California’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts festival is just around the corner. The desert gathering, held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, is attended annually by thousands of fans, eager to see epic performers like Radiohead, Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar.
Coachella increased its capacity to 125,000 festivalgoers for 2017, which is why many hotels in the area are already sold out for the event’s first weekend, April 14-16. However, there remains limited room availability for the second weekend, April 21-23.
If you are headed out to the desert next month and still haven’t found a place to stay, there remain some luxury options:
* Marriott is an official partner of the festival and will showcase a Coachella first: flipping Safari campground tents into hotel rooms.
Loyalty members who win an auction or sweepstakes will be able to experience this unique glamping experience.
“Lodging accommodations and tickets to Coachella are hard to come by, with hotel rooms booking up a year in advance and general admission tickets selling out in just three hours,” noted Jennifer Utz Ilecki, vice president of Marriott’s Buzz Marketing and Partnerships. “Marriott saw an opportunity to provide additional lodging opportunities by turning the Safari tents into branded hotel rooms, complete with amenities, along with on-site concierge service, private restrooms and showers and golf cart shuttles to and from the stages,” Ms. Ilecki said.
* Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa (45000 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells, California, 92210, 760/341-2200) is offering a hotel package, DJ’d pool parties, a late-night taco truck crafted by their executive chef and artsy morning fuel provided by barista coffee artist Michael Breach, whose latte portraits have reached celebrity status.
“We are really excited to welcome the Coachella crowd, and are making sure that our guests love every part of their stay during both weekends of the festival,” said Mark Jeffrey, Miramonte general manager.
The hotel includes perks like complimentary valet, a discount on the reservation if the guest stays a fourth night, a range of desert spa treatments and an on-site hydration therapist for Coachella hangovers.
“We have the added advantage of being just minutes away from the venue and across the street from one of the designated shuttle stops,” said Mr. Jeffrey.
* The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa (71333 Dinah Shore Drive, Rancho Mirage, California, 92270, 760/328-5955) has several different pop-up events on property to celebrate Coachella.
“In the courtyard off the lobby, we will have a Coachella Street Fair, with local vendors selling all the necessities to get you ready for the festival — everything from apparel to floral crowns,” said Laura Hunt Little, marketing manager. “For the late-night returns after a long day of music, there will be a grab-and-go food stand with chorizo breakfast burritos and pizzas,” she said.
Since the first weekend of the festival coincides with Easter, the Westin will also have an Adult Easter Egg Hunt with games and prizes.
* With a stunning view, the Ace Hotel Palm Springs (701 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264, 760/325-9900) is but a comfortable driving distance from the festival.
Mirroring how Coachella intersperses art, culture and music, the Ace created “Desert Gold” at its venue as a fun, nightly dance party for festival guests.
As part of their onsite activities, The Ace will also unveil a large-scale mural by Lily and Hopie Stockman.
“We’ve always worked with artists … in a variety of capacities across our hotels,” said Kelly Sawdon, partner/chief brand officer for Atelier Ace/Ace Hotel Group. “You can really get a full experience, even if you’re more interested in winding down than turning up.”
* The Saguaro (1800 East Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264, 760/323-1711) is one of the most popular hotels in Palm Springs during the festival weekends.
“We have a great vibe, and our pool and courtyard always have some of the best DJs and talent performing outside the festival,” said Matt Shough, general manager. “While the programming at the Saguaro during the festival weekends is primarily for hotel guests, they do offer concertgoers the opportunity to come to their pool party events,” Mr. Shough said.
“There’s always a surprise or two from the brand partners who are here for the weekend. We’re doing our best to provide the hotel guests with our very own style of uncomplicated fun.”
Recently, the landmark hotel launched a new, al fresco brunch menu and hired a new executive chef, Gregorio Calderin.
* For a whole other experience, festivalgoers can even rent an RV.
“All you need to do is bring your personal belongings, stop for groceries and beverages on the way in, and you’re all set,” said Zoe Macfarlane, vice president of marketing and business development of Jucy RV Rentals.
For festivals the company offers discounted packages including unlimited mileage, bedding and kitchen kits, solar showers and after-hours pick-ups and drop-offs.
The camper vans sleep four people on two double beds and come equipped with a minifridge, two gas stoves, 5-gallon sink and DVD player.
* The Chateau at Lake La Quinta is the only boutique hotel close to Coachella that overlooks a man-made lake. While there is no room availability for either weekend, it’s still an exquisite venue for Coachella attendees to bypass the long food lines and have lunch, noted Chris Cline, general manager.
“Our restaurant Melange is a perfect choice for the more discerning Coachella Music Festival fan,” Mr. Cline said. “Begin your afternoon with a delicious and relaxing lunch on our outdoor patio overlooking the lake before you encounter the frenetic pulse, high energy and crowd of music lovers you’ll find at the festival.”
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