Fodor's Expert Review The Ritz Carlton, Rancho Mirage

On a hilltop perch overlooking the Coachella Valley, this luxury resort spoils guests with exemplary service and comforts that include a trio of pools, access to the desert's finest spa, and private outdoor sitting areas for each room. The modern lobby's high-backed leather chairs and couches, some positioned around a blazing fireplace, hint at focus on relaxation with style to unfold during a stay here. The rooms, done in desert tones, have walnut walls and limestone floors. Additional perks of this stellar property include two restaurants and a pool bar, a kids' club, a state-of-the-art fitness center, access to Mission Hills golf courses and tennis, and a central firepit overlooking the valley.