3 Fun Days at the Miramonte Resort in Indian Wells

Author: Jill Weinlein
Date of Trip: December 2016

Checking into the Miramonte for two nights, I noticed the boutique hotel is nestled at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains and dotted with fragrant olive, orange, lemon and cypress trees. The two story hotel is spread out among 11 acres of land decorated with brilliant pinks and peach bougainvillea flowers.

Miramonte is located in the heart of the Coachella Valley between La Quinta and Palm Springs. This popular desert town is now a global destination for locals and guests watching elite tennis players compete at the BNP Paribas Open in the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. It’s also an ideal location to stay while attending all of the music festivals – Coachella, Stagecoach and Desert Trip.

I was surprised to learn the resort was once a Polynesian looking property, called the The Erawan Garden Hotel, built in 1963. This was the same year, that the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway opened. After millions of dollars in renovations, it’s now a Mediterranean/Italian style property, and much more intimate than the Marriott and Hyatt Regency across the street.

My spacious suite #710 had a large Venetian style terrace with two chairs and a round table. This is the ideal spot for room service breakfast in the morning, and a glass of wine with cheese plate before dinner. It looks out onto the wedding lawn and main pool area. My room had a King-size bed, 42′ LCD fat screen television, large sitting area and desk. Privacy curtains can be pulled from the bedroom to separate the sitting area. The updated bathroom offers two marble sinks – one by the closet, outside the shower area, and the another sink in the commode and shower area with NEST products. There is also an in-room coffee maker and safe, robe in the closet, a hairdryer hanging on the back of the door and large shower with a sitting bench.

Here are five memorable Miramonte moments I enjoyed while staying at the resort –

Morning Hike With The General Manager
If you would like to take a morning hike during your stay, GM Mark Jeffrey and his dog Derby will take you on a morning walk to one of the 45 trails within a 40 mile radius. I requested a hike with other guests to the nearby cross on a hill in Palm Desert. Derby (a friendly golden lab) led the way on a dirt path to exquisite views of the Coachella Valley. Some say Frank Sinatra had this cross installed up on top of the hill as a tribute to his mother. It’s a moderate 4.1 mile hike, ideal to get your 10,000 steps in for the day. Hikes are available based on Jeffrey and Derby’s availability.

Spa Time

The Well Spa is located in an intimate two-story Tuscany-style private building with 13 different treatment rooms. Downstairs is the reception area, boutique, relaxation lounge, men and women’s locker rooms. Outside is a large courtyard offering a semi private hot salt water whirlpool and a cooler pool. Upstairs are the quiet treatment rooms for personalized massages and facials. Ask for my massage therapist, Elizabeth. She not only gave me one of the best massages I have ever experienced, but she put a cooling anti-aging mask on my face to plump my skin in the dry dessert air. Spa guests can order from the beverage bar with light fare and from the exclusive Spa menu for delivery to the outside courtyard or relaxation room. There is complimentary citrus flavored water and bowl of fruit.

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Watch or Play Tennis

The Miramonte Resort and Spa is within walking distance to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, known for hosting the fifth-largest tennis tournament in the world, the BNP Paribas Open. The next world class tennis tournament will be held during March 6-19, 2017. Guests can participate in clinics, shop for unique tennis items and watch the top tennis players in the world compete for the number one title.

Dining at The Grove Artisan Kitchen

Executive Chef Paul Hancock prepares dishes from the local Coachella farms-to-table ingredients. The hotel planted four raised vegetable and herb boxes near a bubbling fountain for the chef to harvest and snip ‘home grown’ fresh herbs. Next to the hotel’s restaurant is the Vineyard lounge offering an impressive wine selection, hand-crafted cocktails, and lively atmosphere. This is a social hub for locals and resort guests. Take your drink outside to sit at one of the heated circular fire pits scattered around the grounds. Both days I ordered the avocado toast with grilled asparagus, butternut squash, tomato and a poached egg on top. Delicious!

Bike Into Town

Leave your car parked at the resort and borrow a resort cruiser bike with a front basket. Ride on paved walkways and bike paths to Indian Wells Coffee Co. to get a honey, cinnamon latter with almond milk. The coffee is organic and roasted locally in Joshua Tree. It’s so good! There are pastry treats to take on your ride and nibble along the way. Nearby Palm Desert offers a mecca of stores along the El Paseo Shopping District for a few hours of shopping.

The Miramonte Resort and Spa is a beautiful resort for making memories during a family reunion, wedding, concert destination and desert weekend trip.

Miramonte Resort & Spa 45000 Indian Wells Lane Indian Wells, CA 92210 (760) 341-2200
(800) 237-2926 – www.miramonteresort.com