A Trio of Resorts in the Coachella Valley’s Indian Wells Tees up the Perfect Weekend Getaway.
Dash to the desert.
- CategoryTravel
- Written byDarren Elms
- AbovePoolside at Miramonte Resort
From the beginning, Indian Wells, which lies between Palm Springs and La Quinta, has sparked attraction. Once a thriving Native American village, it became an important route to gold mining along the Colorado River during the 1800s. Later, settlers grew sweet dates on the desert landscape before making way for golf courses and resorts in the mid-1900s. During those golden years, Desi Arnaz opened a hotel, Arnold Palmer won the first Bob Hope Desert Classic and former president Dwight D. Eisenhower took up residence.
Today this oasis remains a hot spot for golf, tennis and quintessential resort living. A collection of accommodations gives visitors numerous approaches to enjoying their getaway—from desert classics to stylish boutique living to family-friendly fun.
Hyatt Regency’s Aqua Serena Spa
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
With 530 rooms, including 35 suites and 43 villas, this family favorite offers plenty of space to spread out and play. The main attraction lies outside—a mix of swimming pools, cabanas, lazy river and a towering waterslide. While the kids take the plunge, sneak away to the Agua Serena Spa and indulge in a few hours of overdue pampering. As the former home of the Newsweek Champions Cup (which morphed into the Paribas Open), the resort has hosted tennis greats, including Pete Sampras and Boris Becker. The tennis area features three hard-surface courts and services to help plan your own Indian Wells tennis tournament. Close your day with Shots in the Night, a driving range with music, LED-charged golf balls and massive LED inflatable targets that light up upon impact.
Miramonte Resort & Spa
Originally built in the ’60s, Miramonte got a major overhaul a few years ago with handsome results. In the shadow of the Santa Rosa Mountains, you can soak up the sunshine by the pool or take a table among mature olive trees for locally inspired cuisine at signature restaurant Citrus & Palm. Evenings on the patio glow with firepits, lantern lights, signature fire wall and bocce ball. Golfers can work on their swing at one of the nearby championship golf courses or pick up a lesson at the Tennis Garden, home to the BNP Paribas Open and 29 high-performance PlexiPave courts. For pure unwinding, there is The Well Spa, set in historic citrus groves and palm trees with scenic views to spare.
Above: Sands Hotel & Spa
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Sands Hotel & Spa
This more recent Indian Wells hotel is about comfort and style, having received some design love from interior wizard Martyn Lawrence Bullard. Blanketed in pink with black-and-white striped accents, the Moroccan-meets-mid-century vibe will light up your Instagram page. Located in a verdant olive grove, the signature spa features three intimate treatment rooms, including a couples’ room and a menu of inspiring services that include naturally sourced ingredients from Morocco. The Pink Cabana focuses on Mediterranean cuisine under the guidance of Chef Ethan Brown. Things get spirited at the bar where you can sip on wines from Mediterranean climates or a variety of complex seasonal cocktails influenced by the Great Spice Route. The Sands only allows guests 18 and older, so it’s truly ideal for couples.
Morocco meets Coachella Valley at Sands Hotel & Spa and The Pink Cabana.
