Palm Springs City Guide 2013 / 2014 2013 / 2014 | Page 30

PALM SPRINGS EXPERIENCING A RENAISSANCE Two million visitors are coming to Palm Springs this year...recognizing a chic, hip, year-round resort destination in the heart of Southern California. The passage of local government initiatives has unleashed a remarkable transformation in downtown Palm Springs. With the rebuilding of the Desert Fashion Plaza, visitors and residents will soon enjoy a new boutique shopping and dining destination, capped by the opening of a sleek new Kimpton Hotel. With modern, trendy hotels opening their doors in the last two years, and several more launching by 2015, Palm Springs has room for everyone from rock-n-rollers to Hollywood history buffs to design aficionados. Interest in the vacation home and condo rental scene continues to surge as friends and families decide to linger in the sun for a week, month or longer. Timeline of new and A Desert Playground upcoming hotels Opening in 2014-2015: Spring, 2014: Arrive Spring, 2014: Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel Spring, 2015: Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar Summer, 2015: Dolce Opened in 2012-2013: January, 2012: La Maison February, 2012: The Saguaro May, 2012: Avanti Hotel November, 2012: The Curve December, 2012: The Bearfoot Inn January, 2013: Skylark Hotel February, 2013: Random Haus May, 2013: La Joya Inn September, 2013: The Monroe September, 2013: Travelodge Palm Springs October, 2013: Sparrows Hotel October, 2013: Hard Rock Hotel 28 Your Meeting Oasis Palm Springs Convention Center Palm Springs is an oasis for outdoor adventure, arts and culture, gaming and entertainment. The city’s storied Hollywood legacy, Native American heritage and stunning collection of mid-century modern architecture reflect why Palm Springs is truly like no place else. The Palm Springs Visitors Center is located in the historic Tramway gas station, and designed by world-renowned architects Albert Frey and Robson C. Chambers. The iconic soaring roof building welcomes over 200,000 visitors each year from all over the world to discover where to stay, play, shop and dine in Palm Springs. The Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and located at 2901 N. Palm Canyon Drive. The City of Palm Springs’ official destination marketing organization is the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism. For information on all things Palm Springs, past and present, go to VisitPalmSprings.com, where over 700 Palm Springs businesses are showcased. A true meeting oasis, the Palm Springs Convention Center is a breathtaking example of unique desert architecture combined with a warm and hospitable staff. Hundreds of meeting, conferences and social events are hosted each year, with meeting planners and attendees scoring rave reviews. Offering 120,000 square feet of carpeted exhibit space and additional ballrooms, an event lawn, and the beautiful Jackie Lee Houston Plaza, the Convention Center combines space to individually develop the perfect meeting or event – indoors and out. Hundreds of deluxe hotel rooms surround the Center, perfect for any size group, small to large. Located just minutes from the Palm Springs International Airport, and blocks from downtown dining and shopping, it is a unique, yet convenient venue. Combine this with 350 days of sunshine and brilliant blue skies…..you may even decide to book your own event here! Go to PalmSpringsCC.com for details and information for the Palm Spring Convention Center.