- Hotel Website: The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
- Location: Google Maps
- Book: Check availability
- Room Type: Desert View King – 450sqft/41sqm, 1 Bedroom, Separate living room
- Review Score: Results of our review
- Hotel Fact: The hotel is perched high up on a bluff of the Santa Rosa Mountains, giving it one of the most spectacular, sweeping panoramic views of the entire Coachella Valley and Palm Springs area. This isn’t just a pretty view; it’s a structural feature that directly influences the guest experience, particularly making the sunset viewing an unforgettable daily ritual, as noted in your own review.
Location & View: Beautiful hilltop location with unparalleled, sweeping panoramic views of the entire Coachella Valley.
Valet Service: Absolutely helpful and prompt valet service, comparable to the high standards experienced at The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain and The Ritz-Carlton Maldives.
In-Room Experience: Beautiful suite upgrade and a wonderful welcome gift, courtesy of Classic Travel.
Dining Benefits: Complimentary breakfast benefit (via Stars and Luminous programs) and excellent dinner service.
Pool Experience: A beautiful pool area and view, essential for cooling down in the hot desert climate, complemented by glamorous cocktail service.
Wellness: Enjoyable and professional couples massage at the lovely onsite spa.
Cocktail Hours: The main bar area and cocktail service tend to shut down a bit early, though it’s possible to transition indoors to continue drinks.
Location Vibe: While stunning, the location is on a hill, requiring a drive, and the property has a unique, regional vibe that subtly steps away from the most traditional Ritz-Carlton design elements.
Weather: Expect extremely hot weather (e.g., 100°F) in Palm Springs; the pool is a necessity.
🕐 24-hour room service
🧸 Babysitting services
🍸 Bar
🏖️ Beach
🧘 Fitness classes
⛳ Golf
🏋️ Gym
📋 Meeting rooms
🏊 Outdoor pool
🍽️ Restaurants
💆 Spa
The Luxe Atlas Rating
Design: 9/10
Vibe: 8.9/10
Romantic: 9.2/10
Air Conditioning: 9/10
Room: 9/10
Food: 8.5/10
Location: 8.5/10
Gym/Fitness: 10/10
Cleanliness: 10/10
Wow Factor: 8.5/10
Overall Experience: 9.02/10
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage: Desert Luxury with Panoramic Palm Springs Views
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage offers a truly phenomenal getaway experience. Located beautifully up on a hill, this hotel is easily accessible after a quick drive to the top from the Downtown Palm Springs area. Our relaxing weekend was spent with close friends nearby, and we thoroughly enjoyed checking out this lovely Ritz-Carlton property. Its location overlooks the entire valley, providing a unique view that is particularly breathtaking during sunsets. We highly recommend taking the time to spend an evening watching the sun drop over the Coachella Valley—it’s an unforgettable spectacle.
Arrival Experience: Seamless and Attentive Valet
Entering the hotel is fairly easy; guests typically drive there, and we found the valet service to be absolutely most helpful. While valet service at Ritz-Carlton properties can occasionally be hit or miss, this one was just on time and handled all of our luggage with exceptional care. This level of personalized, high-touch service was consistent with our past positive experiences at The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain and The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, setting a fantastic tone for the entire stay.
The Hotel: Elevated Elegance and Valley Views
The hotel lobby is a beautiful space, featuring the signature luxurious floral arrangements that the brand is known for, which are typically swapped out weekly. After our efficient check-in, we were pleased with the seamless process of getting to our suite, which included a beautiful upgrade—a delightful gesture thanks to Classic Travel. The hotel’s core appeal lies in its elevated position, which provides those dramatic, uninterrupted views of the valley.
The Hotel Room: Suite Sanctuary and Unique Design
Walking to our room, we were immediately delighted to see a wonderful welcome gift awaiting us, compliments of Classic Travel. Our suite featured a beautiful view overlooking the valley and faced the poolside, giving us a unique, dual vista that offered spectacular sunrise and sunset views. We were happy with the bathroom, noting that this particular location steps away from the more traditional Ritz-Carlton design, embracing a unique, local vibe that felt fresh and fitting for the desert setting.
Restaurants Onsite: Morning Brunch to Evening Cocktails
Our time at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage, was a grand culinary adventure. The experience lifted us up in the morning with complementary breakfast (a perk we received thanks to the Stars and Luminous programs) and calmed us down for evening cocktails. We had a beautiful dinner in one of the main restaurants, enjoying the atmosphere outside on the patio, and then slipped back indoors to finish cocktails by the main bar.
A key point on drinks: while the outdoor cocktail areas might shut down a bit early, there are always options to continue the evening inside.
Onsite Dining and Lounge Options
| State Fare Bar + Kitchen | Seasonal American Cuisine (All Day) | Breakfast: 6:30 AM – 11:00 AM |
| Lunch: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | ||
| Dinner: Sun–Thu 5:30 PM–9 PM; Fri–Sat 5 PM–10 PM | ||
| The Edge Steakhouse | Fine Dining Steakhouse | Dinner: Wed–Sun 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Reservations Recommended) |
| Air Pool Bar | Poolside Drinks and Bites | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Pools: The Desert Oasis
The pool area is a primary feature of the resort, and we spent a significant amount of time there during the day. The hot, 100-degree weather in Palm Springs definitely necessitates a cool down, and this is a beautiful pool with a stunning view to experience it at. While relaxing, we made sure to stop by the pool bar or flag down a server for some phenomenal drinks. We especially loved the Ritz-Carlton cocktail service, as they always go above and beyond to make sure the presentation and experience are glamorous.
Activities & Amenities: Fitness and Leisure
The resort includes a comprehensive fitness center that we thoroughly enjoyed. It’s equipped with modern machines and ample space for a full workout. Beyond the gym and the pool, the property’s main activity is simply soaking in the atmosphere—enjoying evening drinks on the patio and taking in the panoramic views that define the Rancho Mirage experience.
The Spa and Wellness
The hotel features a lovely spa, which we were happy to use. While we didn’t take photos, we absolutely loved our couples massage. The spa environment is a beautiful, tranquil retreat, offering a full range of treatments expected of a luxury resort.
The Spa Operating Hours
| The Spa | Treatments, Massages, and Relaxation | Daily: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (May extend to 7:00 PM on Fri/Sat) |
| Fitness Center | Techno Gym Equipment, Peloton Bikes | Daily: 24 Hours |
Note: Access to the Fitness Center is typically available 24 hours a day for hotel guests.
Final Closing: Above and Beyond Expectations
This hotel was truly above and beyond our expectations. The seamless in-and-out experience, combined with the spectacular poolside and outdoor patio for cocktails, makes it an ideal desert escape. Overall, we personally enjoyed this hotel more than the nearby Autograph Collection, the Westin, and the Renaissance, solidifying The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage, as a premier choice for luxury travelers in the Coachella Valley.
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