All of the five restaurants have been renovated over the last two years, and all get their fair share of business from the locals, which is not common for hotel restaurants.

They have approximately a dozen retail shops, a 30K square foot spa facility. All guest rooms will be renovated beginning in early May and will be completed in September. This renovation includes the guest room corridors, which will get new lighter colored carpet and drapes covering window areas.

The lobby was renovated last fall and mostly consisted of new light fixtures, a new marble center at the main entrance, and new carpeting (same pattern) where it was needed. Also many of the stairs leading from the lobby down to the boat landing received new marble like covering.

It is a large hotel, with nearly 900 rooms, and distances are sometimes great from the main lobby. The advantage most times is that if you are far away from the lobby, you are close to other things such as the spa, golf shop/check-in, the shops, or restaurants. Superior view rooms primarily overlook the large man-made lake off the back of the property with the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains off in the distance.

Two 18-hole courses: the Palms, and the Valley. Plenty of tennis courts including grass, and some are lighted. Costa's Nightclub open 8p-2a 7-days a week. Don't let them put you in rooms with last three digits 203-221, at least for the 4-6 floors. The club is directly below on floor 1, but the vibration from the bangin' tunes can sometimes be heard and felt in those rooms.

They do take customer service seriously at this property. Much repeat business for both meetings/conventions and pleasure. That is the true sign of the popularity or success of a service related business.

Weather wise, let's see. All this week it has been in the mid-70s (seasonable) and no high wind / sand storms to speak of. That does not happen all that often, actually. I have lived in Palm Springs for more than four years now, so I think I can comment on the weather. Having said that, yes, the summers are sweltering at times, but not unbearable.

Guess I better call it quits for now. If you would like to know details, e-mail me or reply to this topic. Be more than happy....

AtlMan