The World’s First-ever Tommy Bahama Resort Opens Today in Palm Springs, California — and I Was One of the First to Check It Out

Tommy Bahama's signature laid-back vibe is a perfect fit for Palm Springs.

“Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa pairs island living with desert luxury to offer an entirely new concept of elevated leisure and wellness for visitors to the Greater Palm Springs area,” Doug Wood, the CEO of Tommy Bahama, told Travel + Leisure. After a weekend at the new resort, I can agree that the familiar Tommy Bahama style — personified with resort clothing, a palm tree logo, and tropical ambiance — translates seamlessly into its new Indian Wells, California, property. It's the brand's first-ever resort, opening Nov. 1.

At the resort’s grand opening event, the brand’s popularity was evident in many of the guests’ clothing choices as well as in several inquiries about whether Tommy Bahama was actually going to be at the party. Alas, the fictional Mr. Bahama, who inspired the brand, would not make an appearance, but if he had, he would surely have approved of the lobby’s hand-painted murals, the lush green palms of the guest rooms’ wallpaper, and the signature print, “Calypso Palms,” on display in the new Rosa Boutique. He may have sipped a Grapefruit Basil cocktail — a classic Tommy Bahama beverage — as he strolled through the resort’s Olive Grove or relaxed alongside one of the patio’s fire pits.

Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa

• The first-ever Tommy Bahama resort — now open in Indian Wells, California, which is part of the Greater Palm Springs area — brings the laid-back vibes of the brand to life.

• There are three saltwater pools, bocce courts, and quintessential Tommy Bahama design details throughout the resort.

• The treatments at Spa Rosa are fantastic, drinks at Chiki Palm pool are a must, and Indian Wells Golf Resort is close by for those looking to practice their swing.

The Rooms

The resort, a $20-million renovation of what had been the Miramonte Resort & Spa since 1988, is set against the Santa Rosa Mountains on 11 acres. Winding paths connect three saltwater swimming pools, two bocce ball courts, citrus and olive trees, flower and herb gardens, the spa, and the lobby. The rooms, wrapped in leafy green wallpaper with touches of grapefruit pink (what else?), include custom Tommy Bahama amenities.

Five luxury villa suites have been entirely redesigned with Tommy Bahama furniture, decor, wallpaper, and bedding. The Tiger Suite features the brand's Los Altos furniture collection, while the Palm Suite has tropical wallpaper, leather-wrapped carved bamboo, and rattan details. The Pineapple Suite’s weathered driftwood, woven rattan, and textured metal come from the Cypress Point collection, and the Paradise Suite features palm trees, graceful jungle cats, and natural wood finishes. Custom pieces from the Tommy Bahama Palm Desert furniture collection, tropical floral wallpaper, and woven raffia details fill the ultra-luxurious, 1,078-square-foot Grand Marlin Suite.

Food and Drink

The resort’s signature restaurant and bar, Grapefruit Basil, named for that famed Tommy Bahama cocktail, is also a nod to the citrus trees found throughout the property. The light-filled dining spot opens to the lobby as well as to the outdoor Olive Grove patio for both indoor and al fresco brunch and dinner. The menu features coastal-inspired dishes, and the extensive daily brunch menu reminds guests that brunch isn’t just for weekends — especially when you’re on vacation.

Across the lobby, the bar was lively, with an array of cleverly named craft cocktails and a bar menu offering small plates including flatbreads, a charcuterie board, and hummus. My favorites turned out to be the crisp arancini and the scallop sliders. The night after the grand opening festivities, my husband and I relaxed with cocktails at a table in the Olive Grove, and a few dishes from the bar menu created a perfect dinner. The Coachella Cadillac and the Grapefruit Basil cocktails received great reviews, and I ended the evening with the espresso martini-style drink called Dancing in the Dark, which was delicious.

The Pools

On a sunny Friday afternoon, a visit to Chiki Palm pool seemed like the thing to do, so I settled into a lounge chair under a pink-and-white-striped umbrella and sipped prosecco. The halibut tacos (highly recommended!) were a tasty lunch after my morning facial at the Spa Rosa. While the music and the buzzy poolside atmosphere were fun, I found myself longing to be back at the spa for a quiet hot tub soak.

At the Chiki Palm pool, guests can arrange cabanas for a day of poolside luxury. Cabana rentals include two lounge chairs, a complimentary pitcher of margaritas or domestic beer, soft drinks, and a sun care kit from Spa Rosa. Tucked away in another area of the resort, the Hideaway Pool offers a serene atmosphere with a heated whirlpool and sun deck.

Spa Rosa

The aforementioned hot tub, kept at 103 degrees, features partial walls that create intimate nooks, each with waterfalls and room for one or two. There’s a swimming pool and several cabana-style private areas for relaxing with a glass of Champagne. At the Spa Rosa, guests can indulge in a treatment and then spend the day relaxing in the spa’s serene courtyard.

“The resort’s destination spa offers a new menu that reflects Tommy Bahama’s island spirit, with treatments such as the guided Daydream to Life Ritual, Island State of Mind Massage, Santa Rosa Mountain Mud Body Mask, and Precious Rose Quartz Facial,” according to Wood. 

Experiences, Amenities, and Location

Guests can participate in bike tours, neighborhood walks, aqua fitness and yoga classes, morning hikes, and visits to local farmers markets. There’s nightly acoustic guitar music in the Olive Grove, where guests can gather around fire pits to enjoy the entertainment. A weekly event schedule is displayed online and at the registration desk.

Indian Wells is a 20-mile drive from the heart of Palm Springs, and is considered part of the Greater Palm Springs area. Golf can be arranged at the adjacent Indian Wells Golf Resort which features the Players Course, Clive Clark’s Celebrity Course, and a putting course. The acclaimed Indian Wells Tennis Garden, home of the annual BNP Paribas Open as well as concerts and sporting events, is nearby. The facility is open to the public throughout the year.

The resort’s fitness center, open 24 hours, includes treadmills, ellipticals, and free weights. Guests will want to visit the Rosa Boutique in the lobby where there’s a wide selection of exclusive Tommy Bahama resort merchandise and luxury accessories, including a Grapefruit Basil candle, Tobago Bay knitwear, caps, bags, a branded yoga mat, and signature print bags.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome at the resort (for an additional fee of $100 per stay), with a maximum of two pets per room. A dog bed, doggie bags, and a set of doggie bowls are provided, and there’s a designated area on the property for dog walking.

Accessibility and Sustainability

In terms of accessibility, the buildings have elevators, there are paved pathways and many parking lots throughout the resort, and several rooms can be outfitted with roll-in showers and bathroom grab bars. There are also wheelchair lifts at all of the hot tubs and pools.

Tommy Bahama is also "a proud partner of Kind Traveler to support the important work of The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert in furthering the well-being and sustainability of the local community," said a resort spokesperson.

Looking Forward

With the success of the Tommy Bahama brand in the desert — restaurants and stores already exist on El Paseo in Palm Desert and on Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs — made this is ideal venue for the first Tommy Bahama resort. “Launching the resort concept was a natural next step, and guests can now share the Tommy Bahama brand experience with family and friends,” Wood told T+L. As for the future, he said, “We are currently looking for opportunities to bring the Tommy Bahama Resort & Spa to Florida, Hawaii, or the Scottsdale area.”

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.