Celebrate Your Special Occasion in Death Valley!
Whether you’re planning a wedding, family reunion, or getaway with friends, why hold your event at some generic big-city hotel when you can bring everyone together at a historic resort in one of the world’s most dramatic natural settings?
The fact is that The Oasis at Death Valley can transform special occasions into unforgettable ones. A world-famous desert getaway, the Oasis, with its two hotels, fine dining, and diverse collection of event venues, can accommodate gatherings of all kinds — from executive retreats to lavish weddings.
Granted, when you hear the name Death Valley, you may think rough-and-ready, not rest-and-relaxation. But with the resort’s unique facilities and a dedicated events team to help with planning, The Oasis at Death Valley is the place you’ll want to be. Here are a few reasons why.
The Middle of Nowhere is Closer Than You Think
While much of Death Valley National Park is designated federal wilderness, the area can easily be reached by guests traveling from around the country, or even from distant parts of the globe. McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, which is just two hours from the resort, has direct service from numerous U.S. cities, as well as hubs in Asia and Europe. And from Los Angeles International Airport, it’s a beautiful drive of less than five hours through the California desert to the resort.
Under the Desert Sky
Yes, Death Valley is known for being hot, but that’s during the summer. For a long stretch of the year, Death Valley’s weather is just about perfect. And The Inn’s outdoor event spaces let you take full advantage of the valley’s wonderful weather and the desert’s incomparable starry nights (Death Valley is the country’s largest International Dark Sky National Park).
Part of the resort’s $100 million renovation in 2018, the Mission Gardens, a romantic and verdant space for outdoor weddings and other larger gatherings, was created from an unlikely source. The whitewashed stone walls that enclose the gardens date to the 1920s and were originally part of an adobe building that served as The Inn’s laundry facility. The building burned down in 2014 but the walls were salvaged and restored, and together with palm trees, fountains, and colorful bougainvillea give the Mission Gardens an atmosphere that evokes Old California.
Another great venue for a wedding, especially if you’re hosting a smaller party, is the lawn area below the main hotel and adjacent to the 22 Spanish-style casitas that were added to the property during the renovation. Or for cocktail receptions and other group functions, you can take your pick of two other outdoor areas: the Stargazer’s Terrace, with its wraparound views of the valley and the surrounding mountains, and the Panamint Deck, which overlooks the valley and the hotel’s palm gardens.
The Gold Rush Room
More Venues: The Great Indoors
With distinctive indoor event spaces, The Inn at Death Valley can handle group occasions of all kinds and sizes. Ranging from the intimate Boardroom, an ideal place for executive off-sites, to the 1,400-square-foot, 120-person capacity Gold Rush Room, which has two wood-burning fireplaces and overlooks The Inn’s famous spring-fed pool, you’ll find choices that combine a historic ambience and a distinct sense of Death Valley.
Several of the rooms feature vintage stonework, and in the Oasis Foyer and the Big Horn Room, the ponderosa pine ceiling timbers were once part of railroad trestles used by trains hauling borax out of the valley. No uninspired hotel ballrooms with giant room dividers here.
The Last Kind Words Saloon
Distinctive Dining
Maybe you’re planning a wedding rehearsal dinner or just want to get together for a special meal with a group of friends during a guys’ or gals’ getaway. But whatever your plans, The Oasis at Death Valley’s restaurants let you dine in style.
The elegant Inn Dining Room blends a Southwest décor that features historic paintings of the American West with a contemporary menu of desert-inspired dishes to create a culinary experience that is truly of Death Valley. Favorites include the Wagyu ribeye and the blue cheese-stuffed date appetizers.
As beautiful as the main dining room may be, for a truly memorable meal, there’s nothing like dining beneath the starry desert sky out on the restaurant’s terrace. And next to the dining room, The Inn’s elegant lobby bar is the place to catch up with friends over a nightcap.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, that is, The Ranch at Death Valley (The Inn’s sister property), The Last Kind Words Saloon has added an informal and atmospheric dining option to the resort. Meticulously designed with historic artifacts, Western artwork, and Native American crafts, the restaurant brings alive the world of a classic Old West saloon. It’s the perfect spot for a high-spirited gathering where everyone can don jeans and cowboy boots and dig into such classic Western fare as a bison strip loin or barbecue baby back ribs. And when it’s time for a toast, take your pick from the saloon’s impeccable collection of small-batch and boutique American whiskies.
Hit the links at The Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley
Fun in the Sun
While Death Valley is justly famous for its desert hiking trails, the resort offers all sorts of activities if you want to host group outings during company retreats, family reunions, and weddings.
Saddle up for guided rides onto the floor of the desert or into the foothills, as well as memorable sunset adventures, with Furnace Creek Stables. Families also love the carriage and hay wagon rides. Organize your own tournament at the challenging and beautiful Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley, the world’s lowest elevation course at 214 feet below sea level. Or treat your maid of honor and best man, to a hot cocoa stone massage and a body wrap at The Inn’s refurbished spa.
Then again, nothing beats just hanging out poolside with friends, family, or colleagues at the resort’s two spring-fed swimming pools, both of which stay consistently in the mid 80s. The Inn’s pool has cabanas and deck-side wood-burning fireplaces, which everyone will appreciate on one of Death Valley’s surprisingly chilly nights.
How to Explore
The Oasis at Death Valley is situated in a lush oasis surrounded by the vast and arid desert of Death Valley National Park — just 120 miles northwest of Las Vegas and 275 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The resort encompasses two hotels — the historic AAA Four Diamond, 66-room Inn at Death Valley and the family-oriented, 224-room Ranch at Death Valley. The entire resort went through a complete renaissance with an extensive renovation in 2018. It includes natural spring-fed pools, an 18-hole golf course, horse and carriage rides, world-renowned stargazing, and is surrounded by Death Valley National Park’s main attractions. For information and reservations, visit oasisatdeathvalley.com or call 800-236-7916.
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