Choosing The Right Home Style At The Vintage Club
June 4, 2026
June 4, 2026
If you are drawn to The Vintage Club, you are probably not just choosing a home. You are choosing how you want to live day to day in one of Indian Wells’ most established luxury country club communities. The right fit comes down to how often you will use the home, how much privacy and upkeep you want, and how closely you want to live to the club’s social and recreational core. Let’s dive in.
The Vintage Club opened in 1980 and developed into a private country club community set beneath the Santa Rosa Mountains. The club describes the setting as a desert mountain oasis, with two Tom Fazio 18-hole championship golf courses, an 18,000-square-foot Spa & Wellness Center, 9 tennis courts, 8 pickleball courts, and on-site dining.
That amenity mix shapes the home search in a real way. Some buyers want to be within easy reach of the clubhouse and social activity, while others want more space, more privacy, or a stronger focus on outdoor entertaining. At The Vintage Club, home style is really a lifestyle decision.
The club also highlights an active social calendar that includes golf and tennis tournaments, biking and hiking groups, brunches, mixers, wine dinners, dance parties, and family events. If that matters to you, location and layout may be just as important as square footage.
The Vintage Club’s real estate offerings are organized into five categories: Cottages, Terraces, Patio Homes, Desert Homes, and Custom Homes. Published starting sizes range from about 2,190 square feet to 4,500 square feet, which means the choice is not only about size. It is also about maintenance, privacy, service, views, and how you want to use the property.
Cottages are one of the most centralized options in the community. The club says they are within easy walking distance of the clubhouse and offer views over open fairways or secluded lake fronts.
These homes feature hacienda-style architecture, landscaped courtyards, generous outdoor patio spaces, and a two-car garage plus a golf cart garage. Floor plans begin at 2,200 square feet, and Cottage owners also have access to community pools, spas, and outdoor grilling areas reserved for their use.
If you want a home that feels easy to lock up and enjoy, this category is a strong place to start. Cottages make sense for buyers who value walkability, convenience, and a lower-maintenance lifestyle inside the club.
Terraces offer a different kind of luxury. These residences are arranged in two, three-story structures and are described by the club as having sweeping fairway views, a panoramic mountain backdrop, maximum privacy, and south- and west-facing patios.
The category also stands out for its service element. The Terrace common area includes a pool, two outdoor kitchens, cabanas with dressing rooms, and daily concierge service.
Floor plans begin at 2,190 square feet. If your priority is privacy, views, and support services rather than a larger yard or detached-home layout, Terraces deserve a close look.
Patio Homes are detached, contemporary homes designed to maximize views of lakes or fairways with the mountains behind them. The club emphasizes indoor-outdoor living and low maintenance, with floor plans starting at 2,800 square feet.
This is often the sweet spot for buyers who want a true single-family feel without stepping into the largest home categories. The club also describes Patio Homes as well suited for family retreats and weekend getaways, which makes them especially appealing for seasonal use.
If you want detached living, comfortable scale, and easier upkeep, Patio Homes can offer a nice balance. You get more space and separation than some smaller options, while still keeping the day-to-day demands manageable.
Desert Homes move into a larger, more entertainment-focused lifestyle. These homes sit on gradually elevated homesites of nearly a half-acre and are oriented toward garden views, the meandering lake system, or the Desert Course fairways.
The club highlights expansive patio areas, a full-size pool and spa, verdant gardens, and floor plans beginning at 4,500 square feet. That combination points to a home style built for buyers who want room to spread out, host guests, and enjoy a more substantial outdoor living environment.
If you picture long weekends with friends, larger gatherings, or extended seasonal stays, Desert Homes may line up well with that vision. They offer both interior scale and outdoor presence.
Custom Homes are the most flexible category in the community. The club defines them as homes built on one or more spacious homesites in a mountain cove bordered by fairways, with views of mountains, golf courses, and waterways.
Published starting size is 4,000 square feet, but the real distinction here is not just square footage. It is the opportunity for a more bespoke, estate-like residence with greater variation in setting and design.
If you want a home that feels less like a preset product type and more like a tailored property choice, Custom Homes should be high on your list. This category works best for buyers who want flexibility, individuality, and a stronger estate-style presence.
A smart way to narrow your options is to think about tradeoffs before you ever schedule a tour. The best home style is usually the one that matches your actual use pattern, not just your wish list.
Start with a few practical questions:
These questions line up closely with how the five categories differ. Once you know your priorities, the choices become much clearer.
Here is an easy way to think about each category based on the club’s published descriptions and layout patterns.
| Home Style | Best Fit For | Starting Size |
|---|---|---|
| Cottages | Buyers who want a centralized, lower-maintenance home near the clubhouse | 2,200 sq. ft. |
| Terraces | Buyers who value privacy, strong views, and concierge service | 2,190 sq. ft. |
| Patio Homes | Buyers who want detached living with low-maintenance convenience | 2,800 sq. ft. |
| Desert Homes | Buyers who entertain often and want larger outdoor living areas | 4,500 sq. ft. |
| Custom Homes | Buyers who want a more bespoke, estate-like property | 4,000 sq. ft. |
This kind of side-by-side comparison can save you time. It also helps you tour with a clearer lens, especially if you are comparing more than one category on the same visit.
One of the biggest mistakes buyers make in luxury club communities is focusing only on finishes and square footage. Those details matter, but your daily experience often comes down to something more practical.
Think about how you want the home to function when you are actually there. A buyer who wants simple seasonal living may be happiest in a Cottage or Terrace, while a buyer who hosts often may feel much better served by a Desert Home. Someone looking for detached comfort without oversized scale may land on a Patio Home, while a buyer seeking a more custom, estate-style feel may naturally lean toward a Custom Home.
This is especially important if you are shopping from Orange County, greater Southern California, or out of the area and trying to narrow choices efficiently. The more clearly you define your lifestyle goals upfront, the easier it becomes to focus on the right homes and avoid unnecessary tours.
At a community like The Vintage Club, small differences can have a big impact on fit. Two homes may seem similar on paper, but the way they sit in the community, relate to views, or support your lifestyle can feel very different in person.
That is why it helps to work with someone who can guide you through the neighborhood with context, not just showings. When you understand how each home category supports a different kind of ownership experience, you can make a more confident decision.
If you are exploring The Vintage Club and want clear guidance on which home style best matches your goals, The Jordan Team can help you compare options, tour strategically, and make your search more efficient.
With ten years of experience as a licensed agent, Tommy is an innovator in utilizing social media marketing to help sell homes. He has a successful YouTube channel with thousands of subscribers, generating hundreds of thousands of views yearly. He stays updated on the latest marketing techniques and ensures each property stands out.
Contact Tommy to Learn More
73-545 El Paseo #2504 Palm Desert CA 92260 Tommy Jordan | CA DRE# 01887038
