Agua Caliente Casino - Rancho Mirage Review
The Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage is a Forbes Rated, 4 Star, Resort located 20 minutes outside of Downtown Palm Springs. Surrounded by Golf Courses and sweeping views of the desert, this resort is a breath of fresh air from the surrounding areas.
Written by Ashley Dunn
Checking In
We were greeted at the entrance by a group of eager and enthusiastic valet drivers, who quickly and efficiently wished away our luggage and car. The entrance is grand, reminding me of a beautiful entrance at a Las Vegas Casino.
Before heading to the front desk to check in, security checked our temperatures (COVID 19). The process is speedy and painless. I really appreciate how the hotel staff kept the check in line moving by opening up another window as the line grew. No one likes to wait in an unnecessarily long line.
After reaching the room, and settling in, we call for our luggage from the tag given. Only 5 minutes later, a prompt valet associate arrives, delivering our luggage and even gives us a little tour of the room features. Love the touch here as this was not necessary and made us feel so special!
The Room
The room we had was on the 12th floor and was very well decorated. My favorite part was the AMAZING view of the surrounding desert. However, I also REALLY enjoyed the bathroom. The large shower and stunning bathtub was appreciated :) I really loved how large the bathroom was, making it very easy to get ready with two people. Nothing worse than having to take turns using the bathroom.
The Steakhouse
The Steakhouse is Agua Caliente’s flagship restaurant. A 4 star Forbes rated dining experience, The Steakhouse is for the high rollers, winners, and couples looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the casino floor. We were greeted at their host stand and quickly wished off to a large room where we were introduced to our waiter and presented menu’s.
What we Got:
Drinks: Bottle of Austin Hope Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, Bottle of Luna 2002 Napa Merlot
Appetizer: Seafood Tower for 2
Dinner: 1 Prime Chateaubriand, 1 - 16oz Prime Ribeye with Blue Cheese Crust, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Spinach, Asparagus
Dessert: Bananas Foster
Drink Review: The Steakhouse boosts an impressive wine list with reasonable prices. I was able to snag one of my favorite bottles (Austin Hope) for $85. Normally I can get this at Costco for $50 so for a restaurant, I think that was reasonably priced.
I was also glad to see some vintage wines like this 2002 Luna Merlot from Napa Valley. I love vintage Napa and its always nice to splurge on a good find!
Although we did not get a cocktail, I saw quite a few coming out and some very professional bartenders shaking up tipples in the back.
Appetizer Review: I LOVE Seafood Towers! Who else doesn’t love feeling like a king at a restaurant! Carried out and gracefully put on your table, this large silver tower boosts a variety of chilled seafood delights from King Crab Legs, Ahi Poke, fresh oysters, and way more!
The Seafood tower comes in either a 2 person or 4 person serving. I think it was very reasonably priced at $50 for 2 people. We had more than enough, with even a few bites left over! I ensured nothing remained, however :)
My favorite bite has to be the HUGE shrimp. These were not the little cocktail shrimp that you can pop in your mouth. These baddies were a fork and knife kind of shrimp! So succulent and sweet, definitely recommend.
Entree Review: The main course at a Steakhouse is the epitome of the meal regardless of the atmosphere, drinks, and dessert. If the Steak isn’t good, then the meal is a bust… This meal was not a bust, I am happy to say.
I was greeted with an expertly cooked Chateaubriand (whole tenderloin). This steak was large and perfectly cooked to my liking (medium rare). If you’ve never ordered a Chateaubriand, I highly recommend. Weighing in at 20oz, this steak is meant for 2 and is well suited for splitting (which they did without me asking for, thank you!) It is essentially an extra extra large filet mignon and can help shave a few bucks off the bill if you order this one cut instead of two separate cuts.
We ordered a side of the garlic mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, and roasted asparagus. The sides were a wonderful addition to the meal and did a great job enhancing the steaks. My personal favorite was the creamed spinach. This decadent side will make even the pickiest eater want to eat their greens!
My absolute favorite cut is a prime ribeye though. And wow, I am a sucker for blue cheese melted over top. This cut was phenomenal, very well prepared, and not a shade over medium rare.
Dessert Review: A good dessert is crucial to wrapping up a meal. Without a sweet addition the meal can feel rushed or incomplete. At Agua Caliente, dessert is a must! We decided to order the delicious Banana’s Foster. This dessert comes table side, flambéed right in front of you, and served with warm over vanilla ice cream and rum. There isn’t anything better than warm, boozy, bananas over ice cream. Not only does this dish taste amazing, but the whole show is worth it!
Room Service
One of the best parts of going to a resort for a few days is enjoying the finer things. When I travel, I think room service is a must!
We decided to order out a few things for the morning. I needed some coffee and a tasty omelet to get me going for our weekend out in Palm Springs. My girlfriend enjoyed some steel cut oats with all the fixings. We really enjoyed the promptness of the delivery and the overall quality. The delivery even included a newspaper that I didn’t ask for, but was much appreciated. This definitely made me feel special!
The Spa
One of the highest rated parts of Agua Caliente Resort is the Sunstone Spa. This Forbes 5 Star rated spa features several well designed features to make this escape even better. We got a private cabana in the Sunstone Spa, set aside from the main pool and is perfect for those looking to get outside the hustle and bustle. This cabana features a private hot tub, couch, sun chairs, and a little lawn. We enjoyed the sun and jacuzzi bubbles, while ordering some beers and relaxing away!
I also got to experience the Halotherapy experience. This spa treatment features a misting of medical grade salts dusted over you in an enclosed space. This helps your respiratory system and improves your immune system.
Summary
Overall Review: 4.25/5
The Agua Caliente Casino is overall a solid resort with high attention to detail for guests. The dining and hotel is well appointed and thoughtful.
Food Review: 4/5
Solid food options with a multitude of dinning options for every mood. The Steakhouse, although expensive, is well done and worthy of the praise.
Service Review: 4.5/5
The service at Agua Caliente was by far the best part of our stay. We were continually impressed with the thoughtfulness and attention from the team members.
X Factor 4/5
The Spa was well done and very well decorated. The pool was warm and clean, but the cabana was a tad outdated and could use refreshing.