It's a Wonderful Life ... at The Parker Palm Springs

The Parker Palm Springs (www.theparkerpalmsprings.com/) is one of my favorite places not only because of its beauty and tranquility and utter 'coolness', but because of all the wonderful memories my husband and I have made there over the last few years.  We try to make it there at least once a year and always thoroughly enjoy ourselves, taking advantage of the resort to the fullest by rarely leaving once we've checked in for the weekend!

A couple months ago my mom flew out from Texas to watch our daughter so that we could have a (much-needed) romantic and relaxing weekend away at this luxury spot, and I wanted to share a few pictures from our trip and ponder the ability of this place to always send us away feeling completely inspired and rejuvinated.

The hotel itself is very old, but was renovated and re-styled about seven (?) years ago by Jonathan Adler (interior), with the landscaping gloriously revived by LA design firm, Elysian.  Shortly after the renovation was when we visited for the first time and fell in love with the place. 

When you arrive, the massive orange doors are opened by young tan hotel staff wearing chic pink linen blazers and white pants.  Entering the lobby you are met with a sophisticated decor that has an eclectic retro feel (see pic below).

The rooms are mostly white with 60's era touches.  Here's my husband flopped out on the bed as soon as we checked in :).

Our room this time around overlooked the 'croquet lawn'.  Seriously, I love that they have a separate lawn just for croquet-playing!

When you stay at the Parker you pay a daily 'resort fee', which allows you access to their pools, both outdoor and indoor, steam rooms, saunas, dark rooms (for kicking back in a chair and napping), gym facilities, etc.  Again, this is a reason we never leave the hotel once we've arrived ... gotta' take advantage of all the amenities and get our money's worth ;).

Below is  the exterior of PSYC, short for Palm Springs Yacht Club ... don't you just love the irony??  This is where the gym (really a small exercise room), spa, indoor pool, etc are housed.  Love the way the interior is decked out like a yacht with loads of lush blue and white furnishings and chrome fixtures. 

Staff members hurry to and fro on little bicycle carts with adorably vintage-sounding bells that they ring in passing.  Here a hotel employee transports an ice bucket. 

We love so many things about the Parker.  Lounging poolside and people-watching (mostly LA actor-types reading scripts and gossiping on cell phones), dining at their restaurants (Mister Parker's for dinner and Normal's for breakfast and lunch), relaxing by the indoor pool in hotel-provided plush robes and slippers, but most of all, we go to the Parker for their amazing grounds!  Each evening at dusk, we grab a mojito from the chic little bar and retreat to the outdoors where we wander from spot to spot, taking in all of the wonderful little nooks that have been thoughtfully created for the guests' enjoyment.  

Below is a circular firepit gathering area.

Here Chris is literally smelling the roses, mojito in hand.

Below is a view of the boules court.  This is a great spot to relax in the middle of the day when the Palm Springs sun is overbearing, as it offers loads of shade. The nearby Lemonade Stand also has cooling water misters. 

There are so many beautiful and charming spaces at the Parker that these few photos really don't quite do it justice, but hopefully they at least give you the jist of this amazing little spot that we love so dearly.  Each time we go there we gather inpriation for future home projects and it is currently acting as our muse for our backyard renovation. 

I hope it won't be too long before I can post our 'before and after' backyard renovation photos to this blog, but until then, enjoy these last days of summer, my friends!!  And, if at all possible, be sure to visit this wonderful spot for yourself and let me know what you think!