The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa

This sprawling, Spanish Mission-style resort has a casual yet upscale ambiance. Its beautiful grounds are meticulously maintained and highlighted by large fountains, ponds with waterfalls, and stately rows of towering palms. The spacious lobby has natural stone walls and a recessed oval ceiling, with lighting that casts a warm glow on the tile and wood floors. The property's family-friendly vibe is immediately evident, with large terrarium displays of desert wildlife. Rescue dogs up for adoption are also on-site for walks. Corporate events also bring a considerable number of business travelers. While it’s generally a peaceful place, the main pool gets quite crowded and a bit noisy at times. 

The Westin is located on 320 acres in Rancho Mirage, about a 20-minute drive east of downtown Palm Springs. While it’s a quiet area and isolated in terms of walking to restaurants and shops, there are plenty of options less than a five-minute drive. The site of the annual Coachella Music Festival is a 30-minute drive from the resort, and Joshua Tree National Park Visitors Center is approximately 45 minutes by car. Getting to Palm Springs Airport is a 15-minute drive, and it's a two-hour drive to Los Angeles.

Vaulted ceilings and lots of space give guest rooms an airy vibe, but the lack of vibrant colors and muted lighting make them a bit drab and dated. They were last renovated in 2003, and while they have quality reddish-brown wood furniture and a contemporary look, the two-tone brown carpet, tan walls, upholstery, and drapes lack energy. However, they're still comfortable, and not entirely unattractive. 

All rooms and suites have patios or balconies that offer various views of the resort grounds and golf course, and Westin’s signature pillow-top mattresses. There also desks, oval tables, and armchairs. Amenities are a big plus, with 42-inch flat-screen TVs, iHome docking stations, mini-fridges, coffeemakers with free Starbucks coffee, robes, safes, and free bottled water and Wi-Fi. 

Bathrooms have shower/tub combos with rainfall showerheads, magnifying mirrors, and White Tea toiletries. Deluxe Rooms and Suites have double vanities, and suites have separate soaking tubs and walk-in showers. 

Traditional and Deluxe rooms are a spacious 525 square feet and come in King or Double Queen options. Larger corner rooms and suites add sleeper sofas and dining sets for six. 

This desert resort’s amenities are squarely focused on providing a relaxing environment where guests can pursue their favorite activities. True to its name, golf is a priority here, with two championship-caliber courses designed by Pete Dye and Gary Player. It also has a pro shop and conducts clinics. The top-notch tennis center with seven courts also has a pro shop and clinics. 

Three spacious pools are anchored by the family-friendly Las Brisas main pool that has a 75-foot slide and a bar featuring burgers. There also is a quiet pool and an adults-only pool. Each pool area features whirlpools and private cabanas for rent.

For wellness, there's a full-service spa with 14 treatment rooms, a salon, steam room, outdoor whirlpool, and an exercise studio where yoga and Pilates classes are offered for a fee. The spa also has a boutique. The fitness center is large and well-equipped with cardio and weight training equipment.

Multiple on-site dining options include a coffee shop and the Pinzimini Italian eatery that serves breakfast (for a fee), lunch, and dinner. Room service is available. 

Concierge services include babysitting and valet dry cleaning and laundry, and there's more than 17,000 square feet of meeting space that can accommodate events for up to 1,800 people. The Kids Club features supervised activities, and the game room has lots of arcade-style entertainment options. 

Other amenities include nightly turndown service, a fleet of bicycles available for rent, a playground, and basketball and shuffleboard courts. Pets stay free with certain restrictions, and parking and Wi-Fi are included in the rather hefty daily resort fee. Travelers with limited mobility should be aware that there's no elevator to access second-floor rooms.