Luxury Real Estate

By: Randy Heinitz

Nestled in a cove on the southern end of The Coachella Valley on a plot of land once known as Happy Hollow, is The La Quinta Resort & Club. Originally built in 1926 as The Hotel La Quinta the structure remains an area historical icon and since its opening has been a key destination for the rich, the famous, and the serenity seeker.

Although many a famous Hollywood legend has booked a room there, none more special this time of year as Frank Capra. Back in the 1920’s Frank booked Suite 136 and wrote the screenplay for It Happened One Night. When that film went on to win five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Screenplay, Frank gave credit to his stay at The Hotel La Quinta. He returned to that very same suite to write Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Lost Horizon, You Can’t Take It With You and, of course, It’s a Wonderful Life. That very hotel room also houses the typewriter Frank used to write the scripts and it can be reserved by the general public.

So every year at Christmas time The LaQuinta Resort pays homage to Mr. Capra and turns the setting into Bedford Falls and decorates the entire premises in a holiday glaze. You see, it’s also rumored that Irving Berling also came up with the lyrics of I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas while staying at the hotel.

Many an aspiring writer will visit the hotel at all times of the year hoping to capture the muses that obviously mingle amongst the palms there.

Happy Holidays and may the season bring you much inspiration.