The Riviera Resort and Spa gave itself a makeover and the result is a lavish, classic 1950’s style look infused with a bit of modern flair and appeal to give you what should be the centerpiece of Palm Springs for years to come.

A seventy million dollar facelift is a hefty price tag, which leads to lofty expectations. The Riviera not only lived up to the expectations, but surpassed them. From the moment you drive up to the Riviera, your eyes widen as you see the exquisite entrance, and it only gets better from there.

The amazing view at the pool

You have to start with what the Riviera has done to the rooms. They seemingly have started completely over with each and every room, giving each of them all the amenities that you would expect to find in the finest hotels around the world. They give you a flat screen television, a lavish, plush bed, perfect color combinations that fit in with the style of the hotel and a bathroom that is so luxurious it makes you feel as if you are in a spa. What sets the Riviera rooms apart from rooms in other resorts is the view. On one side you might have a spectacular mountain view or on the other side you may have a view of the palm tree laden pool area. You certainly can’t go wrong with either one.

More than a place to lay your head

The Riviera also went over the top with the spectacular Circa 59 restaurant. The first thing that will strike you about this restaurant is the gorgeous outside dining setting that provides you with as romantic of an evening as you could possibly imagine. The outside dining area is dimly lit, giving you the opportunity to have the moon and the stars shine down upon you, while you also look over the pool with a soft glow eminating from the fire pits surrounding the pool's lounge area. Fire pits are also sprinkled throughout the dining area, a fabulous touch. Don’t be mistaken, the atmosphere is not the only reason to go to Circa 59, Executive Chef Adam Votaw has put together a menu to match the setting. The best way to kick off your meal is to start with the crab cake, not only do they have the texture down perfectly, but the tomato jam is a unique contrast to the crab cake giving it just a touch of sweetness for a perfect blend of flavors. Circa 59 serves up a number of great seafood dishes, but the best item on the menu if you are looking for the steakhouse side of things is the "allen brother's" ribeye. This perfectly prepared piece of meat is so tender and flavorful, you dare not do anything to it other than cut it and chew. 

Outside at Circa 59

Once you are finished with dinner, nightlife is easy to find. Three hot spots offer an opportunity for a great night without leaving the resort. The Bikini Bar, a great poolside bar, has a variety of lounging areas, from beds to couches to plush chairs with fire pits scattered  throughout the area. The sidebar and the Starlite lounge are located inside the resort. The sidebar, simply put, is the place to be in Palm Springs, and always has a crowd. Near the entrance of the resort is the Starlite lounge, with a 30-foot video wall and nightly DJ. With this variety of options for fun, why leave?

The perfect place to catch some rays

The Riviera spared no expense or imagination as they put together the SpaTerre, as this 12,000 square-foot spa that is more of an oasis than your typical spa. To put you in a relaxed state, the SpaTerre features the “Buddha Lounge.” This is a great place to put you in a tranquil state, and it features a jacuzzi as well as a Watsu pool with waterfalls. The treatments available are seemingly endless in terms of massages, and they also offer a spray tan and a full-service salon. You could really spend the entire day in the SpaTerre! They also offer a fitness center. with locker rooms include a sauna to complete your relaxing day.

An evening at the Riviera

As you make your way into Palm Springs you very well might have no idea what you are looking for, where the hot spots are or just some of the local tips that can make your vacation more enjoyable. The staff at the Riviera was as knowledgeable as any group you will find anywhere. It does not matter if you want to know a great place to grab breakfast, how to make your way over to the mountains for a hike or just how to maneuver through the challenging one-way streets of Palm Springs, they always had an answer for you and so detailed that even the novice traveler would feel at ease. The staff seems to view their jobs as more than that, they come across as an old friend, greeting you and quickly learning your name. They always make sure your every need is taken care of and if you need to find anything they won’t just tell you, they will lead the way to make sure you find exactly what you are looking for. Just based on service, the Riviera is the epitome of class and leaves you with a feel-good experience.

The Starlite lounge

The Riviera does not limit itself to catering to the individual, as amazingly they offer the second largest meeting venue in the valley, with the 19,760 square-foot Grand Ballroom. The Riviera in total has 40,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event accommodations that can take care of any personal or business needs that you are looking to fulfill. Finally if you are looking to get married, the Riviera provides you with a stunning backdrop for that special day.

If you have not had a chance to experience all that Palm Springs has to offer or if you are a frequent visitor, the Riviera is the place to lay your head down to make your visit completely fulfilling.

For more information on the Riviera Resort & Spa, visit: www.psriviera.com or call (866) 588-8311

From time to time Splash Magazines receives complimentary products and services from companies. The receipt of these gifts in no way affects our reviews or opinions in our editorial coverage. Our loyalty is to you, our readers, and we will give you our honest, unbiased opinions.

Copyright © 2003 - 2010 Splash Magazines Worldwide. All rights reserved.

Top of Page