Alexander The Great inn Palm Springs

No, Emperor Alexander's ghost hasn't come down to enjoy spa vacations in Palm Springs. We're talking about The Alexander Inn, Palm Springs, located on 1425 South via Soledad. It's a great place.

Imagine an outdoor heated pool, set in the middle of a courtyard with a flowery garden and tall palms, which looks like one of those old haciendas, with the mountains rising up in the background beyond the walled grounds. Poolside deck chairs, tables and umbrellas, with a pillor lined corridor leading into the building all lending a touch of lazy grandeur. That's the Alexander Inn.

It really looks like a place fit for Kings and Emperors. You can almost imagine Alexander the Great lounging about in the pool, sipping a martini and making plans to conquer Wall Street by sending forth an army equipped with new-flanged derivative financial products. Well, that's what they use nowadays, instead of swords and spears...

So anyway, in addition to the heated pool, you also get complimentary off-street parking and daily maid service. The 1200 sq ft poolside villa suites contain separate bedrooms and a living area, along with fully equipped kitchens. You also get free internet, a flat-screen LCD TV and movie channels, centralized airconditioning and heating, a washer/dryer, fine linen, cal-king beds with down comforter and pillow-top mattresses, branded toileteries and Spa towels, Starbucks coffee, hairdryer and iron & ironing board.

Current specials at the Alexander Inn include spa packages and discounted spa rates for guests. If you're staying there, you can get a 50 minute massage or a Botanical facial for $79. If you want the full works, you can go in for a $129 spa pedicure+manicure+hydrating facial or massage.

And accomodation rates at the Alexander Inn vary from $130 to $235, depending on when you visit (summer rates April onwards are much lower), and depending on your preference of suite (master suite, 1-bedroom villa, 2-bedroom villa, etc.).

$130 per night, along with discounted spa treatments, aren't so bad, considering the kind of amenities and the setup they have waiting for you. Course, Palm Springs is so cheap that you could easily shave off a 100 bucks off that amount at one of the Palm Springs motels, but that depends - On whether you want to be treated like Alexander the Great, or one of his foot soldiers.

Info: 1425 South via Soledad Palm Springs CA 92264; (760) 327-4970; www.alexander-inn.com/