Another girlfriend is turning 50 at the end of March and she wants to go to Palm Springs. There will be 4 of us girls who love to shop, wine and dine. We like to stay in really nice places...but the Willows is out of our price range.

Villa Royale (2 bedroom villa) and Korakia (Sahara room & Sahara suite adjoin) look very nice and in our price range ($450-$550 per night). Both come with "cooked to order" breakfasts.

We'd like to be close to shopping, restaurants, etc., but we'll have a car. Staying all together in someplace really nice is always a priority.

Which would you choose or avoid? I've read both good and bad reviews for both.

Do you have a better recommendation? <)

My friends like the Desert Hills Hotel, http://www.deserthillspalmsprings.com/

They are both nice resorts but it really depends on what you are looking for in a place to stay. I think that Korakia is more special and unique--very Moroccan and otherworldly. Villa is more traditional. The Villa has a great restaurant--Europa. But Korakia is close to downtown so that you could actually eat and walk to just about everything in the downtown area. With Villa you will have to drive to get most anywhere. Location-wize Korakia wins hands down. Whichever you choose you have a great time!

Has anyone stayed at either place recently?

I just reread reviews on both. Villa Royale got great reviews...but they are old reviews. Then I found one from April 2007 and it basically said the place not what it used to be...“Dark Dreary Dilapidated Depressing DUMP”

The Korakia gets mixed reviews...and now I'm just not sure. HELP!

One review from 4/07 shouldn't throw you off. Some people just don't have good vacations and want to vent. Both hotels have a grand history. Karokia goes back to the late 1920s. Part of the buildings are the old estate of J. Carol Naish. It is the closest to downtown. Very walkable. If you plan on spending most of your time downtown PS then it may be the best choice for you. I find the North African austerity a bit much but you can't say it isn't fun and different. Villa Royale goes back to the 1940s, is in the Deepwell neighborhood and you will need to use a car to get anywhere. It is charming in an old world European style. An entirely different atmosphere from Karokia. If you want shopping, wining and dining the downtown location is better. If you want peace and quiet and a laid back vacation then the Deepwell location fits the bill. Even if you stay at Karokia you can dine at Europa at Villa Royale.