The white gold Jaguar S-Type 4.2
was packed and ready to go. Our clothes were rolled neatly inside a Tumi
wheeled case, toiletries were tucked inside a gorgeous Penhaligon's Temperly Makeup Bag
and the computer was safely wrapped around a goddess-y Darci Laptop Bag.
On our way to Miramonte Resort in Indian Wells (near Palm Springs, California), we flew by giant semi-trucks, hit stop-and-go traffic on the ever-crowded 91 freeway, nimbly maneuvered around giant semi-trucks on the 215 and hit almost 100 mph without a gasp down the 10 freeway and Highway 111.
What makes driving this Jaguar a pleasure is the agile 300 hp, 4.2 liter V-8 engine plus speed-sensitive steering, a smooth double wishbone suspension and dynamic stability control. But the little luxuries make the trip even more special.
The ecru leather seats with brown piping and all-electric controls are deliciously comfortable. And the champagne-colored interiors with complementary Madrona wood trim are pleasing to the eye.
The Alpine 320W sound system rocked us the whole way and the seven-inch, easy-to-use touch screen navigation system led us with great ease through the desert's spring-laden green hills, which were filled with tiny wildflowers.
Finally, we pulled up to Miramonte Resort's porte cochere and its Mediterranean-inspired lobby and grounds. We spent two days at Miramonte, enjoying the resort's cool pools, colorful flowers, splashing fountains and bougainvillea-filled stucco walls. The guest rooms, decorated in a Cali-Mediterranean style with private terraces, were luxurious and comfortable.
The food at Miramonte, however, may be its top draw. Chef Sarah Bowman creates the most simple, yet flavorful Mediterranean-style dishes. The resort's restaurant, Brissago, serves up some of Southern California's most decadent dinners, but Chef Bowman's breakfasts may be even better. (Try the tangerine yogurt with organic granola, the banana oatmeal brulée or the traditional French-style omelettes.)
The skies looked like rain when we packed up the Jaguar for the trip home. Big drops started to hit the windshield just as we pulled into Casino Morongo, which is only a 30-minute ride north from Indian Wells. Within 15 minutes at the quarter slots, we walk out with a $62 win.
Back on the freeway, the Jaguar sped easily through the rain and we were most impressed with the automatic windshield wiper controls. Then, we saw it --- the super rainbow crossing the freeway and alighting on the snowy mountains ahead of us. We certainly felt like we had found the proverbial pot of gold in this super luxurious ride.
