La Serena Villas, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel

Simple rooms. Small TV, no slippers, simple furniture, and no espresso machine. It's nicer from outside. The pool is nice and the location is great but it shows it's 4 stars.
Mar 16th, 2024

Wow, what a fabulous trip!!!! I can't say enough about this perfect little resort and the lovely staff. My sister and I were celebrating our birthday. Rodney and Jose went above and beyond to make it so very special, and it was. We will and can't wait to return!
Mar 13th, 2024

An absolutely charming small boutique hotel. The rooms are beautiful. We had a luxurious back patio with fire pit and soaking tub. The restaurant/bar area is a great place to relax, with the pool nearby. Cannot say enough about this hotel, and would happily give it 10 stars out of five if I could. Hands down one of the best hotels we have ever stayed in.
Feb 14th, 2024

This place rests complacently on the high level of demand rather than its actual experience. Rooms are tricked up with the low end finishes. We had trouble getting even luke warm water from the shower when the outside temp was 6c. The aircon was set on 17c (supa cold). Wed reset it then it would just revert to 17c again. The aircon fan was constantly on full, (again just reset itself randomly) so it was like sleeping beneath a jet engine. We asked for assistance and there was little attempt to help. On departure we complained and were told that the manager would call us, we are still waiting for that call. By far our most expensive accommodation on a 3 week trip to USA and Canada and by far the worst. Will search elsewhere when we return to Palm Springs again next year.
Feb 4th, 2024

My family and I came to stay at La Serena Villas in December of 2023 to celebrate a significant family milestone. The trip started off with great promise: we were given a free upgrade for one room for the guests of honor (we had 3 rooms booked in total)! But after that, it all slowly went downhill. Somehow the guests of honors upgraded room had bugs all over the bathroom walls. The staff seemed shocked, mentioned thats unusual, and immediately shifted them to a different villa. That villa had no hot water they couldnt get someone to fix it until the next day of our trip (day 3 out of 4), and once the hot water was fixed the consequence was a leak that would not stop causing puddles in the bathroom/seeped into the bedroom space. When asked for a discount for that 1 rooms stay (which is a reasonable ask when so many basic things are not functioning as they should), we were denied. Separately, when arrangements were made for a fruit plate and champagne, they brought amongst the fruits the one fruit that I noted is an allergy and shockingly made a mocktail with that same fruit as well as soon as I was able to reach someone, that was corrected and I was refunded for that package sweet gestures but bungled execution. When we were able to reach staff, they were kind and tried their best to be of support. They did refund us the resort fee for all days for all 3 villas, gave us 2 free appetizers and 3 free desserts, as well as 1 round of cocktails for the inconveniences (the food and drinks, to Azucars credit were amazing) but, I still wouldnt stay here again. Prior to the trip taking place, I was asked to note what each villa would want as part of our complimentary breakfast but then told once we were there that the complimentary breakfast has no wiggle room to adjust. If that was the case, promises and expectations should be managed up front seemed misleading. Please keep in mind that their complimentary breakfast is 2 prepackaged muffins, either an orange or an apple, and/or coffee or tea without having lactose free options (we asked for lactose free and regular milk for each room and for some reason we were given only the regular milk products, some people got fruit, others didnt it was inconsistent). So, if you plan on staying here 1) know that ordering an actual breakfast costs an exorbitant amount of money. The food is good but it will cost you (Farm is down the road and has FANTASTIC food for slightly better prices). 2) the complimentary breakfast is barely equivalent to a snack. For the amount of money you pay to stay here, the complimentary breakfast is a severe disappointment. Might as well not give any food. This property/location is extremely understaffed. There were countless times I couldnt even reach the front desk and/or if I was able to reach someone their ability to quickly resolve an issue was quite delayed there doesnt seem to be much overseeing of the finer details that wouldve made our stay that much better. We were in the hot tub during a cold weather day, but the water was cold I called to ask if temperature could be increased to which they said they would and never did needless to say, my family and I were waiting and ended up being frozen/cold for way too long. There are random charges to be aware of: for example, if doing a spa service, the addition of any essential oils is an extra $15 ridiculous, it should be included in the price Though the location is convenient, would prefer staying at Two Bunch Palm (like I did for my bachelorette party a year prior and absolutely loved the restaurant, ambiance). In short, La Serena Villas: beautiful (but outdated in terms of quality and standard) resort, lovely location, but understaffed and it shows.
Feb 1st, 2024