When I think of Palm Springs, I think of sun, fun and celebrities. A recent trip to the Riviera Palm Springs provided just that, when I joined other members of the media on the inaugural Virgin America flight from San Francisco to “Hollywood’s Playground.” Also onboard was British billionaire and Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson, who was traveling to Palm Springs for the first time.
“I’ve never been there because I couldn’t afford to go—airfares were so high!” he joked before we took off in San Francisco.
Travelling out of the glitzy Terminal 2 at San Francisco International Airport was a breeze, and after arriving in Palm Springs, a quick musical appearance by a group of Rat Pack impersonators set the mood, and David Cush, CEO of Virgin America, spoke at the gate about the airline’s U.S. expansion.
“We have increased traffic, reduced fares and brought a lot of fun to the markets we’ve gone into,” he said.
Steve Pougnet, mayor of Palm Springs, expressed his enthusiasm about the new route, which runs seasonally, with a daily flight in each direction, continuing on to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport after San Francisco.
“Tourism is the lifeblood of our community,” he said, while discussing how increased accessibility and Virgin’s affordability will enrich the city and surrounding area by bringing more visitors, and hopefully conventions, into town.
Palm Springs has been working to attract a stylish, younger clientele over the past several years, something the trendy—and playfully provocative—Virgin brand may help with, as well as the retro-chic Riviera Palm Springs, an old-school celebrity hideaway that reopened in 2008 after a $70 million renovation.
During Virgin’s standard safety procedure explanation onboard the 147-seat plane, the flight attendant gestured toward the individual seat-back entertainment systems, explaining that the seat-to-seat messaging systems were “perfect for chatting up the hottie in 17 B.”
Ask where that hottie is staying, and the answer may well be the Riviera Palm Springs, which delivered on its promise of “an eclectic blend of retro furnishings, towering palms, sparkling pools and intimate pool-side fire pits.”
The Riviera mixes modern comforts, classic Hollywood style and a touch of quirkiness, while harkening back to its roots as an escape for celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Elvis Presley.
Located within walking distance of downtown Palm Springs, the Riviera also offers groups easy access to popular attractions.
“The Riviera is close to one of the only true ‘downtowns’ in the Palm Springs area, complete with shopping, live entertainment and the weekly VillageFest,” said Mike Islava, director of sales and marketing at the resort. “The city, including the Riviera, has gone through a renaissance. Retro is popular, and we’re attracting a new clientele from hip, younger demographics that are looking for something different than you get at a regular hotel brand. Plus, we have a fun pool area and throw great pool parties in the warmer months.”
My room overlooked the expansive pool deck and featured views of the nearby San Jacinto Mountains, and a visit to the property’s SpaTerre was calm and refreshing.
The resort has 406 guest units and 45,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space.
Outside the resort, communities throughout the desert provide groups with a wealth of additional activities, such as shows, gardens and galleries to see, canyons to hike and street fairs and festivals to explore—including the celebrity-packed Palm Springs International Film Festival.
With fantastic weather, interesting diversions and renovated hotels like the Riviera exuding an ambience of desert cool, it’s no wonder Hollywood’s current elite are among the increasingly diverse clientele heading to Palm Springs.
