At 230 rooms, the Spa Resort Casino is considered a major hotel in both the city of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. Hotel General Manager Jim Metzger feels the property has stepped out of the shadow of the giant hotel chains: "As an independent facility, we have taken the lead in occupancy for the entire valley, above all chain resorts. That is a tremendous accomplishment." Metzger attributed the hotel's success to the Spa Resort's image as a destination. "We have distinct amenities here, such as our world-famous spa and casino, that other properties in the area cannot offer."

Spa Resort Casino 100 N. Indian Canyon Palm Springs, California

Much of the occupancy was credited to frequent independent travelers, or FITs, as opposed to group registrants. Additionally, a large percentage of the hotel's guests are repeat visitors. "Our amenities attract customers, and our excellent customer service keeps them coming back," Metzger said.

The hotel's high occupancy rates are extremely beneficial to the city and to the surrounding area. According to the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, for every dollar visitors spend on a room, they spend another six dollars in the local economy on things such as restaurants, shops and souvenirs. "When our occupancy is as high as it is, that means we are driving visitors and tourist dollars to the local economy," Metzger said.

Last December, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, which owns and operates the Spa Resort Casino, broke ground on an ambitious $90 million casino project, which will be located across the street from the hotel. Covering an entire city block, the new casually elegant Spa Casino will boast 1,000 slots, three restaurants and a 24-hour food court, among other amenities. The project is slated to open in November this year and is expected to further enhance the economy of downtown Palm Springs.

"People are looking to the new Spa Casino as the centerpiece of a secure Palm Springs economy for the next 30 years," Metzger said. "The casino will only further enhance occupancy levels for all hotels in the local community, which, of course, is financially beneficial to the entire region."

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians owns and operates multiple business ventures in the Palm Springs area, including the Agua Caliente Casino, the Spa Resort Casino, Indian Canyons and the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum.