My Timeshare Trip to Oasis Resort, in Palm Springs, California

Interview with Bruce Kinnaman, Chief Finance Officer, Holiday Group

Where did you stay and how did you like it?

The Oasis Resort, in Palm Springs, California. It’s a Vacation Internationale resort. I stayed in a two-bedroom, two-bath villa with a full kitchen and full-size washer and dryer. It also included two one-speed, fat tire bikes, just right for flat Palm Springs! It had a very nice interior, well laid out.

The resort is a secure facility with well-maintained swimming pools within walking distance from every unit. Tennis courts, too. And the resort is conveniently located near downtown Palm Springs, right on highway 111, which is also the best route to the other towns in the valley.

What are some fun things you did while you were in Palm Springs?

Indian Canyons and Tacuitz Canyon. They’re both great to visit, better in wet months with more water flowing in the streams and over the falls.

Any general recommendations or tips for travelers?

For outside travel, it’s best to start in the morning, during the cooler hours.

What else would you recommend?

Serenata Mexican Bar & Grill, in Palm Canyon. Super food, and on the Friday night I visited they had an outstanding Mariachi band. My date and I listened for hours, sat up front after dinner and really took it in.

The restaurant is less than a block away from the touristy Armando’s Dakota Bar & Grill, where the prices are higher and there’s no live entertainment. In fact, after I discovered there was no seating at Armando’s without a reservation, the host at Armando’s walked us through the courtyard and pointed to where Serenata was. Very nice of him to go that extra mile. On the way, he mentioned that the lunch chef at Armando’s was the dinner chef at Serenata, so same food!

My date had eaten at Armando’s in the past, but preferred the ambiance and the great selection of food at Serenata, in contrast to the full restauarant and busy staff at Armando’s. However, my experience with the courtesy at Armando’s was in sharp contrast to the negative reviews I had read. When I read some of the reviews again, it seemed like courtesy shown by the customer would get courtesy in return (as I received). I will give them a try on a less busy night, but will get reservations!

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway has exceptional views on the way, and at the top. Well worth the price! We went up the tram in the daytime, and back down at night. Recommended. But do take a coat even if it’s hot in the valley. The site has its own temperature at the top and its forecast up there as well.

We bought the “ride and dine,” which included a buffet dinner, but when we saw the dining room, we asked and were offered service there, with the ten dollar “dine” fee taken off the bill. The dining room restaurant at the top was comparably priced with in-town restaurants and served great food. Large tender rib eye (really big, crossed the plate!), the vegetables and baked potato were cooked just right, with great service. And tasty salad as well.

Since in Seattle we are spoiled with our seafood, I avoided those offerings. The total was $70 for two with wine, before the $10 each off the top. I tipped based on the $70, of course.

Destination: Las Vegas on the Cheap

Focus on Interval International