Palm Springs Amigo Room Review at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club
- Kathy Condon
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
I am not often surprised by places in the Greater Palm Springs area. However, I was by the atmosphere and the food at the Amigo Room, tucked away in the Ace Hotel & Swim Club on South Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.
I was graciously invited to dine as a guest, though the thoughts expressed here reflect my honest experience.
Arriving at the Palm Springs Amigo Room at the Ace Hotel
I had been to the King’s Highway Restaurant. Still, I had no idea where the Amigo Room was located on the Ace Hotel’s expansive property, which sits adjacent to Highway 111, a main thoroughfare through the Coachella Valley.
I parked the car and headed to the well-marked registration door for the hotel. I smiled as I walked through the doors to a lobby with nautical, contemporary décor. I was greeted immediately and was escorted down a very short hallway.
I turned into the room and stopped in my tracks. Wow, the room was beautiful. Instead of the tables I was expecting, lining the walls were amoeba-shaped coffee tables in front of contemporary-designed sofas and chairs. One felt like you were entering a living room, with music wafting through the air, inviting guests to relax and stay a while.
In the far corner was an enclosed bar area, with barstools and a friendly bartender watching over the entire space. There was only one table, with two chairs, so I opted to snag it before others arrived.
Cocktail Orders at the Amigo Room
Once my guest arrived, we ordered cocktails. He wanted a mocktail but couldn’t decide on a choice. The bartender smiled and said, 'What are the ingredients you like in a drink?' He listened and went away, saying, 'I’ll make something for you.” My guest was really pleased with his mocktail. My sip of it revealed it could be the perfect drink for a hot summer day.
Anyone who follows me knows I'm a fan of Old Fashioneds. So, I was going that route. Then I was urged to try their high-end signature drink, Vieur Oarre 1930 New Orleans.
Oh my, sooo smooth, and the best way I can describe it is as an elevated Old Fashioned. Appreciating the drink, I went back and examined the ingredients—Redemption Rye, Chia-infused Hennessy, Cocchi Torino Benedictine, and orange bitters.
Sharing an Appetizer and a Caesar Salad
Once both were delivered, we knew our decision to share them was a wise one. The Messe Trio was not only presented with flair, but it was also intriguing because it was different from what we expected. There were the classic hummus and tzatziki, but what caught our attention was the whipped feta. We sent the waiter back to ask the chef how it was made and found out the feta was whipped with heavy cream.
The Caesar salad was gigantic. It had parmesan cheese on it, so finely grated that it looked like snow gracing the entire top of the generous salad plate.
Ordering the Main Entrées at the Amigo Room
The decision to have Roast Chicken, Yukon Mash Potatoes, with chicken gravy, and served with green beans. We were advised that it would take an extra twenty minutes, but that was no problem since we were not under any time crunch and were enjoying each other’s company.
The chicken entrée arrived piping hot, served on a mound of potatoes and topped with a brown gravy that was neither overpowering nor lacking in flavor. The green beans were al dente and perfecto.
Our other entrée was Steak and Fries. The 10-oz sirloin steak was served with addictive garlic parmesan fries. The steak arrived medium well, the way I ordered it - tender and tasty.
We were surprised at the quality and the quantity of the dishes served. The aroma of the roasted chicken alone was pleasing to our senses. While enjoying our chicken and steak, we nibbled away on the slightly crispy fries. There was no way we could eat all the steak and chicken, so, yes, you guessed it, we needed a takeaway bag.
Dessert? Sorry, I can’t vouch for any one of them, for we were so stuffed it would have been impossible to enjoy it. Frankly, it is a good additional excuse for me to go back.
We enjoyed The Amigo Room at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club
The Palm Springs Amigo Room is a place where you can meet friends in a casual atmosphere. While the cocktails are a bit on the high-end price scale, the opposite is true for the food. All the dishes we tried were substantial and, frankly, large enough to share easily among friends.
We walked out of the Amigo Room, satisfied and surprised by the atmosphere, the staff, and the drinks and food, all of which exceeded our expectations.
Kathy Condon is a Travel Writer and Award-winning Author. Her niche is in luxury experiences, hidden delights, and communities that thrive in the shadows of larger cities. www.PalmSpringsInsiderGuide.com kathy@kathycondon.net 760-902-3094