Hotel at a Glance: Best Western Plus Palm Desert Resort

Best Western Plus Palm Desert Resort lies in the heart of the Coachella Valley, an arid landscape peppered with lush fairways and surrounded on three sides by mountains. Befitting its Californian desert surroundings, the hotel features Spanish villa architecture replete with stucco walls and terra-cotta roof tiles. Towering palm trees and blooming gardens add bright pops of color to the hotel’s landscaping.

• Go for a swim in the outdoor pool.
• Sweat it out at the fitness center or play a quick game on the tennis courts.
• Complimentary breakfast of cooked-to-order eggs, pancakes, fresh fruit, danishes, and bacon.
• Play a round of golf at any of the nine golf courses within 3 miles of the hotel.

Palm Desert, California: Shopping and Wildlife in Scenic Coachella Valley

Palm Desert shares the desert landscape and resort atmosphere of Palm Springs, about 20 miles to the northeast. It’s worth it to visit Palm Desert’s El Paseo, known as the Rodeo Drive of the desert for its art galleries, high-end boutiques, and brand-name retailers such as Gucci, Ralph Lauren, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Palm Desert is also a gateway town to the more than 750,000-acre Joshua Tree National Park, located less than 60 miles away. In addition to being the birthplace of Bono, the desert park is famous for its unusual geologic formations and mountains of twisted rock, ideal for rock climbing. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife including desert bighorn sheep, golden eagles, and coyotes.

For a guaranteed glimpse of wildlife, check out The Living Desert, a zoo, botanical garden, and animal hospital in Palm Desert. As you stroll throughout the various geographical regions—including North America and Africa’s Village WaTuTu—you will see flora and fauna indigenous to that area, which can include Mexican gray wolves, giraffes, or jaguars. The Living Desert also boasts a G-scale model train that winds its way through replicas of historical scenes, including a California mining and logging town and the Grand Canyon.

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