When my step-kids visited us for the summer in 2018, we did a series of mini “staycations.” We visited Knott’s Berry Farm, Las Vegas, and Palm Springs. To many this may seem strange, since we were full-time residents in Big Bear Lake, California: a resort town, which draws thousands of tourist in the summer, but we just needed to escape from our own vacation paradise.

We are frequent visitors to the La Quinta Resort and Club in Palm Desert. Click here to check out my previous review.

The resort is located in a cove and surrounded by mountains, providing a stunning experience at both sunrise and sunset. The colors on the mountains are magnificent. The hotel is a historic landmark, built in the 1920’s and although it has expanded over the years, it still retains its Spanish-style architecture with charming decorative tiles. The resort was a favorite of golden era Hollywood celebrities, including Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, and Frank Capra. There are many nods to these celebrities on property; for example, on our first visit, we swam in the Ginger Rogers pool! Speaking of pools, the resort has 41 pools!!!

Although we’ve stayed dozens of times, this trip was special because we decided to upgrade to a suite with a private pool and spa. We stayed in the 1400 square foot King Pueblo Suite. Although technically only one bedroom, the suite has an enormous living room with a convertible sofa for the kids. The King Pueblo Suite was ideal for our family, but would also be a romantic getaway space for a couple.

Even though it can only sleep about four people, it had a kitchen and a dining table for eight. If you’re traveling with extended family or friends, you could rent this room for the private pool and have the other members of your party book standard rooms, using the King Pueblo Suite as a base for gathering.

Here are interior pictures of the King Pueblo Suite-

One of the best features is the long fireplace that can be enjoyed either from the master bath or master bedroom. I could take a bath in the soaking tub and see my husband lying in bed, both of us enjoying the fireplace!

The room was very luxurious, but the best feature was the backyard. When we travel with the kids, pools are a big part of our vacations, but this was the first time that we had experienced our own, private pool.

Several years ago, I posted a tweet about how I had lost a bunch of weight and bought a new dress at Nordstrom to celebrate. Nordstrom saw the tweet and their marketing department sent me a gift package for summer that included a giant donut pool float. We were finally able to use the donut float! We also purchased a giant flamingo float and two smaller floats for this trip. I used to work on a flamingo project at The Greater Los Angeles Zoo and I am forevermore associated with the birds.

We pretty much didn’t leave our private pool for two days. Dan took this picture of me when I fell asleep reading magazines. I had gone inside to take a break from the sun and just couldn’t keep my eyes open. Vacation naps are the best!

No matter what room you stay in, the La Quinta Resort and Club is fabulous, but if you can swing it, the King Pueblo Suite will make your vacation extra special. I think this is especially true, if you don’t have a pool in your home. For a few years, we thought that we would end up living in an area where we would have our own pool, but we have recently purchased a home in Colorado and the private pool dream has vanished.

Just a few more pictures of the resort. I wish I could magically transport myself to the La Quinta Resort and Club, hop in a pool, and feel the hot, desert air, rather than deal with winter weather in Colorado!