Embassy Suites by Hilton La Quinta Hotel & Spa

Like other Embassy Suites properties in California, the La Quinta Hotel & Spa peppers the traditional midscale chain decor with elements of hacienda design. Spanish-style ceramic tiles adorn the roof. A Mexican-inspired water fountain adds an artisan detail to the brick driveway. In the middle of the hotel is an open-air atrium that's home to the hotel's restaurant and is also the property's most distinct element. Indoor palm trees and swatches of hanging vines here are not-so-subtle Southern California accents. Other public spaces have a much more traditional, chain-hotel approach, such as the lobby with its high-back, brown leather armchairs and curvy, dark wood reception desk. And compared to the sunny atrium, hallways feel a bit glum with pale yellow walls and a flowery beige carpet. 

This Embassy Suites property has a useful location just a four-minute walk from the bistros and boutiques of Old Town La Quinta. But other sights, including the area's excellent golf courses, require a car. Considered one of the best in the country, the Tom Fazio-designed course at the Quarry at La Quinta is a 15-minute drive from the hotel. The Arnold Palmer golf course at SilverRock is a 10-minute drive away. The Indian Wells Tennis Garden, which is home to several tournaments, is 10 minutes away by car. For guests who want to commune with nature on a hike, the Painted Canyons are a 50-minute drive. The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, a botanic garden that displays plants and wildlife from the deserts of the world, is a 17-minute drive away. For anyone who wants to check out the springtime Coachella Music Festival, the fairgrounds are about 10 minutes away by car (but probably longer with traffic). Travelers arriving at the Palm Springs Airport should expect the drive to the hotel to be 35 minutes.

The 146 rooms and suites at the La Quinta Hotel & Spa Embassy Suites have enough amenities and floorspace to make an executive or family comfortable during a long stay. Decor is traditional and straightforward with a soft brown-and-tan color palette utilizing leather and dark-cloth fabrics. Overall, its tasteful, but hardly fashion-forward, and the granite countertops and medallion-backed dining chairs can feel dated. Plush beds are either queens or kings and come topped with soft white duvets. Each room also includes a separate living space with a sofa bed, dining table, two flatscreen TVs, a desk, and an armchair. Kitchenette are also in each unit with a microwave, coffeemaker, and mini-fridge. Executive Suites have more amenities, including a fireplace, stove, and washer/dryer. Bathrooms are spacious with marble counters and shower/tub combinations. In-room Wi-Fi is free.

Numerous amenities are available at the Embassy Suites La Quinta for both families and business travelers. A free, made-to-order breakfast is included with the stay (although it gets mixed reviews). For lunch and dinner, the restaurant serves California cuisine with a Mediterranean influence. The hotel's outdoor pool has enough space for laps and plenty of space around it for lounging. The Hibiscus Spa offers massages, scrubs, and facials; and the gym has numerous treadmills, ellipticals, and free weights. For guests interested in planning an event -- either a business meeting or celebration -- the hotel has spaces that range in size from 300 to over 5,000 square feet. Businesspeople can take advantage of a 24-hour business center. For game players, there's a pool table and video arcade. Free Wi-Fi is available in many public areas, but not all.