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Best Tennis 
Hotels, Served

Best Tennis 
Hotels, Served

There’s plenty of action to look forward to during this year’s BNP Paribas Open, but you can hit the courts yourself at these top-rated tennis resorts.

MARISSA WILLMAN

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PARKER PALM SPRINGS

There’s plenty of court action to look forward to during this year’s BNP Paribas Open (newly renovated suites, an expanded Stadium Plaza, and the addition of Wolfgang Puck’s Spago restaurant), but the tennis doesn’t need to stop there for the truly obsessed. Hit the courts at these top-rated tennis resorts.

LA QUINTA RESORT & CLUB

Recognized as one of the top tennis resorts in the country, the facility at La Quinta Resort & Club offers the complete package for tennis getaways. What else would one expect from the official hotel of the BNP Paribas Open? The resort boasts 23 courts with both hard and clay surfaces, with 10 lit for night play. Plus, the tennis club includes a pro shop, fitness center, swimming pool, and cafe. USPTA-certified pros offer instruction and the tennis program includes clinics, drills, and events.

49499 Eisenhower Drive, La Quinta. 760-564-4111; www.laquintaresort.com

OMNI RANCHO LAS PALMAS RESORT & SPA

Also named one of the country’s top tennis resorts, Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa offers a world-class tennis experience with 25 courts. A pro shop is on site, as is a tennis concierge. The resort’s robust tennis program, managed by Cliff Drysdale Tennis, includes camps, retreats, private lessons, and clinics.

41000 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. 760-568-2727; www.omnihotels.com

THE WESTIN MISSION HILLS GOLF RESORT & SPA

The seven-court complex at The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa offers both day and night play. Take your game to the next level with clinics, private instruction, and seasonal programs directed by Peter Burwash International. The pro shop provides everything you need to hit the courts, plus gear for the resort’s annual Desert Smash pro-am tournament.

71333 Dinah Shore Drive, Rancho Mirage. 760-328-5955; www.westinmissionhills.com

PARKER PALM SPRINGS

Wander through the labyrinth of 13 sprawling acres at the Parker Palm Springs, and you’ll find four red-clay tennis courts where you can fantasize you’re a wild card at the French Open. Lush landscaping makes the perfect backdrop for an afternoon on the court. Up your game with a private lesson from a pro.

4200 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. 760-770-5000; www.theparkerpalmsprings.com

HYATT REGENCY INDIAN WELLS RESORT & SPA

Follow in the footsteps of the pros at Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa, once the home of the Newsweek Champions Cup. Today, players can choose from three hard-surface courts and can sign up for clinics, lessons, and tournament competitions. The facility also offers corporate tennis programs and round robin networking events. This year it’s the venue of the inaugural Taste of Tennis event (March 6), where you can mingle with professional players over gourmet bites.

44600 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells. 760-776-1234
; indianwells.regency.hyatt.com

JW MARRIOTT DESERT SPRINGS RESORT & SPA

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa has 15 hard courts available for year-round play. Services include clinics, drills, instruction, player matching, and group tennis events. The tennis facility offers lawn games for the family such as croquet, badminton, and lawn bowling. The resort also hosts weekly wheelchair tennis clinics in high season.

74855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert. 760-341-2211
; www.marriott.com

DOUBLETREE BY HILTON GOLF RESORT

The resort has teamed with the neighboring Desert Princess Country Club to offer nine courts altogehter, four of which are lighted for night play. Clinics and private lessons are also offered. Unleash your inner professional at one of two tournament-style courts with stadium seating. Every time you serve an ace, you can almost hear the crowd roar! (Even if it’s just your spouse and kids.)

67967 Vista Chino, Cathedral City. 760-322-7000; www.doubletreepalmsprings.com

RENAISSANCE INDIAN WELLS RESORT & SPA

Two tennis courts are just 1.5 miles from all the racket of the BNP Paribas Open, at Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa. The weekend children’s camp and craft zone will keep the kiddos busy while you play under the sun or after dark on the lighted courts.
45000 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells.

760-341-2200; www.marriott.com

From Sheri Dettman
In Lifestyles & Things To Do, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Tennis Anyone?
All in the Family

All in the Family

A short drive from the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, home to the BNP Paribas Open, is a five-home compound that’s a tennis enthusiast’s playground.

LAWRENCE KAROL

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROBERT CALDWELL AND JASON SPETH

Attention outdoor enthusiasts and tennis lovers: We may have found your Xanadu.

Tucked behind the gates of the La Quinta Country Club is a five-house compound on nearly two acres that has been home to the same family for more than 40 years.

In 1970, Bud Buettner, a Lloyds of London executive, purchased a single home in the community and then, over the years, built four more houses and acquired a sixth parcel. Within the compound there is a regulation-size lighted tennis court, a pool and spa, a half-size basketball court, a large yard that’s perfect for playing bocce ball or practicing with a 9-iron, 24 fruit trees, and to top it off — wide open views of the Santa Rosa Mountains.

“My father was drawn to La Quinta for all it offered,” says John Buettner, one of Bud’s sons and the president of Stan Miller Yachts. “While spending time in the area he became friends with the likes of tennis pro Jack Kramer, who had a home down the street [that] inspired my father to build his own ‘tennis oasis’ where they would play together along with others, like Coach Chuck Knox and USC’s Pat Hayden.”

Two of the five homes have fireplaces.

The compound consists of five homes — three of the houses have three bedrooms (the largest home being 2,900 square feet) and the others have two bedrooms. Overall, there’s a total of 13 bedrooms and 14 baths. Each house has its own address, private entrance, driveway, and garage (there is parking for 10 cars), and the property is being offered at $5,500,000.

The houses were designed by Donald Lloyd Smith, a well-known Palm Springs artist and interior designer, who also designed homes at Sandpiper and the Eldorado and Marrakesh Country Clubs.

“We come together at dusk — when the shadows on the mountains give us breathtaking beauty — to barbecue on the two outdoor grills and mix cocktails [using] fresh grapefruits for salty dogs,” says John Buettner.

“These homes were built in the Sandpiper style to mimic country club lifestyle and desert living with an emphasis on modernistic style, with maximum privacy and extreme mountain views, a pool, and lush landscaping,” says Buettner. “Liberace, Sonny Bono, and Red Skelton were just a few of those who collected [Smith’s] artwork.

“The Sandpiper style of casual desert living appealed to Bud, an enormously successful but very unpretentious man,” he adds. “He designed four of the five homes with Donald, who also did custom art for each of the homes.” Smith’s art is included in the sale of the compound and each of the five houses is being offered fully furnished and turnkey.

“For the past 40-plus years, three generations of our family has used the compound as a retreat and getaway for family and friends,” says Buettner. “We celebrate Thanksgiving and Easter each year with 30 to 35 family members. It’s a place to make a lifetime of memories.”

The living, dining, and kitchen areas in one of the three-bedroom houses. Artist and interior designer Donald Lloyd Smith created the custom painting over the sofa.

“It’s a rare compound as you could never repeat what we have created within the gates of La Quinta Country Club today,” says John Buettner. “The homes are ready for the next family.”

“The outdoors here is a place to exhale,” says John Buettner.

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog
Career Builder Challenge at PGA West, La Quinta

Career Builder Challenge at PGA West, La Quinta

Career Builder Challenge at PGA West, La Quinta

January 18-22, 2017

The tournament includes 156 professional players. Pro-Am play for first 54 holes. Each of the 156 pros will play with a different amateur partner each day on different courses for three days. On Sunday, the low 70 professionals and ties will play the final round of the 72-hole PGA TOUR tournament.
PGA West: 55955 Page Blvd., La Quinta
760.564.7111 / www.pgawest.com

http://www.careerbuilderchallenge.com

Career

From Sheri Dettman
In Lifestyles & Things To Do, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog
Dining Around The Desert: POM, Le Paon & Mastro’s Steakhouse

Dining Around The Desert: POM, Le Paon & Mastro’s Steakhouse

POM at Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio

The past weekend, I was fortunate enough to enjoy a show and a concert here in the desert. On Friday, my friend Nikki and I laughed it up with Kathy Griffin at Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio. Prior to the show, we dined at POM in the Resort, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

I enjoyed a Spinach Salad with grilled chicken, pear, blue cheese, walnuts, toasted sunflower seeds and a bacon, mustard dressing. Nikki had a Cuban-style sea bass with black beans, Spanish rice, latin cucumber slaw, cilantro, and achiote aioli.

We started off with a couple of the house specialty cocktails and then enjoyed a glass of wine. The service was friendly and efficient without being rushed, the food was good and reasonably priced. If you are going to a show, we recommend it.

84-245 Indio Springs Pkwy. Indio, CA 92203-3499 • 800-827-2946 or (760) 342-5000


Sheri, Vanessa and Dean

On Saturday I joined my good friend Dean and a group of friends at The MacCallum Theatre for Vanessa Williams in concert. One word; fabulous! Prior to the show, we enjoyed an assortment of appetizers at Le Paon off of El Paseo.

The tasty treats were Seared Sea Scallops with sauteed spinach and a cream saffron sauce, Baked Beef Steak Tomato topped with slices of cucumber & goat cheese with a balsamic vinaigrette, Deviled Eggs and Tournedos Neptune, a 4 oz broiled medallion of beef, topped with crabmeat & Bearnaise sauce.

Le Paon is the perfect place for great food in a civilized atmosphere with a charming host that always makes you feel welcome and an excellent piano player to boot!

73399 El Paseo, Mon-Sat, 5:30 til closing. 760-610-5320

After the wonderful Vanessa Williams, we headed to Mastro's and sat at a high top in the bar. Fitz, Wendy, Dean and I devoured Crab and Shrimp cocktails, the excellent bread basket, with my favorite, the pretzel bread with chunks of sea salt, a glass of wine and some berries and ice cream. What's not to like?

The place was hopping with live music and a very enthusiastic crowd, clearly having a great time.

73405 El Paseo, Sun-Thu, 4-10, Fri & Sat, 4-11 and the Lounge is open from 4-12 Daily. 760-776-6777

From Sheri Dettman
In Dining Around The Desert, Lifestyles & Things To Do, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog
Wolfgang Puck’s Spago Comes To the Indian Wells Tennis Garden

Wolfgang Puck’s Spago Comes To the Indian Wells Tennis Garden

Among the big additions at Stadium 1, which will be ready by this year's BNP Paribas Open, will be the arrival of Wolfgang Puck’s Spago, a 100-seat restaurant that will overlook Center Court from the 300 level. Puck opened the first Spago in Los Angeles, where I used to work back in the day, and it has won six Wine Spectator Grand Awards and has been awarded two Michelin Stars over 35 years. It will be the preeminent dining option in Stadium 1, and like Nobu, will mix world class dining with world class tennis.

But unlike Nobu and Chop House, some seating at Spago will be open to the court.

Stadium 1 will also feature roughly 20 new concessions and eateries, including BS Taqueria, a Los Angeles-based Mexican restaurant from Ray Garcia, Esquire’s 2015 Chef of the Year. BS Taqueria will offer a variation of tacos, cocktails, and specialty plates.

Dave’s Doghouse, a gourmet hot dog shop from Michelin Star-rated chef Josiah Citrin, will also debut, along with Cassell’s, a reinvented classic hamburger stand that originated in Los Angeles in 1948.

Melissa’s Produce, a fresh vegetable-focused offering, is another addition and will join local favorites Piero’s PizzaVino for pies and slices, and Sherman’s Deli for New York style sandwiches.


From Sheri Dettman
In Dining Around The Desert, Lifestyles & Things To Do, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Tennis Anyone?
Opening Day of Polo & Hat Day at Empire Polo Grounds

Opening Day of Polo & Hat Day at Empire Polo Grounds

Empire Polo Club is pleased to announce the dates of their 2017 Polo Season. “Opening Day & Hat Day” at Empire Polo Club is scheduled for Sunday, January 8th, 2017. Opening Day will feature two competitive polo games at 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM.

Sunday Polo games are scheduled every week from Jan. 1st through April 2nd, 2017. The first Sunday Polo date falls on January 1st, which will be a soft opening. Our official “Opening Day” is on January 8th. The polo club will be closed on Sunday, January 15th and again on Sunday, March 5th, 2017.

General Admission is FREE with a $20 parking fee for all Sunday afternoon polo games. Tailgaters are welcome; space along the sidelines is available on a first come, first served basis. Bleacher seating is also available in the General Admission area. Spectators are welcome to bring their own food and beverages into the General Admission area. Food and beverage service is also available for purchase.

VIP Admission is $25 per person and includes parking, VIP seating and a complimentary Champagne Divot Stomp. The VIP seating area is located in front of the Olympic-peaked tents on the west side of the main polo field and offers field-side covered seating.

Spectators can also enjoy watching the Sunday football games while enjoying polo at the VIP Sports Lounge and Bar, located adjacent to the VIP seating area. The Sports Lounge offers viewers three flat screens featuring Sunday football games and other popular sports.

Reservations for VIP seating are highly recommended. Food and beverage service is available onsite during the Sunday matches. No outside food or beverages are allowed into the VIP area. For VIP reservations or group rates please call 760-393-7298 or email tonyschieffer(at)empirepolo(dotted)com.

The entrance for Sunday games is on Ave. 50 between Monroe St. and Madison St.

Friday Night “Polo Under The Lights”

Friday night polo games are held on select dates during the winter polo season. Admission and parking are free for Friday night games. There is no VIP seating during these games. The featured match lasts about 1 hour. Tailgaters are welcome and bleacher seating is available for spectators. Tailgaters and spectators are welcome to bring in their own picnic fare. Bar service is available during the Friday night games.

To access the Friday night games enter the Empire Polo Club from Ave. 50 or from Monroe St. between Ave. 50 and Ave. 51. The Friday night game is held on field #3. Click here for directions and a map.

Friday Night 2017 Game Schedule

  • 5:30 PM Friday, January 20th
  • 6:30 PM Friday, March 17th

From Sheri Dettman
In Lifestyles & Things To Do, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog
Taste of La Quinta, January 14th

Taste of La Quinta, January 14th

Old Town La Quinta, Taste of La Quinta


The 8th Annual Taste of La Quinta is back and better than ever. Join us in Old Town for food and wine tastings from all of your favorite restaurants, wineries, and distributors. Back by popular demand, live entertainment! Unwind with your neighbors, sway to the music and soak up the beautiful weather we experience here in La Quinta.

1-4pm / Old Town La Quinta

From Sheri Dettman
In Dining Around The Desert, Lifestyles & Things To Do, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog
New Year’s Eve 2017 Hot Spots

New Year’s Eve 2017 Hot Spots

A spectacular fireworks show will greet 2017 as part of the Block Party at the Spa Resort Casino in downtown Palm Springs.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SPA RESORT CASINO

Some call it New Year’s Eve 2016. Others send out the call to Ring in the 2017 New Year. Either way, it’s that special time to gather and reflect on another year’s passing and look to the future for new memories to be made.

Whether you are up for a night out on the town, a community block party, or a small social soiree, Greater Palm Springs is bursting with spirit and good cheer.

Here are 10 ways to spend the Dec. 31:

http://www.palmspringslife.com/10-new-years-eve-spots-to-welcome-2017/

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LIVING DESERT

In honor of Year of the Cheetah, the zoo’s year-long effort to raise awareness and funds for the endangered animals, attendees to their New Year’s Eve party are encouraged to wear their best cheetah print outfit.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAPMUSE.COM

Melvyn’s may have lost its namesake in 2016, but the restaurant is quintessential Palm Springs.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS

Huey Lewis and the News performs New Year’s Eve at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ACE HOTEL & SWIM CLUB

The Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs will host a two-day New Year’s Eve event.

From Sheri Dettman
In Dining Around The Desert, Lifestyles & Things To Do, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog
La Quinta Artists Open Studio Tour

La Quinta Artists Open Studio Tour

Little Black Dress by William Cain

Hosted by the La Quinta Historical Society and the La Quinta Museum

Join the fun of visiting 19 art studios in La Quinta. It's an opportunity to talk to the artists about what inspires them as well as to purchase original art.

I've personally bought a painting from artist William Cain which is the photo above. http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/william-cain.html?tab=artworkgalleries

Art includes painting, assemblage, photography, batik, jewelry, fused glass, and more.

Sunday, December 11, 2016, from 10 AM to 5 PM

Tickets and maps are available at the La Quinta Museum the day of the tour beginning at 9:30 AM

$10 donation supports the programs of the La Quinta Historical Society

For more info call 760-777-7170

From Sheri Dettman
In Lifestyles & Things To Do, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog
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