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Happenings - Palm Springs

Palm Springs

  • The $30 million Ace Hotel & Swim Club (760.325.9900; www.acehotel.com/palmsprings) opened in February 2009. The 4.5-acre property encompasses 180 guest rooms, the Amigo Room bar with seating for up to 100, a private pool with 4,000 square feet of event space, a spa and fitness room, outdoor fireplaces, green technology and native desert landscaping.
  • The Renaissance Palm Springs (760.322.6000; www.marriott.com), formerly Wyndham Palm Springs, opened in December following a multimillion-dollar renovation. The hotel features 410 guest rooms and 30,000 square feet of convention space, which when combined with the adjacent Palm Springs Convention Center can offer 180,000 square feet of conference space.
  • In February, Hotel Zoso (760.325.9676; www.hotelzoso.com) completed renovations to its lobby, restaurant, event space and exterior. The hotel offers over 22,000 square feet of function space, including the 9,500-square-foot Grand Zoso Ballroom.
  • In January, Hyatt Regency Suites Palm Springs (760.322.9000; http://palmsprings.hyatt.com) emerged from a $15 million renovation, including upgrades to all 197 suites. Each suite now boasts a minimum of 606 square feet and includes private balconies. Nine cabana suites offer poolside privacy and an indoor/outdoor living space on an expanded outdoor terrace.
  • Palm Canyon Resort (760.767.5341; www.palmcanyonresort.com) finished a $2 million renovation in early 2009. The resort also opened an all-new fitness center last July.
  • Palm Springs Travelodge (760.327.1211;www.palmcanyonhotel.com) reopened last March after a $3 million renovation. Additions include an outdoor fire pit and a lobby with vintage Hollywood decor and computer areas.
  • Planning is under way for a new $200 million Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs (407.445.ROCK; www.hardrockhotels.com) to be located in downtown Palm Springs adjacent to the Palm Springs Convention Center. Plans for this nine-story, 494-room property include three restaurants; a three-acre pool area with 38 cabanas, fire pits and a beach; a 6,500-square-foot nightclub and 25,000-square-foot recording studio; a 25,000-square-foot, two-story spa; and 35,000 square feet of ballroom and meeting space. The hotel is slated to open in 2012.
  • Mondrian Hotel & Condos (www.morganshotelgroup.com) is slated to debut in 2011 adjacent to the Palm Springs Convention Center. The hotel will include 200 guest rooms, 50 condo-hotel units and up to 150 condominiums. The property will also feature a Skybar, an 8,000-square-foot ballroom, meeting rooms and associated facilities, a 10,780-square-foot spa and fitness facility, a pool, a restaurant and a gourmet market.

Rancho Mirage 

  • In February 2009, Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa (866.923.7244; www.hotwatercasino.com) opened The Show, a $75 million, 2,000-seat headliner showroom. Meanwhile, the resort’s $300 million, 340-room hotel opened in April 2008. The property offers a 13,000-square-foot conference center.
  • The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage (760.321.8282; www.ritzcarlton.com) is slated to open in 2011. The $500 million, 40-acre property will include a 244-room resort; a multimillion-dollar, 24,000-square-foot spa; a wine bar; and a restaurant by famed chef/restaurateur Joachim Splichal. The property will also offer two signature pools, 18,000 square feet of indoor function space, more than 40,000 square feet of outdoor venues, a golf/tennis concierge and a "hiking butler" overseeing more than 20 miles of hiking trails.

Indio

  • In January, Spotlight 29 Casino (866.377.6829; www.spotlight29.com) completed a $52 million renovation project. Enhancements included $34 million in casino upgrades that also added 150,000 square feet of space, more than doubling the size of the facility.

Palm Desert

  • Fairmont Avanterra (800.257.7544; www.avanterra.com) is slated to break ground this year as part of the $2.5 billion environmentally progressive, master-planned community called Avanterra. The property will be located adjacent to the Classic Club golf course. The hotel development will offer 300 rooms and 125 Fairmont Residences and Fairmont Gold concierge rooms, a variety of dining outlets, 26,000 square feet of indoor function space, outdoor event areas and a 45,000-square-foot spa. The resort is scheduled for completion in 2011.
  • Homewood Suites by Hilton Palm Desert (760.568.1600; http://homewoodsuites1.hilton.com), a 129-unit hotel, opened last August, aimed at the extended-stay market.
  • Palm Desert City Council recently approved plans for an 88-unit Candlewood Suites (877.226.3539; www.ichotelsgroup.com), to be located near the University Park Development. Groundbreaking is slated for later this year.

La Quinta

  • Homewood Suites by Hilton La Quinta (760.391.4600; http://homewoodsuites1.hilton.com) opened in January with 129 guest rooms and more than 1,400 square feet of flexible meeting space.