I recently had the chance to use up one of my Chase Free Night Awards, courtesy of my trusty Chase IHG Rewards credit card, and I perhaps made one of the best IHG free night redemptions ever!
I’m guessing it was an error, but nevertheless, nobody stopped me from checking out Mr. & Mrs. Smith Sands Hotel & Spa.
So how was it? Here’s the review.
Review: Mr. & Mrs. Smith Sands Hotel & Spa (Palm Springs, California)
Photo: sandshotelandspa.com
About Mr. & Mrs. Smith Sands Hotel & Spa
The Sands Hotel & Spa in Palm Springs, California is a chic and luxurious desert retreat that combines mid-century modern design with Moroccan and Mediterranean influences. The hotel was originally built in the 1950s, but underwent a major renovation in 2018 to create the stunning property it is today. The hotel has become a popular destination for those seeking a stylish and relaxing getaway.
At A Glance:
- Official Website: Sands Hotel & Spa
- Average Nightly Cost During Stay: $1,067 per night
- Loyalty Program: IHG One
- Loyalty Category: N/A
- Discount Applied: IHG Rewards Free Night Certificate
- Room Type as Booked: Le Riad
- Room Upgrade: N/A
- Resort Fee: $39.36 + $2.25
- Parking Fee: N/A
Booking/Redemption
I’ll chalk this one up to pure luck.
When I was searching for a hotel in Palm Springs to use one of my Chase Free Night certificates at, Mr. & Mrs. Smith Sands Hotel & Spa popped up in the search.
What was really intriguing was I noticed the only room available to use my Chase IHG Free Night was the “Le Riad” room – which normally goes for about $1,000 per night. Mind you, this is using my IHG Rewards Club free night which is only worth 40,000 points with no top-off.
So I did what anybody would do, I pulled the trigger on the free night as fast as I could.
Location & Parking
The Sands Hotel & Spa is located in the Indian Wells area of Palm Springs, which is known for its stunning views of the San Jacinto Mountains. The hotel is just a short drive from downtown Palm Springs and is surrounded by other popular attractions like the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Joshua Tree National Park.
When I pulled up to the location on my GPS, it was still unclear where the Sands Hotel was exactly. I drove down the street and pulled into a small unmarked parking lot on the left.
FHOP Tip:Â Mr. & Mrs. Smith Sands Hotel & Spa is easy to find if know what to look for, in this case, a restaurant called The Nest. The Nest is a popular (and rowdy) late-night Palm Springs spot that features live music, dancing, and cocktails. The Sands is located “behind” The Nest in the first parking lot on the left.
Lobby
Still not 100% sure if I was at the right spot, I walked into the building through the large black doors in the pink building and found myself in the ornate lobby (below).
Photo: sandshotelandspa.com
Front Desk & Check-In
A front desk attendant came out and I asked if I was at the Mr. & Mrs. Smith hotel.
He looked at me somewhat with distaste as he proudly declared, “This is the Sands Hotel & Spa”.
I then read him the address and showed him my reservation. He then reiterated, “This is the Sands Hotel & Spa” before granting me, “Oh, that’s right, we may have a deal with some loyalty brand or something”.
After some initial standoffishness, he became actually quite friendly when it was clear I was in the right spot.
The “Smith Extra”
Room Key
The Walk To The Room
Hallway
Room Entrance
About The Le Riad Suite
The Le Riad room at the Sands Hotel & Spa is “the hotels most luxurious space” (see the description below). Spanning two floors, it is a spacious accommodation that was decorated in a chic Moroccan style and featured a plush king-sized bed, a full kitchen, billiards table, and a two private patios.
The Ground Floor:
Living Room
Entering Le Riad from the ground floor level, you immediacy enter the living room. As you wrap around the entrance way, you’ll come upon the Billiards Area, the Dining Area, the bar, and then the Kitchen.
Billiards Table
Living Room Patio
Living Room Patio
Kitchen Area
Complimentary Sparkling Wine
Mini-Bar
 
Kitchen
Dining Table
Dining Area Patio
Suite Bathroom
There were two bathrooms in the suite, one on the ground floor, the other on the second floor.
Both featured products by Diptyque.
Stairs To The Second Floor
The Second Floor:
Vanity Area
Closet
Bedroom
In-Room Soaking Tub
Second Floor Bathroom
Bedroom Balcony
Breakfast At The Pink Cabana
The hotel’s on-site restaurant, The Pink Cabana, serves up delicious Mediterranean-inspired cuisine in a stylish and vibrant setting. The restaurant features a beautiful pink and green decor and offers both indoor and outdoor seating options. Guests can enjoy a variety of small plates, entrees, and cocktails, all made with fresh and seasonal ingredients.
I went with the Crushed Avocado Tartine, which was tasty – as was the Vanilla Latte.
Photo: sandshotelandspa.com
 
The Property Exterior
Swimming Pool
The Sands Hotel & Spa features a large swimming pool as the centerpiece of the hotel property. The pool is heated and surrounded by comfortable loungers and is set against a backdrop of towering palm trees and lush landscaping, creating a serene oasis in the heart of the desert.
Photo: sandshotelandspa.com
Photo: sandshotelandspa.com
Photo: sandshotelandspa.com
FHOP Tip: What’s Nearby: There are plenty of things to do nearby the Sands Hotel & Spa, including exploring the vibrant downtown area with its many shops, restaurants, and galleries. The hotel is also just a short drive away from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which takes guests on a breathtaking ride up to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains. Other popular activities in the area include hiking, golfing, and visiting the nearby Joshua Tree National Park.
The Bottom-Line Review: Mr. & Mrs. Smith Sands Hotel & Spa (Palm Springs, California)
The Mr. & Mrs. Smith Sands Hotel & Spa was an unexpected and true oasis in Palm Springs. It was private, upscale, luxurious, and had an amazingly authentic Moroccan touches throughout.
I thought the service was great, the pool was great, and the restaurant was very good.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, I found the Le Riad Suite to be far and away the most amazing part of my stay. I took full advantage of all the amenities, I played billiards til my fingers got blisters, I soaked in the room tub before bed, I had morning coffee outside in the Moroccan patio, and I killed off the complimentary bottle of sparkling wine. I didn’t want to leave.
All I can say is, wow, what a redemption! I keep checking back to see if there’s more Chase free night availably – and there is usually none in the regular rooms, let alone Le Riad. Oh well, glad I got to check it out on a free night certificate – even if it is now just a desert oasis mirage.
Final Rating: 9.25 out of 10
