I was so thrilled when the Riviera Palm Springs invited me out to tour their historic hotel and grounds! The Riviera Palm Springs has been an iconic playground of movie stars since 1959, and in 2008, with a huge renovation, this stunning hotel regained it’s former glory and glamour. You can see the Riviera sparkling as soon as you drive up, filled with luxurious textures, lights, and art. You feel like you’ll turn a corner and run into Marlyn Monroe, and its so much fun!
If you’re looking for an inclusive hotel experience for your wedding guests, I couldn’t suggest the Riviera Palm Springs any more. I loved the private Wexler Garden, where you and up to 300 guests can enjoy the stunning and iconic view of the San Jacinto Mountain range in Palm Springs, and walk under the starlight to an amazing reception in one of their 3 ballrooms. The Grand Ballroom has been overhauled since the days when movie stars graced its stage, but still retains its original crystal chandeliers (which were so beautiful, they left me breathless), and can hold up to 800 people!
In addition to the Riviera Palm Springs being the absolute perfect venue for your Old Hollywood wedding, it’s the perfect place to honeymoon! You can start your honeymoon off relaxing at the hotel’s amazing SpaTerre where you can get your choice of treatments or just hang out in their indoor waterfalls, jacuzzis, and tea lounge to unwind after your wedding. Once you’re officially in honeymoon mode, move on over to the hotel’s Bikini Pool, which is situated in the middle of the hotel grounds with live music and poolside service! If you’re looking for a more laid-back atmosphere or a little more privacy, the Chiki Pool in the back of the hotel is the perfect place to catch some of that year-round Palm Springs’ sun. You can even reserve one of the hotel’s private cabanas that includes a bottle of champagne, fruit platter, chilled waters, and your own personal hostess. I promise…you’ll feel like you want to stay forever.
There is so much to do at the Riviera Palm Springs that you may feel like you never want to leave, but Palm Springs itself is a wonderful place to explore during your honeymoon or in the days leading up to your wedding. The Palm Springs tourism board took us on an amazing trip up the mountain on the world’s only fully rotating tram car, and once you’re on the mountain…you truly feel like you’re in a completely different state. The views of the Coachella valley are indescribable. And Palm Springs has become quite the destination for some of the country’s most talented chef’s. We ate dinner at the hotel’s famous Circa 59, which was honestly the best hotel food I’ve ever had. I would’ve eaten there for every meal, but we ventured out on our last night to Workshop in downtown Palm Springs, and was simply blown away. If you have the chance to visit, please try the duck rillette and waffles (may be my favorite meal ever).
Needless to say, if you’re looking for an amazing destination for your wedding, or honeymoon, or even bachelorette party (I couldn’t stop thinking how much fun it would be to have a bachelorette party there…), visit Palm Springs and stay at the historic Riviera Palm Springs. Everyone was so welcoming, the food was amazing, and I wouldn’t trade that sun and weather for anything.
