Hotel Review: Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa

At Indian Wells, endless rows of towering palm trees line broad avenues, welcoming visitors to the Coachella Valley, Calif., community. On a recent visit to Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa, I discovered that there is plenty to do — from golfing to relaxing poolside — in and out of the calming shade of these palms.

With more than 88,000 square feet of event space and 530 guestrooms, the Moroccan-inspired Hyatt property has been a prime destination for meetings, events and vacations in the area since its opening in 1986. Its latest $21 million renovation enhances the experience even more for corporate groups, families and couples.

Here are some of our favorite highlights.

Curated Dining
An exciting new dining experience available to guests staying in any of the property’s 43 villas is a personalized outdoor barbecue. Conceived by executive chef Eric LeClair, the add-on allows chefs to utilize the villas’ outdoor grill to prepare fresh meals for clients at their convenience. Vegan and vegetarian options are available upon request.

The custom barbecue is ideal for families as well as upscale, intimate corporate groups. The villas’ firepit seating and plunge pools add ambiance to any gathering by the grill.

Menu items vary by day, but on my visit, chef LeClair and his team whipped up the Taco Tuesday menu, an impressive meal bursting with freshness and set up as a mini buffet. My favorite was the vegan spiced jackfruit taco.

New Food and Drink
Clients can expect the same creative streak if they dine in Lantana, the hotel’s refreshed signature steakhouse restaurant, or Agave Sunset, for drinks and lighter bites. Both take pride in serving locally sourced, sustainable ingredients and providing excellent service. During a delectable six-course dinner served by chef LeClair at Lantana, I sampled menu highlights such as seared scallops and ale onion soup. There were also off-menu specials, including sauteed wild mushrooms on a brioche crouton, topped with award-winning blue cheese.

I also tried my hand at mixology in a margarita-making class, a fun add-on experience where a staff bartender guides participants to create their own margaritas. These cocktails are made with Herradura Double Barrel Reposado Tequila, created by Herradura exclusively for Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa. From there, clients can choose their own ingredients, such as jalapenos, strawberries, limes and a variety of juices.

Off-Site Activities 
There’s a multitude of activities near the property that clients can join, such as Jeep tours and hot-air balloon rides. In fact, private and conference groups can benefit from the resort’s partnership with the BMW Performance Center West in nearby Thermal, Calif. The add-on group programming enhancement gives team bonding a change of pace by allowing participants to speed out in a variety of BMW performance vehicles.

I joined an exuberant two-hour session where our group test drove five different BMWs, including the X5, Z4 and M2. Afterward, we raced identical M3s through timed laps in an effort to best one another and, more importantly, ourselves. It was a uniquely thrilling experience sure to make any group outing unforgettable.

On-Site Recreation
Much of the resort’s $21 million renovation is going toward an ambitious new waterpark that will feature a pair of three-story waterslides and a lazy river. The project is expected to be completed by April 2020 — just in time for spring break.

This new pool area adds to the property’s seven existing pools — including one adults-only pool and several children’s pools — and private cabanas. Groups can reserve pool areas for events, and organizers can opt for pop-up food trucks to provide dining and refreshments. Furthermore, poolside Roadrunner Cafe is being renovated to accommodate additional outdoor seating and will soon serve snacks, frozen drinks and specialty desserts.

The resort also offers two 18-hole golf courses, three tennis courts and Agua Serena Spa, a 30,000-square-foot spa and fitness center.

Remodeled Guestrooms
Many of the resort’s 530 rooms received a facelift, including its 43 villas and 35 suites. A nice touch to some of the individual guestrooms is a stair down to the living area to separate it from the bed, making the 550-square-foot rooms feel larger. Redone one- or two-bedroom villas now sport brighter, warmer shades in elegant designs, and have space to entertain in airy living rooms and private patios. These backyards include a barbecue, outdoor seating and a firepit or plunge pool.

All suites come with a king bed; a separate living and dining area; and a private balcony. I stayed in one of their 26 remodeled penthouse suites, which all feature desert-inspired artwork and new furnishings. Illuminated by enhanced lighting, the bathroom is very spacious, with a separate tub and walk-in shower.

Updated Event Spaces
To welcome its next generation of weddings, corporate parties and meetings, the property also updated much of its event spaces. These flexible venues include boardrooms and ballrooms as well as outdoor terraces and lawns. Some, such as the updated Hibiscus and Gardenia rooms, have a combination of indoor meeting space and outdoor terrace for entertaining.

Last fall, the property debuted its upgraded Indian Wells Conference Center — its largest event space at 20,000 square feet — with new carpeting, furniture and lighting. A full gourmet kitchen adjacent to the conference center provides all catering needs and emphasizes cooking with local, organic and sustainable ingredients.

The Details
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
www.hyatt.com