Now that gay marriage has been legalized in California, Ellen Degeneres and longtime girlfriend Portia de Rossi are planning to wed -- and likely in a major, major way.
An insider tells Page Six they plan to hold the nuptials at the Riviera Resort and Spa in Palm Springs. "They didn't sign the contract yet, but they're working out final details and security," said the source.
"The hotel is doing $70 million in renovations that will be done in October. They said they wanted to have the ceremony in the tropical gardens by the pool and the reception in the grand ballroom. They will also close a significant portion of the hotel, so it looks big."
And they mean big: the function space in the hotel, upon its Fall 2008 reopening, is second only in size to the Palm Springs convention center and can accommodate events with guest lists up to 1,000.
We love us some Ellen, so we're happy to hear this thing will be huge and we certainly hope our invitations don't get lost in the mail.
While it's definitely the off-season for Palm Springs right now, it's also the best time to take advantage of cheap room rates at some of the desert's best hotels. We'll be rounding up some of the Palm Springs area's (including Palm Desert) most notable hotels this week. Got any suggestions or questions? Let us know.
While La Quinta is far removed from the downtown Palm Springs party scene and the Hyatt smack down in the middle of it, the Hotel Zoso is just a touch removed from the nightlife.
Located behind Palm Canyon Drive on South Indian Canyon, the Zoso has a boutique hotel feel with a dash of zen. Rooms are tricked out with modern decor ("plush textures beside cool stainless steel"), 42-inch flat screen TVs, luxury sheets (although these could be fake) and faux fur throws. Uh...it's the desert. You might not need those fur throws this summer.
Entitled "It's Fun to Vacation at Clothing-Optional and Nudist Resorts," the blog is written by owners Tom and Mary Clare and covers all sorts of topics ranging from current issues that affect the nudist community to last-minute cancellations and availability at the Inn.
Since the Inn prides itself on being a friendly, welcoming and supportive place for first-time clothing-optional vacationers, the blog features a ton of content focused on giving first-timers the kind of comfort and encouragement they may need to debut their goodies with confidence.
Next summer, these rooms will be looking a lot better!
Looks like we weren't the only ones who thought the Hyatt Regency Suites Palm Springs was in poor shape. The hotel was just sold and its new owner wants to (thankfully) spend some money on prettying the place up.
The Memphis Biz Journal reports that next summer the hotel will being an $18.9 million renovation:
The renovation will touch virtually every aspect of the hotel, including redesigns of the lobby, atrium, restaurant, and lounge, while guest suites will be fully refurbished with luxury-quality finishes and 37" flat panel TVs in the bedroom of the suites and 42" flat panel TVs in the parlor.
A new fitness center, full-service spa and new pool will be added as well.
We can't stress enough how badly this hotel need a re-do. Let's hope they double-proof the window panes too to keep out the street noise.
The hotel will remain a Hyatt and we expect prices to jump a bit but it wasn't exactly a cheap hotel to start with and now you will be relaxing in comfort.
While it's definitely the off-season for Palm Springs right now, it's also the best time to take advantage of cheap room rates at some of the desert's best hotels. We'll be rounding up some of the Palm Springs area's (including Palm Desert) most notable hotels this month. Got any suggestions or questions? Let us know.
Yes, this picture was taken this year. Hard to believe, we know.
This oddly-shaped hotel (we think its like a trapezoid) is located on Palm Canyon Drive, right smack in the middle of where everything goes off at night. All rooms are one-bedroom suites with their own private balcony, granting you plenty of space to recuperate from a hangover at a boozy night out.
However, there is a catch to being close to all the action.
Mother's Day is next Sunday, May 11 and if you were thinking of picking up all the usual gifts for mom on her big day like flowers, chocolates, that latest New York Times bestseller, we say get a little more creative. Afterall, moms like to have fun too. (Or at least we think they do.)
So our suggested way of thanking Mom for all her years of love and hard work is with a pedicure, a facial, and lunch by the pool at the decadent Estrella Spa at Viceroy Palm Springs.
The "Mom and Me" Special involves a full-day spa package that offers mom-and-daughter pedis, full-hour facials, wash-and-blowouts, and a makeup application so you two can look your best.
Keep reading for more details and booking suggestions
We're big fans of any hotel review that starts with this:
The Colony Palms Hotel was built in 1936 by the Detroit mobster Al Wertheimer as a front for a brothel and gambling house.
Sadly crime-fueled antics are no longer the norm, after a $16 million renovation completed about 10 months ago. But there are still enough edgy touches to impress your gangsta' id.
In-room, photos of "nearly naked models frolicking on the hotel beds" adorn the walls, and along with a stocked minibar, you'll also find a martini shaker. Coffee is delivered to your room in the morning, eliminating the need to face the world after a long night. And with rates at a relatively cheap $209 a night, you won't need to be a cash-stacked mobster to afford a stay.
We told you earlier this week about the midnight massages at Jumby Bay that give couples a chance to unwind together. Now, it seems like luxury treatment at hotel spas is one of fall's big trends.
The newest (and tastiest) addition? The pumpkin wrap at Estrella Spa at Viceroy Palm Springs. The full-service destination has been offering massages, facials and aromatherapy since it first opened its doors. But the recently added pumpkin wrap seems like the perfect way to celebrate fall.
The 90-minute treatment starts with a cinnamon and sugar exfoliation, which prepares the skin for a moisture-rich slathering of pure pumpkin and a slathering of vanilla coconut oil.
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by Jenna
