Jewel in the Desert

Aqua Caliente Casino builds new hotel, spa

By Greg Aragon

“This project will stand out like an icon; a jewel in the desert,” says Jonathon Douglas, managing principal with VOA Associates, Inc., of Orlando, the project’s designer. “We tried to create a destination where there wasn’t one in the first place.”

Rooms in the 16-story resort measure 550 sq.-ft. each, and are equipped with a 42-in plasma flat screen television, high-speed wireless Internet /Wi-Fi, oversized sunken tubs and separate glass showers.

The 24 Executive Suites cover 1,100 sq ft and feature two 42-in plasmas, a parlor area, and two bedrooms.

For the ultimate luxury, the resort will offer 1,650-sq-ft Presidential Suites on the top two floors. Boasting incredible views, these suites feature a separate dining room and bathrooms with plasma TV, jetted spa tub, and deluge shower.

When not relaxing in the rooms, guest can enjoy the resort’s 10,500-sq-ft spa with 11 treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness center, sauna, spa tub and steam room. Near here will be a 2,000-seat entertainment venue, and a 10,000-sq-ft conference center.

Other highlights include a 50,000-sq-ft pool area, with two swimming pools, spa, fountain, and eight cabanas with amenities including Internet, phone, flat screen televisions, misters, ceiling fans and a mini refrigerator. Guests will also have access to a full-service outdoor bar and grill, all protected from the wind by specially designed landscape berming.

advertisement

The hotel will connect to the casino via a new main entrance.

“One of the biggest challenges is that we’ve had to work while the casino is in full operation,” says Chris Heese, senior project manager for Roel Construction’s Desert City office, which is building the resort. “We’ve had to go to great effort to keep [the tribe] happy and the casino open, without disrupting operations.”

Heese adds that road work and other construction that might interfere with customer traffic had to be done between 3 a.m. and 9 a.m., the casino’s slowest time.

“If we needed to do something [big] we had to get approval to make sure it didn’t affect any [slot] machines,” says Heese.

To fit in with its California desert location, Douglas says the project was designed with materials such as native plants and stones, solar lighting and water features.

“Water flows throughout the project in fountains that help create a natural look,” says Douglas.

“We are sitting in the middle of the desert and this is going to look like an oasis, with palm trees and landscaping,” adds Heese. “The tribe is very aware of being friendly to the environment and the city of Rancho Mirage, and does not want to disturb the stars.”
 
Located on Bob Hope Drive, across the road from the I-10 Freeway, the project broke ground in June 2006 and is scheduled to open next month with a 4-star/4-diamond rating. Crews are currently wrapping up punch list items on upper floors and finishing landscaping.

The Project Team

Owner: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Palm Springs
General Contractor: Roel Construction, Desert City office
Architect: VOA Associates Inc., Orlando

Click here for next Feature Story >>