La Quinta Resort & Club Is Celebrating a Century in Style
Some places age beautifully. La Quinta Resort & Club, turning 100 in 2026, is proof. From sun-warmed mornings to endless poolside afternoons, this iconic Coachella Valley luxury resort has been doing desert glam longer than anyone else. Hollywood royalty once escaped here. Golf legends made it their home course. This summer, the resort is celebrating its centennial with the “Summer of the Century,” and it is pulling out every stop. A flash sale, transformative spa treatments, championship golf and an atmosphere that feels equal parts history and indulgence await. Here is why La Quinta Resort is the only place to be this summer.
A Century of Desert Dreams
La Quinta Resort & Club opened its doors on Dec. 16, 1926. Founder Walter H. Morgan built a cluster of adobe casitas in the Coachella Valley foothills, and Hollywood immediately took notice. Frank Capra wrote “It Happened One Night” here. Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich and Clark Gable all called it their desert escape. Nearly a century later, the original Spanish Colonial architecture remains beautifully intact. Adobe walls, terracotta rooftops and lush courtyards tell the story of a place that helped shape California culture. The centennial “Summer of the Century” campaign honors that legacy with events, programming and experiences worthy of 100 years. History has never felt this good.
Casita Life Is the Good Life
Forget the standard hotel room. At La Quinta Resort, you stay in a casita. These signature adobe-style accommodations are what set this property apart from every luxury desert resort in California. Each casita delivers a private, residential feel with courtyard access, plush furnishings and décor rooted in Spanish Colonial heritage. Select options include private plunge pools and fireplaces. With over 600 casitas spread across 45 lush acres, privacy feels built into the blueprint. Wake up to views of the Santa Rosa Mountains, and step outside to your own quiet patio. This is not a room you rush to leave. Casita living is immersive, intimate and completely unhurried.
Pool Party, All Summer Long
La Quinta Resort is home to 41 pools and 53 hot tubs. Let that sink in. Whether you prefer an adults-only retreat or a family splash zone, there is a pool with your name on it. The iconic swimming pools sit surrounded by swaying palms, lounge chairs and golden afternoon light that makes every photo look effortless. Poolside cocktail service keeps the drinks coming, or simply drift through an afternoon with nowhere to be. The pools are more than an amenity here. They are a destination in their own right. Come summer, the poolside scene becomes the beating heart of the Coachella Valley.
Morning Strolls and Golden Hours
Start your morning with a walk through the resort’s mature desert gardens. La Quinta Resort sits on 45 acres of landscaped grounds filled with towering palms, bougainvillea, fragrant citrus and century-old olive trees. Early light filters through the canopy in a way that feels cinematic. Peacocks roam across the property, (yes, really!) adding an unexpected touch of whimsy to your day. And thanks to La Quinta Resort’s pet policy welcoming four-legged guests, your dog can join the morning adventure too. The gardens offer a peaceful, sensory counterpoint to the energy of the courts and courses. It doesn’t matter if you are a guest, a golfer or a spa devotee: carve out time to wander. The grounds alone justify the stay.
Game On, Desert Style
La Quinta Resort’s tennis and pickleball facilities are a serious player’s paradise. The resort’s tennis garden features 21 courts, including hard and clay surfaces with professional instruction available at every skill level. Clinics, private lessons, equipment rentals and round-robin tournaments keep the courts buzzing all season long. Pickleball has taken the desert by storm, and La Quinta Resort has committed to the trend with eight courts that fill up fast. From the weekend warrior to the competitive player and the casual enthusiast, these facilities deliver what you need. The combination of pristine courts, mountain views and world-class instruction makes every match feel elevated.
6/7
Tee Time in Paradise
Golf is practically synonymous with La Quinta. The resort anchors PGA WEST, one of the most celebrated golf destinations in the world. Five championship courses challenge players at every level. The Stadium Course, designed by the legendary Pete Dye, is famously demanding and has hosted the American Express PGA Tour event for decades. The La Quinta Dunes Course and Mountain Course round out an already impressive lineup. Fairways stretch against the dramatic backdrop of the Santa Rosa Mountains. Tee times fill fast during summer’s cooler early mornings, so book ahead. A round at PGA WEST is a bucket-list experience for any golfer. One hundred years in, the legacy only deepens.
Spa Days Are Sacred
Spa La Quinta spans 23,000 square feet of unapologetic indulgence. This award-winning wellness destination is one of the most celebrated spas in California. Treatment menus feature desert-inspired rituals including body wraps, hot stone massages and customized facials rooted in local botanicals. Seasonal offerings rotate to reflect the natural Coachella Valley landscape. The spa experience extends well beyond the treatment rooms. A dedicated relaxation garden, lap pool and state-of-the-art fitness center give guests a wellness day without leaving the property. In its centennial year, Spa La Quinta continues to set the standard for desert luxury. Book a treatment. Then book another. You absolutely deserve both.
Eat, Sip & Repeat
La Quinta Resort’s dining scene is as vibrant as the desert itself. Morgan’s in the Desert, the resort’s signature restaurant, is named after founder Walter H. Morgan. It celebrates American cuisine with seasonal, locally-inspired menus featuring king salmon, oysters Rockefeller and an exceptional wine list. Adobe Grill brings the energy with guacamole, handcrafted guava margaritas and live entertainment that turns dinner into a full evening. Twenty6 serves bistro classics like omelets and pancakes for breakfast and French dip plus chicken pesto flatbread for lunch. The Marketplace offers grab-and-go options like lattes, espressos, parfaits, ham & egg croissants and salads. Every meal gets better with that warm desert air and mountain backdrop, so come hungry.
Flash Sale Alert: $100 a Night
Here is the part worth screenshotting. In honor of its centennial celebration, La Quinta Resort & Club is releasing limited flash sale rates of $100 per night. Booking is open May 4 through May 10 only. These rates are rare, time-sensitive and will sell out fast. The “Summer of the Century” is a once-in-a-century opportunity to experience 100 years of desert legend at an extraordinary price. So if you’re planning a solo escape, a couple’s retreat or girls’ trip, the resort takes your stay to the next level. Don’t wait on this one. Lock in your rate, pack your bags and get ready to celebrate summer at one of California’s most iconic luxury resorts.
Ready to book? Visit laquintaresort.com for centennial offers and flash sale availability.
This article is brought to you by one of the many talented writers associated with Locale Magazine! We are a group of locals (whether born and raised or transplanted) who love this county we now call home!
