Spa Resort & Casino - For business or pleasure!
Written: Apr 15 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Close to the convention center and lots of amenities.
Cons: The casino and hotel are in two separate buildings.
The Bottom Line: With it's close proximity to the convention center and a lot of amenities, the Spa Resort & Casino is good for business and pleasure!
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| GOkinaka's Full Review: Spa Resort Casino |
Well, several months ago.....it was time for another stay in Palm Springs, CA for a business convention. I had previously stayed at a few other hotels in the area:
Ramada Resort
Desert Springs Marriott
Hyatt Regency Suites
Doral Palm Springs Resort
But this time, I wanted to stay at a hotel closer to the convention center that had some nice amenities.
After a search on Expedia.com, I came upon the Spa Resort and Casino.
GETTING THERE
Coming from the Las Vegas or even the Los Angeles area, your best option it to drive there.....as you'll need a car to get around anyway. It's just too much of a hassle to get to the airport, wade through the security checkpoint, get on the plane for the short flight, then get your bags and rent a rental car. Driving from Las Vegas will only take you about 3-4 hours to get to Palm Springs.
Here are some good maps to follow:
http://www.sparesortcasino.com/index.php?PID=DIRECTIONS
However, disregard the "Free Parking" that it shows on the map, as you'll want to valet park at the hotel itself which is right off of Taquitz Canyon Road and not Amado Road.
THE RESORT AND THE CASINO
Okay, unlike the casinos and resorts here in the Las Vegas area, the Spa Resort and Casino is split up into two different buildings that are across the street from each other: one for the resort and one for the casino. Don't make the mistake that I made and go into the casino thinking that your room is there somewhere, so if you start to see a lot of slot machines and the sort, go right back out as the resort is right off of Taquitz Canyon Road.
As for the casino, even though I walked aimlessly through it looking for a front desk that didn't exist (must be the "not asking for directions kind of guy thing"), I didn't really spend too much time at the casino during my stay there. I guess that the allure of gambling is kind of lost on me since there are so many within a short driving distance of my home in the Las Vegas area.
I can say that it is open 24 hours (as most casinos are) and it seemed to offer pretty much what a small casino in Las Vegas would offer: a plethora of slot machines, table games, a poker room, etc.
CHECK-IN/OUT
Alrighty then, once I finally got to the front desk, I found that checking in (and obviously....eventually checking out) of the hotel was a snap. Fortunately, there wasn't a huge line to check into the hotel as it seemed as there were only a few computer stations at the front desk to do so. The front desk staff were very cordial and friendly.....just the kind of first impression that you'd like to have.
The elevators (which require a key card) are just to the side of the front desk for convenience. Additionally, there is an ATM adjacent to the front desk as well.
THE ROOM
Well, the room that I had was nice enough for my stay. It had two queen beds, a desk with two chairs, an armoire, and it was in a pleasing color palette of brown/tan hues (furniture, carpet, drapes, bedding, etc.) The bathroom was adequately sized although you can tell it was a "standard room" and not one of their penthouse suites.
The room also featured:
- Wireless Internet Access (surcharge)*
- Air Conditioning
- Cable Television with pay movies
- Refrigerator
- Coffee/Tea Maker
- Complimentary Gilchrist & Soames Toiletries
- Clock Radio
- Hairdryer
- Iron/Ironing Board
*Okay, how many times can I say it.....why are we supposed to pay for wireless internet at a expensive hotel as compared to getting it for free at your local Best Western or Holiday Inn Express? You would think that this would be included as another amenity for the hotel?
HOTEL AMENITIES
Some of the other hotel amenities included are:
- Full-service health spa
- Fitness Center
- Outdoor pool**
- Spa pool
- Steam room
- Sauna
- Hair Salon
- Room Service
- Meeting & Conference Rooms
- Complimentary airport transportation
- Valet & Free Self Parking***
**Even though I was tempted to get a massage at the health spa, this was a business trip, so I opted to just take a dip in the pool and get a little sun during my stay. The pool isn't an olympic size pool or anything, but it was big enough to cool off and swim a few laps.
***Sure they have free self parking there, but it's not like it is right next to the hotel. You have to walk a little bit to get to the free parking area. So, your best bet is to use the valet parking which will cost you anywhere from $5 to $15 for a 24 hour period.
In addition to room service, the Spa Resort and Casino offers several options for dining or drinking either at the hotel or at the casino:
- The Steakhouse at the Spa
- Oasis Buffet
- The Noodle Bar
- Agua Bar & Grill
- The Corner Deli & Specialty Coffee
- Sundance Bar
- The Player's Bar
THE COST
My stay at the Spa Resort and Casino cost me about $110 per night for the room. All in all including taxes and fees, it was a little under $260 for my stay there which wasn't too bad.
During the convention, this is a pretty standard room rate to pay although it can get a lot more expensive during the weekends or during the winter. For example, right now for a mid-week, two night stay.....it'll cost about $195 per night for the room not including any taxes or fees.
OVERALL
Overall, I was very pleased with the Spa Resort and Casino. It was a nice place to stay with a lot of amenities and was very close to the Palm Springs Convention Center.
For more information:
Spa Resort & Casino
http://www.sparesortcasino.com
(888) 999-1995
Hotel Address:
100 N. Indian Canyon
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Casino Address:
401 E. Amado Road
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
GOkinaka
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: George Okinaka
Location: Las Vegas, NV (USA)
Reviews written: 130
Trusted by: 196 members
About Me:
George is a native Las Vegan in commercial real estate who loves to travel.
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