Going to Palm Springs area in Mid May with wife and 18 moth old son.

My questions are:
1) Benefits of Palm Springs over Palm Desert (keep in mind we're in by eight pm as my son is asleep for the night)

2) Weather at that time of year

3) has anyone been to the Embassey Suites in Palm Desert? Location/Ammenities.

Thanks everyone.
Paul

Just posted about this above, but will add that Palm Springs is NOT a family resort town! It's more crowded, noisy, more night life, more gay, galleries, traffic etc. And, it was terribly hot last week when Palm Desert was dry and just comfortable. More space in Palm Desert--I think with a child you'll like it much better.

Iwas in Palm desert in April 2000. Temperature was 108 or so during the day. Blisteringly hot!

kam, what a ludicrous comment! Palm Springs is 5 miles from Palm Desert and in the exact same climate zone. So, it is silly to suggest that it was hot in Palm Springs and comfortable in Palm Desert!! The temperatures will be the same in both places, within a couple degrees.

Personally, I prefer Palm Desert or Indian Wells to Palm Springs simply because the bigger resorts are in those areas. Palm Springs has full-service hotels with pools, but the larger, sprawling resorts are in PD and IW. We took our 4 month old and 2 year old last June to the Hyatt Grand Champions in Indian Wells. They have 5 smaller pools, including one with a waterslide. All of the rooms are like mini-suites with a bedroom area and a sunken living space with sofa sleeper, table and chairs. It's great to have the extra space when you have kids with you.

The weather in May will probably be around 100 degrees. That is fairly comfortable considering in the summer it gets to be 10 - 15 degress warmer than that. I agree with Linda's comment, that Palm Springs and Palm Desert are too close to have different temperatures. Climate will be the same in either area.

The weather doesn't vary much between these two towns. As a previous poster mentioned, they are only a few miles apart and in the same climate zones.

Kam has made negative comments on Palm Springs on several posts. Considering she likely only spent a few hours in this very popular destination spot, I wouldn't take her comments all that seriously.

My wife and I spend 6 weeks each winter in Palm Springs and really enjoy seeing how much it's been cleaned up in recent years. We've stayed in Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage as well and still prefer Palm Springs. Just seems like more of a town and less mainstream commercialized that we could find any other city in the US.

Palm Springs is right up against the mountain, Palm Desert gives you more room to spread out. It might just be an illusion, but I find it cooler in Palm Desert. And, we have been to the area many times at many times of the year, having lived in Los Angeles for a considerable period of time. You of course have the right to disagree, that's what this forum is all about.

As Sandy correctly states, the larger, amenity-laden resorts are in Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells and La Quinta. Examples are the Westin, Marriott Desert Springs, Renaissance Esmeralda, Miramonte, Hyatt Grand Champions and La Quinta Resort. Some have kids programs and kid-friendly pools. A cost-conscious alternative to the big resorts might be something like the Marriott Residence Inn in Palm Desert. They have two bedroom suites with a full kitchen. The stay includes the continental breakfast and a light dinner. I think the rates drop in May like the rest of the desert. Could be more comfortable than a hotel with a toddler.

Kids (even toddlers) like the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert in Rancho Mirage and The Living Desert in Palm Desert (esp. the live critter exhibits).

The temperatures in May are climbing, and Sandy is right. Typical averages are the mid-90's. Nighttimes are fabulous and comfortable. I have to agree with the others about the temperatures. They don't vary significantly from Palm Springs to Palm Desert.

Having lived in the low desert region for the past two decades, both in Palm Springs and Palm Desert, I can't say that there's much variance in weather conditions. It always amazes me how some one can drop into town for a weekend every once in awhile and quickly make bold observations about such precise weather conditions when we're only talking about a few mile difference.

I'd also have to suggest that people take a look at Palm Springs themselves. The money that has been pumped into the downtown are is tremendous and the area is very popular with the locals as well as the tourists.

Hi Paul, i hope you see this message in time. We just returned from The Embassy Suites this week. It was completely packed (Easter Week). The pool was crowded from 8am to 10pm.

It did not live up to the Embassy Suite standard we were used to in NYC and DC. There was no bellhop, concierge, or valet. The room was worn with stained carpeting and uncomfortable beds. The so called fitness room was a converted hotel room with 1 bike and 1 treadmill...no weights at all.

The breakfast buffet was acceptable but not nearly as nice or varied as the the other Embassy Suites we have stayed in.

In the past we have sought out E.S. for our family trips, but feel we will not do so again.

Other than that, we loved Palm Desert. Check out the Living Desert attraction.

Hi Paul,

I can offer your questions from a local perspective.

#1 Palm Springs or Palm Desert? The major difference is whether you want to enjoy a village type tourist experience or a resort? Palm Springs has a street filled with people watching experiences. There are stores, art galleries, restuarants, and that is where most of the people are. If you like that, which can be lots of fun with or without children, then you'll enjoy it. There are lots of small hotels nearby, a few night clubs, and an amazing mountain in the background. The Palm Springs Tram is right up the road, as well as the Palm Springs Indian Canyons which are outstanding!!!! On Thursday night is a street festival where they close down the street and bring in vendors. It's fun and packed.

If on the other hand, if you want a "resort" experience, you may want to consider Palm Desert. While the Living Desert is an attraction to attend, it will be warm in May (don't plan to go spend the day there unless it is a cool day for that time of year. Overall, Palm Desert is more about relaxing (or shopping if you like the Orange county mall thing).

#2 In May the weather will probably reach 100+ during the day (IN BOTH CITIES!). The Tramway or the Indian Canyons would be good--save walking Palm Canyon till the evening when it is lovely and cooler. another thing you might enjoy is the Knotts Water Park in Palm Springs. (you'd stay cool!)

#3 Have only ate at the Embassy Swuites. Nothing to write home about...oh, this is home! The location of the Embassy is okay--but you will have to drive everywhere to do much of anything. If you like walking Palm Springs is definately more "entertaining".

Hope that helps. May is really a beautiful time of year.

Thank you Kate and everyone else who has replied. Palm Springs it is!

Paul