La Quinta
La Quinta is a resort community in the Coachella Valley, which also includes other more well known communities like Palm Springs, Indian Wells, Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage. Most notable for it’s annual music festival at the Coachella fairgrounds, the area is a common weekend vacation spot for Southern California residents with it’s year round sunshine, pristine golf and tennis facilities and pool-centric culture.
While Palm Springs is certainly the most well recognized neighborhood in the area with its bright and bold mid-century modern architecture, glamorous pools and flashy hospitality, La Quinta is quite the opposite. Mostly made up of gated communities housing vacation homes, private tennis courts and clubs, the La Quinta Resort and Club remains the centerpiece of the more understated desert enclave.
My first trip to La Quinta was actually with my mother for some much needed R&R almost a decade ago and even though we set off to explore other areas of the Coachella Valley since we distinctly remembered how fabulous staying poolside on the resort premises was during some long and hazy afternoons at La Quinta. This time around we decided to fully invest our time at the hotel, not a car ride anywhere in between check-in and check-out and it was the best call yet.
Poolside Veuve
Immediately upon arrival we jumped into our swimwear and headed straight to the pool for lunch, where we were pleasantly surprised by the Veuve Clicquot cart before our salads arrived. My mother was in heaven with her glass of champs and bright 75 degree weather and I was delighted to have my first spritz with Veuve given they are typically made with prosecco, which is never as good!
Having the whole afternoon to lounge, chat, read and soak up the sunshine was such a treat given how chaotic life has been with the holidays, our house floors getting redone and day to day with an active toddler. I didn’t even consider trying to book a massage which I almost always do on vacation because the idea of no scheduled appointments before dinner was far too appealing.
Desert Dinner
After our fun in the sun we moseyed our way back to our little casita to shower up before dinner. I took full advantage of the selection at the resort market for post dinner snacks knowing full well my mother is nothing like my hubby and child who are always trying to steal anything sweet or salty I attempt to save for myself!
The resort was beautifully decorated for the holidays with bright beautiful lights and a big beautiful Christmas tree that looked truly magnificent at dusk.
As planned we stayed on resort for nice dinner at Morgan’s in the Desert, a cozy spot with fireplaces, a festive bar area and live music. The menu is solid American steakhouse style with a great wine list and cocktails, my mother and I both enjoyed our well cooked fish before calling it an early night.
Back at the room we immediately put on our PJ’s so my mom could watch Nobody Wants This for the first time and she was so pleased as expected! Such a great show to rewatch and I was beyond happy with my fireside snacks.
A most perfect end to the evening.
Morning Dip
The next morning I slept in until 9am, not to brag, but amazing sleep when you’re husband, toddler and dog free! We took our coffee orders poolside to soak in every last ray of sunshine and when I tell you my bikini cardigans had to take a backseat both days of the trip I was flabbergasted by the good weather. Everyone tends to think of the desert as consistently hot year-round but it too has seasons, this time of year generally being the chilliest.
Final bites
However, we rode our luck all the way into a tasty lunch at Adobe Grill, the resort’s more relaxed Mexican eatery that is perfect for margarita lunch (ours sans tequila) before short the drive home.
My mom was so happy to see a brown salsa on the table and loved her ceviche. I was hell bent on the queso fundido and we split the adobe salad, a true feast it was for our last hurrah!
