If you’re looking for a romantic spot for Valentine’s Day, the newly re-opened Riviera Resort & Spa offers several options that are worthy of your consideration.

The Palm Springs resort covers 24 acres, and was once the playground for the famous and infamous.  Elvis Pressley and the Rat Pack spent time here, and back in the 60’s this was the largest and most famous of the Palm Springs resorts.

Re-opened in 2009, the resort has a vibe reminiscent of its former glamour days.  Sleek line, bold graphics, abstract details and vivid colors combine with retro furnishings and mirrored walls to make this a hip place to see and be seen.

I love the improvements that have been made, and the efforts to restore the Riviera to its rightful place in hotel lore.   You enter the resort through a bright lobby area that’s bursting with color with orange flowered walls, reminding me a little of the flower power of Laugh In days.

The two story buildings, with 406 rooms and suites, surround a central swimming pool, outdoor living room area, and the Bikini Bar.  There are general lounging areas and private cabanas, along with fire pits and seating areas.  The fire pits make for a lovely touch, and would be a great spot for a nightcap on a chilly desert evening.

Spas have become a staple of resorts, whether its for relaxation, treatment, romance, or for a fun of a girls day out.  SpaTerre features a Zen-like oasis of serenity sure to satisfy the most discriminating spa goer.  Although I didn’t indulge in any of the treatments, the area looked comfortable, full of the expected appointments – and a few very nice unexpected ones as well.  Several treatment rooms accommodate two people.

Use of the spa is free for guests, and a variety of pampering treatment packages are available.  This would make a great escape for a wedding party or girl’s weekend.  Day passes for the facilities are also available.

Romance kicks into high gear with the resort’s choices of restaurants and bars.

Circa 59 is the resort’s fine dining restaurant.  Although dinner wasn’t on the agenda this visit, the aromas wafting out were heavenly.  I’ll put a dinner visit and review on my to-do list for another time.

I stopped off for a cocktail at the Starlite Lounge (top photo) with my traveling companion, Anita.  Located on the mezzanine opposite the lobby, the seating area includes tables, chairs and banquettes.  A video wall behind the bar shows vintage images of stars.  For awhile, we nearly felt like one of the stars ourselves!

We wanted to try some of the signature drinks on the menu, and asked our server Paige what was unique and special about their cocktail menu.  Paige explained that the resort has taken many of the classic retro cocktail recipes, updated them with a new twist, and that they only use fresh juices and ingredients.

So far, so good!

After explaining our taste preferences to Paige, we put ourselves in her hands and let her create something that she thought we’d enjoy.  She came back with a watermelon mojito (although refreshing in its lightness, there wasn’t much of a watermelon taste) and a Rock Hudson-tini (a raspberry based martini, a bit on the sweet side, but oh so yummy).  On a return trip, I’d like to try a house made Bloody Mary and a margarita – two drinks that are often made from a mix – but so much better when made from scratch.

Other bars include the Bikini Bar alongside the pool, the name derived from the many beauty pageants that have been held at the resort, and the Side Bar, for sophisticated patio cocktails.

The Riviera Resort & Spa is located at 1600 North Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs (map)

Photo credits:  personal collection

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Another iPhone app that I’ve discovered!  And you know how I love my apps.  This one is handy for use at home and while traveling, and appeals to the foodie and wine lover in me.

The new Drinks Matcher, from Nat Decants, is a combination wine sommelier and bartender, all in the convenience of your smart phone.  You can quickly choose a wine whether you’re sitting at a restaurant, lounging poolside, or shopping at the supermarket or liquor store.  Since the app doesn’t require an internet connection, you can even use it when you’re dining on the patio and some remote tropical location.

Natalie says, “As a wine-loving geek, I love finding ways for new technology to help us savour all of life’s pleasures, wherever we are.”

To search for the perfect drink-food combination, start with either a dish or a drink.  From there, select bubbly, white, red, rose, or dessert, or opt for beer, spirits, cocktails, liquor, coffee or tea.  True connoisseurs can drill down their selection even further by focusing on a particular grape, more specific food information, or the primary flavor of spices used in a dish.

Choose to impress your friends, if you must, but what I like about the app is that it gets you out of a rut and forces you to try something new.  That’s worth the $2.99 charge in my book.

The Drinks Matcher app can be downloaded from your smart phone’s online store, or download it from Nat Decants.

Photo credit: Nat Decants

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Where else but New Orleans do history and cocktail mix?!

The Museum of the American Cocktail features 200 years of cocktail history.  From vintage cocktail accoutrements, to Prohibition-era literature, to vast varieties of other cocktail memorabilia, it’s a little American history told in cocktail form.  The museum claims to be “part museum, part bar, and part Victorian bordello.”

While the museum serves as a tourist attraction depicting a fun bit of Americana, it’s also an educational institution that serves professionals in the beverage industry.  It is a nonprofit organization that provides exhibits and education that advance the profession of mixology, while still stressing the importance of responsible drinking.  Proof positive that history really can be fun!

The Museum of the American Cocktail is located in the Southern Food & Beverage Museum at the Riverwalk Marketplace, 1 Poydras Street, Suite 169 (Julia Street entrance) in New Orleans.

Hours are Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 7 pm, and Sunday, noon – 6 pm.  Admission is $10.

Photo credit:  flickr

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