If you're hankering for a getaway over the Christmas break but you've had it with images of sleighs and snowmen, then consider heading to the desert. One Palm Springs hotel is offering  a great pre-New Year’s deal at a huge savings over the usual high-season winter prices.

The Riviera Resort & Spa is having a 50th Anniversary Celebration,  comemmorating its original debut in 1959. Today’s 406-room resort once played host to rat packers such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Dean Martin and even Elvis himself. Like many great showbiz legends, the “Riv” got a big face lift recently, yet it still exudes a 1950’s-style sleekness and sense of fun.

Now is a great time to check it out. Until December 31, rates start at just $59 for midweek stays (Sunday through Thursday) for a room with one king bed and $118 ($59 more) for a junior suite (one king and one queen-size sleeper sofa). These are great deals, since rates normally start at $269 for the king room and $349 for the junior suite. You can also get mid-century themed deals such as a $59 prix-fixe dinner at its resaurant Circa 1959, or “set-and-style” hairdos in the salon. The only catch: Supposedly only 59 rooms (or about 1 out of 7) are available at this rate. But when we checked online, we easily found availability.

The resort has two pools, a hot tub, tennis courts and a basketball court available for free play. Its SpaTerre even offers spa treatments for both teens and under-12 kids, ranging from $20 to $110 for mani-pedis, facials and even sports massages.

Use the promotional code 1959AN when booking online or mention the 50th Anniversary Celebration when calling 866/588-8311. Rates don’t include taxes or resort fees and, as always, some blackout dates may apply.