Parker Palm Springs
An instant icon when it debuted its Jonathan Adler design in 2004, the 147-room Parker Palm Springs offers a collection of 12 stand-alone villas, as well as the 2,550-square-foot Gene Autry villa, complete with its own kitchen, home theater, and 6,000-square-feet of outdoor space. While its grounds, complete with landscaping from Judy Kameon, have always offered multiple opportunities for social distancing—there’s a croquet lawn, two pools, a pétanque court, 225 palm trees, and paths made of decomposed granite—this season, enjoy a renovated kid’s pool with three additional cabanas, or book one of the South Building’s 72 newly renovated guest rooms. When it comes to dining, book a seat at “the world’s smallest restaurant,” Mrs. Parker’s. The hotel has designed a four-course menu ($1,300) at a private table for two set up after sunset around the adult pool for complete privacy. From $599; parkerpalmsprings.com
L’Horizon Resort & Spa
The ultra-private (hotel guests only; adults only) L’Horizon Resort & Spa is adding a 24-room hotel within a hotel on 1.5 acres adjacent to the existing property. The entirely new build is set for a mid-2021 debut, with its bungalows taking architectural inspiration from Neutra, complete with post-and-beam design, expanses of glass, walnut-paneled walls, and terrazzo floors—as well as indoor-outdoor showers. An 80-foot-long rectangular pool will rest at the center of the property, along with an outdoor bar and restaurant. From $1,200; lhorizonpalmsprings.com
Les Cactus
Opened in February of 2020, this 27-room, budget-friendly, adults-only (dogs welcome) property is the brainchild of 33-year-old Los Angeles native hotelier/designer Matthew Kurtz. The pink-and-green hideaway exudes retro charm in public spaces (vintage furnishings, bold wallpaper), while the guestrooms carry a more minimal aesthetic (white bedding, wood headboards, Casper mattresses). Amenities include a pool and hot tub, massage room, hammock garden, and rooftop deck. Don’t miss the gift shop, carrying everything from incense and ceramics to scented candles and fragrances from under-the-radar apothecaries to tie-dyed bucket hats, Turkish towels, and totes (Kurtz’s wife works in fashion). From $209; lescactusps.com
Casa Cody
Founded in the 1920s, Casa Cody is one of the oldest operating hotels in Palm Springs. After a yearlong renovation and rebranding, the property recently reopened this spring, debuting 26 guest rooms and four freestanding homes ranging from 281 to 817 square feet, as well as two swimming pools, an edible garden, and expansive lawns—all on 1.5 acres in the heart of town. The design team from Electric Bowery kept the traditional Spanish aesthetic (hacienda architecture, zellige ceramic tiles, beamed ceilings, terracotta floors), while luxe lifestyle amenities include Parachute bedding and linens, certified organic bath products from MoonCloth Designs, custom-designed bathrobes by Finery, and a cookbook micro-library. Rooms from $199, stand-alone homes from $409; casacody.com
Sparrows Lodge
No TVs, no phones, no kids, no mid-century modern design (don’t worry, there is Wi-Fi). Sparrows Lodge takes its cues from the property’s 1952 roots, when it was built as Castle’s Red Barn as a getaway for the Hollywood elite. Since reopening as Sparrows Lodge in 2014, the property now has 20 cabin-inspired rooms surrounding a central pool and garden. Its intimate restaurant, The Barn Kitchen, is overseen by Chef Carlos Arciniega (previously from the Hoxton in DTLA; Momofuku Noodle Bar in NYC; and Nomad hotels in LA and NY), who came on in late 2020 and has been creating new menus and dining experiences, mostly featuring rustic Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. From $329; sparrowslodge.com
Celine and Loewe
Two of LVMH’s most coveted brands are now available—at steep discounts—at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets. Located in the center of the outdoor shopping arena, near Loro Piana, Bottega Veneta, and Moncler, the luxury outlets for Loewe and Celine debuted in October and are the perfect places to stop on your way into town for sunglasses, straw bags, resort wear, leather jackets, and more. premiumoutlets.com
Kaufmann House
Richard Neutra created the Kaufmann House in 1946 for Pittsburg department store magnate Edgar Kaufmann. (An architecture lover, Kaufmann had also famously commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to create “Fallingwater” in Bear Run, Pennsylvania, ten years prior). Thanks to photographers like Julius Shulman and Slim Aarons, the house has become an icon of mid-century design. The property was thoughtfully resorted in 1993 by Los Angeles-based Marmol Radziner and hit the market late last year with an asking price of $25 million (the listing is through Gerard Bisignano of Sotheby’s International Realty; sothebysrealty.com). Those not looking to buy can book a tour through Palm Springs Modern Tours (palmspringsmoderntours.com).
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Designed by JCJ Architecture, the soon-to-open cultural museum celebrates the history, culture, and modern times of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. At the center of the project will be the Agua Caliente Spa and Bathhouse, featuring mineral hot springs, which were an important element for the tribe and are more than 12,000 years old, boasting a truly unique mineral makeup found nowhere else in the world. accmuseum.org
Tailor Shop
There’s no sewing in sight at this contemporary cocktail space, which opened in October. Designed by South West Concepts for award-winning sushi chef Engin Onural (he also owns the nearby Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey and The Venue Sushi Bar & Sake Lounge), the Tailor Shop serves cocktails “tailored” with sights, feel, and tastes from around the world. tailorshopps.com
Desert X
The site-specific art exhibition Desert X returns in 2021 (check the website for dates). Featuring statement-making works by both established and emerging artists, the installations explore timely topics such as climate change, immigration, and the environment. desertx.org
TQLAS
Since its re-grand opening in the fall of 2020, TQLAS has become a community staple due to its take on traditional, fresh Mexican food and reputation for its well-stocked bar featuring more than 75 specialty tequilas and 20 mezcals. tqlas.com
Rancho Relaxo
Founded by Stella Adena, this California-casual boutique maintains a sustainable, artisan-forward ethos. The shop, located in Rancho Mirage (worth the drive), is thoughtfully curated and well-stocked with its in-house line of tees, hoodies, and gear as well as artisan-crafted apothecary items (smudge sticks, essential oils) and gifts. In keeping with its sustainable mission, the shop recently launched Reworked, a professional upcycling service designed to give a second life to sentimental items that are no longer worn. ranchorelaxoca.com
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