We live a couple of hours away, and have been to at least 10 different hotels in the Palm Springs/Palm Desert area. There are only 3 that we choose to come back to repeatedly, and the Avalon is our favorite to go to when we come as a couple.
This past time at the Avalon, Michael at reservations went above and beyond when I told him it was my husband's birthday. We were spoiled, and felt very welcomed. We stayed in a gorgeous bungalow that has the perfect Palm Springs vibe-- updated casita with a little private lounge space. I was told Kelly Wearstler designed the rooms, and that sounds right to me. Great updated 70's Regency feel. Definitely a lot of stark white, but in a way that feels cool and updated. Even though it was cold and somewhat rainy while we were there, our fireplace added such a great feel that we didn't want to leave.
I love the extras that my favorite hotels include, and I always try to maximize my experience when I am there. From the weekend yoga (taught by great teachers) to the welcome drink to the cute bikes you can borrow, the Avalon includes a lot of these little extras that make it feel so special. Though not large in quantity and fairly expensive, the food is delicious and you can choose to be healthy without sacrificing taste. And the bed-- it truly is one of the most comfortable I have ever slept on.
When you combine its great location in downtown Palm Springs with the helpful staff, beautiful grounds, great little extras, and decadent spaces, I think this is the perfect couples get away. That said, I don't see it as a party place or a great place to bring our kids (rarely do we see kids older than 1 years old there). It is a fantastic place to relax and enjoy your special someone. Highly recommend.