Centennial Spa Deals, Cozy Holiday Menus and a Returning Vintage Package
Fall and winter turn La Quinta Resort & Club into the Coachella Valley’s best-kept secret. Warm 80-degree days, cool 60-degree evenings, thinned crowds and softened rates replace summer’s triple-digit heat and spring’s festival chaos. La Quinta Resort & Club, the original desert hideaway, is celebrating its centennial year and sits at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains. The resort is leaning into the season with its returning A Very Vintage Holiday package, so this stretch from October through the end of December comes loaded with reasons to book. Here’s everything that makes it the best time of year to check in.
1. The Weather Finally Makes Sense
Fall and winter unlock a side of the Coachella Valley that summer visitors never see. October through December are a gift to first-timers and regulars alike. Daytime highs settle into the mid-80s in October and ease into the low 60s by December. Those temperatures are perfect for lingering at an outdoor table at Adobe Grill or Morgan’s in the desert with a drink in hand. The hiking trails around the Santa Rosa Mountains come into their own, and by the holidays, you might spot snow dusting the peaks while golfers are still playing in short sleeves. The golf courses feature five championship layouts at PGA West, including courses ranked among GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 in the United States.
2. A Very Vintage Holiday Is the Best-Kept Secret in the Valley
Spring means Coachella crowds and peak pricing. Fall means perfect weather and rates that reflect the season. The stretch from October through December is the sweet spot that people who know, know. Think comfortable weather, open availability and a package built for the season. La Quinta Resort’s A Very Vintage Holiday package leans into the resort’s own Hollywood history. Frank Capra called La Quinta Resort his Shangri-La for script-writing, and it was here that he developed ideas for “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Eighty years after the film premiered, the resort is marking the connection with a reproduction of Capra’s script and this year’s signature holiday ornament. Plus, enjoy daily breakfast for two at Twenty6 or the Marketplace and 15 percent off your room. Book the A Very Vintage Holiday package before the rest of the valley figures it out.
3. 42 Pools, Yours to Actually Use
La Quinta’s 42 sparkling pools are a year-round draw. In fall and winter, they become something more indulgent. Lounge at the reimagined PLUNGE at the Renker Pool, the adults-only escape with private cabanas and poolside service, or unwind at the main family pool with views of the Santa Rosa Mountains. The intimate casita pools tucked just steps from your room offer a quieter retreat, and with 53 hot spas across the property, ending the day with a soak under the desert stars feels like a ritual.
4. Spa La Quinta’s “A Century of Wellness” Specials
The spa is leaning into La Quinta Resort’s 100th anniversary with a dedicated centennial treatment menu. The Centennial Garden Bath ($100) offers a private garden bubble bath infused with the resort’s Signature Citrus Blossom and the Santa Rosa Mountains in the background. For something more complete, the Centennial Journey (100 minutes, $450) pairs a 50-minute Tailor Made Massage with a 50-minute Clarifying Facial, finishing with a Signature Citrus Blossom candle to take home.
The most immersive option is the Legacy of Serenity Ritual (100 minutes, $450), which opens with a 20-minute Citrus Blossom garden bath before moving into 80 minutes of full-body therapy. Expect exfoliation, steam, scalp massage, Vichy shower, deep hydration and body polish. Book any of these at laquintaresort.com/spa-la-quinta or call 760.564.4111 to confirm current hours and availability.
5. The Centennial Menus Are Worth the Trip Alone
La Quinta’s restaurant team has built seasonal centennial menus across all three dining venues. Start at Adobe Grill, where a courtyard fireplace and a selection of more than 100 tequilas set the scene, and the centennial menu brings two standouts. The Pollo Centenario de la Mirage includes roasted half chicken with seasonal vegetables, serrano chimichurri and fingerling potatoes, while the Centennial Margarita is built with Volcán X.A. Tequila, Grand Marnier and fresh-squeezed lime and lemon juice.
At Twenty6, the modern American bistro at the resort’s heart, the centennial additions span the full meal. Start with the Shrimp Cocktail (chilled prawns, Marie Rose sauce, Little Gem, lemon wedge, paprika garnish) or the Waldorf Salad with Granny Smith and Gala apples, Greek yogurt, red seedless grapes, pecans, lemon and celery. The Chicken à la King follows, with chicken breast, white mushrooms, peas, red bell pepper and parmesan served with noodles or rice. End with the iconic Peanut Butter Pie: chocolate cookie crust, creamy peanut butter filling, whipped cream and peanuts.
For the pinnacle of the centennial dining experience, Morgan’s in the desert delivers contemporary American cuisine worth dressing for. The centennial menu opens with Oysters Rockefeller featuring Tadros Farms mixed greens, creamed spinach and herb-toasted breadcrumbs. Plus, the Lyonnaise Salad includes baby gold frisée, poached egg, crispy lardons, sourdough croutons and bacon vinaigrette. The centerpiece is the Filet Oscar with pomme purée, grilled asparagus, Dungeness crab and tarragon béarnaise. Close with the Baba au Rhum (warm sponge, aged Caribbean rum syrup and Chantilly cream) that’s worth every bite.
6. The Resort Celebration Is Worth Showing Up For
La Quinta Resort & Club turns 100 this year, and across every corner of the property, it shows. The centennial spa treatments, the anniversary menus and the updated PLUNGE pool experience honor its past and lean into what it can still become. The celebration carries straight through the holidays, too, with an annual tree lighting on Nov. 29, holiday dining for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve at Morgan’s in the desert, Twenty6 and Adobe Grill, and a New Year’s Eve celebration closing out the centennial year on Dec. 31. There’s something specific about being in a place on its birthday. This is when you see what La Quinta has been saving for the right moment.
La Quinta Resort & Club
49-499 Eisenhower Dr
La Quinta, CA 92253
760.564.4111
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is included in the A Very Vintage Holiday package?
A: The package includes daily breakfast for two at Twenty6 or the Marketplace, 15 percent off your room, a reproduction of the “It’s a Wonderful Life” script from Frank Capra’s time at La Quinta Resort and this year’s signature holiday ornament. Book at laquintaresort.com/special-offers/vintage-holidays/ or call 760.564.4111.
Q: What holiday events does La Quinta Resort & Club host?
A: The resort’s holiday season kicks off with an annual tree lighting on Nov. 29, followed by holiday dining for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve at Morgan’s in the desert, Twenty6 and Adobe Grill. A New Year’s Eve celebration closes out the centennial year on Dec. 31. Visit laquintaresort.com/the-holidays/ for the full lineup.
Q: Do I need to book Spa La Quinta in advance?
A: Yes, especially for the centennial treatments. The Centennial Journey and Legacy of Serenity Ritual tend to fill up during the holiday season. Book online at laquintaresort.com/spa-la-quinta or call 760.564.4111. Note that cancellations require 24 hours’ notice to avoid the full treatment fee.
Q: Are the pools heated during the fall and winter?
A: Yes. La Quinta Resort’s 42 pools and 53 hot spas are available year-round. In fall, daytime temperatures in the mid-80s mean the pools are just as enjoyable as ever, and the hot spas are welcome once the evenings cool into the 60s.
Q: Is La Quinta Resort pet-friendly?
A: Yes, the resort welcomes dogs. Visit laquintaresort.com/stay-with-your-dog for details on pet policies and accommodations. Note that per resort pool rules, dogs are not permitted on pool decks or in the water.
