I recently headed out to Palm Desert, California to meet up with the boys for a golf weekend.
We needed a large spot (read: suite) for a home base that could (1) provide enough space for everyone to crash, (2) house all of our golf gear, and (3) provide enough seats to comfortably consume Round Table Pizza while watching Rocky III.
One of Hyatt’s newest California properties, Desert Oasis, fit that bill “to a tee”.
Here’s the review.
Review: Desert Oasis (Palm Springs, California)
Image: hyatt.com
At A Glance: Desert Oasis
- Official Website: Desert Oasis (Hyatt Vacation Club)
- Average Nightly Cost During Stay (When Booked): $210 ($366.85 all-in)
- Loyalty Program: World of Hyatt
- Loyalty Category: 3 (12,000 Points)
- Discount Applied: Booked for 9,000 points per night
- Room Type as Booked: One Bedroom Villa
- Room Upgrade: N/A (all rooms are the same)
- Resort Fee: N/A (Globalist)
- Parking Fee: N/A
Booking/Redemption
Booking On Points
Location & Parking
Desert Oasis is located in the Palm Spring area, technically in the town of Cathedral City.
Sure, Cathedral City is not as ritzy as Indian Wells or La Quinta, but it is centrally located in the Palm Desert, semi equidistant to Palm Springs [proper] and Indian Wells.
Parking is free and plentiful at Desert Oasis.
FHOP Tip: Make sure you bring a car sunshade because temperatures and the Palm Desert area can easily reach 110 degrees+. Also, I wouldn’t necessarily leave my golf clubs or other valuables in the car overnight here.
Front Desk & Check-In
I was professionally greeted at check-in, and although I was recognized as a Globalist, I was told there would be no added benefits per se as all rooms were the same and breakfast was not included.
Image: hyatt.com
Welcome Package
Room Key
Mesquite Villas Entrance
Our room was located in the Mesquite Villas building on the second floor.
As I entered the building, my first impression what was that Desert Oasis had perhaps seen better days.
Hallway
Room Entrance
Kitchen Area
As I entered the room, I was pleased to find a full kitchen complete with a large refrigerator, range, stove, microwave, tons of storage space, dinnerware, a double sink, toaster, coffee maker, and water boiler at the front of the suite.
Living Area
Beyond the kitchen was a large living area with a dining table, flat screen TV, convertible sofa, chair, and coffee table.
The living area was large and clean, but also clearly dated.
Bedroom
The Desert Oasis Villa had a separate bedroom with a king bed.
The bedroom also came with a flat screen TV, a dresser, a mid-size walk-in closet, and balcony access.
Walk-in closet
Villa Closet
Room Condition
The villa, like the rest of the hotel, was clearly heavily trafficked hotel and dated – but to its credit, Desert Oasis was probably a bona fide “desert oasis” in its heyday.
This room has seen better days
Bathroom
The bathroom was large, but very old school, and came with a dated marble countertop and tub with a shower curtain.
Balcony
The villa had a medium-sized balcony with room for a couple chairs and a lounger, although our particular room’s view left something to be desired as we were directly facing the parking lot.
View From The Room
The Game Room
Image: hyatt.com
Swimming Pool
The spiritual center of Desert Oasis was the swimming pool area and its offshoot “the game room”.
There were several swimming pools including an adult-only swimming pool (which I’m happy to report is sufficiently secluded as I was able to catch an afternoon nap even with all the kids running around at the pool below).
Image: hyatt.com
Image: hyatt.com
Tennis Courts
Image: hyatt.com
Golf Course
Strangely, it didn’t appear that the attached Desert Oasis Golf Course was open.
This may have been because it was 118 degrees in August, but the golf course parking lot looked like it hadn’t been attended to in quite some time.
Image: hyatt.com
Fitness Center
Image: hyatt.com
The Property Exterior
JAX
Jax restaurant was in the same boat.
It looked like it had been closed for quite some time and the parking lot was almost unusable due to the many palm fronds that had not been cleaned up.
The Bottom-Line Review: Desert Oasis (Palm Springs, California)
I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting from Desert Oasis.
My overall impression was that it was a once prime property that has fallen into a mild state of disrepair and could probably use an overall refresh. Luxury it was not.
However, the pool area was nice and relaxing, the property was easy to find, parking was easy, and there seemed like a lot of things to do for couples or families on vacation in the Palm Springs area.
With that said, I did run into an issue where the air conditioner in my first room stopped working almost immediately after I checked-in. I called down to the front desk and notify them to please send somebody up as it was 118 degrees outside, and the ceiling fans were not cutting it.
After about two hours (and 3 phone calls) they did send somebody up, and he took a quick look at the unit, left the room, and returned about 20 minutes later with a brand-new set of keys for a new room (which he had already checked me in to). I really did appreciate that.
Failing AC aside, I still had a good time at Desert Oasis. It’s rare that you find a property with all “one room villas” (guaranteed) at an affordable price/redemption, so this place checked the box for a large suite perfect for hosting a golf weekend out with the boys.
I’m glad I stayed there, the room served its purpose, but I’m not sure I’ll be back. It is a good value proposition if you can find it at 9,000 points per night.
Final Review: 6.5 out of 10
