72 Hours in the California Desert, Tommy Bahama Style

Nestled within picturesque Indian Wells and surrounded by the stunning Santa Rosa Mountains, Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa offers a blend of laid-back luxury and island-inspired charm. The resort is a desert stand-out, not just for its lush surroundings and gracious accommodations, but also for its embodiment of the Tommy Bahama lifestyle—a celebration of relaxation, adventure, and the art of leisure. Whether lounging by one of the resort’s two onsite pools, indulging in delicious cuisine and crafted cocktails at the brand’s varied outlets, or exploring the stunning desert landscape, a Tommy Bahama experience delivers some of the best of the greater Coachella Valley.

The Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa pool features a Santa Rosa Mountain backdrop

DAY ONE:

Check in at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa. Immerse yourself in the expansive 11-acre property with a leisurely walking tour of the resort’s garden pathways that are lined with fragrant citrus trees. (You can actually pick what you like and the resort restaurant will juice the fruit for you.) Play a game of bocce or relax amongst the olive tree grove which is especially enchanting at dusk when illuminated by hanging lanterns and outdoor fire pits.

Grab a mid-day bite at poolside Chiki Palm, with its menu of fresh-made dishes including the All-American Burger, Poblano Chicken Quesadilla and Ahi Poke Bowl. Pair your meal with a frozen tiki cocktail (or two) served in a poolside pouch while relaxing at the resort’s saltwater pool. Reserve a cabana for enhanced privacy and comfort.

The Olive Tree Grove at Tommy Bahama Miramonte is enchanting

Explore the Rosa Boutique, featuring a curated selection of luxury goods from local brands and Tommy Bahama merchandise exclusive to the resort. Get your gift shopping done early, and treat yourself with an assortment of dressy linens, swimsuits, coverups and sports equipment like Tommy Bahama-printed pickleball paddles and golf club head covers, along with beautiful jewelry, sunglasses, hats, footwear, towels and more.

Enjoy dinner at the resort’s signature restaurant, Grapefruit Basil, a sophisticatd yet relaxed space spotlighting farm-to-table California-inspired cuisine. Savor dinner selections such as Macadamia Nut Crusted Halibut, Seared Ahi Tuna, Mojo Brick Chicken and Santa Carota Cowboy Ribeye. Make sure to start with a seasonally crafted cocktail. Dine inside or out, where a dramatic fire wall provides a sultry glow.  

End the night with drinks under the stars in the olive grove while enjoying nightly, live acoustic music ranging from pop to Latin to classical.

Grapefruit Basil is the resort’s flagship restaurant

DAY TWO: 

Get your body moving with your choice of wellness activities. Try the resort’s complimentary guided desert hike or choose from a rotating schedule of classes like aerial yoga, meditative sound baths ,and wellness workshops.

Drop into Grapefruit Basil for all day brunch and enjoy elevated versions of classics like Dungeness Crab Cake Benedict, Brioche Bananas Foster French Toast and Lobster and Triple Cream Frittata. Or keep it light with a Baby Gem Caesar or Burrata Bruschetta.

Spend the afternoon exploring the shops on El Paseo, Palm Desert’s main street of fabulous retail shops. Visit the Tommy Bahama Home Store to peruse indoor and outdoor home furnishings and unique home décor, and take advantage of a free design consultation.

Walk across the street and continue your shopping adventure at the recently renovated Tommy Bahama retail store where lifestyle offerings embrace the brand’s ethos of casual sophistication. You’ll find men’s and women’s sportswear, swimwear and activewear, accessories, beach gear, and home goods.

Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar features the ‘Best Patio in the Desert’

Discover the “Best Patio in the Desert” at the Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar. Enjoy stunning views of the San Jacinto mountains while dining on fresh, tropical-inspired dishes including Scallop Sliders, Ahi Tuna Tacos, Chilean Sean Bass and Kona Coffee-Crusted Ribeye. Choose from a selection of hand-crafted cocktails to perfectly complement your meal like the Classic Mojito, Mai Tai, or the Pineapple Paradiso.  

DAY THREE:

Before or after breakfast, pamper yourself with a morning treatment at the luxurious and award-winning Spa Rosa at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa. Featuring a menu of desert-inspired treatments and rituals inspired by the local landscape, Spa Rosa’s signature skincare and body treatments include the head-to-toe Island State of Mind with tropical scents of papaya, pineapple and coconut; the 75-minute Marlin Man package with light stretching, steamed-towel deep cleanse and healthy hydration products; and the half-day Daydream to Life, is a wellness journey that includes a luxurious bath soak, exfoliation, facial, custom massage, wellness class and other amenities.

Spa Rosa at Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa

Spend the day in Palm Springs, a walkable city that blends kitschy charm with natural beauty. Explore the prime strip of Palm Canyon Drive with its cute boutiques and colorful locals. Take selfies at the famous statue of Marilyn Monroe or visit the Palm Springs Art Museum. Take an incredible ride and view on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway; head to the unique beauty of Joshua Tree National Park for hiking and rock climbing; or gain a broader look at the outdoor desert region with Red Jeep Tours.

Photo courtesy of Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

For lunch, a snack, or early dinner, visit the Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar on Palm Canyon Drive. With daily Happy Hour from 3-6pm, the outdoor Marlin Bar is a relaxed refuge where you can unwind with a cocktail, light fare, and organic soft-serve ice cream—a perfect way to end the visit before departing this chic desert sanctuary.

Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar

My desert exploration was enhanced by my use of Volvo’s new C40 Recharge, an all-electric compact that combines modern design, sustainability, and advanced technology. The spacious cabin features ergonomic design which was perfect for my drive from Santa Monica, to Indian Wells, to Rancho Palos Verdes. (A large panoramic sunroof adds to the airy feel of the interior.) The C40 is equipped with a large touchscreen infotainment system powered by Google, offering built-in navigation, voice commands, and access to various apps. It also includes a premium sound system for an enhanced audio experience. Volvo is renowned for its safety innovations, and the C40 comes with a suite of advanced safety technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automated emergency braking. With fast-charging capabilities, I was able to recharge the battery to about 80% in about 35 minutes at a DC fast charger. While the range varies, it’s sufficient for many long-distance trips, and the network of fast chargers is continually expanding, easing range anxiety. The overall design and layout contributed to a serene driving experience. I loved it, and I may well become the owner of this beautiful automobile.

Volvo C40 Recharge. Photo by Fran Miller

Photos courtesy of Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa, unless otherwise noted