Horse Ride and Miramonte Spa in Palm Springs

This 2 day, girl's vacay in the desert was all done through Living Social, showing you can plan a small trip and still save lots of money so you can spend it on other necessities while out....like spa treatments!  Ha!  Booked a horse back riding session through Palm Springs Sightseeing Tours for 2p Sunday, April 3rd after realizing that we would only be about 20 minutes away after and in perfect timing to check into the spa.  For $89, me and my bf got a 1 hour ride at Lake Cahuilla relearning how to feel comfortable on a horse and then was served a bbq chicken sandwich with salad and a cold beer for lunch.  I haven't been on a horse in over a decade so thank goodness I had a slightly stubborn, short cut taking stud named Diamond who made me think that I really need to do this more often!  The picnic lunch that was served with the ride was okay, dry but after the horse experience and perfect weather, I'm not one to complain...I was nourished and off on time with a cold beer to check in to the resort.  Total cost after tip: $105 and well worth it!

Miramonte Spa and Resort is located in Indian Wells and the spa was rated #1 in America by Conde Nast Traveler, so of course that was a must during our stay.  Started with a very chilled strawberry drop infused with their very own, grown lemons for my soul sista Stephanie, had a sip and deliciousness trickled down my throat.  Oh my, what a way to start.  Walked the grounds were we saw 2 pools, a sauna and a fitness room nestled in between lemon trees and small gardens where they grew their own sage, oregano, chives and such, gotta love home grown ingredients!

The room contained 2 queen size comfy beds, a very nice size plasma and plenty of space for us.  2 sinks allowed primping quickly to get ready for our 3 course dinner which was located with a skip, hop and a jump.  I started with the lobster bisque, which had depth and rich flavor without it being too overpowering and a full bodied, baby smooth Malbec...then the seafood paella came.  Oh my!!!!!

 Now I didn't love their take on the paella which was creamy/runny risotto with peas instead of spanish style rice, but the seafood was to die for.  I don't really like scallops but these were like seafood steaks on the plate and seasoned to perfection.  I finished with the strawberry shortcake which was delicate and smooth topped with some chocolate covered strawberries courtesy of the kitchen.



Pictured to the left eaten, because that's what happens when you bring me fantastic desserts!  3 course meal with wine will run you about $40 plus tax and tip, don't skip on this experience at least once during your stay because the choices are fantastic.  They have 2 affordable 3 course prix fixe dining menus, one with more beef that's about $40 and one with more seafood for $30, get your stomach ready and try one!

The next morning we started with a fruit plate on our small open patio because we were still stuffed and strolled over to the spa for the beginning of our relaxation services.  I started in the eucalyptus steam room and soaked in one of the two 98 degreee salt baths before my service.  I had a wine bath ($45/15 min.) that had lemon oil and rosemary infusion along with a local wine poured in and while soaking, I had some of that wine along with  their trail mix of granola, dried cranberries and citrus brushed almonds-YUMMY!!!  Now all spa services, should be this amazing when you're spending money and now I have a new standard.  I got the absolute vitality wrap ($155) which involved a choosing of a word on a stone to focus in on, lymph node oil placement, light body scrub, then monticelli mud swiped all over causing tingling sensations while cocooned and compressed, mini facial performed, vichy shower (raindrops from heaven) for a warm rinse and then finished off with the application of oil.  Super Fantastic!!!  Leisurely had a portebello sandwich with a salad in the courtyard relaxing away and saying how perfect each service was for the both of us.  Followed suit with room service to keep with the lazy mode and split the tasty crabcake, chowed down on the salmon dinner and finished it off with the carrot cake from Urth Cafe (LA) with Sophia's rose wine.


Woke up to another perfect day to eat on the patio part of the dining room to leave on the strawberry drop, lobster quesidilla and peking duck spring rolls.  Perfect ending to a perfect trip.  Total cost around $500 each including food, tips, spa treatments and room so instead of this trip being $1000 or so a piece, we did it for $600.  This resort is now on the radar and will get a return visit with or without the extra savings!