Moms Stay and Play at the Viceroy Palm Springs!

A couple weeks ago I was invited to the Viceroy Palm Springs to experience their fabulous “Mom’s Stay and Play Getaway Package” and it was a trip I will never forget! I hope this post inspires you to get on email today and start passing around dates with your “besties” to make a plan for a getaway.  Time away with girlfriends just feeds your soul. And the Viceroy Palm Springs is just the perfect distance from OC to make you feel like you are in another world, yet you are still less than two hours  from home.  This property is a little sparkling gem in the desert.

With your accommodations this getaway package {<–click link for details!} includes…

$200 Estrella spa credit * $50 breakfast credit * Welcome goodie basket
* Two signature cocktails * Valet parking for 2 cars * Waived resort fee* Complimentary yoga class on Friday, Saturday or Sunday mornings * Membership to the “My Very Viceroy” program

After experiencing the charm of the Viceroy, I was lamenting to my friend about how I was going to possibly summarize my experience in a fairly succinct manner because the property was just BEYOND in every aspect! So she suggested, why don’t you break it down to five main points on what makes this property so special? That’s what friends are for – to help me focus!   So here are the things (only 5 out of a list of about 100!) that I loved most about this refuge in the desert…

Personalized service and a quaint, boutique hotel feel

The moment we walked in, we were greeted by name, and every single employee made you feel like a guest in their home. Every person we encountered at the Viceroy had a “what can I get you?” attitude.   I felt like my stay at the property mattered.  The amazingly wonderful guest services manager, Don, even walked by my friend at the pool and she told me he looked directly in her eyes and asked how she was enjoying her stay.  But more than that, she said what surprised her is that he really MEANT IT! Service and attention like this goes a long way.  It’s what makes you want to return to a hotel again, and again and again.

Here is one of the beautiful villas…

And this is one of the three pools flanked by the outdoor seating area of Citron, the restaurant. At night the trees and hanging lanterns lit up and you could lounge on the large daybeds and enjoy the desert evening under the stars…

Swank Factor

The interior design, done by the famous Kelly Wearstler, really captures the feel of  the 1930’s when the property was first built as a bungalow hotel.  It really does conjure up images of  the glamorous “Old Hollywood” days when stars flocked to Palm Springs for a desert getaway.   Keeping with that style, but with a modern touch, every single part of the property decor from the circular starburst mirrors to the stunning color palate was just so swanky and ultra-hip!   For those of you that enjoy the art of interior design, you will be in HEAVEN appreciating the black, white and lemon yellow details and modern glamour.

Here is one of the beautiful one bedroom villas we saw on the tour.  It felt like a little home complete with a beautifully designed living room with fireplace…

Crisp black and white bedroom…

Even a private patio to enjoy your breakfast coffee or hang out with friends and enjoy a martini and the sunset-colored sky over the mountains…

The villas also featured a dining area and kitchen.

Food: Citron you had me at first bite

One of the points I was going to bring up is this property is conveniently located only a block or so away from downtown Palm Springs, so it is walking-distance from restaurants where you could go out to eat.  Then my friend and I looked at each other I kid you not, said “but you wouldn’t want to” at the same time!  The food at the property’s restaurant was, and I am not just saying this, some of the finest cuisine I have had in a very LONG time. “Oh my GOD” sort of food, and we indulged, a lot. But isn’t that what you are supposed to do on vacation?

Here is the outdoor seating next to the pool at Citron…

and indoors…

Relaxation

When I am going on a girls’ getaway, I want to RELAX and not worry about ONE THING. This was the type of place where you can drive up, leave your keys and not step foot off the property the entire time because it has everything you would want. With three pools on property to enjoy, I found them to be quaint and comfortable, stocked with bright yellow floating rafts for lounging under the sun and comfy lounge chairs and umbrellas for reading.  The spa was conveniently located and home to a gorgeous jacuzzi looking out at the desert mountains.  And on the weekends, yoga is included and it was a phenomenal experience (another post to come on the spa.)  Want a drink? A server was never far away.  Want a pedicure in your room? No problem, the resort can set up an appointment.

Sooooo relaxing…this mama enjoyed her People magazine by this gorgeous pool…

Comfort

Let’s get real here, if I am going to be enjoying an evening away from my baby monitor, all I really want to be happy (other than a Citron cocktail) is a GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP.   When I sunk into this bed and drifted off to sleep to the sound of the desert rain I slept like a baby in their super cozy, Italian designer linen and down comforter bed. That is until my 4 year old woke me up with a “good morning” call the next morning…but I didn’t mind after how well I slept!

Here were the delightful beds…

And here is the “goodie basket” we were greeted with!

Brownies, wine AND People magazine?! Nothing could have made me happier!

When I was reflecting about the trip, I realized that the most priceless gift of all was to have time AWAY, to reflect and step off the crazy hamster wheel of our busy mommy lives.

It is such a blessing to get the opportunity to slow down. Time to talk and bond and connect with girlfriends. Time to LAUGH with friends.  Time to breathe. After my stay and some great conversations I definitely walked away with new outlooks on some things in my life and a recharged battery.

So when I stepped back on my hamster wheel when I returned, at least I was running with a little pep in my step!

And you can’t put a price tag on that! xoxox

{Disclosure: I was invited to attend this event to share about this package firsthand and accommodations and meals were provided. We also were treated to spa treatments from the fabulous Estrella Spa – another post to come!  My heartfelt thanks to the staff at Viceroy Palm Springs for the memories and for treating us like guests in your beautiful home!}

Here is our amazing group! Photo compliments of Shanna at My Favorite Everything. Click HERE for her post on this trip, she has some phenomenal photos.  She is so talented!

Front row seated left to right:  Hollywood Housewife, Don the delightful Guest Services Manager, Savvy Sassy Moms, Romy Raves, La Jolla Mom

Standing left to right: What Would Gwyneth Do, Harrison the Citron Server extraordinaire (I let him order for me from the preset menu and boy did he steer me right!), My Favorite Everything, Me and Diego the General Manager of this magical property