Hi all-- I am returning to triathlon at IM 70.3 Indian Wells, which will be my first triathlon since 1998. Was out of any competition for several years and then back to marathoning the past few years.
Anyway, I have never been to Palm Springs and don’t know the area and am trying to plan the trip. For those that have done this race, where is the best place to stay with the split transitions and spread out area? I am thinking near the T2/Tennis Center area. Thoughts?
Thanks for any suggestions!!
My then-girlfriend (and now wife) and I did HITS/Alpha Win the first couple years, 2011-2013, and stayed at the La Quinta Resort. It is very pricey (Waldorf Astoria property, NOT associated with the motels!). We’ve been back probably 6 or 8 times, even though we only raced like 3 of those. It is her favorite place in the whole world, and we don’t even golf or play tennis!
Anyway, probably a horrible suggestion if you’re going alone or with friends, but if you have a significant other who likes nice hotels and spas, it’s pretty sweet, and makes up for the fact that race weekend isn’t the best vacation for those not racing. I’ve really thought about that race since we love La Quinta and that’s a great time to go, but I can still remember the frigid swim! Good luck and welcome back!
Here is the link: https://www.laquintaresort.com
JT
I raced last year and my wife and I stayed at this AirBnb in Palm Desert: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/11989132?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=bdb3b332-bb8c-41b6-93a7-44979660c09c. It was clean, quiet, and has a pool for cold water acclimation. 
Parking on race morning at the tennis gardens was super easy so I wasn’t concerned about being super close to the start. Also, FWIW, my wife was not able to get back to T2 from the race start before I got there due to the spectator bus situation. It was very backed up.