The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage Review: Luxury in the Desert

Nestled in the foothills overlooking Palm Springs, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage is one of Southern California’s premier luxury desert resorts. Palm Springs is home to beautiful resorts and boutique hotels but the Ritz Carlton stands out as one of the best. Known for its refined desert-modern aesthetic, world-class amenities, and sweeping views of the Coachella Valley, this five-star resort is perfect for travelers seeking tranquility, pampering, and sunshine year-round.

Whether you're planning a romantic weekend getaway, a wellness retreat, or a base for exploring the California Desert Towns, the Ritz Carlton delivers an unforgettable experience wrapped in elegance and comfort.

Aerial view of the Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage nestled on the mountains over Palm Springs

The Best Way to Book The Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage

Like all Ritz Carlton Properties, this resort is part of the luxury portfolio of Marriott Bonvoy properties. The best way to book the resort is directly with Marriott and paired together with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Credit Card which gives you great perks from platinum status, late checkout, and even the ability to book this room for free. You will also earn 21x points during your stay! 

Another Great option is also to book it with the American Express Platinum Card through their AMEX Fine Hotels & Resorts Program which will have you earn 5X points PLUS: 

• Daily breakfast for two

• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout

• Room upgrades (when available)

• $100 resort credit

  
  

March-May is the most popular time to visit the property as the weather is perfect for enjoying the outdoors and just before the excessive Summer heat. If you are planning to come here during the desert festival season like Coachella and Stagecoach, then you will want to book very early but expect high nightly rates. 

The Property

From the moment you arrive at the front gates, you’re greeted by palm tree-lined paths, panoramic desert views, and instant service. Valet parking is smooth and as soon as you enter the lobby you know you have arrived to your luxurious desert retreat.  

Check-in is was easy and we were offered refreshing drinks at the front desk. We had our little toddler with us and they immediately took us to the side where they had a section of little toys for him to chose from which was a nice little treat. As a Platinum Elite Marriott Bonvoy member, thanks to my Marriott Bonvoy Amex, we got an upgraded room and additional perks during the stay. 

The resort isn't a mega property which gives it a more boutique feel. The property feels like a little oasis in the desert with waterfalls, palm trees, and lush green landscaping surrounded by the barren desert rocks, mountains, and valley floor. Most of the year youll be able to see beautiful snow capped mountains in the background even if its 100+ degrees by the pool

The Rooms & Suites at the Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage

There are only 3 levels of the resort which makes the resort feel more exclusive. The First Floor is actually the best in that it offers more spacious offerings with suites that have fire pits, alrger private terraces and other enhanced outdoor /indoor living spaces perfect for an extended stay.

Rooms at The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage feature great designed rooms with beautiful decor throughout. The large floor to ceiling windows lead out to your private balcony with views of the valley or mountains. The standard rooms aren’t overly spacious but the layout and interior aesthetic of the room makes up for it. 

The bathroom is a separate area with a large soaking tub that has a shade that can be opened or closed for privacy or to bring in the natural light to the bathroom. The shower is a huge little room in itself making a cold shower enjoyable after a hot day by the pool. 

The upgraded rooms and suites offer fire pits, large private terraces, and enhanced outdoor living spaces perfect for those on a longer stay. 

Pro Tip: Ask for a valley-view fire pit room for the ultimate desert evening experience.

Dining options on Property 

• The Edge Steakhouse – Located on the cliff’s edge, this upscale restaurant offers top-tier steaks, local produce, and an exceptional wine list with sweeping valley views.The restaurant is great but the aesthetic and views make this restaurant even more unforgettable.

• State Fare Bar & Kitchen – A more casual yet elevated experience for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Coming here on a weekend or holiday brunch makes this place stand out even more with excellent options to choose form. *We went for Mother's Day and the Mother's Day Brunch might have been one of the best I have ever seen

• In-Room Dining – Available 24/7 with gourmet quality and customizable service.

Spa, Pool & Resort Amenities

The Ritz-Carlton Spa is a standout feature. With over 25,000 square feet of wellness space, it offers desert stone massages, holistic facials, eucalyptus steam rooms, and a meditation terrace. The spa’s outdoor plunge pools are a peaceful escape.

There are two outdoor swimming pools, both heated, with private cabanas, poolside service, and unbeatable views. The main pool area was a little tight and I would have expected a larger pool area and the cabanas to be a little better from a luxury property especially since the pool is one of the most important parts during the warmer months. The adult-only pool is perfect for couples. Although smaller, the pool and area feels more spacious and overlooks the beautiful valley floor. 

The staff at the pool is great. They cover your chairs in nice white covers before you sit down and they are all very attentive during the day.

Fitness center, guided hikes, morning yoga, and seasonal wellness events add to the experience.

Things to Do Nearby

The resort’s location is ideal for exploring the Palm Springs area.  

• Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (25 mins) – Ride to the top of Mt. San Jacinto for panoramic views and hiking trails. It may be hot in the desert but this is a great escape to the high elevation which provides much cooler temperatures. 

• Downtown Palm Springs (15 mins) – Great for shopping, art galleries, mid-century modern architecture, and dining. 

• Downtown Palm Desert (15 mins) - A newer Palm Springs with great dining and shopping options although not as big as the main Palm Springs downtown area. 

• Joshua Tree National Park (45 mins) – A perfect day trip for hiking, rock climbing, or stargazing.

• El Paseo Shopping District (10 mins) – Often called the “Rodeo Drive of the Desert,” filled with luxury boutiques and fine dining.

• There are also multiple casinos from Aqua Caliente to the larger Morongo 30 minutes away.

Booking the Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage with Points

One of my favorite parts of booking a Ritz-Carlton is to do it with Marriott Bonvoy points! Nightly award rates typically range from 70,000 to 100,000+ points per night, depending on demand and season. 

I was able to book a stay here with my Annual Free Night Certificate. I got this certificate from my new card welcome sign up bonus but holding the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Amex card could get me a free night here every year as well. 

The Marriott Amex is best for luxury properties like this one when you can:

• Book 4 nights and get the 5th night free (making point redemptions 20% more valuable) 

• Annual Free Night Certificate (up to 85,000 points with the Brilliant Card + the ability to add 15,000 points) can be used here getting you a free room to one of the higher end properties in all of the desert

• Automatic Platinum Elite Status from the Marriott Amex  gives you perks like room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points on stays for future free rooms!

Overall Impression

There are a lot of great options when booking a luxury stay in the California Deserts. The property is on the smaller side which is great for service but I was hoping for more. I don’t think I could stay here for an extended time but this certainly would be a great place for a weekend getaway.