We're going to my husband's annual convention in Palm Springs in March. We'd love recommendations on places to stay. Tripadvisor reviews are largely varied! We want a big, plush, nice vacation out of this business trip! LOL!

We have the option of staying with the group's prearranged locations, in one of 6 hotels: Wyndham PS, Spa Resort, Hyatt Regency Suites, Hilton PS, Comfort Inn PS, or Courtyard by Marriott PS. If we go this route we get discounted rates (approx $200 nightly) but we rank the hotels in order of preference and are assigned to one. (ICK.)

Or we can choose to go on our own, pay the going rate (which is fine with us) and stay elsewhere.

Any GREAT, FABULOUS hotels you'd recommend in this area?

Any word of advice on any of the 6 hotels mentioned above?

Thanks!

It's a good thing I read your post...I realized that I have a conference in March too, and better book my hotel room! (Don't reckon you are going to CUE, are ya? )

I have stayed at the Wyndham and the Courtyard Marriott. Being a business traveler, I do prefer the Marriott because of the free high speed internet and the feeling that I am not being nickled and dimed as is often the case with larger hotels and their "resort fees".

However, as you want a vacation out of this, the Wyndham is a nice hotel with a pool that feels kind of resortish. It's also closest to the convention center.

Both hotels are close to the main street, where you'll find plenty of dining. I do remember when my friend went there for a company spa weekend, there was a really cute

sorry, I had trigger fingers!

Anyway, there was a cute place she stayed that seemed pretty cool. My friend just IM'd me to tell me it's called the Korakia.

http://www.korakia.com/

Hm, it may not be up your alley, as she said there is no TV in the room, but it did seem pretty interesting. Anyway, enjoy your stay in Palm Springs!

If you want this to be a plush trip, I don't think any of the hotels outlined would exactly fit the bill. I have stayed at the Wyndham, the Courtyard PS and La Quinta Resort in the area.

I guess the best lodging options in the area would include the Hyatt Grand Champions in Indian Wells, the Renaissance Esmeralda, right next to the Hyatt and La Quinta Resort in La Quinta, although the latter can be a bit hit or miss depending on what sort of casita you'd be assigned. All of these are quite far away from the center of Palm Springs, though. A bit closer (but still about approx. 20 to 30 min.) would be the Marriott Rancho Las Palmas in Palm Desert.

This is my impression, hope some locals (PSLocal) or travellers with more experience will be able to further assist you.

Mina--great advice--thanks! I'll check out the Korakia and also keep the others in mind. I am really open to all suggestions at this point, as we are just starting to research the trip and know absolutely nothing about the area. Looks like we are going to different conventions, btw. We'll be there in late March, maybe the same time as you?

HSV--We definitely need to stay near the convention center for the times my husband will go to the conference, so I guess some of those farther away options might be out (though they sound perfect...). Can you tell me about your experiences in the places you mentioned that you'd stayed in PS?

This is the only "vacation" we will get for a year due to the nature of my husband's job, so we really want it to be fun. I'll have just had our 2nd baby and it will be a nice getaway for me (kids will stay home with g'parents). We did this same conference trip in March in Miami and it was so much fun because we stayed in our own cool place and did our own thing for the most part (but still attended enough of the conference to make it count as a business trip).

Any and all advice is appreciated!

Hi bamakelly...

I looked at tripadvisor for the korakia, and the reviews are REALLY mixed. The pool sounds pretty dismal, so if your hubby is going to be at the conference, I would think the Korakia would be kind of boring. Plus it is quite a walk from the CC.

I think the Wyndham would be the best option. They have a spa/massage place (the last I checked anyway) so there would be things to do. Plus it would be so convenient to the CC. You can easily check out shops, etc on the main drag during the day. Be sure to ask for a room poolside with a patio...that is nice.

Yes, we are going at different times. I will be there mid march. Congrats on the new little one, and have a great trip!

Both of my stays at the Courtyard and the Wyndham were some years ago, so I cannot comment on the current quality of the places (I just returned from La Quinta three weeks ago).

I would say that I thought the Courtyard was pretty good for what it is. It just is not a resort hotel.
The Wyndham is by far a bigger property and their pool is considerably larger and they should have a few more amenities, but I seem to recall that I thought the Courtyard was better value for the money. The Wyndham OTOH is a bit closer to the city center.

Don't know proximity to your meetings, but having stayed at The Lodge at Rancho Mirage - it fits the bill of plush

Excellent info -- I appreciate everyone being so specific. It is so helpful.

Still open to suggestions, but this gives me a great start. I'll let you know what we decide...and then I'll be asking for tips on things to do in the area!

If you are going to be there on Thursday, head out to the main drag for farmers market!

The Lodge location would be very inconvenient for your husband. I think the service is not very good for the price you pay. E.g, the desk forgot my wakeup call (now even Motel 6 can figure that out) and I refuse to stay anywhere with no inroom coffee. and it doesn't really fit the desert (although they were remodeling it a year or so ago).

The Westin Mission Hills would be closer than the big hotels in Indian Wells. Note that in March the traffic can be bad! So it may be best to stay in one of the Palm Springs hotels. Korakia is one of several small boutique inns, it's very nice. Others are Casa Cody, Calla Lily Inn, or Desert Hills Hotel. All are in Palm Springs.

Still great advice! Thanks, y'all! Keep it coming. I plan to research all of this next week and decide what we will do.

Check out this new one:

hotelzoso.com

It's right in the heart of PS. I hear they're offering unbeatable prices. I don't know if they've opened up yet, but it should be any day now.

I agree with escargo - check out The Lodge at Rancho Mirage. (Hey, if you're really lucky you'll run into OJ, who practically lives on their golf course. Super safe bet - can't go wrong. It's first rate all the way. Just watch out when you drive up to check in. You'll have to edge your rental car ever so gingerly past all of the Jaguars & Bentleys lined up by the lobby.
Also agree with hsv regarding La Quinta Resort in LaQ. You can end up in a really terrible casita(seriously!) or a fabulous one, for the same price. Naturally you can be moved (if they're not booked) but who wants to spend the first hour or two dealing with that? Real vacation-killer.

The Lodge is very nice. It is maybe 10-15 minutes from the convention center. It does not have a golf course though, so OJ must be hanging out someplace else!

Good call, Carson; I misspoke. I was referring to the courses at Mission Hills Country Club, where you can play if you're a guest at the Lodge.

We go to Palm Springs every March and like to check out new places. We much prefer Palm Springs to Palm Desert or RM because it has great character. There are a couple of really nice historic inns near the Convention Centre.I think it would be hard to beat The Willows but "ouch" to the price (www.thewillowspalmsprings.com)
Another place that looks nice is the Villa Royale Inn (www.villaroyale.com)
We haven't stayed there, but it looks lovely. We know people that have stayed at the Coyote Inn and were very pleased with it (www.coyoteinn.net)Palm Springs in March is very busy with the tennis tournament, LPGA golf tournament and the White Festival. Don't wait too long to book a place or you may be disappointed.

l

L

Great advice--thanks to all of you.

Leuk, I am particularly liking the idea of the historic inns. I will check into the ones you listed. Because of the nature of my husband's job, this will be our ONE "vacation" for the year (and it is a business meeting at that!)...so a splurge is not totally unjustified. Also, good tip about teh other events going on. I'll have to check dates and see if we can get tickets to watch--the LPGA might be kinda fun one afternoon!

Thanks again. You all have given me tons to go on. Keep it coming if you think of more!

Villa Royale is great, with an awesome onsite restaurant, Europa. On the historic side, Melvyn's, Korakia and Casa Cody are muy romatico!

Have fun.

PSL