La Quinta Resort and Club ~ Palm Springs, California – Today is day #1 of our 10-day Coastal California road trip.

Rather than make the nine-hour drive to our starting point in Santa Barbara, we decided instead to cut the trip in half and spend a night at La Quinta Resort and Club just outside Palm Springs, California.

This legendary resort abuts the breathtaking backdrop of the rugged Santa Rosa Mountains and is the longest-running resort in Palm Spring.  In fact, it is one of only two resorts in the country for which a city has been named.

We have complimentary VIP perks for you when you book your stay through our travel agency!  Look below…

The resort spans 45 vibrant acres, its verdant grounds are accentuated by beds of colorful flowers; fragrant orange, lemon, tangerine, tangelo and grapefruit trees; cypress trees and cacti; sparkling pools and waterfalls; and picturesque courtyards, all framed by towering palms.

La Quinta Resort and Club first opened on December 26th, 1926 and over the years has grown from 20 cozy casitas to 796 guestrooms and villas, yet still retains the intimate, inviting atmosphere that has remained its hallmark for nearly 85 years.

In fact,  because of its secluded nature, La Quinta Resort & Club has long been a place for Hollywood’s elite – as well as artists, moguls and international dignitaries – for relaxation and play. The influential filmmaker Frank Capra came here to write and the result: his Academy Award-winning “It Happened One Night” became such a sensation that he returned to the same casita year after year to pen other scripts like “Mr. Deeds Goes To Town” and “You Can’t Take It With You.”

Over the years, luminaries to visit La Quinta Resort have included film legends such as Marlene Dietrich, Bette Davis, Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Katherine Hepburn, Greta Garbo and Shirley Temple.

Another interesting fact about this resort is that it has 41 pools and 53 hot spas situated throughout the property.

Here is a peek of our view as we drove up the resort’s main entrance.

Our deluxe casita was spacious, maintained the hacienda-style design which made us feel like we were staying in Spanish country retreat, yet we found all the modern-day comforts like WiFi and a flat screen TV.

Even more cool was that right outside the door of our casita we found two pools and two hot tubs.

Our evening began, to our great surprise, with a culinary experience that was under the supervision of Chef Jimmy Schmidt.

Being from Michigan, we were very familiar with Chef Schmidt’s Rattlesnake Club in downtown Detroit, and we were shocked to also find him in the desert of Palm Springs.

Chef Schmidt has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his successful 30-year career, including the prestigious James Beard Award for “Best Chef Midwest,” Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence,” and Gourmet Magazine’s “ America’s Top Tables” and “ America’s Best Restaurants.”

Chef Schmidt was back in Detroit during our visit, but below is Carol with Restaurant Manager John Healy (left), Chef de Cuisine Brian Recor, and our server Zachary Olson.

We started out our evening with a nice sparking wine and greatly enjoyed this Roasted Baby Beet Salad (Frisee & Chevre Salad, Black Walnut & Sherry Vinaigrette).

We love beet salads and this one was among the greats!

After sharing this salad, we then shared Gingered Roasted Pumpkin Risotto.  YUM!

For her main course, Carol opted for Porcini Crusted Angus Filet (Grilled Wild Mushrooms – Comte Potato Gratin).

I’m married to a woman who loves a great filet and this baby was simply melt in your mouth delicious.

Now, I too love a good steak, but I have this little rule:  if I make it at home, I generally don’t order it in a restaurant.  Not that my filets are this good, but, I’m  just sayin’.

Therefore, I ordered Rack of Pistachio Crusted Colorado Lamb (Roasted Sweet Peppers, Cranberry & Butter Bean Ragout).

Holy jump up and down on the table Batman! That was astounding!

For our dessert we shared Quadruple Chocolate Suicide (Bittersweet Chocolate Turkey Figs)

Wow!  What’s better than dark chocolate and with a cup of espresso?  Not much, me thinks!

Well, that was our La Quinta Resort and Club experience.

What a wonderful day of pampering, luxury, and enjoyment in the desert of Palm Springs.

We give it two thumbs up!

Complimentary VIP Perks!

When you book through our Roaming Boomers Travel Agency, in addition to the resort’s best available rates, we can offer you the following complimentary VIP perks:

• Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests
• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• $100 USD Equivalent Resort or Hotel credit,
  • (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full, not valid on Tax or Daily Resort Charge)
• Early check-in/late check-out
  • subject to availability

To book your stay, call the Roaming Boomers Travel Agency at (480) 550-1235, or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you. 

Disclosure:  this wonderful experience was provided by the kind folks at La Quinta Resort and Club.  Thanks a bunch!