The Hyatt Palm Springs invited me and a guest to come stay with them for a few nights to experience their “Chill” packages. I’m a pretty smart person, so I said yes and invited my older son.
It can will get over 100 degrees in August in Palm Springs, but don’t let that deter you. We had a blast, but not a heat blast.
1. Get up early and hike – We hiked Andreas Canyon Trail in Indian Canyons – an oasis of fan palms, a running stream, and stunning rock formations, and Lykken South Trail – switchbacks up a steepish trail with sweeping views of Palm Springs and the surrounding desert. If you go first thing in the morning, you’ll have the trails and views to yourself. Bring water and a camera.
2. Work out in the fitness room, then take a midday nap at the pool – We had the fitness room all to ourselves, so we got rebellious and turned off the TV during our workout. Then we found a shady spot by the pool and took a siesta. You can order drinks and ice cream poolside. We ordered the adult Buzz ice cream bars – Cookies ‘n Cream and Bourbon, and Vanilla and Cognac. Next time we’ll try the Coffee and Irish Cream bar.
3. Eat breakfast in the Share Restaurant & Lounge – the food was organic, local, free range and healthy and the portions were huge. Like Trump’s ego – yuuuuuge. The buffet on Saturday morning had about 10 different kinds of fruit. Me, I had a spinach frittata one day, and a crab omelet the other.
4. Eat dinner in the outdoor HooDoo Cocktail Garden – Both the food and drink menus are amazing, as is the free Thursday night entertainment. The Hyatt is right in the heart of downtown, so we were in the center of the action. We also ate dinner in the Share Lounge, and want to “share” this hot tip – ask the bartender Brianna to make you a mint mojito or her special “Breeze.” They are the two best drinks I’ve ever had (and I’ve been over 21 for a long time).
5. Shop the incredible summer deals – I am not a fan of crowds. If you aren’t either, then this is the time to shop in Palm Springs. The prices are low, and the A/C is high.
6. Drive south on the 74 to Vista Point – The view over the Coachella Valley is unbelievable at sunset. 
7. Wander through the outdoor market on Thursday nights – it runs 6:30 to 10 pm – art, food, crafts, clothing, leather goods, dancing, and a rabbi who answers questions.
The 3 “Chill” packages are good until the end of September, and they are RGD (Really Good Deals):
8. Happy Hour Package – Two nights in a balcony suite, up to four cocktails, and appetizers of choice.
9. Buy 2 nights, Get the 3rd Free – Arrive Sunday – Tuesday and you’ll get your 3rd consecutive night free, starting at $129.
10. Bed & Breakfast for Two – I was with my son, so this was the perfect choice for us. The room was huge, and included a separate living room.
On the drive home, we stopped at the outlet mall that’s just west of Palm Springs, and spent all the money we saved at the Hyatt. I’m a sucker for buying clothes for my sartorially-oriented, very handsome son.
There is one more thing that I thought the Hyatt really excelled at – customer service. Every single person we came in contact with seemed to take pride in going beyond the basics – Trouble with our internet? Two engineers showed up in minutes. An underinflated stability ball in the fitness room? They sent someone to inflate it. The valet/ bellhops asked us each time we got our car if we needed directions or sightseeing advice. The breakfast waiter remembered that I like grapefruit juice. They treated everyone like this, and most of them had no idea I was a VIP media guest, so it wasn’t “for show.” And the crème de la crème? They treated my son with courtesy and respect, which you don’t always see extended toward a 21-year-old.
All in all, a perfect summer adventure. Enjoy my pictures, and if you decide to book your own Hyatt trip to Palm Springs, I promise to enjoy your pictures.
If you like short videos of the places I travel, please follow me on Periscope at @AlexandraFunFit
By Alexandra Williams, MA
Disclaimer: I was not paid for this post, though my stay at the Hyatt Palm Springs was covered, for which I am grateful.