Category Archives: palm springs

April 9, 2014 · 10:00 am

One Day Stay: Palm Springs, California

This visit to Palm Springs was my third to celebrate my birthday. I’ve enjoyed each visit for different reasons. The first two were more “resort-like” visits and further removed from the action of downtown. This time I was able to feel more a part of things and could practically walk to everything I wanted to do, which I really loved. Here’s my ‘One Day Stay’ of what I did during my brief visit to Palm Springs.

DROP YOUR BAG

The Viceroy Palm Springs is a 67-room boutique hotel that seems to have been made for Lola. Merging the best of glamorous old-world Palm Springs with modern cool touches, I LOVED the pops of yellow and all the awesome lighting fixtures throughout the property. On site you will find 3 pools, some of which are ‘Adult Only’, free wifi and an incredibly friendly staff. Let me just say these 3 things made my visit perfect. Well that, and the fact that it was warm & sunshiny every day with gorgeous palm trees above, surrounded by the stunning San Jacinto Mountains. Within walking distance of things to do, eat & drink, I cannot imagine a better spot to rest my head.

DO

Some come to Palm Springs for the nature, some for the golf, and some come to get pampered at the spa. Luckily for me, Estrella Spa, on property at Viceroy Palm Springs, has been voted one of the top 50 spas in the US by Conde Nast so I didn’t have to go far to get treated right. Carrying the cheery color scheme & design of the hotel over to the spa didn’t hurt in lifting spirits. Just look at the waiting lounge above! With a cool indoor/outdoor luxury setting, I was fully able to relax and enjoy a divine custom massage which was a combination of Swedish and Deep Tissue massages. IT. WAS. HEAVEN.

DRINK

Always in search of the best cocktails around, I was fortunately pointed in the direction of Lulu California Bistro. This hopping establishment is HUGE and has quite a bar scene going down. That, in itself, might be enough for some but, for me, the true test is in the cocktail. I tried a dirty martini & a Negroni, classics and two of my favorites. Lulu didn’t disappoint Lola!

DINE

Located in the hip Upper Design District of Palm Springs, Workshop Kitchen + Bar has brought industrial chic to the historic El Paseo building, circa 1926. Along with the urban edgy interior comes a fantastic farm to table concept sourced from local farms all within an hour of Palm Springs. Even their cocktails are handcrafted from local ingredients. I was throughly impressed with the knowledgeable staff and their guidance of Workshop’s delicious offerings. This is one place I would definitely choose to repeat.

While I booked my own trip to Palm Springs to celebrate my birthday weekend, Greater Palm Springs coordinated and treated me to my Estrella Spa massage ($135) as well as drinks and dinner at Lulu California Bistro. Thank you for your help! Palm Springs is always ‘Lola Approved’ for its great weather and hip scene!

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Tagged as Estrella Spa, Lulu California Bistro, spas in Palm Springs, Viceroy Palm Springs, where to drink in Palm Springs, where to eat in Palm Springs, where to stay in Palm Springs, Workshop Kitchen & Bar

July 9, 2012 · 7:52 am

Palm Springs & the desert cities: retro chic + modern cool

Palm 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

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Filed under california, palm springs, swanky luxe stays, travel

Tagged as agua caliente casino resort spa, california travel, palm springs aerial tramway, palm springs tourism, spa resort casino

June 6, 2012 · 7:30 am

from lola, with love!

dear Mr. & Mrs. O,

i was taught growing up that it’s good manners to write thank you notes. it’s a habit i still try to adhere to so here’s my heart felt one to you!

i cannot say a big enough THANK YOU for your amazing hospitality this past weekend in Palm Springs. from the lovely accommodations to making all the arrangements – everything was an absolute treat! i’m beyond thrilled that our mutual love of travel & adventure brought us together to finally meet.

i know i don’t need to explain to you how much there is to enjoy in traveling. it’s always wonderful to delve into new destinations. i love finding fantastic restaurants & sampling different cocktails – same as you. AND it’s always great to discover new sights & unique activities to the place you’re visiting. BOY did we ever cover all that ground and more!

i think the VERY BEST part of traveling is meeting new people and making NEW FRIENDS. while all the other things on the check list make a trip worth while, it’s these interactions with others that leave the longest lasting impression & fond memories for me.

we had so much fun & many laughs! i will always think of Palm Springs happily for being the destination of our introduction and what i hope will be a life-long friendship.

you both couldn’t be any more charming in every way. as i have already said, i find your love of life infectious! thank you, again, for being delightful hosts.

here’s to many more fabulous getaways down the road, Mr. & Mrs. O!

XO – lola

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Tagged as palm springs, travel

May 31, 2012 · 6:49 am

cali desert calling!

prepare yourself, Palm Springs

i’m not usually all that spontaneous – i’m really more of a planner. BUT when my travelin’ pal, Leah, started pleading with me to reconsider going to Palm Springs this upcoming weekend, i decided to throw caution to the wind! after all, i had points to put toward the plane ticket and have graciously been invited as a guest of the kind Mrs. O Around the World. how could i say NO?! we three ladies have a similar passion for travel and living the good life. i know we will relax, laugh & enjoy each other’s company as well as drink & dine in the best of style. Palm Springs, i’m looking forward to seeing all that you have to offer!!

here’s some Palm Springs pinterest pictures to whet your whistle!