Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells

The pool is really nice, and there’s pleasant outdoor seating with fire pits for chilly evenings. I was here for the citd convention. EV charging is free in the garage and the outdoor lot, if you can find an open charger. The air conditioning was either blowing me out of bed or leaving the room too hot.

The pool is still great and fun, and I liked that they put floaties out for people. It could use closer bathrooms, though, and the pool menu could be better. The food by the pool was a little subpar, and the wait for food and drinks was EXTREMELY long, which got frustrating. I ordered a rum daiquiri and was brought a virgin one. The hotel itself was really nice and has had the update it needed. For a Renaissance, that renovation was overdue. Apart from the pool service issues, I think the hotel is great.

Mr. Rios at the front desk was very patient and helped us get two connecting rooms. We’d joined friends at Esmeralda after originally booking next door at the Grand Hyatt. We’re a family of four and thought we’d booked a suite, but once we saw the room, it was clear three days there wouldn’t be ideal. Mr. Rios explained that we’d booked a studio, not a suite, which was our mistake. I’d suggest choosing two rooms instead. They have basically the same layout, while the studio is one room split by a half wall with two TVs on either side. We liked the food around the resort, both at the poolside spot and the restaurant. Breakfast’s fresh juice station was a favorite, with fruit, vegetables, and a juicer for making your own blends. There was plenty of pool space, plus pickleball and tennis courts, and the property was clean and well kept. We also loved the spa. We had a massage the first day, then went back each day for the outdoor hot tub and steam room. We’re really glad we stayed.

We chose the Renaissance Indian Wells for our 10th wedding anniversary, but the stay was disappointing. There was no toilet paper in the room when we arrived. Reception fixed that after we called, but the concierge had also promised an anniversary bottle and cake that never showed up. We requested late checkout and were first told 2pm would be possible. The next day, they changed that to 1pm. When I asked for a manager, she spoke down to me and lectured me about elite tier benefits. I’m a Platinum Elite member, spend roughly half the year at Marriott properties, and own a Marriott Vacation Club membership, so I didn’t need a lesson about how the program works. I sent the hotel a detailed email about these issues and got no reply or acknowledgment for a full week. When I called, I was told the team was too busy adding nights for guests staying that weekend. Nobody took ownership of the mistakes. For a Renaissance resort, the service and attention to detail fell well short, especially for a special occasion. I hope they use the feedback to improve.