Palms Springs is internationally renowned as a mecca of mid-century modern design, an aesthetic that guests can immerse themselves in at boutique inns and resorts throughout the desert oasis.
Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels, an association of over 70 independently-owned intimate getaways, includes stellar specimens of the indoor-outdoor architecture, clean-lined wooden furniture, and playful geometry that defined 1950s chic, but have never gone out of fashion.
From the kidney shaped pool at Spirit of Sofia to the beamed bungalows of L’Horizon Palm Springs; from the swanky open-air billiard lounge at Float Palm Springs to the dramatic steel and glass structure of the Triangle Inn Palm Springs men’s resort; the sharp lines, graphic shapes, and vibrant colors of this classic American style will make guests feel like kids in an eye-candy store.
Visitors who want to learn more about the artisans and architects behind this sunny California vernacular will want to check out the Architecture and Design Center of the Palm Springs Art Museum.
More than mid-century modern
While mid-century modern design is prominent in Palm Springs, it’s by no means the only aesthetic you’ll find in the city’s eclectic hotels. Many guests are drawn to the warm touch of Spanish Mission style, as exemplified by the Hotel California Palm Springs’ wrought iron embellishments and fountain courtyard; and the La Serena Villas’ classic terra cotta roofs, arched gateways and elegant tilework.
Other hotels offer one-of-a-kind environments that don’t so much hew to an established look-and-feel as express personal tastes and points-of-view.
One might not expect to find a North African vibe in the Coachella Valley; but then again, why not? A love letter from one desert region to another, the Korakia Pensione was built in 1924 by the artist Gordon Coutts who wanted to evoke the aura of Tangiers, where many of his greatest works were painted. Moroccan mint tea is served each afternoon in the courtyard, which by night glows with lantern light.
Styles within styles
At Talavera Palm Springs, co-owner April Smith says she loves to create a sense of surprise for her visitors who step in from the desert only to discover a lush, tropically landscaped setting, wildly different from the parched environment beyond the hotel gates.
More style surprises are in store when guests first enter one of the hotel’s 11 suites, each of which has its own unique look-and-feel, from the rattan furniture and native Hawaiian style of the Puka Hacienda to the chill Mediterranean charm of the Fountain Hacienda. For all their visual distinctiveness, one happy common denominator shared by every Talavera suite is its own private hot tub.
A similarly kaleidoscopic shift in style from room-to-room can be found at one of Palm Springs newest boutique hotels, the Velvet Rope. Owner-designer David Rios
has radically renovated the interiors of a classic mid-century modern structure, richly theming each of its nine suites into a live-in diorama celebrating an icon of Old Hollywood.
There’s a lush lavender tribute to Elizabeth Taylor; a cheeky and cheerful riff
on I Love Lucy sit-com suburbia; a plush, feather-accented salute to Jean Harlow; and gilded crystal swish in homage to Liberace. There’s even a red and black bachelor pad celebrating Hugh Hefner’s Playboy aesthetic.
What’s your getaway style?
Whichever look you like, whichever vibe makes you feel most relaxed, Palm Springs’ boutique hotels are ready to help you create a great escape. For a week or just a weekend, slip into a style that refreshes your spirit while enjoying the sunny skies, desert hikes, fine dining and poolside siestas that make this city the perfect getaway.
Book your stylish stay today at www.palmspringspreferredsmallhotels.com.
