The Chateau at Lake La Quinta

I truly wanted to love this hotel. In fact, I still wish our stay there had worked out.

For context: every two years, I donate my time to mentor a small group of aspiring photographers who fly in to work with me for about a week. It’s a non-profit initiative that continues the legacy of my own mentor when I was a teenager.

For the upcoming workshop, we planned to start with two days around the Salton Sea, and this hotel looked like a wonderful fit.

After some research, we contacted the hotel and asked if they could match an offer we had received for this hotel from the German travel portal HRS for five double rooms (two beds per room) for $1,848 all-inclusive for two nights, including breakfast. It was slightly above our budget, but we were willing to make it work.

The sales manager replied:

“I think I can work with you on the rate. I just want to make sure a single king-size bed in each room is ok and if 6 rooms will be enough for your group.”

We confirmed that arrangement, adjusted our group so most participants would share beds for the two nights, and accepted the sixth room offered to accommodate everyone.

We then:

- confirmed the booking

- received and returned the credit card authorization form

- drove to the hotel to inspect the property in person

- cancelled the alternatives we had on hold

Two days later, we received another message from the hotel explaining that the rate had been misunderstood internally — it had been read as $1,848 per night rather than for the two-night stay.

Unfortunately, despite a long email exchange, the hotel ultimately declined to honor the arrangement and suggested we look elsewhere.

The result: we had to restart the search on short notice, and I will now make another 500-mile round trip to inspect the replacement hotel.

That was disappointing, especially because the property itself looked lovely and we were genuinely excited about staying there.

Mistakes can happen in any business. What matters is how they are handled. In this case, the solution was to ask the customer to absorb the consequences.

If you plan to stay here, I would recommend confirming rates and all conditions very carefully, particularly since they upcharge a resort rate - and when scouting it, it felt like a very nice small boutique hotel to me, far away from a resort (which was fine to me, as we were looking for a place to sleep and leave after breakfast ;-)

Cute little hotel. Very friendly Staff, welcomed us with a couple glasses of champagne. We were there over Christmas Eve and they were still attentive and friendly. Would stay again.

Nice views

Perfect vacation!

Beautiful property!

Beautiful views abducted very quiet. Current renovations were a minor inconvenience and price was great bang for our buck. Definitely enjoyed our start

We came here to celebrate my birthday and I was dissatisfied the minute we arrived. First of all, social media had lead us to believe that a boat would bring us from the parking lot to the lobby via boat. Not true but that was our fault for believing on the influencers. Next, we arrived to our room. Room had a non pleasant smell and carpet looked filthy. We also tried to overlook that. The shower wall was dirty and the toilet paper holder was broken and loose.staff was very friendly so I have nothing negative to say about them.
Something else to consider, if you are trying to have a peaceful stay, this is not the place. The set up is funky to where there’s a bar area in the open and right in the center of all the rooms. We were never able to go to bed early because people were mowing and being very rowdy. And that bar for most of the night. We booked this place, hoping to love it, and possibly extend for two more nights, instead, we left earlier than the checkout time, and we booked elsewhere instead. All to say that we paid a lot and we felt it wasn’t worth it..

This hotel double books their "superior" rooms. I booked my stay 18 days in advance for a superior room. I checked in at 4 pm and was offered their "deluxe" room. The deluxe room was very small (with plumbing issues) and faced the side of the property. My lake view was the stagnant pond scum view. The pool & pool area was covered in leaves. The bartender, Robert, was very kind & understanding. La Quinta is full of wonderful options. I won't book The Chateau again! I have yet to be contacted by the management. I'm not holding my breath, since there was a notice of change of management or sale at the reception desk. Very big disappointment for a holiday weekend planned well in advance. -JM

Great check in as always

All the people that work there were exceptional

Loved it..

Old stains on sheets, trash under the bed. I expected more for the price.

Absolutely loved this hotel!!!! It was prefect to celebrate our anniversary. I loved everything about this hotel, the room, the patio, the view and bathroom decor was stunning. The giant tub was an amazing way to relax. Definitely marked this hotel down and one of my favorites. Plus, the price was very reasonable. 5 star from me!

Charming hotel with nice staff.

The room is dirty, there were no clean towels, all dirty with stains, the pool is also dirty

Lakeside view from the room

Beautiful and quiet! The best views and peaceful atmosphere were highlights for me. Staff was wonderful, kind and helpful.

We've loved staying here over the years, however now the place is pretty run down. The pool and pool area have old dirty run down chairs and it is npt cleaned daily. No towels are available anymore for pool use. Also only continental breakfast, which is sad because the restaurant always had amazing food. Fixtures need updated in much of the hotel. The rooms are still very nice and comfortable but older. The staff is phenomenal every time and will handle your every wish.

None

Very cute property. The room we stayed in was on the 2nd floor and had a nice view of the lake. Should note that there is no elevator but the front desk person did offer to carry our bags up the stairs for us.
We had a wonderful dinner at the restaurant downstairs. I would definitely stay here again.