“Can I bring you some dry towels?” I’m asked by the pool boy after returning to my lounge chair from a swim.
“Sorry for the wait on the mojito. I wasn’t satisfied with the mint, so I had to send for a fresh bunch,” I’m told by the bartender at the pool’s Wet Bar.
“Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable — some tea, a blanket">Sunstone Spa.
That’s the kind of service you’d expect at a luxury resort, and that’s how I was treated by every staff person I encountered — and no, they didn’t know who I was — during a recent stay at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage.
As a regular casino resort visitor, I know that fancy amenities are nice, but genuine, quality customer service is how you can distinguish yourself in a crowded field.
Over the course of my weekend at Agua Caliente, where I was a regular player when my parents lived in La Quinta, I experienced continued cosseting by the staff as I took in the best of what the resort had to offer. Here are three high points from my low desert stay.
The Steakhouse
Long considered one of the best restaurants in the area, The Steakhouse sizzles at night and is an oasis of civilized dining for Sunday brunch. My top dinner dishes were the bone-in filet mignon, a menu rarity that was exceptionally tender and flavorful, the subtle vanilla-scented creamed corn and bananas Foster, made tableside. At brunch, fresh-baked pastries, melon and a Greek yogurt berry parfait come complimentary. Steak and eggs are a must at a steakhouse, but if the fluffy ricotta pancakes are available, get a plate to share.
The Show
This intimate, acoustically impeccable arena is one of the best places I know to see a top-name act. With only 2,101 seats — none more than 125 feet from the stage — The Show has attracted a Who’s Who in the music industry. We saw Don Henley, and from our cushy seats, it felt like he was performing just for us.
The Spa
A trip to the spa is a must for me at a resort, but I can’t when I’ve ever been so relaxed before my treatment. After a rough day lounging at the pool, I arrived at the award-winning Sunstone Spa 2 ½ hours early to enjoy the pristine facilities. After a stint in the sauna and a luxuriously long rain shower, I floated to the waiting area where I nestled myself into a zero-gravity chair, put it all the way back and pushed the heat and vibrate buttons. When it came time for Candace to work her massage magic on me, I was like jelly. Back in the locker room, there was only one possible answer to the question, “Is there anything you’d like?” Yes, how about an extra day?