Pack your bags! We are off for a Girls’ Getaway to Palm Springs, a city of luxurious, boutique hotels designed to pamper and emanate old world charm from those days of past Hollywood glamour and relaxation.
The Orbit In embraces its mid-century modern roots, wowing guests with its retro furnishings, lively pool area, and — of course — those irresistible Orbitinis, served every night during happy hour.
During their second stay at the Orbit In, husband and wife Kevin Miller and Jinny Park had the place all to themselves, and as they sat outside, looking up at the sky, they started talking about their dream of selling everything in order to buy and run the hotel.
“Right then, a huge shooting star went across, and we made a wish,” Kevin said. “Three years later, we bought it. We are guests who ended up buying the hotel, and we try to run it from a guest perspective.”
The Orbit In is a mid-century modern hotel built in 1957, purchased by Kevin and Jinny in October 2007. Guests spend their days gathering around the Boomerang Bar, beating the heat in the pool and under the misters, enjoying Orbitinis during happy hour, and taking advantage of cruisers they can take around the neighborhood.
“It kind of feels like a hotel, but it also feels like you’re coming to someone’s house,” Kevin said. “It splits the difference there. We see a lot of repeat guests, and that’s just terrific.”
Although he is always improving the hotel, Kevin listens to his guests who like the retro vibe and want things to stay exactly the way they are.
“They always say, ‘Don’t change anything,'” he said. “They love it the way it is. They really like the staff. Everyone is personable and knows them by name, and they feel at home here.”
Blogger Debra Schroeder of Traveling Well for Less found herself captivated by the Albert Frey-designed Monkey Tree Hotel, with its mid-century modern architecture and fun vintage decor.
The Palm Springs Hotel (https://www.palmspringspreferredsmallhotels.com/stay/palm-springs-hotel) is sleek and modern, but owner Denise Adams made sure to include a nod to some of Hollywood’s finest.
All of the rooms at the Palm Springs Hotel are named after celebrities, including several who used to roam the desert — Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Paul Newman, and Raquel Welch. The rooms come with private patios, and all of the furniture and artwork was custom curated for the hotel, meaning you won’t see these combinations anywhere else.
There are pops of color in each room, as well as outside, where bright orange umbrellas provide shade around the huge pool. At night, the pool — which is open 24 hours — lights up, making night swims a must-do.
Another colorful corner of the hotel is the Instagram Wall, which features a large orange Palm Springs sign in a retro font. There’s no better way to commemorate your stay than by grabbing your camera and getting that perfect shot.
The Wesley is all about the fun. From giant Jenga and Connect 4 to the splashworthy courtyard pool, guests make memories here that will last forever.
The Wesley is a mid-century modern micro resort, where the flats are fully-stocked and the pool is always the perfect temperature.
The property, managed by AvantStay, has nine flats, and each one has its own kitchenette, toaster, refrigerator, and microwave, with Flat 10 equipped with a full kitchen, complete with a stove top and oven. The flats range from studio to two-bedroom, two-bath, and most have gas grills and private patios with views of lush gardens.
Thought went into every aspect of the property. There are complimentary bikes and board games for guests to use, a common grill area, and fun activities around the beautiful pool and spa area, including giant Jenga and Connect 4 and corn hole.
“You feel really invited to just relax and unwind when you get there,” AvantStay Customer Experience Specialist Dylan Perese said. “There’s robe to pool appeal — literally you can wander out with your morning coffee and take a dip in the pool. It’s right there and completely available to you. It’s your pool, it’s your pool house.”
Guests rave about the low-key vibe and how private the property is — The Wesley is essentially a gated community, and in order to gain access to the grounds, guests must have a code to put into the lock pad, and another code to enter their room. There isn’t a front desk, which gets guests to their flats faster, but assistance from hotel staff is just a phone call or text away.
The hotel attracts guests from all over the world, as well as locals looking to have a staycation. “We see a lot of overseas guests, and it’s really exciting that they get to experience the magic of Palm Springs,” Perese said. The Wesley also offers buyouts — families can rent all of the flats for a reunion, while corporations can have their own private oasis for team building.
“That’s when people can really relax and unwind and stretch out on their own time,” Perese said. “This is a place for you to create memories.”
The Wesley is what you make it, Perese added, and they are always looking for ways to make the property “more spectacular.”
Contributed by: The Santiago
For a real western adventure, and a truly inspiring experience, embrace your inner Cowboy and head out on a horseback ride, take a few tips from our friends at the Santiago Resort Palm Springs, which caters to gay men.
The Palm Springs area has several stables offering guided tours heading up through the mountains, down along the streams of Indian Canyons and even full moon trail rides at night. So whether you’re feeling like the Lone Ranger or maybe just Woody from Toy Story, jump on a horse and see the desert in a whole new way. Just minutes away from Santiago, this is a unique adventure!
Insider Tip: You’ll need jeans and something that looks like a pair boots. Flip flops and shorts will not cut it!
Brittany Ryan Checks out the Horseback riding at Smoke Tree Ranch
Located just a few minutes from Santiago and at the base of Smoke Tree Mountain, the Smoke Tree Stables provide guided hourly and daily rides on over 150 miles of trails right above Palm Springs. Offering trail rides since 1927, this place is the real thing. They offer picturesque horseback riding through the beautiful palm oasis and year- round streams of the Indian Canyons.
Even the dogs like the Horse stables at Smoke Tree Ranch
For a more energetic ride, you can trot, canter or gallop through the canyons of Morongo Valley on the private trails of CottonWood Canyon Ranch, The staff gives guided tours through the mountains and riding lessons as well. It doesn’t get more Western than this!
Also located in Morongo Valley, Coyote Ridge Stable has several different trail rides to choose from. For a truly unique adventure, try one of their full moon rides, blazing your own trail up hills and through washes by moonlight.
Or perhaps you prefer watching over riding? Check out the tournament schedule at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. Pack a picnic basket and a bottle of champagne or check out their Tack Room Tavern. This is a great place to spend an afternoon. And don’t miss joining in on the lively divot stomp tradition at halftime.
Sensualist: a person given to the indulgence of the senses or appetites
The word indulgence has a bit of a taboo feeling to it, doesn’t it? Like, I shouldn’t, but it looks so good. The original meaning was actually a kindness, or a favor. So, you’d be offering your body a kindness or a favor by giving it what it wants, which is the elevation of its senses through visual appeal, taste, and aroma — and I’m not necessarily talking about food. I mean, I am, but I’m not. It kinda applies to anything. So, I’ve made you a little list about how to gratify your senses in Palm Springs.
Sensualists want to try all the things. They crave new experiences. They want every day to have at least one “ooooh and aaaah” in it, and that’s on a bad day. They are not tourists, they are more than an adventurer, they are cultivators of magical moments. Moments they can relive over and again in their memories. So if that’s you, I’m going to do my best to add Palm Springs to your favorite moments in time. Follow me.
Let’s start with where to stay. The aesthetic of a room’s design should give you a hit of dopamine every time you enter. The freshly laundered, crisp linens on your skin, and the clean aroma should give flood your body with endorphins as you slide between the sheets into the ecstasy of a comfy bed.
There should be grounds to explore, something peeking out from behind something else. Everywhere is a point of interest. Everywhere.
There are, of course, more boutique hotels than what I’ve listed. We have more than 75, each offering a unique experience. But you’ve got to start somewhere, and this is what I have curated for you. Do some clicking down below — and this time I mean just the links. Nothing else. So calm down, Tiger.
Boutique hotels to stay at in Palm Springs
The Lavender Suite at The Velvet Rope is an ode to Elizabeth Taylor. Photo courtesy of The Velvet Rope
The Velvet Rope — It’s new, it’s different, it’s old Hollywood with a fun and modern twist.
Casa Cody — Romantic, historic. Did I mention romantic? The grounds are incredible.
Dive — It’s the rooms. Look at the rooms. Just LOOK AT THEM! And THAT POOL! Lots of peeking things to see.
Villa Royale — Secluded and seductive, with the Del Rey restaurant and bar.
The Wescott — Art Deco, breakfast, poolside cocktail hour. No. 1 rated B&B in Palm Springs.
The Willows — Historic, romantic, the mountains, the gardens, THE VIEW.
Sparrows Lodge — Upscale cottagecore/farmhouse glam. A long sexy pool.
The Monkey Tree — Authentic mid-century modern. IYKYK.
Stay gay (we love you that way)
The Santiago Resort’s pool has fabulous views. Photo courtesy of Santiago Resort
Santiago Resort — Romance. And romance.
Descanso Resort — Young, hip, spa services available. Breakfast and lunch (check website) served, but dinner’s on you. The view!
Twin Palms Resort — Brother hotel of Santiago and Descanso. And just like its bro, the view!
Hacienda at Warm Sands — Quiet elegance. The gorgeous greenery. The door.
Space and time
Stargazing – It’s a pretty amazing experience getting up close and personal with the cosmos.
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum — It is an experience. And a new one at that — this just opened in November 2023.
All the sugar
Tonga Hut — Lava cake, paired with 1934 Zombie (no Zombie for you if you’ve got the car keys).
Truss & Twine — Panna cotta with Harry’s strawberries and lemon thyme syrup, pair with Surfer on Acid. (Also, check out Hoja Blanca, a pop up inside T&T.)
Eight4Nine — Brandini Toffee s’mores fondue, paired with Unshackled by Prisoner cabernet.
Copley’s — Toffee and date English sticky pudding with Tahitian vanilla ice cream, paired with the chocolate martini.
Jake’s — The three-layer citrus cake (not online, but it’s there and it’s ZOMG), paired with an Aperol Spritz or a sauvignon blanc.
Cocktails, wine, and bites
Clandestino — The vibe, the drinks, the view.
Canopy Wine Lounge — Christopher Kennedy design. It’s sexy and upscale. The bites.
V Wine Lounge — Creative eats, drinks, and mocktails. Decor is divine. Friday nights have live music with local singer/entertainer Siobhan. She’s funny and a little bit (maybe a lot) naughty.
Something sultry
Sensuality: A Store for Her — It might be you. Might not.
Fame Cigars & Wine — Not an experience for everyone, but cigars are pure unadulterated tobacco. Not a single leaf is chemically treated or artificially altered for taste. At least that’s what the internet said. And as was the tradition with Native Americans, a treat just for special occasions.
Blue Wave Hookah Lounge — 120 S. Palm Canyon Drive. Next to the Plaza Theatre.
Brandini Toffee — Named Best Candy Store in California by Yelp
The Tailor Shop — It’s a tiny bar next to Tonga Hut. It’s like the library where men from the 1800s went after dinner to drink and smoke cigars (none of those here). But smaller. It’s a bit of a secret, but out enough that reservations are required.
Seymour’s — No bites, but you’ll feel like you’re in on something. Limited seating, like space for 10. Located behind Mr. Lyon’s (or through the hidden door).
Hike Tahquitz Canyon to the waterfall, and cool off in pool beneath it.
Talk of the town
The latest restaurants in Palm Springs are:
Alice B — In Living Out (new 55+ LGBTQ community). Open to the public.
Crudo Cevecheria — The Corridor, Uptown.
Sonny’s Bar & Grill — Arenas District.
Cipolline’s Osteria — Coming Feb. 17. You can yell FIRST when you walk in. South end of East Palm Canyon.
Hands on a hard body
A massage is about to start at Whisper’s Spa. Photo courtesy of La Serena Villas
Hotels with spa services:
Andreas Hotel & Spa — Everything. Steps to Cheeky’s, and so, so cozy.
La Serena Villas — Home of Whisper’s Spa, Sugar High Bar, Azucar restaurant. The view.
Korakia Pensione — Forbes Traveler named it one of the sexiest hotels in America.
L’Horizon — Historic estate, So•Pa Restaurant, it feels like you’re in a romantic film at your millionaire lover’s estate.
Check these out, too:
Séc-he Spa — OMFG!
Beautiful Spa Massage — Couples massages, five-star rating.
Fall Spa Massage — North end of Palm Springs, past Uptown.
Bow chicka bow wow
All World’s Resort — Playground for gay men.
Have fun satisfying those indulgences. Bring a special friend, or meet one here. Palm Springs DOES NOT disappoint. Unless you’re a straight cis-woman looking for a straight single man, then that’s quite disappointing. But hey, I’m happy. Hope you are too. If not, pop on out to Palm Springs. We can fix that.
“I try not to limit my madness to March.” — Maxine (a.k.a. John Wagner for Shoebox Cards)
For most of the world, March is a tempestuous mistress. Cold and blustery, then cold and sunshine-y. She’s a whole lot of brrrrrrrrr.
In Palm Springs, March is more of a minx: flirty and fun. Her daytimes are generally in the 80s and sometimes 90s, however she can give you the cold shoulder, too. Especially at night. The solution is to bring your swimsuit and a bunch of layers because in Palm Springs, March is a swinger. She gets a bit chilly at night but bounces back by 10 a.m.
Without further ado, we will now continue our fun streak of delightful Palm Springs activities, with one event that’s so cool I might have just peed a little reading about it. Read on while I change me undies:
New restaurant alert:
Dinner and a show:
March 3, 4, and 5: Lucie Arnaz: I Got The Job
March 6, 13, 20, 27: The Judy Show
If you’ve read this blog before, you know it’s my favorite show in town.
March 11 and 12: John Lloyd Young
March 17, 18, and 19: Marvelous Marilyn Maye
March 25 and 26: Joe Pasa as Joan Rivers
Dinner and a lip sync show! The costumes are outstanding! Same producers as the one in San Francisco.
Pop 80s — Featuring The Gand Band
Gospel Brunch with Keisha D
Laurel Canyon — a tribute to those artists of the area, like Linda Rondstadt, Joni Mitchell, and The Doors (with music from The Gand Band).
The Mod Squad Variety Show — Another personal favorite, this one’s a brunch.
Ovation — A jazz-inspired Sunday brunch.
Light — I have always wanted to see this show! Described as an “unparalleled multi-sensory journey” that offers an “unprecedented dining experience through culinary art and technological innovation.”
Broadway Blind – A musical Sunday brunch.
A Night at the Chi Chi — Mark your calendars, this one’s on April 1 and 2.
Courtesy of PS Underground
The Women Of Knots (that’s Knots Landing, people!)
Drinks and entertainment:
Cascade Lounge at Agua Caliente in downtown Palm Springs
Jazzville — Every Thursday
Caliente Comedy — Every Friday
Latin Nights — Every Sunday
Theater:
Palm Canyon Theater
Palm Springs Getaway! Runs until March 13.
Desert Rose Playhouse
Electricity
Brian Justin Crum
Palm Springs The Musical: Born To Sparkle — World premiere!
Courtesy of Palm Springs The Musical
The Annenberg
The Anniversary — A full-length dance film event.
Coachella Valley Symphony Concerto Concert
Lilias White — White has appeared in cabarets and concert halls around the world, including the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and Lincoln Center. Her debut solo studio album, Get Yourself Some Happy!, was released in July.
Desert Ensemble Theatre
All This Intimacy — Described as a sex comedy gone wrong.
Dezart Performs
The Mountaintop — A reimagining of Martin Luther King Jr.’s last day at the Lorraine Hotel and his encounter with a young maid. There’s a huge twist in this play, something you can expect to be handled brilliantly by Dezart.
All the rest:
Palm Springs Chalk Art Festival
OMG!! I LOVE chalk art, especially from artists with a sense of whimsy. One of my favorite creators on TikTok is chalk artist David Zinn. This is a free event.
MOGO Silent Disco Tour
If anyone wants to do this, please include me!
Photo courtesy of MOGO Silent Disco Tour
Palm Springs Vintage Market
This Palm Springs staple will run on March 6 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
French Cooking Classes
In the chef’s private home — all reviews are spectacular!
Of course the old “musts” are still available, and if you haven’t, well…you must!
Hiking at Indian Canyons — Please note: closed on March 11 for the Legacy Hike.
Happy Palm Springs everyone! See you in April.
Can you take a dark-brown cement bench and turn it into art while still maintaining its function for resting or people-watching? The answer in Palm Springs is an unequivocal, yes.
Mainstreet Palm Springs’ Downtown and Uptown Business Association have upgraded the benches throughout the entire area thanks to a grant by the Palm Springs Art Commission. Local artists, representing the culture and diversity of the valley, were each paid a stipend for giving a new look and life to 70 benches, including 8 at the Palm Springs International Airport.
Initially, local artist Tysen Knight was commissioned to paint ten benches to test the concept. And they were a big hit. Functional and eye-catching, the colorful benches became the focus of many visitors’ photos. With the success of the first phase, phase two was approved.
Each bench looks like this before it receives its new life. As you can see, the artists have a blank canvas to design and apply their art.
A before shot of the plain brown benches have been transformed by local artists.
Here are examples of the benches created by our local artists from our culturally diverse community.
Abe Alvarez Tostado
Abe Alvarez Tostado colorful bench in Palm Springs evokes community heart and unity.
A resident of Yucca Valley. In his younger years, he was interested in comics. Then with his Mom, who was an artist, he started going to art galleries. His artistic talents were encouraged by friends that surrounded him at Long Beach, California. He has painted murals in San Francisco, Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Palm Springs for over 30 years.
Susan Gresto
Artist Susan Gresto’s bench in iconic Palm Springs hues of oranges and blues features free-spirited winged humans greeting one another.
A resident of Palm Springs. It brings her great joy to mentor students, support community art programs. Her work has been exhibited and sold at the Palm Springs Art Museum Store, University of California Riverside, the Community Gallery at Palm Desert City Hall, Indio Senior Center, and CREATE Center for the Arts Palm Desert.
Tim J Leary
Tim Leary created a bold geometric and linear bench design.
A resident of Indio. His work as a visual merchandiser spanned 28 years and three states: Florida, Connecticut, and California. After moving to San Francisco, he completed his formal education, studying spirituality and art, and art therapy. He has a studio in the Backstreet Art District in Palm Springs.
Jessica Frederic
A bright lime-green bench with palm fronds and yellow and black birds came to life by artist Jessyca Frederick.
A resident of La Quinta. After years of searching, she now uses her creativity and problem-solving skills to create art. With encouragement from friends and artists, this bench is her first piece of public art.
Paul Kole
Paul Kole created a word-art bench with a bright white background and multi-colored letters that remind visitors of the joys found in Palm Springs.
He resides in Orange County, Palm Springs, Arizona, and International resort stay-cations. His abstract work on wood and other materials are in the United States and international collections. He has a working studio in Palm Desert, California.
Stroll up and down Canyon Drive to see these creative benches. They most certainly will bring a smile to your face. Oh, if you need to stop and rest, be our guest, and remember, we have great people-watching in Palm Springs.
First, I regret the announcements: Not quite ready to take the plunge, Splash House has been rescheduled for August; Pride will happen in November. I know! I’m verklempt too. However, there’s still an awful lot of fun to be had this June in Palm Springs. And I hear they’ll be back soon.
Oh, before we get to events, it’s good to mention that we’ve got a few specials going on. Each boutique hotel has a different vibe and their own brand of swagger. Make sure to check them out here.
Okay. June. Planned events, then some build-your-own adventures. Let’s go!
Special Events
June 22-28 – At the top of the list is Palm Springs Short Film Festival. Per Variety, “Palm Springs Shortfest will be the first film festival of 2021 in California to hold all of its screenings in-theater when the event takes place at the Camelot Theatres (aka Palm Springs Cultural Center). Check them out too.
June 17th – Cast & Crew screening of Palm Springs Women in Film & Television’s two short films, “Accidental Date” and “Aftermath.” 6pm reception, 7pm screening followed by a Q&A for both films. Camelot Theater (PS Cultural Center) in Palm Springs.
Oscars – they keep adding events (yay!), so here’s what’s listed as of this writing. Check the link to see if there are additions.
- Melissa Manchester @ Oscars June 17 & 18
- Gunhild Carling @ Oscars June 10 5:30 & 9:30, Sweden’s Queen of Swing. Famous for playing trombone, she also plays bagpipes, trumpet, recorder, string instruments and will often play them all in one song, sometimes casually breaking into a tap dance or singing.
Four Twenty Bank and Lounge – The dispensary, lounge, and entertainment venue is located on Palm Canyon and Baristo (this is important, used to be at 777 Palm Canyon). They’ve got a great stage, but check their calendar. There was a Bowie tribute band and a Journey tribute band scheduled when I checked a day ago, but they’re gone, and others added. Things are still coming together on their line-up, but the Lounge is still pretty badass.
PS Underground: Book well in advance; these are the hottest shows in town. Ticketing links below.
- June 11: IMAGINE. A multiple course journey of music and food. “What would it feel like to climb into music and let it tantalize your every sense?”
- June 13: GOSPEL – a multiple course Sunday brunch with fantastic food and toe-tapping, hand clapping gospel music from the band onstage.
- June 18: ENIGMA – a puzzling or inexplicable experience or occurrence. “Things are not always as they seem as we navigate through this feast for all senses. …an over-the-top unexplainable out-of-the-box immersive dinner experience.”
- June 25: LIGHT – “Wear white and bring to the table an open mind and a sense of adventure. Prepare yourselves for an evening of the truly unexpected.
- June 27: OVATION – A jazzed up Sunday Brunch, “Surprise performers and musicians…free-flowing, bubbly and Bloody Mary’s are included.
On-Going Events
I’m recycling some of these from last month because, FUN! Once again, an asterisk denotes that I have been and it’s fabulous.
*Thursday afternoons are free at Palm Springs Art Museum from 5-7 p.m. Make a reservation.
Saturdays: Saturday Night Flight at PS Air Bar.”Boarding time” 5 p.m.
Wine tastings at Bouschet. They keep adding dates so I’m just linking to their website. Also, their California Caesar is bowl-licking good (the fancy bowl makes it hard, though), and a friend likes their macaroni salad so much he asked for the recipe.
Saturdays: Not Your Grandma’s Bingo at Chill Bar from 12-2 p.m. The name says it all.
*Sundays: Palm Springs Drag Brunch, with Rosemary Galore and her queenly court at Roly China Fusion.
*Saturdays and Sundays – I have written about Palm Springs magic before, but Crystal Fantasy is our go-to guide for crystals, sage, tarot cards, and all things material to interact with or distract the spiritual realm. Saturday and Sundays they have a Psychic/Healing Arts Fair, where you pick your psychic (or did they pick you, hmmm?). Check the website for times and the cool classes they have during the week.
*Sundays: It’s the Pro-Jazz Jam from 2-5 p.m. at Palm Canyon Roadhouse. It’s all the best players in the Coachella Valley led by solid jazz musician, Mikale Karr.
And, drumroll please, the most raucous dance party in Palm Springs is back! It’s Oscar’s T-Dance, Sunday’s from 4-8 pm. You can hear it blocks away. Mostly gay men, but I’ve been and it was a gas!
Day-Time Activities
*Like Mid-Mod? Or the architecturally significant homes of the stars? Palm Springs Life has a self-guided tour app. It’s a great fix as we wait for tours to restart, and Modernism Week to return.
*CannaBUS Express Tours, there’s no other like it. Any canna-curiosity you might have will be replaced with knowledge from their Extreme Green Team. BONUS: it’s hella-fun.
If you’re staying in a boutique hotel, there’s a good chance there’s work by a local artist hanging on a wall, or sitting on a table. That’s because creativity is off-the-charts flowing unlike the rain in Palm Springs. Art has many expressions, and at the indoor Mojave Flea Trading Post, artists and crafters of every ilk come together in a 10,000 sq. ft. marketplace of makers & merchants from Joshua Tree, the Coachella Valley, and beyond.
And guys, check this out: you can take a ride in an old warbird at Palm Springs Air Museum! The Warbird Ride has six options: C-47 Skytrain, T-28 Trojan, PT-17 Stearman, P-51 Mustang and the T-33 Shooting Star Jet. While you’re there, make sure to take a tour of the *Palm Springs Air Museum. It’s cooler than you might think.
That’s it for events, but I’m super excited to play show and tell with all of the fun and funky spots for your Instagram page. I found some fabulous filters, so I used them. Hope you likey. It’s my first try. You’ll find out why this chair sits on a pedestal.
As always, please shop and stay at locally-owned businesses. And if you go to any of our hotels or enjoy our recommendations, please be sure to tag us with your photos on IG, or @palmspringspreferredsmallhotel (yeah, it’s a lot to type, but we appreciate it!) #PSPSH
