With its own airport and easy access from nearby Los Angeles, Palm
Springs and surrounding desert communities are a simple and exotic
option for events. The natural scenery and great weather it rarely
rains assure a pleasant stay. Numerous hotels, many of which have
been recently renovated, and unique alternatives provide a range of
options for events from outdoor weddings to business conventions.
A Cool Drink of Water
With its own man-made lake, two championship golf courses, 18-hole
putting course and a full-size sushi bar in the lobby, the Desert
Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Desert beckons groups
to settle in. The 884-room resort recently broke ground on a $30
million renovation, and the atrium lobby refurbishment has already
been completed, now offering almost 30,000 square feet of space for
guests to relax and mingle. The lobby is also the start of the
resort’s lake, where gondolas pick up guests to take them to one of
the five restaurants or to simply enjoy the view of the mountains
and black swans.
Weddings are popular, and the bride can make a grand entrance by
boat to a grassy point jutting into the water.
Renovated
Renaissance
After a $9 million renovation, the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort
and Spa in Indian Wells has improved its dining offerings and
meeting spaces to better host groups.
New dining options include Cava Restaurant, which offers
California cuisine and an extensive wine selection; Stir, having
replaced Las Estrellas as the lounge; and lobby bar Glo, which
offers a tapas menu.
The refurbished Crystal and Valencia Ballrooms and 45 individual
meetings rooms add to the existing Emerald Ballroom and the Rose
Garden to bring the total available space to over 100,000 feet.
Mellow Yellow
For smaller events, try the modern and swanky Viceroy Palm
Springs. Decked out in funky black, white and yellow, the 85-room
Viceroy has welcomed a variety of Hollywood A-listers that come to
relax at the indoor/outdoor Estrella Spa or enjoy custom parties at
the four-pool property.
A free-standing banquet facility is available, and an on-site
planning and catering team can create full-service events for up to
210 guests.
Starlets like Paris Hilton have partied here, and Brad Pitt and
Angelina Jolie have also relaxed at the property.
In True Desert Style
The Palm Springs Convention Center and hotels aren’t the only
spaces for events.
The Living Desert is a zoo and garden that houses everything
from camels to giraffes. Group tours range from narrated tram rides
to walking tours. Events can be arranged in the Village WaTuTu area
in a glass-walled structure that overlooks a pair of leopards.
The Palm Springs Air Museum exhibits vintage automobiles and
aircraft in a 67,500-square-foot building. Groups of 30-3,500 have
been hosted, with tables set up right under the wings of the
aircraft.
