A $200 million transformation elevates The Oasis at Death Valley into an extraordinary retreat. Just beyond the Nevada-California border at Death Valley Junction, Highway 190 stretches west in a nearly straight line. Flanked by rocky slopes and desert scrub, the view remains unchanging — until a bend 30 miles in, where terra-cotta rooftops and palm groves emerge like a mirage. Welcome to The Oasis at Death Valley. Nestled witin 3.4 million acres of protected desert, the resort is one of the few places to stay inside Death Valley National Park — an outpost of comfort in one of the most extreme environments on Earth. Following a $200 million revitalization, this historic destination has been beautifully reimagined. From meticulously upgraded accommodations to vibrant new dining venues and expanded recreational offerings, The Oasis has truly entered an exciting new era — elevating the experience for first-time visitors and longtime guests alike.  Death Valley, the largest national park in the lower 48 states, is a land of extremes. Its salt flats, sand dunes, and volcanic formations evoke another planet (NASA even tests Mars rovers here). When rare rain falls, it can spark a fleeting explosion of wildflowers, a rare phenomenon that is likely to occur in spring of 2026. At the heart of this spectacle lies The Oasis, a true green sanctuary built atop natural mineral springs. This unique setting has drawn visitors since the late 1800s, from borax miners to Hollywood icons like Marlon Brando and Clark Gable, who came in search of solitude, sun, and cinematic scenery.  Today, The Oasis is a vibrant gateway to adventure and relaxation, offering something for everyone against the awe-inspiring backdrop of Death Valley’s vast landscape. THE INN AT DEATH VALLEY: HERITAGE LUXURY A Four Diamond, AAA-rated haven originally built in 1927, The Inn at Death Valley remains a desert icon, a nearly century-old hideaway where Mission-style architecture meets peak luxury. Its recent transformation has been meticulously reimagined, elevating every aspect of the guest experience. Every corner—from its 66 guest rooms to the lobby and historic dining room—has been refreshed while preserving its storied heritage. Designers looked to the property’s original 1920s architectural drawings for guidance, restoring key details to honor its legacy.  THE INN POOL New additions include 22 private casitas, each with a living room, wet bar, and personal golf cart for exploring the grounds. The palm-lined, natural spring-fed pool—always a pleasant 87°F—remains a centerpiece, now enhanced with cabanas, a wellness spa, and a pool bar. Infused with natural minerals, the pool is as iconic as the desert itself. THE RANCH AT DEATH VALLEY: A FAMILY-FRIENDLY GATEWAY TO ADVENTURE Just minutes from The Inn, The Ranch offers a family-friendly, adventure-focused experience. Its 276 guest rooms, refreshed with a midcentury vibe, sit near The Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley and provide easy access to pools, sports courts, and playground. The Ranch’s upgrades include 80 cozy cottages with private patios and a new Old West-style Town Square featuring a general store, saloon, and tavern. The Borax Museum, a local treasure, has also reopened after renovations. Phase two of the revitalization will add a wraparound deck, outdoor grill, and beer garden with live music. COZY COTTAGES AT THE RANCH The Ranch is also the center of activity at The Oasis. Rent 4×4 vehicles, road bikes, or e-bikes to explore the national park, or relax with tennis or pickleball on freshly resurfaced courts. For an easy unwind, grab a floatie and enjoy the refurbished spring-fed pool. A GREENER TEE At 214 feet below sea level, the resort’s 18-hole, par-70 Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley holds a rare distinction: It’s the lowest-elevation golf course on Earth. It’s also one of the most challenging, earning a spot on Golf Digest’s list of “America’s 50 Toughest Courses.” (Coyotes sometimes frolic along the sidelines — a convenient excuse for wayward shots.)   THE FURNACE CREEK GOLF COURSE AT DEATH VALLEY Thoughtful updates have enhanced the course’s sustainability, replacing more than 15 acres of turf with native and drought-tolerant plants to conserve water while deepening the connection to the surrounding landscape. Thanks to a closed-loop irrigation system that recycles mineral spring water, the fairways remain soft and lush underfoot.    Wildlife thrives here too, with a nearby Audubon-certified pond attracting birds like coots and ibis. A NEW TASTE OF THE DESERT With eight dining venues across The Inn and The Ranch, The Oasis offers options for every palate. At The Inn, the redesigned lobby, bar, and dining room provide an elegant setting for standout dishes like Furnace Creek Filet Mignon or Vegetarian Pumpkin Enchiladas. Guests can also enjoy cocktails on a shaded terrace overlooking the desert salt flats and Panamint Mountains.   At The Ranch, the new Town Square features dining options like The Last Kind Words Saloon, which channels the Old West with hearty fare like bison burgers and ribs. Families love the 1950s-style Ice Cream Parlor for sundaes and burgers, while the 1849 Restaurant offers buffet-style meals. The Wild Rose Tavern, near the golf course, serves pub favorites like wraps and beers on tap. DESERT CALM, DESERT CARE The Inn’s serene Wellness Sanctuary spa offers treatments inspired by the desert, including salt scrubs, reflexology, and hot stone massages. Signature skincare combines botanical ingredients from cacti with marine extracts for hydration. Guests can also enjoy yoga, sound baths, and personal training sessions. NEW EXPERIENCES AT THE OASIS The Oasis hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Recent highlights include a Wellness Weekend, stargazing nights led by a Caltech astronomer, and an Art Wine Festival celebrating local artists and vintners. Future plans include a country music festival, a Star Wars-themed event honoring Death Valley’s role as Tatooine, and a whiskey-tasting weekend. 2026 WILDFLOWER BLOOM In exceptional years, when winter rains fall in just the right rhythm, Death Valley undergoes one of its most enchanting transformations — a rare wildflower bloom that washes the desert in brilliant waves of yellow, pink, purple, and white. The unusually abundant rainfall during the fall and winter seasons this year signals the potential for a spectacular display in spring of 2026. From late February through early April, as temperatures climb from an average of 73 degrees in February to 82 in March and 90 in April, hillsides may shimmer with desert gold and primrose while gravel plains erupt with sand verbena and phacelia. The phenomenon is fleeting, but it turns the valley into a painter’s palette set against salt flat and jagged peaks. During this extraordinary season, The Oasis becomes the ideal home base, offering front-row access to one of the desert’s most magical natural events. The only thing standing between travelers and this freshly polished desert jewel is a reservation. For more information, visit Oasis at Death Valley.com. For more travel experiences available from Xanterra TravelCollection® and its affiliated properties, visit  Xanterra.com/stories. ...read more read less