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Sunday, October 13, 2019

Indulge Yourself in Desert Luxury at the Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage Hotel and Spa near Coachella and Palm Springs California

With Service second to none this the Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage is the ultimate in luxury and relaxation and you may discover that you don't want to leave!


Located on a 650 foot bluff overlooking legendary Palm Springs and the picturesque Coachella Valley, the hotel is built with elements of of wood, fire and stone to reflect the natural elements of surrounding mountains and valleys all the while paying homage to the celebrities from old Hollywood.





1. Location


This location is outstanding to visit as your destination because the palm springs airport is serviced by multiple major airlines. If you are traveling to las Angeles, San Diego or elsewhere in Southern California, it is a short drive over some beautiful landscapes. For example from San Diego we crossed the San Bernardino mountains which were spectacular. Other destinations nearby include Coachella families for its festival, and Joshua tree national park, a destination for campers, hikers, photographers, star gazers and climbers. There are plenty of other activities nearby with frequent concerts, live stage productions, festivals, opera, symphony and museums. Nearby is Southern California’s ultimate tennis center, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, home to the BNP Paribas Open, one of the premier  professional tournaments in the world, which takes place annually in March.



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2. Check-in


We were greeted with superb service at the valet. Immediately the level of service is clear as staff stumble over themselves to assist. We were greeted as gold Bonvoy members and as having booked with American Express fine hotels & resorts. Champagne was offered immediately and we received a very thorough orientation to the resort including our included benefits, upgrades and amenities. This is one of the most thorough welcomes we have ever received.



3. Rooms


As is expected with Amex fine hotel bookings we were upgraded two levels to a terrace fire pit king which are located on the ground floor and has its own patio and fire pit lit every evening from 6 pm until 2 am. The room is very comfortable, with adequate storage and desk space, a refrigerator, safe, nespresso maker, complimentary bottled water and turndown service.









We love children but as a warning you may ask not to be placed next to families. Unfortunately traveling and jet lagged children can be cranky excited and tired all at the same time! Noise between rooms was not as quiet as we would like however when we called to complain about the noise in the adjacent room security immediately helped. The resort does cater to children and what a positive that is for so many travelers!  Scroll down to see some of the things the resort has for children!

The bed is very comfortable with large down pillows. Housekeeping does a great job however we must point out that there was a used tissue behind one bed stand that remained there during our entire stay along with a fair amount of dust. A deep clean would be nice.

The television is wonderful with a large screen and great picture. Streaming tv is provided to cast and HBOgo is free. These modern touches should be provided at most luxury hotels. We love casting our own programs from personal subscriptions like YouTubeTV or Netflix for example.




In room bottled water, coffee and tea are provided and coffee and tea are also available in the lobby in the morning. An in-room safe is available and remember SERVICE is the number one benefit of this location so request whatever you may need be sent to your room.

Hooded robes, shoe shine, mending kits and slippers are available in the closet.




4. Bathrooms


The bathrooms are typical Ritz Carlton with a large soaking tub and walk-in shower however it is odd that they are located in the same space. More than enough towels and toiletries are provided and are Asprey London brand found at all Ritz Carlton locations. Lighting is soft but there is an awesome motion controlled lighted magnifying mirror for those aging eyes!









Make your reservation or check rates at the Ritz Carlton Website by clicking here!


5. Fitness and Spa






This is one place that the Ritz Rancho Mirage shines! The large spa is complimentary for Gold elite members of the Bonvoy club (gold level is an Amex Platinum benefit) instead of having to purchase a $50 per day pass.  With 16 treatment rooms, many featuring private terraces with breathtaking views, the hotel spa also offers plunge pools, spaces for yoga and meditation, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a full-service salon and a retail boutique.









Inside the spa are separate women's and men's facilities, each with sauna and steam rooms, aromatherapy showers, sun deck, locker rooms, lounges with refreshments, and hot tubs. The men's room also has a cold plunge pool.









Complimentary champagne is provided. The attendants were amazing seeming to appear to read your mind with things such as ESPA face cream and lip gloss.




There is a excellent fitness room with access and classes included in your resort fee. More than enough machines, equipment, water, headphones and entertainment are available.







Daily guided hikes depart the lobby at 7 am with water and Gatorade provided for everyone in the lobby whether you hike or do something on your own. We hiked nearly 2 miles our first day with a great group of fellow guests.



Certainly the area surrounding the hotel is safe for walking or jogging but is hilly so be prepared. Complimentary bicycles are available for use as well.

For hiking around the resort and Joshua Tree National Park, we wish we had hiking poles.  These are our favorites because of the easy telescoping and ease of travel!  Click the photo below to learn more at Amazon and support our website!  Thank you so much!!!

6. Dining



This Rancho Mirage Ritz has two restaurants on-site, State Fare and The Edge. We enjoyed both with amazing food and drink offerings. State Fare is the location of more casual dining and breakfast. Poolside and spa service is available.











Amex platinum benefits include a $70 (yes $70) per day breakfast credit (good toward room service as well) and a one-time $100 resort credit which can be used for dining. Be sure to try the avocado fries, avocado toast, ricotta pancakes and burger at state fare. Try the ceviche and of course Steaks at the edge served rat pack style with servers in white jackets. Oh, and the view!!!! beef sliders, pimento cheese potato chips and nachos. Indoor and outdoor seating options are available at both restaurants.




Be sure to enjoy the complimentary afternoon candy happy hours from 2-5 and evening Manhattan tastings (a favorite of Frank Sinatra) at 5 pm in the lobby.




7. Resort


Comfortable with guest service as it's number one priority, you could never leave the resort! Two pools with attentive attendants are on site: one for adults only and the other for families. The adult pool has an amazing view of Joshua Tree and the valley before you. Don't worry about sunscreen because it is provided at each pool and the spa with various levels of spf and even aloe for after tanning application.  Lawn games are available including frisbee golf, corn hole, a very large jenga, pitting and pitching green and more.  We can't stress enough that SERVICE is key.  For another example, we watched a guest packing food for hiking at Joshua Tree.  The restaurant packed sandwiches, yogurt and fruit for him and when he went to pay it was "on the house"!  Wonderful!!!  If you need something...ASK!




LTD always recommends traveling with children for so many reasons: development, meaningful time and education just to name a few.  The Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage is welcoming to children and offers many opportunities to engage children starting at check in!

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Bottom line:


We recommend this hotel for any visit to Southern California or as a destination. Service is outstanding with every need anticipated. Of course using your American Express Platinum and the included gold elite Bonvoy status is important to receive so many inclusions! Service is the name of the game at this location and why not let yourself be pampered once and awhile? The dining is amazing and the activities onsite and nearby are more than enough to fill your days with healthy endeavors. The only downside to our stay was family noise and the need for a deep clean of the room.




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