Palm Springs Lodging - 2

Viceroy Palm Springs: Small Scale, Big Statement

I stayed at the Viceroy Palm Springs over Christmas and I have to admit, I didn’t see much more than our incredibly comfortable room. After a busy few days with family, my husband and I were ready to relax and this place made it easy. The weather was cool, so the pools—all three of them—weren’t all that inviting—although heated to a perfect pitch and pretty as a picture. Our Premium Studio was all black, white and yellow with a Hollywood kind of glamour designed by Kelly Wearstler of Top Design fame—she’s the judge with the really out-there clothes. (Read our review of the Wearstler-designed Viceroy Miami hotel.)

Two big comfortable beds beckoned and movies were delivered for the DVD. Add a platter of cheese and some champagne, and it was as cozy as could be. There’s a small bar and restaurant called Citron. The hotel is close to town, but on a smaller street off Palm Canyon Drive that gives it a more serene feel. Other hotel features include complimentary bikes for guests and the charming full-service Estrella Spa.

The cool thing about the Viceroy is that it’s a collection of magical-looking areas linked by beautifully landscaped pathways. There are courtyards with pools (one specifically for kids), and several options for rooms, from individual units to more traditional hotel buildings. And it all seems to have a little fairy dust.

 

• Relax in the shade of a cabaña at Viceroy Palm Springs.

Courtesy of Viceroy Palm Springs

Double rates from $95 midweek now on the Web site; standard rates start at $135. 415 S. Belardo Road. Tel. 760-320-4117. viceroypalmsprings.com

Parker Palm Springs: Oasis Inside an Oasis

My husband loved the mattress in our room so much that he found out the make from the concierge; it’s called Miralux—and now we sleep on one at home. The Parker Palm Springs has by far the best bath amenities I have ever seen: full sizes of all kinds of cool stuff—from lip balm to sunscreen, and all the necessities, too. And we were just in a regular room!

 

• Modern meets retro-cool at the Parker Palm Springs.

Courtesy of Parker Palm Springs

The Jonathan Adler décor is a mélange of ‘60s and ‘70s retro cool. And the public areas are fun to hang out in, whether indoors or out. The grounds here are both cozy and immense. They feel like a collection of outdoor living rooms with exotic lighting fixtures hanging from trees—and small seating areas are strategically sprinkled around the property. The pools are pretty and the pool menu is on a plastic spritz bottle of water. Want to work out? There’s no finer fitness center than the Palm Springs Yacht Club. Housed in its own building, this fashionable facility has treatment rooms, an indoor pool and a spacious gym that’s state of the art.

The Parker attracts a stylish crowd. Food and drinks are costly, but delicious. And no matter how many magazine spreads have featured The Parker Palm Springs, you’re treated like a valued guest every time you pull up in front. No attitude here. (Hint: Once you stay, you’ll get e-mails for occasional super low rates, sometimes as low as $99 midweek.)

Rates start at $315 per night. 4200 E. Palm Canyon Drive. Tel. 760-770-5000. www.theparkerpalmsprings.com