71777 Dinah Shore Dr, Rancho Mirage, California, United States | (586) 210-9239
Time-share property on 360-acres of beautifully landscaped grounds
Large rooms with private balconies or patios
Multiple restaurants and a poolside bar
Two 18-hole golf courses
Two outdoor pools, one with water slide
Horseback riding and hiking trails
Game room, basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts
Many activities for children
Full-servie spa
Free Wi-Fi
Not centrally located in Palm Springs
Some rooms need updating
Potentially high noise levels from children
Huge property and crowded parking area can make for long walks to rooms
Daily resort fee
This Starwood hotel that doubles as a time-share/ownership property sprawls across 360 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. The three, villa-style room types are all large and feature balconies or patios, though some are in need of updating. It's a family-friendly resort with with so much going on guests might not find its distance from downtown Palm Springs as much of a drawback. Couples without kids, or those seeking a luxurious stay closer to the action, might want to consider the stylish Colony Palms Hotel in the heart of Palm Springs, though it cannot compare with the Westin Mission Hills in the number and scope of its amenities.
Scene
Two-story Spanish villas surrounded by golf courses
A modern take on Spanish architecture amid a landscape of palm trees and green fairways defines the Westin Mission Hills Villas. Paths wind around flowered gardens, manicured putting greens, and lagoons with ducks and koi fish. The high-ceiling lobby is brightly tiled with contrasting dark wood furnishings and ornate staircases that lead to second-story balconies.
Location
Rancho Mirage, 10 miles from Palm Springs
Ten miles from Palm Springs on Dinah Shore Drive in Rancho Mirage, the Westin Mission Hills is about a 20-minute drive to the shopping, restaurants, and entertainment of downtown Palm Springs. It's a 15- to 20-minute drive to most of the popular resort town's attractions. Regional destinations, such as Joshua Tree National Park and Coachella, are a 35- to 45-minute drive away. Palm Springs International Airport is a 10- to 15-minute drive, and it's a two-hour drive to Los Angeles.
Rooms
Large villas, private balconies, kitchenettes
All the rooms at the Westin Mission Hills are set in two-story buildings with private patios or balconies. They lack the Spanish flourishes of the resort's architecture, opting for a contemporary decor, though some of the same dark wood furnishings used throughout the hotel can be found in the rooms, in contrast with the blond cabinetry. Well-equipped kitchenettes come with microwaves/convection ovens, two-burner cook tops, refrigerators, coffeemakers, and dishwashers. The living areas have sleeper sofas, TVs with DVD/CD players, and dining areas with tables seating four. The more expansive suites have fireplaces and outdoor grills on the patio.
Features
Two golf courses, tennis courts, outdoor pools, and horses
Between the two pools, the water slide, duck feeding in the lagoon, a game room, and plenty of children's activites, there's plenty to keep kids busy here while adults lounge or play a round of golf on one of the two 18-hole courses. For the restless, there are bicycle rentals, and private or guided horseback tours into the desert. There's also croquet, basketball, badminton, and lighted tennis courts, and a 24-hour fitness center with a wide range of equipment. The large full-service spa has 14 treatment rooms, a lounge, and an outdoor whirlpool. The resort also offers seven different places to eat, including Pinzimini Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria, the more casual Season's Grill, and the poolside Las Brisas, which serves cocktails, and snacks for the kids. And for something a little different, there's a daily Native American storytelling hour in the lobby's lounge.