Hi
I'll be in the Rancho Mirage area for business but have built in an extra day and night. What are the best things to do in just 1 day and night? I am 39 single and traveling solo. I want to be safe too - not worried about that. What are the best value spa experience and best value Mexican and best bar for night life in Rancho Mirage area?

Also, I've never been and booked hotel at Agua Caliente- any feed back on that? I'm looking for the best value and a great pool.

Thanks in advance!

We gamble at Aqua Caliente and its a fun place.
Las Casuelas Terraza in Rancho Mirage is a fun place for Mexican food.
They have a spa at your hotel..
Don't know about the bar scene but they have some clubs at the casino.

Thanks, where do you stay there? I'll be going about every 2 months so I appreciate any and all advice. Thanks again!

If food quality is more important to you, I'd recommend El Mirasol in Palm Springs for Mexican food. However, if ambiance is more important, than Las Terrazas would be a better choice.

Not sure about value spas...there are some very nice spas here and some are pretty pricey.

Try McCormick's in Palm Desert, Zeldaz in PS for night life. If you want a trippy experience, go to The Nest. The crowd is a bit older, but the people watching scene is pretty entertaining. The Beer Hunter in La Quinta is ok, Palmer's in La Quinta can be pretty hopping and you would be comfortable age-wise.

Have fun.

PSL

I find El Mirasol to be incredibly bland Americanized Mexican food.

Taqueria Tlaquepaque or El Gallito are far more authentic (both are near dives but reasonable and good)

I completely disagree with your comment and my experience has been different. All of the recipes are from the owner, Felipe Castaneda's, grandmother, who was from Guadelajara. I'd consider El Gallito more Americanized than El Mirasol. To each his own.

Thanks everyone. I stayed at Agua Caliente but didn't like it. Smoky in the casino and hallways to get to the hotel area. The pool was ok. I didnt go to a spa.

Any recommendations on where to stay that's reasonable and still nice in Rancho Mirage area? Thanks everyone!

Hilton Garden Inn off of hway 111 in Rancho Mirage is currently offering a "Casino Package" ( i think it's through the summer months ). $84/nt and they give you a $50 gaming credit to Agua Caliente Casino. The credit can only be used for slot machines and table games. On a recent visit, I played the credit and cashed in $100. In effect I got the room for free plus a bit of extra.

At the Hilton Palm Springs, for an extra $17, you can book the spa package that gives you $115 of spa credit, enough for a 1 hour massage treatment. Currently, the nightly rate for the spa package is $143. You're basically paying $20/nt for your room. The spa credit is per nite of stay i.e. if you book 2 nights, they give you $230.

And if you're at least a Gold Member with Hilton Honors, you can get free breakfast too!

excuse me, my math is incorrect . . . you're in effect paying $28 for your room. nn

I've been at Agua Caliente for a few days now. The views from my room are fantastic. There is a whole wall window with views of the valley and the glorious mountains. I spent a whole afternoon just watching the changes in the shadows on the mountain curves. The casino is a bit smokey but there is an area where it is supposed to be non smoking (you can still smell the smoke if you are sensitive). The pool area is nice and the spa is also. Not a glamorous place but it is close to my friend's in the area and I got a great deal.

For anyone who may refer to this thread, have dinner at Shame on the Moon in Rancho Mirage, it is excellent.