One location. One day. No itinerary. This is Locationship, a “hybrid of storytelling, travel and culture that reveals a city through the lens of the people who call it home.” In this episode, Chloe May travels to our beautiful desert oasis of Palm Springs, CA.
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong
Our Palm Springs adventure began as we stepped off our plane into the Palm Springs International Airport. The first thing we noticed was the aroma. The open air design of the airport means that passengers are immediately greeted by the fresh, clean Palm Springs air. After six hours on a plane, it is a simple pleasure.
No two rooms are alike at Ruby Montana’s Coral Sands Inn (https://www.palmspringspreferredsmallhotels.com/stay/ruby-montanas-coral-sands).
One night each winter, several distinctive boutique hotels in Palm Springs take part in the Walk of Inns, opening their doors to welcome all visitors.
This annual event, now in its 23rd year, is a free, self-guided walking tour and fun way for the public to get to know the eclectic properties in the neighborhoods between Ramon Road and Tahquitz Canyon Way.
There’s no better way to see Palm Springs than by bike, and several boutique hotels in the city offer complimentary use of cruisers during the day. Just off of North Indian Canyon Drive, The Avanti Hotel is a short ride away from the shops, restaurants, and nightlife in downtown Palm Springs. Hop on and hit such hotspots as Copa, Tropicale, and Jake’s. The Avanti Hotel, 354 E. Stevens Road, Palm Springs. 760-327-3866.
My boyfriend Paul and I just couldn’t get it together. We’ve been dating for close to four years, and with opposing schedules, separate houses and part-time kids, being able to spend quality time alone is rare. So when the miraculous happened and we had a week to ourselves, we decided to get out of town for a romantic getaway.
We wanted to go somewhere special, somewhere sexy: hot even. “What about the desert? We could go to Palm Springs.” I suggested one night.
Lizzie Sherman, Creative Director at The Spa Insider, recently interviewed Alyssa McDonald, Director of Spa Operations, to gain an insider’s perspective about what makes a visit to L’Horizon Resort & Spa the perfect choice for a relaxing Palm Springs getaway. Hint: Prepare to relax just reading about it.
The Herbert W. Burns-designed luxury hotel was built in 1951, and has been reimagined by interior designer Mark D. Sikes. After several years as the Chase Hotel, the new Holiday House opened on May 1, 2017, with 28 guest rooms and calming shades of blue throughout the property. All of the completely remodeled rooms have oversized showers, Waterworks bath hardware, and Malin +Goetz bath amenities, and some have private outdoor space and Smeg appliances.
Women are shaking things up in Palm Springs. Many of the boutique hotels in Palm Springs are owned or co-owned by women, and each one has her own distinct story on how she became a hotelier.
If you’re heading to Palm Springs for Pride Week, forget the big hotels and experience what community is all about. Palm Springs has dozens of charming, independently-owned boutique hotels that are just as unique as you.
And that’s important because Palm Spring Pride is like no other. Here, community is defined very broadly and allies are enthusiastically celebrated.
