Joining the Party April 28, 2008 The Coachella music fest morphs a placid Palm Springs retreat
By Alison Golub
Timing a program to coincide with a local festival or event can elevate a reward trip from special to spectacular. Proof positive: My recent relaxing escape to longtime incentive-haven Palm Springs was transformed into an unforgettable escapade; it overlapped with the annual three-day Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, perhaps the most sought-after musical menagerie of its kind in the States.
I didn't have tickets for the festival—which was held at the Empire Polo Fields in nearby Indio, California—but I didn't need them. Rather, I basked in the event's youthful, arty vibe at chic Viceroy Palm Springs Resort and Spa, the GQ magazine headquarters for the festivities and a spectacular setting for a series of cool events. Complimentary cocktails poolside; one-of-a-kind live music performances; world-renowned DJs spinning the hottest mixes; villas offering complimentary must-have SWAG; and Young Hollywood star-sightings were de rigueur during my stay.
Best of all, there was no need to sacrifice the rest and relaxation so easily savored in Palm Springs. The boutique Viceroy Resort sprawls over four fragrant acres, with three landscaped courtyards punctuated by sparkling pools and manicured gardens. The resort's custom-designed, Hollywood-style villas—tucked quietly away from the excitement at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains—offered a secluded oasis after hours of lounging poolside, feasting at the resort’s scene-to-be-seen-in outdoor cabanas, and dancing the night away.
The Viecroy's renowned Estrella Spa served as an additional retreat, offering an extensive roster of rejuvenating services that enticed both seasoned Palm Springs travelers and sleep-deprived concert-goers. Fully refreshed from my own expert massage, I ventured off property for an entertaining architecture tour of the exquisite mid-century modern homes and public buildings that populate Palm Springs. And because the Viceroy Resort is nestled in the heart of city, within walking distance of many parks and preserves; museums and galleries; golf courses; and acclaimed restaurants, incentive winners here have no shortage of additional recreation options at their fingertips. But like most others visiting during the festival, I never strayed too far. The party was in my own backyard, after all.
Photos (listed from top to bottom): Fans celebrate art and music at the Coachella festival; The Viceroy Palm Springs.
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Best of all, there was no need to sacrifice the rest and relaxation so easily savored in Palm Springs. The boutique Viceroy Resort sprawls over four fragrant acres, with three landscaped courtyards punctuated by sparkling pools and manicured gardens. The resort's custom-designed, Hollywood-style villas—tucked quietly away from the excitement at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains—offered a secluded oasis after hours of lounging poolside, feasting at the resort’s scene-to-be-seen-in outdoor cabanas, and dancing the night away.
