Archive for the ‘Accommodations’ Category

How to Stay Cool During Your Visit to Palm Springs

Palm Springs, CA – July 19, 2010 –Despite the warm dry temperatures in Palm Springs, sunseekers can enjoy an array of activities to stay cool.

Day 1: Explore Momentous Museums

Take a docent tour of the world-class Palm Springs Art Museum to view Modern and Contemporary American works as well as Studio Art Glass and Classic Western American Art. In addition, the Art Museum hosts a free foreign film series every Thursday called Global Lens 2010 through September at the Annenberg Theater.

Stroll through large hangers to view one of the nation’s largest collections of World War II flying aircraft at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Special kid programs are available through out the summer.

Visit the quaint Aqua Caliente Cultural Museum offering exhibitions portraying the history and culture of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and other indigenous people.

Day 2: Outdoor Adventure
Starry desert nights are the perfect setting for evening voyages filled with nocturnal wildlife, moonlight hikes, and off-road adventures. Take a guided four-wheel drive along the San Andreas Fault, get inside one of Palm Springs’ thousands of hillside windmills, spy on hundreds of migrating birds at the nearby Salton Sea, or climb among the eerie rocky moonscapes of Joshua Tree National Park.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is an entertaining way to cool down and watch the world below. Summer passes are available for unlimited rides all summer, which are great for hiking before catching the lights on the return. Temperatures at the top are usually 20-30 degrees cooler from the desert valley.

Summer golf course specials in Palm Springs are swinging into action. Master the game of golf while taking advantage of reduced rates at Palm Springs golf courses including the legendary Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort.

Day 3: Cool Pools and Fun in the Sun

Spend the day riding waterslides and soaking up the sunshine at Knott’s Soak City. Enjoy the views from a cabana while listening to the sounds of the finest DJs at one Palm Springs’ weekend cool pool parties at the Spa Resort Casino, Riviera Resort & Spa, Hotel Zoso, Ace Hotel & Swim Club and Viceroy. 

Enjoy a poolside cabana massage at one of Palm Springs’ signature spa resorts or immerse in a hot natural mineral baths at downtown Indian-owned spa, a wellness refuge for generations.

Try your luck at the 24-hour downtown Spa Resort Casino, and then kick into high gear at one of the local dance clubs. After your evening on the town, consider a midnight swim under the stars…

Palm Springs has cool pools and hot deals starting as low as $39.99 a night through September 30, 2010. More than 30 hotels, vacation home rentals and attractions are offering mid-week free room nights or deep discounts. For additional summer vacation trip ideas, in Palm Springs, go to www.VisitPalmSprings.com.

Starting as low as $39.99 a night through September 30, 2010, Palm Springs’ boutique hotels and inns offer great value, luxe amenities and sophisticated style – many of them located within a casual stroll of Palm Springs’ charming downtown. Read a recent article about Palm Springs’ chic boutiques.

Palm Springs Summer Boutique Hotels and Inns Specials:

• 7 Springs Inn and Suites: Stay four Nights and get 20% off
• A Place in the Sun Garden Hotel: Stay two nights and get the third night free
• Alexander Inn: Stay four nights and get $50 off
• Andreas Hotel & Spa: 25% off regular summer rates
• Cambridge Inn: $39.99 weekday nights / $49.99 weekend nights
• Del Marcos Hotel: 20% off standard rates with a two-night stay
• Desert Vacation Villas: 25% off regular summer rates
• Horizon Hotel: Book two nights and get the third night free
• Ingleside Inn: Stay four nights for the price of three nights
• Movie Colony Hotel: 20% off weekday rates
• Old Ranch Inn: Stay four nights and the fourth night is free
• Palm Springs Rendezvous: Book two nights and save $20.00
• Pepper Tree Inn: Stay three nights and get third night 50% off
• Tuscany Manor Resort: Stay three nights and fourth night free

The Pool House Makes a Splash

Located in the uptown district, the intimate six-room hotel opened in May 2010, along with its full-service restaurant, The Blue Pear. Each guest room is situated around a sparkling pool featuring a white, black and electric blue color scheme that sets the stage for a retro getaway to Palm Springs. Room rates start at $99.00. http://thepoolhouseps.com/

POSH Palm Springs Inn Lives Up to Its Name

The 1930s Art Deco Architectural gem opened up a few months ago offering an all-inclusive vacation experience. Guests who stay at the eleven-room property will receive complimentary three-course gourmet breakfast, light poolside lunches and evening happy hours with appetizer. Room rates start at $164.00. http://poshpalmsprings.com/

Find Hot Deals for Palm Springs Hotel, Vacation Home and Travel Deals at www.VisitPalmSprings.com

Palm Springs is one of the best resort destinations in the country to rent a vacation home, according to popular online travel guide TripAdvisor. The City was recently voted number seven on the guide’s list of Top 10 Vacation Rental Hot Spots in the United States for 2010.

Palm Springs: The Vacation Rental Capital of the West

When you walk through Elizabeth Taylor’s former closet, you find a cathedral skylight, French windows with garden views, and a cream-colored chaise sofa large enough to sleep on. The adjoining bathroom is the size of a Manhattan studio apartment and comes with a fireplace, a wrought-iron chandelier, and a marble bathtub.

In fact nothing in this seven-bedroom, nine-and-a-half bath, 10,000-square-foot, one-and-a-half acre estate in Palm Springs’ famed Las Palmas neighborhood is surprising when you think of lavish Liz. Except for the fact this vacation rental costs just $1,000 a night, or $5,500 for a week. Spilt that up among a group of traveling friends, and you’re living champagne and caviar dreams at moderate motel prices.

The former homes of Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and Lucille Ball are all vacation rentals in Palm Springs. But it’s more than just Hollywood names that make this desert oasis the vacation rental capital of the West. For a city of nearly 50,000 inhabitants, the variety of affordable vacation rentals is dizzying. Its estimated Palm Springs has almost 1,000 types of vacation rentals in all sizes and styles.

“Its big trend of late,” says Rob Kincaid, owner of the rental agency Vacation Palm Springs. “It’s a growing market. Our vacation home rentals brought more than 12,000 visitors to Palm Springs last year. The change in the economic climate means people are looking for private, yet affordable luxurious environments.”

Golf fans choose villas with patios fronting the many greens in Palm Springs, while families enjoy large houses with private pools and backyards for Fido to play. Shoppers and nightlife hounds opt for cozy modern downtown condos with mountain views, while history buffs appreciate Palm Springs’ huge cache of Mid-Century Modern gems built by renowned architects, which emphasize the blend of indoor/outdoor desert lifestyle. After realizing the space for the price, most travelers easily become vacation rental converts.

“People are really into traveling in groups of friends or family nowadays, for special occasions and celebration vacations,” explains Kincaid. “About 70% of our clients want to spend more time with their family and extended family, and their vacations are shorter than before the financial crisis.”

Well-healed travelers have known the vacation rental secret for years. “I’ve rented out vacation homes in Hawaii, Mexico, and Florida,” states Matthew Link, a travel writer for TIME magazine among other publications. “But nothing compared to my renovated 1950s vacation rental in Palm Springs. My niece and nephew each loved having their own huge room. We spent all day splashing in our own pool and hot tub, and at night we roasted marshmallows over the outdoor crystal-glass fireplace. We even had weekly maids who cleaned up the gourmet kitchen. The incredible value of it all blew me away.”

You can explore Palm Springs’ vacation rental agencies via the website www.VisitPalmSprings.com.

Palm Springs has two large hotels undergoing multi-million dollar renovations, in addition to several new direct flights into the Palm Springs International Airport (PSP). The Hyatt Regency Suites Palm Springs is wrapping up a $15 million dollar transformation in October 2009, and a $20 million dollar conversion of the Wyndham Palm Springs will raise a new flag as the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel at the Convention Center in March 2010.

“These are two powerful, internationally recognized brand names who are investing in our destination,” said Mary Jo Ginther, Director of Tourism. “They’ve committed to providing hotels that reflect the unique Palm Springs style and experience. Visitors can find an affordable vacation that offers sunny weather, outdoor adventure and stunning desert vistas.”

The Hyatt Regency Suites Palm Springs will embrace a bold and modern design including a new pool deck with luxury cabanas, restaurant and bar, a Hyatt “Get Fit” fitness center, renovated guest suites, and an additional 3,000 square feet of meeting space.

The transformation of the Wyndham into a Renaissance will significantly boost large conventions and meetings, especially with the adjacent Palm Springs Convention Center. New property features include 67,000 square feet of remodeled meeting space, a makeover of its 410 guestrooms, new restaurant and lounge, poolside cabanas, and fitness center.

“Both hotels are within a mile from the Palm Springs International Airport, which will continue to attract a wide following of leisure and business travelers,” added Ginther.

In addition to the hotel upgrades, the Palm Springs International Airport has added new seasonal air service. The airport is served by ten airlines and has about 100 daily flights.

·              Alaska Airlines increases to daily round-trips to Seattle/Tacoma beginning August 23.

·              American Airlines launches its nonstop daily Chicago service beginning August 25.

·              American Airlines adds its third Dallas-Ft. Worth flights beginning August 25.

·              United Airlines increases its San Francisco flights to three daily round trips beginning Sept. 2.

·              Flight service on WestJet out of Calgary, Alberta begins on September 8, a full month earlier.

·              Allegiant Air is increasing their Bellingham, WA service beginning September 22.

Within the past year, two new hotel resorts have opened in Palm Springs. The legendary Riviera Resort & Spa along with the trendy Ace Hotel and Swim Club are attracting a new generation of hipsters who love the Palm Springs vibe.

Palm Springs, California is an affordable destination between Los Angeles and Phoenix. Travel deals available at over 130 lodging properties online at www.VisitPalmSprings.com.