We had a Delta Companion certificate expiring at the end of January and decided to make our 1st trip ever to Palm Springs. I researched the hotels (mainly Hilton and IHG) since one of us is Diamond in each! Based on location, price, and reviews (some of which weren’t too good), I chose the Riviera Palm Springs (an independent member of the IHG group). I called the hotel a month prior to see what I could expect as an IHG Diamond. I was told by the person (a female but didn’t get name) who answered the phone that we would receive the complimentary breakfast since that would be my choice for the welcome amenity, an upgrade, if available, and more. Once I was able to find available dates for a 4 night trip with my Delta certificate that also corresponded to decent rates at the hotel, I booked a trip on Delta and a King Premium room with points at the hotel from 17-21 January 2026. I corresponded with the hotel by email 2-3 days before our arrival to let them know our approximate arrival time, my choice for my welcome amenity, that we would not have a car, about my bad knee, etc. and received a prompt response from David W. He responded that we had been upgraded to a ground floor Sage suite in Building 1 (we actually were given a Sage Suite, #3200, in Building 3 on the 2nd and top floor upon arrival, but I was able to maneuver my way up and down 1 flight a few times a day during our stay and enjoyed not being under anyone!). The 6 buildings around the main pool don’t have elevators, but the 2 (#4 and #5) by the back pool did, I was told. David also answered my questions about the availability of bicycles and that they had locks on them, but we actually never used them! He also granted us a 2 o’clock check-out since our fight home didn’t leave until about 5 p.m. His response made me feel much better after having read reviews on TripAdvisor, some of which forecast doom; people get upset about so much when they should just relax and enjoy. Note: I also received a system-generated email about our booked reservation from Andrew J., General Manager.
We arrived about 2 p.m. due to slow luggage delivery to the carousel plus a Lyft driver from Temecula, who was making her 1st attempt to work in Palm Springs and was very confused (no access to airport pick-up area so we had to cross over sidewalk to drop off side). Upon arrival at hotel, we were warmly greeted by David and Shaun O. I noticed soon after we arrived at our room that I got an email stating that I received 500 welcome points(not a big deal or about $3-but something) and appreciated!
I was contacted by text about 3 hours before our arrival (while we were in Salt Lake changing planes) and used that stream to correspond with the hotel during our stay and afterwards. The names of those with whom I texted included : Kathleen B., David W., Felisa T., Jessica U., Schalate B., Dustin G., Shaun O., Alyssa A., Tijah T., and Amelia A. Although everyone tried to be helpful, I did notice some inconsistencies in a few of the responses?
Upon our arrival at the room, everything was spotlessly clean with fresh smells. We had a 2 room suite with a side bar area in living room and an en suite bathroom in the bedroom as well. The bathroom had double vanity, a toilet off to the side (could have used privacy door) plus a separate shower and large garden-like tub. Each room had a TV, but we never turned on the one in the bedroom plus I couldn’t find a 2nd remote for the one in the bedroom? The safe was broken (I reported to front desk), but I said it could wait until our departure since we didn’t need it. One side of sink drained slowly, the tap water was a little cloudy but tasted ok, and pool music could get loud-need thicker pain windows. We also requested and received a microwave on our 2nd day; it was nice to reheat leftovers. Also, beware that people can see in at night very easily so dress appropriately when in living room/bar area!
There was some confusion the 1st morning at breakfast. My IHG Diamond breakfast is supposed to include a built-in tip(not correct on printed certificate for Diamond, but is correct for those who prepay), unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, and an item off the menu (plus sides like toast, if not included in specific breakfast). I went to the front desk and more confusion. The 1st 2 mornings I left an extra tip, but on day 3, we finally met Carlos, who told us “tip was included as well as expected sides plus juice and coffee”. He was there our final day as well. It’s just a training issue, and that’s one area for some improvement at this property. We did receive very good breakfasts every morning and tried a variety of items such as 1) Steak & Eggs, 2) Eggs Benedict, 3) spicy Frittatas, and 4) Choose egg type with meat, bread, etc. etc. We didn’t visit for lunch or dinner since we went out. Even though included in my Diamond amenity breakfast, we were charged for 2 orange juices that we didn't have on day 1. I told wait staff next morning, and manager came by and took pic of my receipt pic. All correct on remaining days plus breakfast was always tasty and filling with friendly service.
They do have a daily “destination fee” of $30 ($35.01 after taxes and fees). Many times when I use IHG points, as I did this time, or if I have a Chase Free Night certificate, these fees are waived (not exactly sure how IHG Corporate reimburses the locations), but I find these a little bit of overkill for those with top IHG status. According to the sheet received at check-in, the destination fee includes: 1) Business Center Printing and Faxing-no charge at most properties, 2) Self Parking (becoming a ridiculous padded charge at most properties, but we didn’t have a vehicle), 3) Bicycle Rentals (this is a good benefit, 4) Golf Bag Storage (I guess this is good, if applicable), 5) Local Restaurant Discount (would be good but there’s only 1 restaurant-Rick’s- on list where we did get 10% off lunch one day), 6) 20% off Full-Price Spa Retail Product (didn’t use), 7) 1 Complimentary Bottle of Water (we actually got refills everyday so even better benefit for us!), and 8) Access to Over 7,500 Publications (don’t we all have Internet on our Phone?).
One of the highlights of this trip was my 1st earthquake. I was watching the national college football championship game (19 January) when my phone beeped. I saw earthquake warning and a few seconds later, everything was shaking. It was surreal; I think it lasted 8-10 seconds. Once I realized what had happened (no damage in room), I felt in a daze for a few minutes! My other half was downstairs getting ice without his phone and thought something had been wrong with ice machine until he saw the alert, also on his phone! This is something I doubt I will ever forget.
Another issue was housekeeping. Each day when we left for a few hours around lunchtime, I would place the “Service room” side of the sign on the doorknob with “Do Not Disturb” on the reverse side. I would stop by the desk on the way out and would be promised a clean room upon return. On our 3 full days, we returned to an untouched room each day. We met Camille, the head of housekeeping, on the final full day just as we returned to our building. She was very concerned and solved the mystery. She thought they had gotten rid of all the dual signs (service on one side/do not disturb on other) so the staff had been trained to ignore any room with a sign on door (the signs they thought were being used universally had “Do Not Disturb” on both sides). Even those housekeepers whose 1st language was English will ignore any rooms with signs? Each day we got our rooms cleaned after our return (we would wait on balcony while they cleaned except last day when we visited with Camille by the stairs). The hotel rewarded me with extra points to make up for inconvenience. All good but be warned not to leave sign on door if it’s an old one!
In conclusion, it was a great 1st visit to Palm Springs. I am giving an overall rating of 5-let’s say 4.5 rounded up! The hotel staff made the stay even more enjoyable, despite the few quirks. Beginning 1 June of 2026, this property is to begin transitioning to the IHG Intercontinental brand. We have stayed in several locations in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the U.S. and look forward to the enhanced property. There will be a Club Lounge, to which I should receive access due to my 40+ night stay perk earned the prior year. I do wonder if they will have to add elevators to all buildings to meet brand standards? We hope to visit again in the next few years and see how this change comes to fruition. Thanks to all for a mostly relaxing stay and especially for my 1st earthquake!
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