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WHERE TO STAY
These are the hip, hot spots which make my list as places I dream about. When you sit poolside under the sun with a cool drink and your biggest concern is where you might go for dinner, you know you just sliced off a piece of heaven.
Orbit Inn 562 W Arenas Rd, Palm Springs
All the cool cats come to Orbit In and The Hideaway, the sister property, to step back in time to the original heyday of Palm Springs, when Mid-Century Modern was just called “style” and the Rat Pack first epitomized the meaning of ‘cool’. Room names and furnishings are a veritable master class in MCM chic. My favorite is the Frey Lounge room with its private outdoor shower, not for the timid. Each room has its own record player complete with vintage records. Cool, daddy-o!
Santiago Resort 650 E. San Lorenzo
Santiago is a special place for gay men. From the moment you come in the gates, it’s like an oasis, right at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains. Santiago Resort is a Gay Men’s Clothing Optional Resort, as Siri likes to remind me. The tourists are friendly and the local staff are even nicer. The pool is one of the largest among the city's gay hotels.
L’ Horizon 1050 E. Palm Canyon
Discrete, top drawer, and pristine. This is an award-winning boutique hotel nestled behind walls of expertly-trimmed hedges. The rooms and bungalows, the staff and amenities have made L’ Horizon one of the finest results in the world. Yes, the world. It's award-winning and the perfect transport off our noisy planet to a place that is a whole other realm of existence.
Monkey Tree Hotel 2388 E. Racquet Club Rd.
Albert Frey’s award-winning mid-century architecture is on full display at the Monkey Tree in Palm Springs. Here, the Kennedys soaked up the sun with Hollywood glamor guys and gals. This was one of Marilyn’s hideaways too. This truly unique hotel is nestled in the North end of Palm Springs and a perfect place to escape the paparazzi.
Korakia Pensione 257 S. Patencio
Think of Marrakesh. Korakia is a Moroccan enclave nestled at the base of Mt. San Jacinto. Close to downtown Palm Springs, this bed and breakfast, offers Moroccan dishes on its sun-kissed patios along with tea service each afternoon. Here, lanterns flicker in the gardens at night. This wonderful boutique hotel is a Mediterranean gem a true getaway from the expected.
Holiday House 200 W. Arenas
This 1951 classic was designed by architect Herbert W. Burns. Beauty and taste abound at this fun and cheery mid-century hotel. From the tile-motifs to the artwork of notables Hockney, Liechtenstein and Ritts, this hotel lives up to its name by delivering a memorable holiday. Holiday House is TV-free and Guests must be 21 and over to check-in. And as an extra bonus, perhaps the best fried chicken in town.
The Ace Hotel & Swim Club 701 E. Palm Canyon
The Ace Hotel brand is youthful, irreverent, and quirky. And here, the young and the hip hang poolside with a tall cocktail right nearby. This place is upbeat, pet-friendly, and hums all day and well into the night. King’s Highway –the on-site restaurant- keeps the vibe going with a diner-style menu.
Avalon Palm Springs 415 S. Balardo Rd.
In a word: pristine. If you want to feel like you’ve spent a bundle and make your friends jealous via Instagram, this wonderful hotel of bungalows and cottages offers up a very high-end look without breaking the bank. Think Belair or Montecito, along with the smell of old money mixed with lemon blossom and you’ll get the picture. This is a splurge but... aren't you really worth it?
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