There is nothing like Palm Springs. It is a warm drink of retro relaxation, midcentury mountains, and eccentric escapism. Very little can do what 48 hours in the desert can do to an individual; no other vice is quite as potent. For as long as you are in Palm Springs, your heart is calm, your mind is inspired, and your body is tanned.
For the creative looking to maximize their aesthetic sensibilities in a small town that is painted in nostalgic history juxtaposed against the trends of our times, here is your ultimate guide to Palm Springs – guaranteed to revive you.
One of the many draws of Palm Springs is that their hotels are not just a travel docking station. Each hotel is its own world: a full-encapsulating ambiance, a world of its own. Which is why the hotels of Palm Springs are not just hotels but rather destinations. Stay in one hotel, eat dinner at another. Choose between worlds of color, bohemian, or traditional midcentury. Whichever you pick, a different experience awaits.
THE PARKER
A fantastical Alice in Wonderland for adults completely designed, head to toe, by Jonathan Adler. The lobby is a colorful delight of midcentury accents, Salvador Dali-esque sculptures, notes of bossa nova basking through the walls, a hint of Rio de Jeneiro, an absolute nirvana of aesthetic influences. Eat at Norma’s, their more casual breakfast spot, or at Counter Reformation, their tapas style bar, or fancy yourself a full-fledged upscale dinner at Mr. Parker’s with low ceilings, low lighting, and eclectic art adorning the walls. Of course there is the Lemonade Stand, the two pools (one adult-only), the villas, the full property on site – The Gene Autry House, and the nautical-themed spa. The one place you simply must visit.
L’HORIZON
This outdoor hotel is where midcentury meets present day luxury. Little midcentury bungalows spread out over three acres make up this property, encircling a quintessential blue Palm Springs pool. For the aesthetically neutral, you won’t find colors at L’Horizon as the horizon of this hotel is black, white, wood, and green cacti. An adult-only resort, L’Horizon is the perfect getaway for a quiet, upscale, and sexier stay that is reminiscent of the golden Hollywood era of Palm Springs.
KORAKIA PENSIONE
For the bohemian, Korakia is a Moroccan and Mediterranean oasis amidst a more modernly aesthetic city. With two separate wings of the hotel, each room transports you into a romantic and earthly experience. The free breakfast out on the terrace ties this hotel experience up with a bow. Perfect for the free-spirited folk looking for some romance.
CASA CODY
This bed and breakfast is for the Spanish-style, Nancy-Meyer-enthusiasts who want a bungalow experience over quiet and cozy grounds. With sprawling lawns and a pool perched in front of a landscape of mountains, Casa Cody is the place you go to for a cozy and wholesome weekend.
ARRIVE
Arrive is the young modern hotel that screams a good time but not a loud time (you know what we mean). In addition to the new modern architectural accents, Arrive is home to a trendy ice cream shop, artisan coffee shop, and a Mexican restaurant that tops off your pool experience.
In addition to the fantastical worlds that the hotels of Palm Springs offer, this desert town is also a culinary hub with restaurants that take ambiance just as seriously as the hotels do. If your days are taken up by pool lounges, trips to the spa, and reading your book on a hammock, your nights are deliciously buzzing with the nightlife of a good restaurant.
WORKSHOP
Workshop is a concrete, modern dream. Rich in history – the space was once the desert’s first theatre in the 1930s, housed the Palm Springs City Council in the 1940s, and was home to a Design Within Reach showroom. A James Beard Award recipient, you go for the design and then you stay for the food. Think duck fat fries, the freshest burrata, and a mushroom risotto to die for.
KING’S HIGHWAY
For a casual diner spot that is unparalleled in ambiance, King’s Highway at The Ace Hotel is always a no-regrets stop. Here, you trade the midcentury luxury for a more hipster inclination. Get the breakfast burrito – best one in town – and a regular black cup of coffee. Perfect for a morning after, meet up with the group spot.
BAR CECIL
Bar Cecil is the latest restaurant on the scene, packed to the brim with people and difficult to get a seat at. For the people who want a lively ambiance where laughter, pleasure, and comfort are at the forefront. It is the ultimate restaurant for celebration of what is important in life: food and company.
MISTER PARKER’S
“Dark, Discreet, and Decadent” – written on their website – is the perfect three adjectives to describe the luxury that is Mister Parker’s. Located at The Parker hotel, all one is missing in this upscale establishment is the ability to smoke a cigar indoors.
For the in-between moments; the hours you want to fill outside of a hotel or a restaurant. While Palm Springs is a town sprawling with decadent and slow experiences, their shopping takes the cake. Between vintage furniture shops to antique warehouses to curated vintage warehouses, that special dress or chair or lamp is definitely at one of these establishments.
ELIZABETH & PRINCE
Elizabeth & Prince is where one shops for curated, luxurious, and effortless pieces. The clothing is steeped in simplicity but with a quality design point of view. When one shops here, one leaves embodying the idea of California Cool. Leave with the perfect repurposed denim and a black maxi dress that is fit for a rooftop brunch all topped off with a statement jewelry piece that no one else is bound to have.
MARKET MARKET
Impressive in scale – the space is over 40,000 square feet! – Market Market is an upscale, boutique, consignment heaven. Wander through and find large scale paintings, rare furniture that makes you drool, and vintage dresses your body has been craving. It is an inspiration heaven, a designer’s dream, and a curator’s best kept secret.
***All photos are directly from the brand’s website or Instagram.
WRITTEN BY REVUE EDITORIAL
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