You’ve gathered your girlfriends, planned some daytime activities as well as a few nights out. Wondering where to stay for your fun weekend away in Greater Palm Springs? The region offers many luxurious hotels and spas, upscale shopping, delicious restaurants, nightlife, and so much more.
Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa | Rancho Mirage
This resort and spa is a great spot to stay if your daytime activity involves a round of golf in the sun. The resort also offers the chance to sit around a fire and catch up with each other after your round, and you won’t have to go far for a relaxing spa day.
Massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, and body treatments including the must-try Restorative Coconut Milk and Honey Wrap are all on offer at this sprawling property in Rancho Mirage. The pools, including an adults-only pool, are heated so they’re enjoyable in any weather, and the lazy river provides adult tubes so you and your gal pals can float and relax. Take our pro tip: This resort can get busy with families and kids, so if you’re looking for a quiet getaway with the girls, come at a time when school is in session.
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa | Indian Wells
Located right in the heart of Indian Wells at the eastern end of the oasis, this resort gets consistently great reviews thanks to its beautiful location and scenery and great staff.
After spending the day at the property’s Agua Serena Spa, you and your friends can enjoy dinner at the on-site Lantana restaurant or sip poolside drinks from the Oasis Bar. Wednesday through Saturday, the Agave Sunset tequila lounge offers great drinks and live entertainment; you barely even have to leave the hotel if you don’t want to worry about driving or finding a ride!
If you’re looking to get out and explore, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a short drive away and makes a great low-key afternoon outing.
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells | Indian Wells
Also located within the great city of Indian Wells, the Marriott’s Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells offers a comfortable and relaxing experience for your squad. Visitors are always impressed with the personal service they receive here, and there are plenty of treatments available at the Spa Esmeralda that can keep you busy all day. (The spa often offers package deals, so check the website or call before you go.)
If you want to do a day of shopping, all you have to go is take a short jaunt to the ritzy El Paseo Shopping District. Plenty of designer stores and chic, unique shops plus dozens of restaurants line the street so you can easily make a day of it. One of our favorite options is sitting al fresco on the rooftop patio at Tommy Bahama’s Palm Desert restaurant.
Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage | Rancho Mirage
You can’t get much more entertaining than a spot that has a hotel, great dining, casino, popular entertainment (like musicians, bands, comedians and shows), and a spa.
The Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage is the real deal, and there’s no shortage of things to do there. Even if you and your friends aren’t into sports, it’s worth your while to take a trip into the 360 Sports room, since that’s where they serve a champagne brunch, a perfect way to begin or wrap up your girls’ weekend.
If you’re looking to treat yourself, the Mineral Soak and Salt Stone Massage in the spa is an excellent service that can soothe joints and muscles to help you all relax.
Miracle Springs Resorts & Spa | Desert Hot Springs
Known for its natural hot spring mineral waters with their ‘therapeutic, healing properties,’ each of the pools at this expansive property is great for both swimming and just soaking up the desert environs.
The spa here offers plenty of options for massages, facials, nail treatments, and more, and the Capri Restaurant, Bar, and Lounge offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner including some particularly tasty Italian dishes and serious steaks.
Despite this resort being a little outside the city of Palm Springs, it’s actually a quick and easy drive if you want to check out the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, or do some shopping along Palm Canyon Drive.
Girls weekends wouldn’t be complete without cocktails, so if you’re looking for a good happy hour, head to the fun and kitschy Bootlegger Tiki between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., or from midnight to 2 a.m. You can get mojitos, daiquiris and other delicious mixed drinks for around $5—leaving you some extra cash for those chi-chi spa treatments.
Moorten Botanical Gardens is also a great place to visit, particularly if a quiet daytime activity is on order. Open year round, the cost for adult entry is nominal and includes a map that can help you identify the flora on display.
Greater Palm Springs is bursting with great places to stay that offer excellent amenities and activities, and there’s no shortage of shopping and dining options. It’s the perfect spot for your next girls’ weekend.
If you're looking to have a experience a vintage stay in the oasis, check out Great Midcentury Hotels to Stay in Greater Palm Springs.
