The Chateau at Lake La Quinta

I truly wanted to love this hotel. In fact, I still wish our stay there had worked out. For context: every two years, I donate my time to mentor a small group of aspiring photographers who fly in to work with me for about a week. It’s a non-profit initiative that continues the legacy of my own mentor when I was a teenager. For the upcoming workshop, we planned to start with two days around the Salton Sea, and this hotel looked like a wonderful fit. After some research, we contacted the hotel and asked if they could match an offer we had received for this hotel from the German travel portal HRS for five double rooms (two beds per room) for $1,848 all-inclusive for two nights, including breakfast. It was slightly above our budget, but we were willing to make it work. The sales manager replied: “I think I can work with you on the rate. I just want to make sure a single king-size bed in each room is ok and if 6 rooms will be enough for your group.” We confirmed that arrangement, adjusted our group so most participants would share beds for the two nights, and accepted the sixth room offered to accommodate everyone. We then: - confirmed the booking - received and returned the credit card authorization form - drove to the hotel to inspect the property in person - cancelled the alternatives we had on hold Two days later, we received another message from the hotel explaining that the rate had been misunderstood internally — it had been read as $1,848 per night rather than for the two-night stay. Unfortunately, despite a long email exchange, the hotel ultimately declined to honor the arrangement and suggested we look elsewhere. The result: we had to restart the search on short notice, and I will now make another 500-mile round trip to inspect the replacement hotel. That was disappointing, especially because the property itself looked lovely and we were genuinely excited about staying there. Mistakes can happen in any business. What matters is how they are handled. In this case, the solution was to ask the customer to absorb the consequences. If you plan to stay here, I would recommend confirming rates and all conditions very carefully, particularly since they upcharge a resort rate - and when scouting it, it felt like a very nice small boutique hotel to me, far away from a resort (which was fine to me, as we were looking for a place to sleep and leave after breakfast ;-)

Cute little hotel. Very friendly Staff, welcomed us with a couple glasses of champagne. We were there over Christmas Eve and they were still attentive and friendly. Would stay again.

PROS: Pros: Food and drinks were good. We sampled 3 appetizers. A. Fish Tacos - GOOD 2. Calamari - Excellent 3.) Sliders - Very dry. Grounds were beautiful, restaurant staff very friendly. CONS: Had some issues. 1,) Mattress was much like a carnival ride, bouncy and high in the center with sides badly loping. There were hairs on the end table and a half-eaten Twix bar on ledge by Keurig Coffee machine. 2.) Groundskeeper barged into our slider door at 6:30 AM unannounced, no knock or verbal warning. Scared the $hit out of us, especially the wife. 3.) We were emailed a redeemable reward certificate which was not honored. 4.) We were charged a $75 fee for my wife's service Dog.

I came here with my boyfriend on a Tuesday. We booked through Booking.com and they got the days wrong so they weren’t expecting us. Since it was a Tuesday the room we booked was available which was the 450.00 a night plus tax bungalow #2. It was on the lake which was beautiful. There were families of ducks which were quite charming. It took us a long while to check in since they weren’t expecting us and they had ample time to have housekeeping take a Quick Look at the state of the room before we entered. The twin bathroom sinks both had many dead fleas in the sinks. There were nails or screws coming out of the wall that maybe had a picture hung there at some point. The furniture outdoors (not of our bungalow but the seating to sit on to gaze at the lake next to our bungalow) was leafy and dirty. Didn’t look like it had been attended to for quite awhile so we didn’t want to sit on them. Ths place does not pay attention to detail. It seems the sheets were clean but with everything else being overlooked I have my reservations if they really were. Overall, I would not stay here again.

I wanted to live this hotel as we had stayed there probably 15+ years ago with my parents. I called and booked reservation directly. After much discussion booked the bungalow the top accommodation. We were there on a quick one day business trip but wanted to celebrate last weeks birthday for my wife. We checked in and was told there was no hot water and we could go elsewhere. We were tired and after much to do and rude front desk guy manager said we could stay for half price, no resort fee. He told me he left a message in our room about the water but we had not checked in. They had my email and phone number. Sure enough my message light was blinking, ha, ha. Our room was pricey about $475 so I agreed. Manager then said they had overbooked and the bungalow was not available and we were downgraded a bit but still paying 1/2 of original price. Fine, too tired to argue and guests were waiting to check in. Room was spacious with great view of the lake but not as private as room we had booked. Chandelier was dusty and had a few burned out bulbs. Carpet had seen better days. Had dinner reservations at 6 at their restaurant Melange. Very unorganized with no hostess then seated us. Lovely on the lake & romantic. Not too busy. We got water and coffee after 20 minutes. Another 10 minutes or so waiter appeared was apologetic but jeez. Ordered a Martini; it was a total of 47 minutes before I got my drink. We thought we better order. Ces. salad good but they said homemade croutons but none and tons of cheese. Our steak was thin but good and a bit overcooked. I would have ordered wine but that was not going to happen. Beautiful romantic setting but there was one waiter and one busboy and waiter was the bartender and maybe the cook it all took so long. String of lights outside room burned out and missing bulbs over the ones in restaurant. Next AM continental breakfast was sad. Same unpleasant front desk guy. Some fruit, a few Otis S. muffins, plate with 2 pieces of bread and other guests were rolling their eyes at rude guy and sad display. They advertised water in rooms there was only sparkling so asked please for still but said delivery did not happen. I heard this a few times on our short stay. When I approached manager she was talking to an employee; ignored me for a few minutes and said I had to wait. Upon checkout it was a nightmare. Took 30 minutes and they had not discounted and inept guy could not figure out. He then handed me revised bill for over $1,400 and then credited?? I do not honestly know till I get my Visa. Total bill should have been like $265. I almost lost it and guests gave me sympathetic looks. This place could be lovely but it needs new manager, management, staff, renovation & staff training.