Sensei Porcupine Creek — Hotel in Rancho Mirage

If you’ve read any other reviews under this profile, you will see that we generally rate hotels based on whether it met our expectations and whether it met the standard for the hotel class. While we loved Sensei, would possibly go back again and thought the grounds and rooms were stunning and food outstanding, the hotel fell just slightly short of the experience we’d hoped for. Here’s why: ||1. Golf Course Unavailable - The resort sets apart based on its private golf course and came recommended to us for that reason. We were excited to have access to a private golf course for our stay, and it was one of the main reasons we booked there. Shortly after booking (and before the cancel period), we touched base to schedule our activities during the stay. When I called the scheduling representative early in the day, she said she was unavailable because she had a scheduling call with another couple in ten minutes and would have to schedule a call for another day. The only day she offered was after the 14-day cancellation period, and it wasn’t even in that call but AFTER that call that we were informed the golf course would be unavailable because it was being aerated. Had we known that before, we wouldn’t have booked there, and if we’d found out within the cancellation period, we would have cancelled. We did not feel we got good value out of the stay because this essential element was missing and we weren’t informed until there wasn’t anything we could do about it. We understand that golf courses need to be shut down for care from time to time, but we didn’t feel like it was adequately disclosed prior to booking, during booking or even in the initial scheduling call. Nor was it disclosed until after the period to cancel had passed. ||2. Spa Appointment Cancelled Due to Lack of Providers - We had a couples facial scheduled. We were informed a day or two prior to the treatment that one of the providers would not be available. Evidently, they didn’t have a large enough pool of providers to fill-in despite having at least some amount of notice. We felt that was a bit of a shortcoming for a hotel that holds itself out as bespoke and dedicated to a wellness experience. That said, they did go forward with the treatment for one person and applied a substantial discount to the treatment as a comp even though we didn’t ask for or expect it. ||3. Lack of Amenities - With the golf course out of service and some of the wellness treatments not going forward, there wasn’t much to do but hang by the pool, eat and head to a fitness class. There are any number of hotels that offer that experience. |Sensei PC also didn’t provide a traditional spa experience. There wasn’t a dedicated spa facility - guests need to check in at the front desk for spa appointments and wait in the main lobby for the treatment provider. There wasn’t a traditional spa area offered with the amenities one normally might enjoy at a high-end hotel with a spa. For example, there are no steam showers, dry or infrared sauna, cold plunge, pre-treatment lounge, etc. For the price of admission, we felt the spa/wellness experience fell shy of other similarly-classed resorts, so we ranked it slightly lower. |This lack of amenities also resulted in us getting a little bored while there, so we did need to look outside of the hotel for interesting things to do (of which there are many within a close drive…Joshua Tree National Park, the Palm Springs Aerial Tram, Noah Purifoy Open Air Museum, to name a few). ||Here’s what they did exceptionally well: ||1. The place is stunning - both the rooms and the grounds. Truly, truly gorgeous. If you could picture an oasis/mirage in the desert, IT WOULD LOOK EXACTLY LIKE THIS. There isn’t a leaf out of place. I think they may brush the grass with a comb. The care and attention put into the luxurious in-room and property aesthetics are remarkable. You will feel like you are on a tropical island far away from the cares of the world. We were able to unplug, and that was just what the doctor ordered. That said, we did book a two-room villa that was tucked away a little off of the main amenities. If/when we go again, we would book the same villa and felt the experience might not have been the same if we’d stayed in a room in the main lodge. ||2. The food is outrageously good. We are huge fans of Nobu/Matsuhisa. We’ve been to enough of their locations, enough times that we feel safe in saying this one stands out. You can order most of the things you know from the usual Nobu menu, and many things you haven’t seen before that are unavailable at some of the other locations (we are talking to you Crispy Shiitake Salad). We also became addicted to the Sensei’s house welcome drink, the Coco Shiso and made up a batch at home the second day back. ||3. The customer service was excellent. From the waitstaff at Nobu, to the front desk, to housekeeping…even the valet - they are delightful, caring and responsive. Throughout your stay they seem to communicate your preferences hotel-wide with every team member and they remember small details, like a dislike of chives. We haven’t seen that level of customer service or communication throughout the team members at any hotel we’ve stayed at. It was part of what made the experience special, and one of the main reasons we’d return. ||4. The bed is the most comfortable you’ve ever slept on, and you will SLEEP. My spouse and I aren’t great sleepers, and we slept consistently and well at Sensei in large part because of the mattress. We loved it. The mattress was fully encased in a protective mattress cover. The morning we left, we unzipped a small portion and didn’t see the label, but didn’t want to take the thing completely apart. We snapped a photo of the small portion of the top of the mattress to ask questions later, and we did ask. They shared with us that most of their mattresses were McRoskey mattresses, so we reached out to them and shared the photo. Alas, McRoskey said that likely wasn’t one of their mattresses based on the top, so sadly we will likely never know what it was because we haven’t heard back from the hotel. But if you aren’t a great sleeper, take a shot at a stay there because if you are like us, you may sleep like you...

My husband and I visited Sensei as a peaceful escape from our hectic lives to reconnect and unwind. However, our experience far exceeded our expectations. It was not just a relaxing getaway; it was an enlightening and transformative journey.

Every staff member we encountered was exceptional and went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and satisfaction. Unfortunately, I don’t recall all their names, but I want to express my gratitude to the ones we did get to know. The service staff, including Sarah, Kim, Oscar, Yasmine, and Ali, were incredibly accommodating and welcoming. Their genuine care and attention made us feel at ease throughout our stay.

The nobu staff, led by the thorough and passionate chefs, were dedicated to ensuring that we savored every bite of their exquisite creations.

I had the privilege of indulging in some remarkable spa services under the guidance of Rafael and Kath. Their expertise and guidance left a lasting impression on me, and my body.

During a meditative class with Amy, I was deeply moved by her profound teachings. Her insights on self-compassion and understanding resonated with me, prompting me to reflect on my own journey and make positive changes in my life.

We also had the opportunity to participate in the guided wellness experience, which we highly recommend. Our team of facilitators, including Per, Austin, and Brooke, played a pivotal role in our transformative journey. From the moment Austin greeted us in the Faschia class, he created a welcoming and exciting atmosphere that set the tone for our experience. Brooke, with her understanding of the challenges faced by mothers with young children, offered valuable advice on incorporating healthy eating habits into our busy lifestyles. Per, with his infectious energy and profound wisdom, captivated us with his insights and encouraged us to embrace a more mindful approach to life. I wish I had recorded our sessions with everyone, as I yearn to retain every enlightening, encouraging, and mind-boggling concept they shared.

My husband and I are thrilled to embark on implementing these practical and actionable principles into our daily routines. While we already maintain a healthy diet and engage in regular exercise, we recognize that the guided wellness journey can enhance our lives regardless of our current health status. We eagerly anticipate our next visit to Sensei, where we can continue to...

After wrapping up an intense business exit, I came to Sensei Porcupine Creek in search of true rest and renewal. This place was exactly what the doctor ordered. From the moment I arrived, the serenity of the grounds—quiet, minimal guest presence, and the soothing sounds of arroyo frogs at night—set the tone for an unforgettable stay.||The culinary experience is a dream. The buttery miso cod was melt-in-your-mouth perfection, and the bao breakfast sandwiches were a comforting, elevated start to the day. Every detail feels intentional and refined. The in-room tech is top-of-the-line, yet seamlessly integrated—nothing about it interrupts the peace.||What really sets Sensei apart is the service. Guest Services responded within minutes to every text, whether I needed extra amenities or a simple recommendation. Turn-down service left thoughtful touches like matcha chocolates on the pillow, and everyone on staff embodied what can only be described as Four Seasons-level hospitality.||This morning, I reached out to the front desk about some disruptive noise from the room above me. Instead of a generic apology, they offered a complimentary room change within hours—completely seamless and handled with genuine care. That kind of proactive customer experience is rare and speaks volumes.||If you’re looking for a quiet, luxurious, and restorative space where every detail is thoughtfully curated, this is it. I left feeling truly nourished—body,...