I’m flying home after an ideal four-day press trip in Palm Springs, hosted by the Rancho Las Palmas resort, which just emerged from a $20-million renovation. It was perfect Palm Springs weather, about 77 degrees, making it all the more difficult to board the plane back to the February rains of San Francisco.

While Director of Marketing Communications Josh Herman and Director of Sales Dan Keyser made sure we experienced all that the made-over resort had to offer—27 holes of golf, the spa, the brand-new Splashtopia water park, BluEmber restaurant and completely renovated guest rooms, they also gave us plenty of free time to explore the resort on our own­—important for experiencing the place the way a guest would.

Last night I found myself surrounded by a party of about 40 from Cox Communications, based in San Diego. They were living it up at the bar on the last night of an incentive trip for their top producers. I asked the planner in charge of the group why she chose Rancho Las Palmas; she said she was really impressed by what they had done with their renovation, and she simply liked the feel of the place.

There were plenty of other guests enjoying the long Presidents’ Day weekend as well—every room was booked solid and the outdoor grounds and pool were constantly filled with an ensemble of families and couples, and golfers taking a break between holes.

Although it is a family-friendly resort, the main attraction for kids —Splashtopia—is separated from the main grounds, allowing guests without kids to enjoy the restaurant and adult pool (called Serenity) without feeling like they are at Disneyland.

Splashtopia is surrounded by guest rooms—almost exclusively occupied by families—and features its own casual café as well as several life guards, so parents can relax in the sun as well.