Our recent travels took us to refreshingly retro Palm Springs. We spent a few nights at The Parker Hotel and quickly fell head over heels in love with its unique charm. There is a reason why those residing in busy Los Angeles often escape the coastal metropolis and migrate two hours East to the Coachella Valley each weekend. Palm Springs is a wonderfully enchanting city in the sizzling Californian desert, a mirage of colour and promise; and an escape from the dreary LA traffic.
Art Is That You?
The hotel sits just North of the San Bernardino National Forest, it looks out across the unfolding mountain ranges framed by tall palm trees punctuating the clear skies. The entrance to The Parker is one of the most exciting features, once you’ve wound up the drive you arrive at a concrete facade. A 60’s inspired design, flat fronted but ornate in a lattice pattern. A small orange door hides behind, all very minimalist and chic.
Image courtesy of Dwell
This hotel is like a living piece of art, it is like stepping inside a 1950s painting. Pop Art lines the walls, eclectic furniture fills the lobby, garish carpets sweep through to the rooms and frighteningly large light fixtures swing from the ceilings. But, truth be told; it all works together so perfectly. It is flamboyant but oh so fresh, your eyes dance from colour to colour; all your senses taken on a journey that hails the vivacious nature of the 1950s and 60s.
“The Parker celebrates art and funky design without going overboard, without giving guests colour-induced headaches”.
Image courtesy of Fodors Travel
This ultra-luxe desert hideaway was originally built in the late 50s, but it wasn’t until 2004 that its potential was unlocked. American designer, Jonathan Adler is the mastermind behind this hotel. Adler breathed fresh contemporary life into the property, elevating it to levels of supreme luxury.
Image courtesy of the Wall Street Journal
The Main Squeeze
The hotel boasts many amenities, such as two swimming pools, a tennis court, a spa, and a croquet lawn (this was a very welcome surprise to us Brits, and of course, we couldn’t resist an afternoon knocking some balls around!). Colour is woven across from the interior to the exterior, from indoor neon signs to the lemonade stand which serves up the most spectacular ‘spiked’ lemonade which again sings to the retro nature of this place.
Image courtesy of Dwell
Because this hotel sits away from crowded LA, it has been allowed to sprawl out in the desert, its gardens blooming with rich greens, and each way you turn there is a spot to settle down under the sun. An array of hammocks swing from trunk to trunk; they are sun traps and one can spot young LA inhabitants lazying in them, catching some desert rays and some much-needed R&R.
Kaleidoscopic Design
The Parker is quirky, it is fun and it is different. And although small, it ensures it retains a heavenly boutique feel. Adler has managed to take design and colour and weave it through each space, creating a maze of interior design wonder.
Image courtesy of Fodors Travel
Our men's linen and hemp shirts are the perfect addition to your Californian wardrobe. Light and sophisticated, they are ideal for afternoons poolside. California dreaming and wishing you could cycle around Palm Springs in the height of summer? In need of a good old game of Croquet under the East Coast sun with a zesty lemonade in hand? Then we would suggest booking a few nights at The Parker. Go on, relive a summer of Hollywood glamour, it's waiting for you.
