5 Reasons to Make a Trip to Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa

5 Reasons to Make a Trip to Renaissance Indian Wells Resort

By Erin

Located in the heart of the prestigious desert community of Indian Wells is the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort and Spa. 13 miles from Palm Springs and nestled at the foot of the majestic Santa Rosa Mountains, makes for an easy getaway weekend for those in Southern California. For those outside that area, Palm Springs International Airport is a quick 16 miles away. I was invited to come and stay here for the weekend to check it out, share my thoughts and show you my favorite spots. I hope you enjoy this beautiful property as much as I did!

 

Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa

The Pools 

One of the biggest draws for me to want to stay at a hotel or resort has always been the pools! As soon as I saw what the pools here looked like at the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa , I could not wait to get here. The resort boasts the largest hotel swimming pool complex in the desert region including three distinct pools, a pool bar, cabanas, a waterfall and hot tubs. A poolside sandy beach entrance is perfect for traveling families–It is a special favorite among families/children and beach lovers. An amazing pool cabana experience featuring flat-screen TV’s, sofas, loungers, ceiling fans, personal coolers and refreshments.

Our cabana for the day and refreshments. It was so relaxing to just sit by the pool and enjoy the beautiful day with family.

The pool is just as beautiful at night and perfect for some hot tub time!

Room with a View

Very spacious, modern, upscale guest rooms – among the largest and most comfortable in the area. The best part I think is, those VIEWS! How amazing is it to wake up in the morning or go out at night and see THIS view from your room???

The rooms are very spacious and comfortable. As you can tell by the views above, I especially loved our patio!

Star Suites, featuring specially commissioned celebrity artwork and retro decor inspired by legends of Hollywood including Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball and Bing Crosby to name a few. Our room had some neat artwork in the bathroom on the wall.

The bathrooms were very spacious as well, more than one person can get ready at a time. All the amenities you could possible need are here.

The Spa

Spa Esmeralda, features both indoor and outdoor treatment and spa pool offerings, as well as a salon and fitness facilities. The spa is beautiful and the perfect place to get away to relax and enjoy a facial, massage, body scrub or wrap, waxing and nail care. I enjoyed a luxurious facial during my time here and enjoyed every second of it.

One of my favorite places at the spas was outdoors. Such a beautiful outdoor spa. Very private, quite and serene.

The Food

There are numerous food and beverage locations and dining experiences throughout the resort – including amazing sushi, SPC serving casual, modern Italian cuisine, and Cava – serving a broad menu of American and family favorites. Vegan and gluten-free options are available.

During my stay here we tried the seafood buffet that they serve at Cava on Friday nights. We also had breakfast here both mornings during our stay.

Just a few of the many options to enjoy at the seafood buffet. Everything is served up super fresh and was oh so delicious.

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Do You Know the Way to San Jose? @TeamSanJose #SanJoseUnplugged

Do You Know the Way to San Jose?

By Erin

*Disclosure: I participated in a media tour to San Jose; all thoughts and opinions are my own*

San JoseLast month I ventured up to San Jose for a very fun and exciting FAM trip. Normally you might just pass on through San Jose not giving it a second thought as you move on to other destinations such as San Francisco or Napa Valley, but there is so much you are missing out on! I will be doing a series of posts this month all about some of the things to see, do, stay at and eat out at in this wonderful city. There is still so much for me to explore myself in San Jose, I hope to be able to return again soon! San Jose truly is a city for any foodies out there. The food alone makes me want to go back, NOW! 😉

Here is some information about San Jose and what I look forward to sharing more with you about shortly as we make our way through San Jose.

Why would you want to come to San Jose? San Jose is rich in history, culture, the arts, and more.

*San Jose is the oldest civilian settlement in California, founded in 1777.

*The site of the first state capital.

*Silicon Valley is very pet friendly—San Jose has approximately 20 dog parks or dog friendly parks.

*It is Northern California’s Largest city with a population of 945,942 (2010 census).

*The third largest city in California and the tenth largest city in the nation.

*The sun shines an average of 300 days a year in San Jose.

*Average daily temperatures range from January’s 50’s to July’s 70’s

Here is a little bit of what I experienced and will share about in my San Jose series.

Dining 

San Jose FoodieIt was one decadent meal after another. You could wine and dine in San Jose for days and keep finding new places that you love. I found so many places that I’d love to go back to and saw others I’d love to try. The San Pedro Market below has enough options alone that I’m sure you could have something different every day of the year.San Pedro Market

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iPad Mini Giveaway: Jenny Tsa & Ivan Lai– Cruise Planners

Jenny Tsa & Ivan Lai – Cruise Planners

By Erin

Besides horses, traveling is another passion of mine that I just can’t ever seem to get enough of.  Ever since I was in high school I grew a love for cruises. The second my friend popped in a video from Disney Cruise Line on what a Disney Cruise had to offer, I’ve been hooked ever since!  After many years of saving up my nickels and dimes I was able to finally go on my first Disney Cruise after I graduated from college in January 2005 with the dear friend  of mine who had originally shown me the Disney Cruise Line video back in high school! Here is a small handful of photos to get you as excited about cruising as I am! You know what would also make cruising even more exciting? Wining a new iPad Mini to document all the good times on the cruise!

Bon Voyage Drinks! I truly cannot wait to do this again!

Our Ship! The Disney Wonder. For my next cruise, the Disney Fantasy is what I have my eye on.

Cinderella!  Many Disney Princesses await you on a Magical Disney Cruise!

Disney’s own private island, Castaway Cay! Such a beautiful sight. There is an ADULT’s ONLY beach too! Talk about paradise.. 🙂

Beautiful sunset in the Bahamas!

Disney Gift Cards I’ve been saving up from Birthday Gifts and Christmas Gifts since 2008 so I can go on my next Disney Cruise! There are 31 of them here so far… it’s all I’ve asked for, for the last 4 years!! I will be contacting Jenny and Ivan soon to book my 7 day Disney Cruise to the Caribbean!

Now that you are hopefully in cruise mode, let me tell you a little bit more about Jenny Tsa and Ivan Lai and the AWESOME iPad Mini Giveaway you probably came here for!

Jenny Tsa and Ivan Lai are based in San Gabriel Valley: Cruise and Land Vacation Planners. 

I’m helping Jenny Tsa & Ivan Lai who are cruise planners from www.FunCruisesForYou.com promote an iPad Mini giveaway. I am more than happy to help them out with this as anything having to do with travel or cruises (especially Disney Cruises) is something that I am deeply passionate about. Someday when I am ready to retire, it is my ultimate goal to go on one of those Around the World Cruises. I will for sure be looking up help from Jenny and Ivan when the time comes to help me get the best deal for that trip!  They don’t charge a fee for their services and will make your vacation plans effortless by hooking you up with the best deals out there.  A customized package is designed based on your travel preferences. Jenny and Ivan’s top priority is to help get you the most out of your travel investment by extending round-the-clock service while defining your travel needs precisely.

Jenny and Ivan are graciously sponsoring a giveaway for their Facebook Fans!

To enter the iPad Mini Giveaway, just click here:

iPad Mini Giveaway!!!

It is super easy to enter through Facebook, and for each friend you refer you’ll get an additional 5 entries! The giveaway will be held as soon as they get 500 fans, so hurry on over and enter! The sooner they reach 500 fans, the sooner you could be holding that iPad Mini in your hands. Open to US Residents ONLY. +21 years.  😉 GOOD-LUCK!!

 

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Jenny Tsa & Ivan Lai – Cruise Planners (www.FunCruisesForYou.com). Horsing Around In LA is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I cannot wait to go on my next cruise!