From frozen treats to poolside movies, here are fresh ways to keep groups cool in the Palm Springs region—where average highs top 100 from summer clear into fall.
Cool Deal
While the Rancho Las Palmas resort continues its $35 million renovation, planners who book one of the finished rooms—with new custom dark-wood furnishings, 42-inch plasma TVs, and supercharged air-conditioning, of course—will get a $100 resort credit to use on a return visit in the fall. So book a group now and bring another back for a spa treatment, a round of golf, or dinner when it’s slightly less scorching. A restaurant and lounge are scheduled to open in October, in addition to a lazy river and water slides around the pool. The Palms Café is already open, serving light fare; sit inside the café, or outdoors, where misters cool the air by 15 degrees.Total Relaxation
The Miramonte Resort & Spa just completed the last phase of its $10 million renovation. Take a group to the sprawling property and treat them to one of the hotel’s creative meeting-break offerings, like a program it calls “Spa Fair,” an outdoor selection of services that include chair massages and manicures. Groups can participate at various areas around the grounds; try the cabanas near the Watsu pool. Keep your thoroughly relaxed group extra cool by adding fruit smoothies and healthy hors d’oeuvres from the hotel’s new chef, Robert Nyerick. (Or avoid the heat altogether by taking folks indoors for a few rounds of Texas Hold ’em in a private room with a spread of beer, chips, and dips.)
Movie Night
The Viceroy Palm Springs gives guests and non-guests a unique experience on Friday and Saturday nights. “Viceroy Noir” is a weekly alfresco movie series showing oldies like Little Women, All About Eve, The Birds, and National Velvet (not all noir, really, but classics) around the pool, and hotel general manager Jonathan Heath says the screenings will continue “until it starts to get cool”—likely through October. Plush pillows and blankets are strewn about, and the hotel serves popcorn and fruit-infused martinis. During the day on weekends, gourmet poolside barbecue is also available.
Desert Dessert
Frozen-treat spot and cult obsession Pinkberry is popping up all over L.A., and guests at desert events are covered by its hip new counterpart. Cactusberry is an eco-friendly shop that opened downtown early this year. Owner Rodolfo Castillo designed the earth-conscious space, in which a fallen tree from Big Bear serves as furniture, colorful chairs are made from recycled plastic, and windows are energy-efficient.
Cool Deal
While the Rancho Las Palmas resort continues its $35 million renovation, planners who book one of the finished rooms—with new custom dark-wood furnishings, 42-inch plasma TVs, and supercharged air-conditioning, of course—will get a $100 resort credit to use on a return visit in the fall. So book a group now and bring another back for a spa treatment, a round of golf, or dinner when it’s slightly less scorching. A restaurant and lounge are scheduled to open in October, in addition to a lazy river and water slides around the pool. The Palms Café is already open, serving light fare; sit inside the café, or outdoors, where misters cool the air by 15 degrees.Total Relaxation
The Miramonte Resort & Spa just completed the last phase of its $10 million renovation. Take a group to the sprawling property and treat them to one of the hotel’s creative meeting-break offerings, like a program it calls “Spa Fair,” an outdoor selection of services that include chair massages and manicures. Groups can participate at various areas around the grounds; try the cabanas near the Watsu pool. Keep your thoroughly relaxed group extra cool by adding fruit smoothies and healthy hors d’oeuvres from the hotel’s new chef, Robert Nyerick. (Or avoid the heat altogether by taking folks indoors for a few rounds of Texas Hold ’em in a private room with a spread of beer, chips, and dips.)
Movie Night
The Viceroy Palm Springs gives guests and non-guests a unique experience on Friday and Saturday nights. “Viceroy Noir” is a weekly alfresco movie series showing oldies like Little Women, All About Eve, The Birds, and National Velvet (not all noir, really, but classics) around the pool, and hotel general manager Jonathan Heath says the screenings will continue “until it starts to get cool”—likely through October. Plush pillows and blankets are strewn about, and the hotel serves popcorn and fruit-infused martinis. During the day on weekends, gourmet poolside barbecue is also available.
Desert Dessert
Frozen-treat spot and cult obsession Pinkberry is popping up all over L.A., and guests at desert events are covered by its hip new counterpart. Cactusberry is an eco-friendly shop that opened downtown early this year. Owner Rodolfo Castillo designed the earth-conscious space, in which a fallen tree from Big Bear serves as furniture, colorful chairs are made from recycled plastic, and windows are energy-efficient.
The new Palms Café at Rancho Las Palmas has several Internet stations.
Photo: Courtesy of the Rancho Las Palmas
The new Palms Café at Rancho Las Palmas has several Internet stations.
Photo: Courtesy of the Rancho Las Palmas
The Miramonte Resort & Spa.
Photo: Courtesy of Miramonte Resort & Spa
The Viceroy Palm Springs.
Photo: Courtesy of the Viceroy Palm Springs
A frozen treat from Cactusberry.
Photo: Courtesy of Cactusberry
