Sinatra, star power still shine at Desert Springs and Indian Wells
As a radio performer who works in front on a microphone, I stood silently at the spot of Frank Sinatra’s last stand: a 25,0000 square-foot ballroom at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa in Palm Desert, California. I paid my reverent respects at the sacred spot, which is near a number of homes Sinatra owned over years of “The Chairman” calling Palm Springs home.
No one realized the standards he sang that night at his golf gala in February of 1995 would be the last six songs the aging Sinatra would perform publicly.
An etched, black plaque marks the moment at the Marriott’s ballroom, now renamed in Sinatra’s honor, along with classic photos and a floor-to ceiling, artistic mural of his “fabulous face.” Accounts of that night indicate he closed by singing The Best Is Yet To Come, a phrase which, three years later, would be inscribed on his gravestone in nearby Cathedral City at Desert Memorial Park. Frank’s heart gave out at 82.
“There hasn’t been a ‘Rat Pack’ for decades by now, but people still come here for the ‘Old Hollywood’ feel,” said a bartender at Melvyn’s, the piano bar and old-school, cozy enclave in town where Sinatra liked to dine. (His table was the round one in the corner near the kitchen.)
Recent movies about Lucille Ball and Ricky Ricardo; Elvis Presley; and Marylin Monroe (who met JFK at Bing Crosby’s Palm Springs home) have renewed interest in the legends who delighted in the desert. A 26-foot “Forever Marylin” statue turns every camera-carrying Palm Springs visitor into paparazzi. And Palm Springs, a mini, manageable Hollywood, still draws the real-life Kardashians, John Legend and his wife Chrissy Teigen, and other countless current celebs who enjoy the expansive, luxurious pools, spa and even boats at the JW Marriott Desert Springs and other gin joints.
Lucy and Ricky owned Indian Wells Resort, a low-key, local hotel adjacent to one of the golf courses Bob Hope made famous with his PGA Tour Desert Classic for years.
I stood staring out at the “Celebrity Course” from the Vue Grille and Bar’s clubhouse balcony at Indian Wells Golf Resort. Gazing at the glowing green grass below contrasting against the golden-brown backdrop of the mountain panorama was hypnotic.
“You like the view? You should see it when there’s white snow on the peak,” someone behind me said. It turned out to be Sven Wiedenhaupt, general manager of Indian Wells Golf Resort’s two Troon-operated, John Fought and Clive Clark-designed courses.
Over lunch, Wiedenhaupt, who has high-end, international hotel food and beverage experience, coaxed me to try different dishes he’d added to the menu. “I took the job with a mission to add flair to Vue.”
Vue is not your average clubhouse grille. Everything pops in the stylish, multi-level, indoor/outdoor space, from the uniforms to the salt shakers to the yellow pillows on the patio and the music playlist. Wiedenhaupt added wine tastings and a space-age “Shots in the Dark,” a glow golf, light-up pinball-style target golf game with firepits and fun. The solar panels that shade the driving range tees from the desert sun provide enough energy for 98% of clubhouse’s power needs and charge the golf course’s 160 carts.
A number of adjacent hotels, including the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells (and its water park-style pools) are convenient places to stay and access the city-owned Indian Wells golf courses.
Contact Michael Patrick Shiels at MShiels@aol.com His radio program may be found at MiBigShow.com or weekday mornings from 9-noon on WJIM AM 1240
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Sinatra, star power still shine at Desert Springs and Indian Wells
