Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells is a luxury resort that offers curated experiences for a memorable getaway.

Located between the cities of Palm Desert and La Quinta (and one of the nine cities that make up the Greater Palm Springs area), Indian Wells is a popular desert getaway due to its luxury resorts and spas, golf, world-class dining, cultural events, and the prestigious BNP Paribas Open.

A Day at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells

With the stunning Santa Rosa Mountains as its backdrop, alongside lush gardens and palm trees, Indian Wells offers the perfect escape when you need a break from it all. During my last visit to the desert, I stayed the night at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells—a modern getaway for adventure and relaxation.

With desert-chic guest rooms and suites that have scenic views, eclectic dining outlets, Coachella Valley’s largest resort pool, as well as a luxury spa and cutting-edge recovery lounge, the resort is an ideal retreat that caters to families, couples, golfers, and business travelers.

The Best Spas in Palm Springs

From amenities to insider tips, read on to discover everything you need to know about Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa when planning your next getaway.

Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells is home to the largest resort pool in the Coachella Valley.

Why You’ll Love It

Due to its central location within Greater Palm Springs, Renaissance Esmeralda offers convenient access to various attractions and other desert cities including Palm Desert (11 min) and La Quinta (14 min).

It’s only a 20-minute drive from Palm Springs International Airport and is just minutes away from two championship golf courses, tennis courts, shopping and dining, Indian Wells Tennis Garden, and the Empire Polo Club (home of Coachella and Stagecoach festivals).

The resort’s 560 beautifully-appointed rooms and suites offer ample room for groups of all sizes to relax and entertain alongside amenities such as a beach-entry resort swimming pool, gaming zone for kids and families, and an assortment of restaurants and bars ranging from sushi to poolside dining.

Guests seeking wellness and self-care during their stay will find everything they need and more at the resort’s full-service luxury spa, which offers 13,000 square feet of relaxation space and a Renew Recovery Lounge, the first of its kind in Coachella Valley.

With 100,000 square feet of unique indoor and outdoor space set against a backdrop of breathtaking scenery including lush gardens, the resort also offers an inspiring setting for hosting celebrations and business functions of all sizes.

Whether you’re in town for a quick overnighter or a longer stay, Renaissance Esmeralda will make all guests (and those traveling with furry friends) feel right at home with curated offerings, experiences, and more.

The resort lobby welcomes guests with a double staircase and open lounge area.

The property features lush palm and water views in its outdoor spaces.

Accommodations

The luxurious guest rooms and suites at Renaissance Esmeralda offer an elevated feel with mid-century modern furnishings and Art Deco details paired with signature amenities. Select rooms offer panoramic views of the mountains and nearby 36-hole golf course as well.

I was fortunate enough to stay in a 1-Bedroom Studio Suite, which felt like a mini-apartment with a generous entryway, living room area and small dining table, double-sided TV (one side facing the bedroom and the other the living room), and a spacious bathroom with a double vanity and a large step-in shower. It also opened out onto a balcony that overlooked the resort pool.

Another fun touch? The bathroom wallpaper featured a floor-to-ceiling collage of sepia-colored photos that showcased desert scenes ranging from the landscape to architecture. And throughout the suite, canvas artwork depicting other desert imagery like pink Cadillacs set against swaying palm trees further enhanced the lively and vibrant feel.

Depending on the size of your party and the occasion, Renaissance Esmeralda has a selection of rooms and larger suites that can accommodate bachelorettes, bridal showers, and large families. For the ultimate upgrade, check out the Governor’s or Presidential Suites, which include features such as separate living and dining rooms, generous outdoor patios, fireplaces, and more.

The luxurious guest rooms and suites are decorated with mid-century modern furnishings and signature amenities.

Select rooms include panoramic views of the mountains and well-manicured golf course.

Amenities

At the heart of the resort is the pool—the largest resort pool in the Coachella Valley. It has a sandy beach area for kids to splash and play, rentable private cabanas for groups and those seeking an elevated poolside experience, and a pool bar that serves drinks and light bites. There’s a soothing water feature behind the pool that adds to the overall tranquil feel as well.

Guests enjoy access to the newly remodeled fitness center, a selection of complimentary fitness classes, and daily yoga. A variety of outdoor lawn games including corn hole and table tennis are located on the patio area between The Pool and The Place, and bikes are available for exploring the property and neighborhood on a first-come, first-served basis (included in the resort fee).

The resort’s large outdoor pool offers a place to relax, float, and play with private pool cabanas and comfy loungers.

The pool also has a kid-friendly sandy beach area and an H2O Pool Bar that serves drinks and light bites.

Cuisine

Multiple dining outlets are available on property including the popular CAVA, which is located to one side of the pool and offers indoor and outdoor dining. I had an early poolside breakfast outdoors so i could enjoy the beautiful mountain view.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, CAVA’s menu serves American cuisine and a variety of dishes ranging from salads and prime rib to lemon ricotta pancakes and huevos rancheros. I opted for the breakfast sandwich with eggs, cheddar cheese, caramelized onion, sriracha aioli, and a meat (pork sausage, bacon or ham)—a delicious way to start my day.

CAVA is one of the resort’s popular dining outlets that serves freshly prepared American cuisine set against views of the Santa Rosa Mountains.

In addition to CAVA, the resort also has the following dining options:

Glo Sushi: Sushi lovers will enjoy their signature rolls, classic sashimi, and sake.
The Place: The lobby’s indoor bar with a diverse dining menu, innovative cocktails, large screen TVs, and live entertainment on select evenings.
H2O Pool Bar: Poolside bites, cocktails, and refreshing beverages served daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cafe Biscotti: Convenient grab-and-go vites including coffee, pastries, and sandwiches.
In-Room Dining: Choose from a menu of locally-sourced dishes and classic favorites to enjoy in the comfort of your own room.

The Place at Renaissance Esmeralda features a diverse dining menu, innovative cocktails, and multiple large screen TVs.

Spa & Wellness

Before heading home, I spent my morning at Spa Esmeralda and the recently-added Renew Recovery Lounge, which was a great way to relax and unwind before my long drive home back to Los Angeles. The 13,000-square-foot spa has a lush spa garden with outdoor treatment cabanas and a waterfall whirlpool, men’s and women’s facilities, a couple’s suite, and more.

Spa Profile: Spa Esmeralda at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa

Spa Esmeralda offers an impressive menu of treatments that are inspired by the desert and incorporate native ingredients and locally-made brands, with options ranging from therapeutic massages and hydrating facials to unique body treatments like the Date & Citrus Body Scrub, Desert Detox Mud Wrap, as well as an assortment of bath rituals.

Looking to relax without a spa treatment? Resort guests can purchase a spa day pass for $45 per person to enjoy all of the luxurious amenities.

Spa Esmeralda offers 13,000 square feet of space including lush gardens with waterfall spas.

Guests can enjoy treatments inspired by the desert and native ingredients in the spa’s indoor and outdoor treatment rooms.

The Renew Recovery Lounge is located in its own section at the spa and is the first lounge of its kind in the Coachella Valley that is dedicated to recovery services. Perfect for golfers, athletes, and those with an active lifestyle, the lounge offers cutting-edge treatments and therapies that are designed to speed up recovery and enhance well-being.

Services offered include compression therapy, Therabody Smart Goggles, HigherDOSE Infrared PEMF Mat, and a Well Rested CBD Soak, with various add-ons including CBD wellness shots, red light therapy, and a collagen eye or face mask. All of the treatments at the Renew Recovery Lounge can be paired with other treatments on the spa menu or make great express services on their own.

During my spa visit, I experienced a relaxing 50-minute Aroma Stone Massage, which targets tightness and knots with heated basalt stones; and the Well Rested CBD Soak, a private bath experience that prepares one for a good night’s sleep. Both services were incredible—read all about my spa experience here.

The Renew Recovery Lounge at Spa Esmeralda offers advanced wellness therapies that utilize cutting-edge technologies to aid in faster recovery and rejuvenation.

The resort also has a 4,643-square-foot fitness center with state-of-the-art workout machines, Peloton bikes, free weights, and great views of the property and mountains.

Instructor-led classes are available at select times throughout the year and daily yoga classes are offered on the Yoga Lawn for resort guests and mats are provided. To join, all you have to do is pre-register for classes using the QR code and promo here.

Resort guests also enjoy 24-hour access to the Esmeralda Fitness Club, which features stunning views, state-of-the-art machines, free weights, and Peloton bikes.

Meetings & Events

With 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function spaces, Renaissance Esmeralda is ideal for weddings, conferences, and events big and small.

The resort has three grand ballrooms, 49 meeting rooms, and 22 breakout rooms, in addition to charming outdoor spaces like the Rose Lawn and Olive Grove that embrace their natural surroundings.

The in-house catering team can put together a variety of superb cuisine options while a team of expert event planners will work with guests to ensure a successful and memorable event.

The resort offers 100,000 square feet of unique indoor and outdoor function spaces and ballrooms (pictured: the Olive Grove).

Activities

An extensive selection of activities and experiences are available to guests, both on and off-property. Resort activities include golf at Indian Wells Golf Resort, a 36-hole golf resort that is just steps away to one side of the property.

The resort also offers special bookable experiences ranging from a charcuterie and wine pairing to a sushi & sake experience, and more. View all of their offerings here.

For those traveling with kids and teens, the resort’s gaming and lounge experience, Desert Glow Entertainment, is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and includes an escape room, virtual reality and classic arcade games, and boutique bowling. Camp Esmeralda offers children’s activities led by skilled counselors including arts and crafts, face painting, and jewelry design, with hours and activities varying every week.

Local attractions to check out include El Paseo for shopping and dining in Palm Desert, Palm Springs Air Museum, Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, and Acrisure Arena for a concert or a Coachella Valley Firebirds ice hockey game.

For off-site dining adventures, a few noteworthy spots include Nobu Indian Wells at Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Tía Carmen at neighboring Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas, and many of El Paseo’s dining hotspots including Porta Via Palm Desert, Kitchen 86 + Bar, Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, and more.

Guests can play 36 holes of challenging championship golf at nearby Indian Wells Golf Resort.

Bike rentals are available (and included in the daily resort fee) for guests to explore the property and Indian Wells.

The resort’s Desert Glow Entertainment Zone offers arcade games, an escape room, duckpin bowling, and more for a fun family gaming experience.

Insider Tips

Check-in is at 4 p.m. and check-out is at 11 a.m.
Pets are welcome and there is a non-refundable pet fee of $50 per night. Designated pet relief stations are located on property.
Valet parking costs $45 per day; electric car charging stations are also available.
Yoga classes (mats are provided) are offered on the outdoor yoga lawn for resort guests. Pre-register for all classes here.
The resort offers bike rentals (included in the resort fee) that can be used to explore Indian Wells or to ride to nearby El Paseo.
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa offers a variety of activities, bookable experiences, programming, and more. View their entire list of offerings here.

For more information and to book a stay at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, call 760-773-4444 or visit their website. Follow on Instagram: @renaissanceesmeralda

44-400 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells, CA 92210

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[Photos courtesy of Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa & Kamala Kirk]

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Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells: A Scenic Desert Getaway for Adventure and Relaxation