October 13, 2012



While this review is about the Riviera, I am including a little bit extra about our night on the town in Palm Springs.



We did a lot of research before we picked a place to stay in Palm Springs, Cal. After weighing our options, we realized that the Riviera Palm Springs Resort and Spa had everything we were looking for. Pools, fitness center, bars, lounge, restaurant, spa, parking, etc. And it was also just a few minutes (or a cheap cab ride) away. When booking, we opted for the Sunday Funday package, as it included a $50 credit for dinner at Circa 59, 25 percent off spa services (not to be combined with any other offers) and two drink coupons. While booking immediately after my friend, I was told he had booked the last king-sized room for that package, so I booked the two-queen bed room for the same price, with a request to be on the same floor.



Upon arrival, we were promptly greeted by valet and bellboys. After checking in, we were given resort bracelets, which only gave us permission to be on the property, as this was not an all inclusive resort and we still got carded every place we went on the property. We were also informed that we’d be on the same floor, however, we were in different buildings, not close at all, unless we cut through the pool area, which is what we did most of the time. The bellboy asked if he could bring all our bags to one room, so we ended up lugging our bags through the buildings to get to our room. Not a huge deal, but I was a little disappointed as this resort is pretty classy (and pricey). Soon after we got to our rooms, we explored and grabbed some lunch at the Bikini Bar at the main pool. We sampled a burger, fish tacos and a chicken wrap, all of which were pretty tasty. However, I was disappointed again when I saw the price of the watered down drinks. OK, maybe they weren’t watered down, but for $11 a pop, I was expecting a stronger-ish drink, which I did not get. In fact, the drink I ordered was supposed to be lemonade and sweet tea vodka, however, at the second pool bar, the bartender was adding regular iced tea.



After lunch, we got changed and hung out at the Deep End pool, the quieter of the two pool areas. This pool area also included a hot tub, which patrons could control, which I liked. I also liked the plethora of towels, as at most resorts, towels are sometimes few and far between. The lounge chairs were also very comfortable.

Soon after our swim, we cleaned up and caught a cab into the downtown area, which was only a few minutes away. As the recommendation of the bellboy who got us a cab, we headed over to Las Casuelas, a Mexican restaurant that we were convinced the bellboys send all the people from the resort looking for a place to eat. However, it was pretty tasty and worth the wait. After dinner we stumbled upon a tobacco store, which was actually a small wine bar, which had a wonderful microbrewery in the back with a small lounge area. Fame is the name of the place and the owner was so accommodating. Once inside, he said we could get our cigars and head to the back for drinks and to hang out on the comfortable couches.



Drinks and cigars were had, and then we hopped a cab back to the Riviera for more drinks and dancing at the Starlite Lounge. After getting carded yet again, we headed to the lounge, which was actually a small area off to the side of the reception area, with a DJ, a guy with a laptop. However, despite the overpriced drinks (again) and the weird layout, we managed to score a table area and have a good time. Disappointed though when we requested some reggae songs, and the DJ said he wasn’t allowed to play those songs. Oh well.



In the AM, we were hungry, and to our disappointment again, if we wanted room service breakfast we realized we had to have put out our order the night before and the next food we could order was at 11 a.m. and it was only 9 a.m. It was at that point we realized that we never received our drink vouchers and our voucher for dinner. After a call to the front desk, an envelope was slipped under our door with all of the Sunday Funday information. Something that I feel should have been given to us upon checking in. 



Despite the minor disappointments, we weren’t deterred as it was soon time for our massages at SpaTerre. Upon arrival, the ladies were lead to our locker room, given robes and sandals and then lead to the co-ed Buddha Lounge, which had a hot tub and small pool. After a quick dip, we lounged in the private area, where I promptly fell asleep until my therapist showed up. She was young, but very professional. After asking me what she should work on, she got to work on my massage. However, once again, I was disappointed. Despite her professional demeanor, I felt her Swedish massage was not. Her hands left my body every time she got more oil or moved to a different body part. She didn’t focus on my lower back, which I had told her to do, she would keep the bottle of oil on the table between my legs as she worked and when it was over, she put the robe and my clothes on top of me on the table. She bowed, which I thought was a little strange. But as soon as I walked out, she was professional again, holding water for me and leading me back to the lounge. I was pretty upset about this experience, as I was really looking forward to the massage and it helping my back. When in reality, my back actually hurt a bit more after. While the spa itself was beautiful and relaxing, I felt the service itself was sub par.



The rest of the afternoon was spent at the pool, where I remembered the free drink coupons and used them at the pool bar, where I got another mixed sweet tea drink, with extra iced tea, bleh.



Dinner was tricky, as our friend was proposing to his girlfriend. He had been working with the Riviera and Circa 59 to make sure everything was perfect. We got a private room with excellent wait staff, which was a huge plus. After getting seated, the staff made themselves scarce for the actual proposal, but somehow magically appeared with champagne for us all after she said yes. The food was pretty tasty, most of us got the mac and cheese and steak, all perfectly cooked. Our waitress was attentive, making sure our glasses were always filled with wine and water. And even though we were too stuffed for dessert, the manager comped us two desserts to share with the table, which was very nice. The bill was a little tricky, as we had to alert the staff to our two $50 credits for dinner, but in the end, everything got sorted out.



I really had mixed feelings about the Riviera. While the service was pretty decent, I felt it was extremely overpriced. And for a place that calls itself a resort, I felt the food and drink should be available 24/7. In addition, an all inclusive option might have been cool, as at times when we were drinking, we were given the option to charge it to the room, which could be dangerous to some. Did I relax? Yes. Did I spend too much money? Yes. Especially since during our stay, I received an alert from Travelzoo (a discount travel website) for a deal for the Riviera for $99 for one night, any day of the week, including two free drinks. Funny how we paid $500 for two nights. And honestly, to charge a ‘resort fee’ that includes, parking, pool access, phone calls and fitness center access is ridiculous as those thing should ALWAYS be included in the base occupancy fee.

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I would recommend the Riviera, but I would warn people who stay to watch what they pay for and to look for deals for stays, the spa and the restaurant. It is a beautiful place in the middle of the desert with amazing views, but not worth full price.



Riviera Palm Springs Resort and Spa

1600 North Indian Canyon Drive

Palm Springs, CA 92262

Hotel Direct: (760) 327-8311

Reservations: (866) 588-8311
SpaTerre Services



Other links:

Fame Tobacco and Wine
Las Casuelas