retro category. the Spa at Spa Resort Casino was first opened in 1960 – talk about vintage cool! AND i was lucky enough during my long weekend stay to enjoy the award-winning Spa Resort Casino’s historic “Taking of the Waters” spa experience. in my opinion, this IS NOT to be missed. talk about a unique, one-of-a-kind experience to Palm Springs. the Spa has the last standing bath house where the area’s famous hot springs are pumped in to have this 5-step signature spa treatment. the treatment includes steam, sauna, eucalyptus inhalation, a 10 minute soak in a private tub of the famous therapeutic mineral waters & finally, the tranquility room where you can relax your mind & awaken your spirit. this is my favorite memory of my visit to Palm Springs!
another thing i think of when it comes to Palm Springs is cocktails. you know, like the forever classic martini. it just so happened that while i was visiting the desert cities it was Restaurant Week – a very progressive event happening around the US these days. it’s where many “see & be seen” POSH restos participate in a prix fix menu and feature some of their best menu items. talk about getting a FAB value. saving money on dinner enabled me to sample some of the best cocktails too!! lola was a happy girl! see my travelin’ partner in crime – Leah Travels mouth-watering write-up on the food!
i don’t know about you but, when i envision Palm Springs, besides the desert of the Coachella Valley, i also think of the gorgeous views of the mountains all around. another wonderful discovery i made and got to partake in on my quick visit was the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. such a spectacular way to get a real sense of the valley & desert cities. an absolutely stunning 10 minute, 2.5 mile ride up to the top of Mt. San Jacinto at an elevation of 8,500 feet & bam – INCREDIBLE VISTA! another must-do in my book!
other things i indulged in while in Palm Springs: some sunning by the pool, some good laughs with great friends & a little fun with a BIG Marilyn Monroe, of course. things i missed out on: shopping the notorious Rodeo Drive of the desert – El Paseo. all the finest shops are here including my favorite, a J. Crew concept store. see my hostess with the mostess – Mrs. O Around the World tantalizing write-up on the shopping and more! i would have liked to have taken a drive through Joshua Tree National Park as well. ah, there’s never enough time to do it all. i guess another visit to Palm Springs & the desert cities may be in order!
*some photo credit thanks to Leah, Mrs. O, Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa & Spa Resort Casino
OMG, can’t believe it has been 5 weeks since we were last there. I love Palm Desert and go back every year.. well, you may guess why, but this year’s trip was even more special.
I love it that you also enjoyed this location and your take on it. Definitely a place to return to!
i agree! it is a place to return to over & over again. AND this was a very special weekend for me. i will say it again – thank you so much for your gracious hospitality 🙂
You hit the nail on the head with this recap of Palm Springs. You know my favorite part was hanging out with Mrs. O and you, but the blackjack tables at the pool were a close second. Perhaps I would be singing a different tune had I not won money. 🙂
hmmm me thinks you always win Miss Leah. you are a natural born winner! what fun weekend it was!!! 🙂
It’s a shame you missed the Joshua Tree National Park. We went last year in December. It was FREEZING but definitely my favourite park we visited in the US.
I loved the kitsch vibe of Palm Springs too. It felt like stepping into the ’50s.
Bethaney – Flashpacker Family recently posted…Living a Free and Meaningful Life
i know…i was SO tempted to pull off the highway on my way to Palm Springs to see the Joshua Tree National Park. BUT i was already running late and meeting up with friends. another visit i’ll be sure to get it in. all the more reason to return 🙂
You’re killing me over here with all the spa treatments and lovely cocktails. This girl needs a massage and mojito asap! I want IN the next time you decide to head to Palm Springs. 🙂
Tawny- Captain and Clark recently posted…Getting a taste of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
YOU. ARE. SO. IN. Tawny! no question. let’s make a plan for something cocktails & spa treatments soon!
I have not been here yet, but it’s on my list of places to go. This sounds like the perfect getaway, and that spa sounds to die for! What a great time you had!
Erin Marie recently posted…From Carry-On to Backpack.
really…it was so FAB. truly a great place to go for a quick recharge. great food. great weather. great sights. great, great, great!! 🙂 GO
I can only imagine you hamming it up for the camera with the Marilyn statue.
John recently posted…I Found My Beach: Finca Mystica on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua
she was really almost too big even for me & my large personality! i tried to ham it up…i’m the midget in the picture there 😉
Did you look up Marilyn when you were under here? That’s what I would have done – and have my pic taken looking up and pointing – oh my goodness, what is happening to me?? Maybe I’ve been hanging out around you too much! LOL
Raul (ilivetotravel in Twitter) recently posted…When the Winery Comes to You – Frog’s Leap Wine Tasting
hahaha oh Raul. i actually didn’t look up her skirt. i think that’s what guys do – not girls. after all, i have a pretty good idea what’s underneath her dress. now if it were say, Tom Brady…well, that would be a different story! 😉
I’ve loved reading all of your, Leah’s, and Mrs. O’s Palm Springs recaps, especially since I’ve never been there. If I do ever visit, you’ll be able to find me at one (or all) of the spas you mention! It all sounds/looks phenomenal!
Francesca recently posted…Melodies and travel memories
it was phenomenal. i’m so glad i had the opportunity to go & discover so many great things in my little weekend jaunt-away!
Great seeing what the three amigos are doing whether it is in Chicago or Palm Springs. Funny that Marilyn is out there in Palm Springs since she just left Chicago.
Traveling Ted recently posted…Making the famed mole poblano sauce in Puebla: A photo essay
i know – it IS ironic that Marilyn is now in Palm Springs. you’d think i was stalking her in her tour. haha!
the 3 amigos will be together again in September & i cannot wait 🙂
we haven’t been to palm springs but you’re seriously making us want to go!!
the lazy travelers recently posted…no travel required
you should go. it was so great. long trip from the East coast but worth it!!! the terrain is SO different there & it’s really stunning.
As a golfer, Palm Springs ranks pretty high on my list. Of course, the food and cocktails are a pretty big draw too:)
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted…The Soundtrack of My Travels
yes – Palm Springs is a golfers dream come true. i don’t golf but i found it dreamy, too, in the aforementioned food & cocktails aspect. my sport is suntanning (which i excel in) and this you can do a lot of in Palm Springs too 😉
It looks like a cool experience 🙂 I am glad they took care of you there 🙂
crazy sexy fun traveler recently posted…FISHING TOURS IN BARCELONA
oh boy did they ever take good care of me! i can’t wait for us to cook up some similar plans together in my month-long Euro tour. i can see it now. good food. great spas. lots of laughs…it’s going to be EPIC.
As you know Lola, my memories of Palm Springs have ties to their lovely ER room, but I did get to go out and experience the city a bit (unfortunately, no tram…). What I liked the most about the area is the landscape, especially viewed from the plane. It looks like the moon’s surface – absolutely fabulous, as is California in general.
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted…Photo of the Week: Chicago’s Skydeck Ledge
yes, Pola – the landscape is really something. so are those wind turbines. they were mesmerizing if you ask me!!
I missed the glam and glitz of palm springs, but definitely enjoyed its aerial tram… amazing vistas too. Plus, I totally loved my drive through Joshua Tree NP, but that is a different trip in my opinion…
And next time I look forward to following some of these suggestions in the desert.
stay fabulous, Craig
Craig Zabransky recently posted…Sunset Sunday – Sailing the Black Sea of Bulgaria
craig – i definitely would like to drive through Joshua Tree NP. gonna have to go back – that’s all there is to it 🙂
PS – Craig… i adore the ‘stay fabulous’. i feel very special, indeed!!
Awesome pictures, great to see the trip was a success!
I enjoy a nice road trip out to Palm Springs but my favorite thing to do is walk around downtown, have lunch, and do a little shopping. I’m not much of a casino person but I’ll always pop my head in for a drink or two. thanks for sharing this post.
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