Indian Wells has always been the quiet, sophisticated sibling of the Coachella Valley. While Palm Springs leans into mid-century kitsch and neon, Indian Wells stays manicured. It’s expensive. It’s lush. And for years, the Miramonte Resort & Spa was the reliable, Mediterranean-style anchor of the neighborhood. But honestly, it was getting a little dusty. The old Miramonte was fine, but it felt like a place your parents would book for a conference—solid, but maybe lacking a pulse. That changed recently.
The property underwent a massive, multi-million dollar transformation to become the first-ever Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa.
This wasn't just a fresh coat of paint. It was a complete identity shift. When you pull up to the driveway now, the vibe has shifted from "Old World California" to "Island Life in the High Desert." It’s a weird mix on paper. Tropical flora and palm trees meeting the rugged, dry Santa Rosa Mountains? It works. It works because the brand didn't just slap a logo on the towels. They re-engineered the way the resort breathes.
The Design Language of the New Miramonte Hotel Indian Wells
Walk into the lobby and the first thing you notice is the scent. It’s signature Tommy Bahama—hints of sea salt and citrus. The architecture still retains those classic Mediterranean bones, with red-tiled roofs and sprawling archways, but the interior design has been stripped of the heavy, dark woods of the early 2000s. Now, it’s all about olive trees, woven textures, and soft greens.
It feels lighter.
The resort spans 11 acres. That’s a lot of ground to cover, but the layout keeps things intimate. You have 215 guestrooms, but because they are spread across several two-story villas, you never feel like you're in a massive hotel block. The "Bungalow" suites are the ones people actually want. They have these oversized patios where you can sit and watch the mountains turn purple at sunset. It’s remarkably quiet.
One thing people often get wrong about the Miramonte Hotel Indian Wells is thinking it's just for the tennis crowd during the BNP Paribas Open. Sure, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden is basically next door, but the summer crowd is different. It’s locals looking for a "staycation" and LA people fleeing the marine layer.
What Actually Changed in the Rooms?
If you stayed here five years ago, you’d remember beige. Lots of beige. Now, the rooms feature custom Tommy Bahama wallpaper (not the tacky kind, think subtle botanical prints) and hardware that feels substantial. The bathrooms are huge. Most feature walk-in showers with marble detailing.
Is it luxury? Yes. But it’s "sand in your shoes" luxury. You don't feel like you have to wear a suit to walk through the lobby. You can wear a linen shirt and flip-flops, and you’ll fit right in. That’s the point.
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Dining at Grapefruit Basil: More Than a Hotel Bar
Hotel restaurants are usually an afterthought. You eat there because you’re tired and don't want to call an Uber. But Grapefruit Basil—the flagship restaurant at the Miramonte Hotel Indian Wells—is actually drawing locals back to the property.
The menu is coastal. You’re in the middle of a desert, yet the hamachi crudo feels remarkably fresh. They do a lot with citrus (hence the name), using fruit grown right on the property.
- The Signature Drink: The Grapefruit Basil cocktail. It’s tart, not too sweet, and dangerously easy to drink by the pool.
- The Vibe: Indoor-outdoor flow. The patio is the place to be, especially when the fire pits are going.
- The Food: Try the fish tacos. They sound basic, but the mango salsa and the quality of the mahi-mahi make them stand out.
There’s also a "Chilled & Shaken" bar. It’s specifically designed for the poolside crowd. You’ll see people spending six hours here without moving, just cycling through small plates and rum-based drinks. It’s the kind of place where time sort of disappears.
The Spa Desert Springs: A Pivot to Wellness
The Coachella Valley is the land of spas. Every hotel has one. So, how does the Miramonte compete? They kept the name "Spa Desert Springs" but leaned hard into the botanical aspect of the Tommy Bahama brand.
We’re talking 12,000 square feet of space.
They have these "outdoor treatment rooms" which are essentially private cabanas surrounded by high walls and lush plants. Getting a massage while hearing the wind through the palm fronds is a different experience than being in a windowless room with a white noise machine.
Why the Hydrotherapy Circuit Matters
Most people skip the pools at the spa. Don't. They have hot and cold pits that are essential for circulation, especially if you’ve been hiking the nearby Bump and Grind trail or playing 18 holes at the Indian Wells Golf Resort.
The "Island Retreat" facial is the big seller here. They use a lot of papaya and pineapple enzymes. It sounds like something you’d eat, but it actually handles the dry desert air better than most heavy creams. Your skin just drinks it up.
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The Golf and Tennis Connection
Let’s be real: a huge chunk of people booking the Miramonte Hotel Indian Wells are here for the sports. You are surrounded by world-class grass.
The Indian Wells Golf Resort is literally right there. You get access to the Celebrity and Players courses. These aren’t your average muni courses. These are immaculate, "bucket list" tracks. The hotel usually offers packages that include tee times, which is a lot easier than trying to navigate the booking site yourself during peak season.
Then there's the tennis.
During the BNP Paribas Open in March, this hotel is the epicenter. You’ll see coaches, journalists, and sometimes players hanging out in the lobby. If you aren't a pro, the hotel has its own courts, and the staff can arrange lessons. But honestly, most guests just want to lounge by the "Signature Pool."
The Three Pools: Choose Your Energy
The pool situation at the Miramonte is actually better than some of the larger resorts because it’s segmented.
- The Signature Pool: This is the main hub. There’s music, people drinking, and kids splashing around. It’s vibrant.
- The Piedra Pool: This is the "quiet" pool. If you want to read a book and not hear a toddler have a meltdown over a dropped ice cream cone, go here. It’s smaller, secluded, and much more chill.
- The Spa Pool: This is for the ultimate Zen experience. It’s salt water and usually very empty.
The cabanas at the Signature Pool are worth the extra spend if you’re with a group. They come with fans, which are non-negotiable when the Indian Wells temperature climbs above 100 degrees in July.
What People Get Wrong About Indian Wells
A common misconception is that Indian Wells is "boring" compared to Palm Springs. People think you have to drive 20 minutes into town to find anything interesting.
That’s not true anymore.
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The area around the Miramonte Hotel Indian Wells has grown up. You have El Paseo just a few miles away—it’s essentially the Rodeo Drive of the desert. If you want high-end shopping or galleries, it’s all there. Plus, the dining scene in Indian Wells and neighboring La Quinta has exploded with spots like The Pink Cabana or June Hill’s Table.
You get the peace of a secluded resort but you're ten minutes away from a $50 steak and a designer watch. It’s the best of both worlds.
Technical Details for the Modern Traveler
- Parking: They offer valet and self-parking. Self-parking is actually convenient here, which is rare for a luxury resort.
- Pet Policy: They are remarkably pet-friendly. You’ll see dogs on the patio at Grapefruit Basil all the time.
- Resort Fee: Yes, there is one. It covers the Wi-Fi, the fitness center, and some of the lawn games. It’s annoying, but standard for the desert.
- Accessibility: Most of the property is flat or has ramps. Since the villas are only two stories, it’s easy to navigate for those with mobility issues, though you should request a ground-floor room to be safe.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
If you are planning a trip to the Miramonte Hotel Indian Wells, don't just book a random room on a travel site and hope for the best.
Book a Mountain View Room. The rooms facing the interior courtyards are nice, but the ones facing the Santa Rosa Mountains are spectacular. Waking up to that wall of granite turning orange in the morning sun is worth the extra $40 a night.
Eat at Grapefruit Basil for Breakfast. Everyone goes there for dinner, but the breakfast is underrated. The lemon ricotta pancakes are probably the best thing on the menu.
Time Your Visit. If you want the full "Tommy Bahama" experience without the crowds, go in October or November. The weather is perfect—high 70s—and the "snowbirds" haven't fully descended yet. You can get a cabana without a reservation, and the spa is much easier to book.
Check the Event Calendar. They do a lot of live music on the olive grove lawn. It’s usually acoustic, very laid back, and free for guests. Grab a drink from the bar, find a chair, and just breathe.
The transition of this property from a standard Mediterranean resort to the Tommy Bahama Miramonte represents a shift in what travelers want. We don't want stuffy luxury anymore. We want places that feel like a home—if that home happened to be on a tropical island with a mountain view. It’s a specific niche, and right now, Miramonte is the only one in the desert hitting that exact note.
Take a walk through the olive grove at dusk. You'll see the lanterns flickering and hear the fountain. It’s easy to forget that you're in a suburban part of California. And that, really, is the whole point of a desert escape.