The Coachella Valley in California is so much more than the festival that has become popular all over the world. With consistent sunshine and warm weather averaging about 350 days out of the year, the area has been a favorite for couples, families, golfers, spa-lovers and active travelers alike. Its location on the San Andreas fault has made it a perfect place for natural hot springs filled with active minerals designed to pamper and soothe your body, as well as mountains and hikes which are perfect for horseback riding, a leisurely walk with the kids, or the famed Cactus to Clouds hike, which should only be attempted by experienced hikers.
A little over 10 miles from the famous Coachella festival, lies Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, a true resort in its own merit for the entire family. With its 444 guest rooms, including 22 suites and a 20,000-square-foot European spa with 26 treatment rooms, the Omni Rancho Las Palmas is the perfect destination whether you are looking for a relaxing and quiet vacation or a more active one. Created by visionary Los Angeles architect H.L. “Hank” Gogerty back in the 1950s, the resort was then named the Desert Air Hotel & Resort and it was created by transforming 320 acres of barren desert into an ideal sanctuary, complete with a private airstrip. In the late 1970s, Desert Air made way for today’s luxurious Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa. From its Rat Pack era beginnings to a stunning 21st-century renaissance, Rancho Las Palmas remains a timeless classic for today’s discerning traveler.
There are three pools on the property, one of which is designed specifically to keep the kids entertained as it features a cliff-side jacuzzi, a sandy beach, as well as fountains and sprinklers. The water-features, placed on a 2-acre playground, aptly called Splashtopia, also include a 450-foot lazy river and two 100-foot water slides. So whether your kids are fantastic swimmers, who want to swim-race from one end of the pool, or maybe they just want to splash around and play in the sprinklers, Splashtopia is guaranteed to keep them entertained. Since it’s difficult to pull the kids away from so much excitement, the food comes directly to you. Splash Grill brings delivers it exactly where you are – whether that’s on a lounge chair by the pool or while having fun with the kids in Splashtopia. The menu is perfect for a bite by the water as it features juicy burgers, kids’ meals, and cool tropical drinks.
While the kids are playing around, the parents can head out for a round of golf on the 27-hole Ted Robinson-designed golf course, practicing their skills in this beautiful oasis surrounded by mountains or they can check out one of the 26 tennis courts, where some of the great tennis players have practiced before and during the BNP Paribas Open, better known as The Indian Wells. There’s even a Tennis with the Stars experience available if you happen to be there right before the Indian Wells tournament. During the Tennis with the Stars experience, you have the opportunity to meet and play with and against some of the top tennis stars in the world. Some of the past professional tennis players have included: Frances Tiafoe, Gabriela Muguruza, Simona Halep, and Madison Keys. Even if you happen to go there outside a major tennis tournament, you can still get lessons from certified tennis instructors who will help you improve your technique or you can just go have a match with your partner.
Make sure to check their event calendar before going there and sign up for their various events from Kidtopia to yoga at the spa or even movie night. The Arts & Crafts night is also a perfect opportunity to spend time with the kids while engaged in a fun activity.
Speaking of spa and wellness, this is another area where the Omni Rancho Las Palmas does not disappoint. With more than 50 types of treatments ranging from massages and body wraps to manicures and pedicures, your hardest decision will be to pick just one (or two). Thankfully the staff is so knowledgeable that they will be able to guide you in the right direction and recommend a vigorous sports massage to relax your muscles or maybe a soothing one that allows you to relax more. Don’t forget to check out the steam room, sauna, and jacuzzi that welcome you as soon as you enter the locker room. All of the signature aroma essences are 100 percent pure, blending healing flowers, plants, and herbs from the native California desert with essential oils and certified organic ingredients and extracts. Most of the massage treatments can be enjoyed both at the spa as well as in-room massages upon request.
In addition to Splash Grill, which will definitely please the kids, Omni Rancho Las Palmas offers three other dining options meant to satisfy every taste.
The Blu Ember, the signature restaurant at the resort and use only ingredients from local farmers to create the most delicious inventions based on California New American cuisine. The sophisticated dining room and patio offer the most incredible views of the spectacular mountains close-by as well as the fairway. Some nights also include live entertainment so make sure to check in with the concierge when you get there for the most updated details.
The Palms Cafe, located in the central courtyard plaza is a bit more laid back and casual, taking a step back from the exquisite menu at Blu Ember and offering a variety of salads, sandwiches, brick-oven pizzas as well as frozen desserts. Plus it’s the perfect location for breakfast as it features a variety of hot and cold coffee beverages to wake you up and give you a boost for the entire day.
R Bar is for those intimate moments when you just want a little time away from all the excitement of the resort. The menu takes classic American comfort food to the next level and features a rotating menu consisting of American cheeseburgers, Mexicana, Country Time and house-made veggie burger, making it the perfect destination for a dinner with the family as well as a good option for sports enthusiasts who can watch their favorite team on one of the many flat screen TVs.
While the resort itself offers everything you could wish for in on its expansive and well-maintained grounds, there’s also the option of heading out to Downtown Palm Springs for a bit of city life or head to the Children’s Discovery Museum Of The Desert or The Living Desert Zoo & Botanical Gardens where you can feed a giraffe, get a camel ride or visit the lorikeets.
A relaxing sun-drenched oasis with a backdrop of mountains and palm trees, Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa offers an ideal escape for the whole family in the middle Coachella Valley.
