Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa is the resort to choose if you are traveling with children, or simply want a big, easy, amenity-rich base in the middle of the Coachella Valley. It spreads across 240 acres in Rancho Mirage, about twenty minutes east of downtown Palm Springs and close to Sunnylands, El Paseo and the Living Desert. The star attraction is Splashtopia, a roughly two-acre water park with 100-foot water slides, a lazy river, a sandy beach area, a cliff-side hot tub and splash zones with sprinklers for small children; the Splash Grill keeps everyone fed without leaving the pool. Adults have their own refuges: the quieter Conchilla Valley Pool, Spa Las Palmas with dozens of treatments, and a 27-hole championship golf course with palm-lined fairways and mountain views. Dining centers on blu, the resort's signature restaurant, along with more casual options. Rooms were refreshed in a renovation that also updated the lobby, bar and dining areas, and the resort's low-rise buildings are spread across gardens and fairways, giving it a relaxed, spacious feel. The practical details: there is a $40 daily resort charge covering Splashtopia and the Conchilla Valley Pool, Wi-Fi, in-room coffee and tea, two bottled waters a day, the fitness center and local calls, plus golf from June through September; pets under 50 pounds are allowed in certain buildings for a per-stay fee; check-in is at 4pm and check-out at 11am, and guests can use the pools and restaurants while waiting for their room. Rates are generally more moderate than the valley's luxury resorts, particularly in summer.
For families, Splashtopia changes the whole trip. Instead of rotating between the hotel pool and expensive outings, kids can spend entire afternoons on the slides and lazy river while parents relax nearby, and the resort fee includes access, so there are no daily water-park tickets to buy. In summer, when outdoor sightseeing is limited to early mornings, a resort with this kind of pool complex is the smartest way to enjoy the desert. Arrive early on busy weekends to claim shaded loungers.
The central Rancho Mirage location is a genuine advantage. Palm Springs' tram, downtown and Indian Canyons are about twenty to thirty minutes west; the Living Desert, El Paseo and Sunnylands are closer to the east; and Joshua Tree's South Entrance is reachable via Interstate 10. That makes the Omni an efficient base for a family itinerary that covers the whole valley. Golfers can play the 27 holes on site, and the spa offers an easy escape for parents who trade off childcare.
Who should stay: families with children of almost any age, multigenerational groups, golfers, and travelers who want resort comforts without the highest luxury price tag. Who should not: anyone seeking midcentury design or a walkable town base — for those, the Parker, the Kimpton Rowan or Korakia in Palm Springs will suit better. Groups and conferences use the resort regularly, so it can be busy, but the size of the grounds keeps things comfortable.
Why stay here
- ✓Splashtopia water park
- ✓100-foot slides and lazy river
- ✓Conchilla Valley Pool
- ✓Spa Las Palmas
- ✓27-hole championship golf
- ✓blu signature restaurant
- ✓Splash Grill poolside dining
- ✓Pet-friendly buildings
Good questions
Is Splashtopia included in the resort fee?+
Yes. The $40 daily resort charge includes Splashtopia and the Conchilla Valley Pool, along with Wi-Fi, in-room coffee and tea, bottled water, the fitness center and local calls.
Where is Omni Rancho Las Palmas?+
In Rancho Mirage, in the middle of the Coachella Valley, about twenty minutes east of downtown Palm Springs and close to Sunnylands, El Paseo and the Living Desert.
Does the Omni allow pets?+
Yes, in certain buildings, for pets under 50 pounds, with a per-pet charge per stay.
