We Spent a Weekend at the Luxurious Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa to Plan Our Dream Wedding
Written By: Dr. Paula Trimble-Familetti
Photography Provided By: The Monocle Project Dream Wedding at Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
At Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, there are many stories waiting to unfold. “Our owner only purchases properties that have a story to tell,” said Catering Sales Manager Carly McGarry. “Something about the property must have meaning and significance to the community.” In the 1950s, the original hotel on the property was named Desert Air Hotel. Guests could fly into the 3,400-foot airstrip and enjoy the many amenities of the hotel. Activities included horseback riding, swimming, great food and parties with friends.
Except for horseback riding, guests today have a variety of amenities to choose from at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa. Kids of all ages love the water park. There is also golf, pickleball and tennis. Like a good murder mystery? If you are visiting in the summer, the Fairways Conference Rooms are transformed into escape rooms.
To get a taste of what Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa had to offer for the wedding season, we arrived at the resort on a Saturday afternoon to ideal desert weather. After check-in, the wedding coordinators and marketing management team met us in the unique, Spanish Colonial lobby to begin our tour of the property and the wedding venues throughout. We climbed into one of the Suburbans on our way to see a two-bedroom suite. To my surprise, we were greeted by members of the banquet team for a sneak peek into what a wedding party can expect upon arrival. A trail mix bar was set up in the suite. Raisins, craisins, chocolate chips, several varieties of nuts and a signature crop in the Coachella Valley and dates, were available for our enjoyment. The alcohol bar offered local microbrews from the La Quinta Brewery and Las Palmas signature cocktails.
The spacious Grand Suite has an inviting living room area, a balcony that stretches the length of the suite and an oversized dining table that’s perfect for an intimate, in-suite, rehearsal dinner. Lisa Luna, senior marketing manager, told us the Presidential Suites are a favorite among the guys during wedding parties because of the pool table in each suite, while the Grand Suites are a favorite among women.
Dinner that evening in the wine room was a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. At one point someone asked, “How can anyone make couscous taste this good?” Food is a very serious matter and at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa. To ensure that all the steaks are cut to perfection, the resort employs a full-time butcher. The breads, cakes, pies, pastries and desserts are created in the kitchens by teams of master chefs and assistance. The organic and locally-sourced fresh fruits and vegetables are transformed into culinary delights. Nothing is left to chance. Even the steak sauce is housemade. You know the food is spectacular when brussels sprouts are one of the resort’s signature dishes.
Sunday morning started with breakfast in the cabana by the pool of the full-service spa. Wedding goers can relax in the privacy of the cabana and relish a delectable breakfast. The buffet featured mango mimosas, crab Benedicts and a lobster omelet station. Among other items featured on the buffet were assorted fresh fruit, yogurt parfait, oatmeal brulée and a kale Benedict which actually makes kale crave-able.
The same attention to excellence and local sourcing is evident in the management and services at the spa. The signature massage features Nopal cactus pads for detoxing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Newlyweds can enjoy treatments in rooms designed specifically for couples. Grooms’ treatments include saunas, exfoliation and facials designed specifically for mens’ skin. Bridal parties can prepare for the big day in the all-inclusive salon and enjoy a full day of a relaxing spa experience.
“The stunning palm trees, pronounced mountain views and lush fairways make Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa the perfect destination to say ‘I do’ under desert skies,” said Luna. This is unquestionably true—from the brightly-colored napkins to the spectacular Starlight Terrace, where guests have an unobstructed view of the sun setting behind the mountains. The service at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa is beyond compare. The team is excited to give the best possible experience to all of their guests. This is evident in their hospitality.
And there is more. “The ability to customize your event to make any vision come to life” is what makes Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa the best place for a wedding, according to Catering Sales Manager Adrienne Dremel. Do you want a pony at your wedding? They can make that happen. Perhaps you want a cake that you remember from your childhood? They can do that, too.
The Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa is a fantastic place for a destination wedding, especially if you live in the Coachella Valley. Your local guest will still feel rested after the celebrations. According to McGarry, what really sets this resort apart is “the whimsical views coupled with exceptional service and dedication.”
Native Knowledge: The “Honeymoon on Us” program is a delightful bonus to celebrating your wedding at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa. When a couple spends a minimum amount on food and beverages, they are given a two-night stay at the Omni Resort of their choice. Each honeymoon includes daily breakfast and one other perk distinctive to each resort.
Native Knowledge: Say Goodnight to Hunger is a program developed in 2016 by Omni Resorts to give back to their communities. For every booked and completed stay, Omni donates 10 meals to food banks in the areas they serve. To date, Omni has provided nearly 13 million meals.
Native Knowledge: Before the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa was an Omni Resort, it was a Marriott Hotel. In the ‘70s, it had a vibrant disco and an all-you-can-drink champagne brunch.
Omni Rancho Las Palmas
41000 Bob Hope Dr
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
760.568.2727
