Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa - A KSL Luxury Resort attracts families as well as couples with spacious garden grounds, views of the Santa Rosa Mountains, and a casual atmosphere.

Densely planted with low hedges, slender cypress trees, lawns, flowers, bougainvillea, ficus and citrus trees--and replete with the hotel's signature whippet statues--the hotel's grounds were transformed in 2003 from a 1960s-style motel into a contemporary hotel featuring 1930s Hollywood style. Children are welcome, but most guests are adults.

Designed in Moorish style and arrayed on expansive green grounds filled with blossoms, the resort attracts vacationers seeking golfing and family-activity opportunities.

La Quinta Resort & Club opened in 1926 with 56 rooms and quickly became popular as a retreat for leading Hollywood figures. The architectural styles of earlier years—-small, stucco buildings with tile roofs and ample private areas-—have been maintained as the resort has grown to include numerous recreational facilities, shops, and restaurants. The resort's size makes it popular for corporate retreats and large-group gatherings, but the intimate room settings appeal to couples for weekend getaways.

Graced by fountains, lakes, and waterways, the resort's lush grounds offer views of the Santa Rosa Mountains and tranquil holidays under sun and stars. Families and couples come here for golf, swimming, and relaxation.

What to expect: Set on 35 acres, Hyatt Grand Champions Resort & Spa attracts groups with its meeting facilities and lures leisure travelers seeking a getaway with its extensive spa and personal services. The resort's Indian Wells location is ideal for recreational opportunities, including the two adjacent championship golf courses. Palm Springs' entertainment and dining options are 16 miles away.

Amenity highlights: The resort is home to the 30,000-square-foot Agua Serena Spa with 18 indoor and outdoor treatment rooms. Located within the main spa, the Medical and Skin Spa is renowned for nonsurgical skin rejuvenation. Seven pools include two children's pools with water slides and an adults-only pool with rental cabanas, all within the resort's central courtyard. Yoga and movement classes are complimentary, and Camp Hyatt keeps children busy with activities (surcharge).

Golf courses surround Miramonte Resort and Spa, and, on site, olive and citrus trees dot the grounds, along with rose gardens, herb gardens, and hammocks. Children are welcome, but most guests are couples.

The calls of exotic birds and the sounds of rushing water welcome guests to this expansive resort. Desert Springs - A JW Marriott Resort caters to families and couples as well as to conventions and groups, and features ample tranquil spots for sunbathing, relaxing, and reading.

Offering both small and large-scale meeting spaces in addition to extensive bridal and spa services, the Lodge at Rancho Mirage draws business travelers, conference goers, wedding guests, and weekend romantics.

This hotel houses 144 rooms and villas set amid 13 acres. It is also home to the renown Palm Springs Yacht Club, a 15,000 square foot spa as well as four red-clay tennis courts, an executive golf course, two petanque courts, and four pools (two indoor, two outdoor).