Set on 240 acres of gardens in the sunny Southern California desert, Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa invites groups of up to 1,200 to meet and play to their heart’s content.

The Spanish mission–style resort provides a meeting-friendly layout with over 41,000 square feet of conference facilities clustered together within easy walking distance of the 422 rooms and 22 suites, golf, tennis, the pool complex, and Spa Las Palmas.

Side-by-side ballrooms linked by generous prefunction space invite meeting planners to mix and match from some of the largest, most flexible venues in the Coachella Valley. Measuring 12,900 square feet, Las Palmas Ballroom accommodates up to 1,200 for receptions or 80 exhibit booths, while the Fiesta Ballroom holds up to 1,000 for receptions or 60 exhibit booths. Each ballroom divides into eight sections, with multiple configurations spanning 697 to 7,290 square feet.

From the Fiesta Ballroom, a stairway ascends to the 10,000- square-foot Starlight Terrace, ideal for receptions under the desert sky. Smaller gatherings often opt for the 3,000-square-foot Sunrise Terrace overlooking the golf course or the dozen hospitality suites.

All groups benefit from the convenience of a full-service business center and the dedication of the resort’s Gold Key Hall of Fame catering and meeting staffs. Professional conference managers oversee every detail.

The resort’s recreational options provide limitless suggestions for theme parties, team building, and free-time activity. The offerings at Spa Las Palmas range from invigorating massage breaks to full-day spa escapes. Golf rounds and tournaments take up the championship challenge of 27 holes of Ted Robinson–designed golf. Racquet fans gather at a tennis complex complete with 25 lighted courts and a 1,000-seat stadium.

Spouse programs often include outings to The River, a parklike waterfront destination lined with restaurants, specialty shops, and entertainment. Other nearby shopping opportunities include El Paseo and the downtown Palm Desert–Westfields shops. Off-property nature excursions range from horseback riding and rock climbing to exploring the wonders of Joshua Tree National Park, Idyllwild, and the Salton Sea.

Right on property, attendees can relax between meetings at the pool complex, or simply lounge at their mission-style accommodations—all with private balconies or patios. Four restaurants on-site offer plenty of indoor and outdoor dining options, highlighted by the central courtyard restaurant where attendees can bond over wine and appetizers in the balmy desert air.