Spa People in the News

Dawn Ferraro - Spa Director at Marriott's Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa

(RANCHO MIRAGE, CA) – Dawn Ferraro, has been Director of the world class Spa Las Palmas since its opening, and thinks of the luxury healing center as “an oasis within an oasis.” The description is fitting as the Spa’s signature services focus on water-related treatments and the Resort sits amid 240 acres of waterways, lakes, and lush tropical plantings. “With more than twenty years experience managing Marriott operations and luxury Marriott Spas in Florida and throughout the Southwest, Dawn is the perfect person to oversee the running of the Rancho Las Palmas Spa,” says General Manager Frank Garahan.

A graduate of Point Loma College, San Diego, CA, Dawn Ferraro received a double major B.A. in Business Administration and Office Administration, with a minor in Economics. During her years with Marriott, Ferraro has risen steadily through the ranks from Front Desk Manager and Front Office Manager to Manager of Resort Shops and Spa Director. She has assisted in the opening of luxury spas across the United States including Revive Spa at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge, Phoenix, AZ; Aqua Sulis Spa at the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort Spa & Golf, Summerlin, NV; and Orlando World Center Marriott Resort & Convention Center, Orlando, FL. For superior management skills, she has received 40 Tiefel Awards from the Marriott Hospitality Recognition Award Program as well as Manager of The Year Award, Courtyard Los Angeles Century City, Beverly Hill, and she has been the driving force that earned Spa Las Palmas a listing in the prestigious 100 Best Spas In The World. In 2002, Ferraro was nominated for Business Woman of The Year by the Chamber of Commerce, Rancho Mirage, CA.

Renowned for its nurturing, personalized service, and a superlative array of ancient beauty rituals and therapeutic spa treatments, Spa Las Palmas is “an oasis within an oasis.” Guests visiting Marriott’s Rancho Las Palmas Resort in 2004 will be entranced by the world-class spa facility’s new ‘look.’ Spa Las Palmas has significantly expanded its pool area, adding soothing-to-the-touch “cool decking” with an intricate Arizona paver stone and tile border. The elegant wrought iron poolside and interior furnishings have been reupholstered in exquisite periwinkle and ivory decorator fabrics. Container palm trees in multicolored clay pots and complementing canvas umbrellas shade the exterior furnishings offering a relaxing refuge from the summer sun, and a cascading terracotta waterwall serves as backdrop to the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and dramatic desert terrain.

Steeped in rich tradition and history, the doors to Rancho Las Palmas opened in February of 1979. Many famous celebrities made Rancho Las Palmas their personal get-away, and it was the first resort in the desert to remain open year-round. Cary Grant, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were on hand for the opening festivities, as well as special guest of honor Bob Hope who hit the first golf ball on the then new course. Situated amid more than 250 acres of tranquil lakes and gardens, Marriott’s Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa features 450 casitas and suites, all elegantly appointed with modern conveniences and a flair for the old world, distinctively blending famed Palm Springs sophistication with early California charm. For reservations or more information, contact the resort at

760-568-2727 or visit www.rancholaspalmas.com.