A desert-oasis resort that originally opened in the 1920s,  La Quinta Resort offers plenty of the old-fashioned splendor of Palm Springs. Once an old-Hollywood getaway (with guests such as Greta Garbo and Clark Gable), the now 796-room resort has five award-winning golf courses, a spa and  41 (yes, 41) pools—mostly smallish lap pools, and one very large main pool.

But keeping up with the times, this Waldorf-Astoria resort has also become increasingly family-friendly: there are recreation options such as a basketball court, bike rentals and a game room with pinball and video games. The kids club for ages 4 to 12 is run by the local YMCA and features sports, crafts and games based on shows such as Minute to Win It and America’s Got Talent. During the summer, there are movies in the resort's on-site theater, pottery workshops, volleyball games and guided stargazing on Saturday nights.

This summer, La Quinta is also offering some nicely personalized deals. Two in particular caught our eye—and are great if you have the right kind of ID:

• The Salute to Summer deal: If you’re a member of the military, this two-night deal starts at $99 a night and waives the usual resort fee ($27), plus gives you a $25 resort credit. 
  
• The Teacher Appreciation deal:  Same as the military deal, but for teachers: Two nights starting at $99 a night, plus a $25 resort credit and minus the daily $27 resort charge.

When you assume that the real rate at any resort is the daily rate plus the daily resort charge, both promos give you a 28% discount off the regular summer rate, plus a resort credit that will be effortless to use on meals.

And if you’re not a teacher or a member of the military? You’re not completely shut out. The Sunrise Package starts at $149 a night and includes daily breakfast for a family of four.  It gives you a slight edge on the regular room-only rate of $109 a night—but only if you definitely like a sit-down breakfast every morning (which would likely run at least $50 for a family of four). But, alas, you still have to pay that daily resort fee. 

The offers are good for stays through September 30.  Click on the deals’ names when booking online, or mention the deal when calling 760/564-4111.