I love when I visit a place I have gone to previously, but experience all new things. My latest trip to Palm Springs, which began at the Hyatt in downtown Palm Springs. I have stayed at this hotel many other times, but right away I was embracing something new! I had no idea that Palm Springs shut down South Palm Canyon Drive every Thursday for a street festival. We quickly threw our bags in our suite (all the rooms are suites here), and headed out to join the fun. There are limitless options from food vendors and you can shop local artisans. Plus, all the shops along the strip stay open late. I loved the sense of community and how everyone was quick to start up a conversation.
After a few drinks at some local spots (NYPD and the Tonga Hut), we headed over to the Hyatt’s night spot, HooDoo Restaurant and Bar, which sits in front of the hotel. While you sip on creative cocktails, and munch on delicious plates, you can enjoy live entertainment (and great people watching). The Hyatt Palm Springs is a great hotel to stay in for being right in the heart of all the action. With huge rooms, great restaurants, and a relaxing pool area, I always recommend it for people who really want to experience downtown Palm Springs.
From there, we headed to Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa, but not before stopping at Rio Azul for authentic Mexican food. Lunch started off with some house made margaritas, along with house made chips and salsa (everything is house made). Usually margaritas are super sweet and I can sip on about half of one glass, but these were delicious and refreshing (and went down easy). From there, we had table-side-made guacamole, pork tacos, and Cochinita Pibil, which is slow cooked pork in a banana leaf with orange juice, lime juice, achiote sauce, Serrano pepper, Habanero pepper, and red onions. There was also sweet green corn tamales, and plenty of beans and rice. Thank goodness the ride to the next hotel was a half hour away to allow for digestion.
Our next hotel, The Hyatt Regency Indian Wells sits on 45 acres and is the type of resort that you stay at, play at, and relax at all weekend long. There is no need to go anywhere else while you are visiting. With top of the line restaurants, a gorgeous spa, seven pools, a DesertPipe®, and 36-holes of championship golf (both courses ranked in the Top 20 “Best Courses You Can Play” in California by Golf Week Magazine, and ranked number 11 in Conde Nast Travelers’ “Top 15 California Golf Resorts) you can relax, play, and indulge during your entire stay.
Once we unpacked in our Deluxe King Suite, I headed to Agua Serena Spa for a Vino & Vinyasa class. Yes, you read that write. Yoga is all about concentrating on your breathing and relaxation and by including the wine tasting, it heightened this to a whole new level. The instructor took the seven of us through twenty minutes of standing yoga and stretches, which was followed by tasting and discussing two white wines. From there, we did twenty minutes of floor stretching followed by tasting and discussing two reds. We then meditated for about three minutes and finished with champagne. I enjoyed how we took our time with the wine tasting and dissected each tasting. In my busy schedule, I barely take the time to really sit, relax, and enjoy a glass of wine the way it is intended to be enjoyed. The class brought me back to relaxation and allowed me to just be in the moment. If you are traveling to Palm Springs, I highly recommend doing a class with a bunch of your friends. They also offer a Scotch and Stretch class.
After my relaxing afternoon, I met up with Tyler and we headed to a group, family-style dinner from Executive Chef Chris Mitchum. We feasted on quinoa salad, mozzarella and tomato salad, filet mignon, scallops, blue lake green beans, along with a selection of desserts from the pastry chef, Karine Moulin (who competed on Top Chef Canada). The dinner was elevated beyond what you may assume hotel fare would be. I loved how we were able to sample different dishes and they all worked well together. We ended the night at Agave Sunset Lounge, which has great live music, perfectly made cocktails, and some of the best people watching around.
Saturday morning we had a tour of the grounds which included the gorgeous suites, villas (that come with butler service), the DesertPipe® water ride, and the Regency Club, which sits on the top of the fifth floor and offers unbelievable views of the San Jacinto Mountains, daily breakfast, snacks and refreshments, and a daily happy hour.
The resort also has the one and only DesertPipe® water ride, where you can get your adrenaline pumping as you surf, slide and play in the “World’s First Rotating Barrel Ride.” The DesertPipe®has an interior ball suspended in the air filled with 15 gallons of filtered water. You climb into the ball, which spins while you slide and splash in the bottom of the barrel (or you can choose to run, slide, or surf if you are up for a challenge).
From there, it was back to relaxation, as I headed to the spa. I had an 80-minute massage that left me in a happy, de-stressed haze. The relaxation room that is available before and after treatments, has views of the gardens on either side, along with spa snacks, and a menu to even order whatever dish you prefer. Also available to enjoy, is the eucalyptus steam room, dry sauna, Jacuzzi and outdoor showers. I recommend sitting by the Reflection Patio and relaxing to the sound of the water fountains.
After the spa? More relaxation…by the adult pool. Tyler and I aren’t chasing after little humans just yet, so we were very content by the pool where we couldn’t even hear them. The cabanas at the adult pool are the best cabanas I have ever experienced. They are literally little huts with a frig, TV, and plenty of space to lounge around. With the cocktails flowing and delicious poolside eats, we were in heaven.
We all deserve to relax, play, and indulge in our lives. Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa takes it to a whole new level. They have everything you need from kids activities, family fun, dining destinations, an active night life, and a spa that has it all. If relaxation is your goal, then this resort is for you. Being part of the downtown scene more your style? The Hyatt Palm Springs has everything in the heart of downtown. Start your night with dinner at Share then head out for a night on the town and end at HooDoo Restaurant and Bar. Either way you go, Palm Springs has something for everyone to enjoy.
Plus, now through September 1, Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa is offer Sunshine on Sale, which means you get the third night free! Sunshine on Sale starts with rates from $100 with breakfast for two included. To take advantage of the Sunshine on Sale special offer, guests may either call Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa by phone at 760.776.1234 or book here here.
