Hotel

It was the kind of place everyone was looking for; it is a wonderful green oasis in the middle of the desert, and it is absolutely private. —Frank Capra

La Quinta began as the dreamchild of Walter H. Morgan. He arrived in the desert during 1921 and purchased 1,400 acres on which he planned to construct a small, self-contained retreat. A few years later, with the help of Pasadena architect, Gordon Kaufman (Santa Anita Raceway), they initiated construction of the ultimate getaway. Morgan christened his vision, “La Quinta” after hearing a Mexican tale about a big country house surrounded by cottages. The grand opening was held in December 1926.

Soon afterward, the resort became a refuge and social “must” for Hollywood. Greta Garbo, Ginger Rogers, Bette Davis, Clark Gable, and Joan Crawford are but a few of many stars that routinely made the trek to La Quinta. Well-known business moguls and their families (the DuPonts, the Gianninis and the Vanderbilts) also felt its magnetism. Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr. once wrote, “If it’s far from the madding crowd you want to be, there’s no better place to be than at the exclusive La Quinta Hotel.”

Also drawn to and enchanted by La Quinta, was film director and screenwriter, Frank Capra. He first came to the desert in the late 1920s to turn a short story into the script for It Happened One Night. When the film swept the Academy Awards, he deemed La Quinta his “Shangri-La for script-writing” and returned year after year to create such film classics as: Lost Horizon, You Can’t Take It with You, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Over the years, Morgan’s dream has grown from a lobby, dining room and casitas to a luxury resort with championship golf, award-winning spa, celebrated tennis center and more.

Casita Guest Rooms

Comfortable California style décor LCD flat panel TVs, premium cable with on-demand video games and movies Luxurious bathrooms with double-sinks, shower and oversized bathrub Luxury bath amenities, plush terry bathrobes Two telephones with dual lines/data-port, speaker and voice mail capabilities

Standard Wi-Fi; charging stations with dual USB ports Refreshment centers Coffee makers, hair dryers, irons/boards In-room safes

Resort Fee Inclusions

Unlimited use of the fitness center In-room coffee service High-speed Internet access Shuttle for individual transfers to Resort and PGA West golf courses Driving range use, including balls

Golf bag storage Lawn games Local, toll-free, and credit card calls (no access fee) Daily newspaper Monday-Friday (Saturday-Sunday upon request) Complimentary self and valet parking

Resort Amenities

Spa La Quinta, 23,000 sq. ft. full service spa and Yamaguchi Salon Five restaurants Nine boutique shops, including a fine art gallery Fitness Center

41 climate-controlled pools 53 hot tubs 23 tennis courts (five Hydro Courts and ten lighted)