The Riviera Palm Springs, a Tribute Portfolio Resort, is one of the most legendary hotels in Palm Springs. At the heart of the hotel is the soleil pool, which has an interesting history.
Originally designed by the visionary architect Irwin Schuman, The Riviera was fashioned after the glamorous hotels of old Las Vegas. Opened in 1959, this Palm Springs resort immediately became the go-to hot spot for celebrities and sophisticates like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, who would lounge by the pool and in the Presidential Suite. Elvis Presley was a frequent visitor at The Riviera and sought both refuge and rehearsal space in the Mediterranean Room for his band before leaving for tours and shows in Las Vegas.
In 2015, The Riviera Palm Springs opened as the second Tribute Hotel in the United States under Starwood Hotels and Resorts. While soaking in the sun, guests can enjoy poolside dining on the expansive sundeck of Soleil. The menu offers California-inspired cuisine with choices of salads, grilled sandwiches or fresh daily seafood. On sundeck you will find loungers, tables and chairs, or you can reserve a private cabana.
