Palm Springs is not Just for Old Folks

Jake Cohen, a 25 year old Lake Tahoe native and current General Manager of Palm Springs Rendezvous in Palm Springs, CA is being awarded General Manager of the Year for Small properties by the California Hotel and Lodging Association.
 
Nov. 30, 2009 - PRLog -- Many people picture Palm Springs as a Retirement community. Others see it solely as a place to play golf. Most do not realize that Palm Springs has become a happening place for young people looking for a vibrant getaway to cool places to stay, fabulous restaurants, beautiful hiking and biking, and great entertainment.

   A recent example of this is the fact that the young manager of Rendezvous, a 10 room bed and breakfast, was just selected as General Manager of the Year for Small Properties for the entire California Hotel and Lodging Association. Jake Cohen, 25 years old, became the manager of a small hotel, Ballantines Original Hotel, 2 years ago. He immediately devised a plan to transform the 14 room hotel into a luxurious 1950's bed and breakfast, with a massage studio next to the newly formed waterfall and meditation garden.

   This renovation was a 9 month endeavor where Jake and his father Marty did as much of the work they could themselves. It involved upscale amenities such as whirlpool tubs, new air conditioning systems, flat-screen TVs and DVD players, and updating an out of date electrical and plumbing system. Now the property has amazing rooms which are complemented by incredible breakfasts prepared in Rendezvous’ Commercial Kitchen. Cohen sites the commercial kitchen as the biggest project because there were so many hurdles to jump for both the city and the health department.

   The rooms are all furnished in 1950's decor, playing on the fact that Marilyn Monroe, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and many other movie stars of the 1940's and 1950's stayed at what was then called the Mira Loma. It was their getaway from the paparazzi who would hang out at the Racquet Club, a couple of miles away. Marilyn still has her Pretty in Pink room, James Dean has his Rebel without a Cause Suite, Elvis has his Shake Rattle and Roll room, and the 50's cars have their Route 66 Suite.

   Now, everyone is treated like a celebrity. All rooms have King size beds, and most have 2 person whirlpool tubs in custom-tiled bathrooms. Cohen serves a full gourmet breakfast each morning next to the pool, and blue raspberry martinis each night either at the Poolside Bar or in the Retro Lounge, furnished with authentic 50's furnishings. After dinner, guests gather around the poolside fire pit, as the weather in Palm Springs almost always offers balmy evenings. Rendezvous has become a haven for the younger and middle age set as a great place to hang out by the pool in the warm Palm Springs sunshine. All rooms open onto the pool and spa courtyard surrounded by palm trees swaying in the warm breeze, and views of the 10,000 foot tall San Jacinto mountain range.

   This year, Rendezvous was featured in National Geographic Travelers’ 129 Best Places to Stay, and was invited to become a member of Select Registry, a group of Distinguished Inns of North America. The California Hotel and Lodging Association is recognizing Cohen's ability to bring the romance of the 1950's back to this historic location, and succeed in a down economy. They will present the General Manager of the Year award  for small properties at the Marriott Union Square in San Francisco on December 1, 2009. Cohen is now one of the nominees for the American Hotel and Lodging Association's General Manager of the Year. At a time when many 25 year olds are still trying to figure out what field to choose, Cohen is an example of what can be done at a young age.

   Jake Cohen grew up in Lake Tahoe as a three sport athlete at North Tahoe High School. He excelled in school as well as sports and was awarded a Top 10 student athlete award for the State of Nevada. Cohen chose to head to UC San Diego for school and majored in Economics with a minor in Theater. When he graduated he was looking for a challenge and found it in taking over management of what is now Rendezvous. Jake is also active in the community in Palm Springs. He serves on 3 community boards, is a performer with California Desert Regional Theater, and is know as a renaissance man. Jake attributes his success to being a student of life and learning something new everyday. As Cohen puts it, “ I wake up each morning and try to better myself and my business in some way that day. If you do that day in and day out it makes a huge difference. I hate to hear people say they are waiting for the economy to improve. Don’t wait, get out there and change your situation for the better.”


For more information on this story:


Palm Springs Rendezvous
(800) 485-2808
info@palmspringsrendezvous.com
http://www.palmspringsrendezvous.com

California Hotel & Lodging Association
http://www.calodging.com
(916) 554-2664 Lynn Mohrfield

Reveiws:

TripAdvisor:   http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g32847-d265090-Re...

Yelp:   http://www.yelp.com/biz/palm-springs-rendezvous-palm-springs#hrid:IxuBgoc70Gg_c1IBrE4dgQ

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An incredible 1950's Bed & Breakfast that combines the character of the 1950's with the modern amenities travelers expect. For unparalleled service, amazing food, and nearly unlimited sunshine... Experience Rendezvous!
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