People say that Paris is always a good idea. Well, that is how I feel about Palm Springs too. Palm Springs has always been one of my favourite places to spend a weekend away from San Francisco. I love it for the desert temperatures, the chic pools and the incredibly cool vibe. Recently, I discovered that there are also plenty of active adventures to be had with just 48 hours in Palm Springs. It is the perfect place to relax, spend time in nature and return home feeling happy, healthy and refreshed.
Palm Springs has seen a revitalisation and is now on the rise as a wellness destination, easily accessible from LA. Image © Pat Bailey
48 Hours in Palm Springs
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A beautiful oasis on the edge of Coachella Valley in the Colorado Desert, Palm Springs is making a very cool comeback. New hotels and familiar properties with face lifted facades, farm-to-table restaurants, vintage boutiques and the revitalisation of the downtown scene has sparked a resurgence of visitors, putting Palm Springs firmly back on the map. With a strong focus on wellness, it is also on the rise as a go-to destination for a healthy weekend getaway for the LA and San Diego set.
Instagram-ready moments around every corner (and pool) in Palm Springs, California.
How to Get to Palm Springs
Getting to Palm Springs is easy from any direction. Palm Springs International Airport is the closest airport to Palm Springs (downtown). But, flying into Los Angeles and driving from LA to Palm Springs (just under 2 hours) or even taking a road trip from San Francisco to Palm Springs (7.5 hours) are fun options too. It is easy to navigate to Palm Springs. Hire a car (search car rental deals) if you are planning to adventure beyond the city limits.
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The Monkey Tree Hotel is an institution in Palm Springs. Join the long list of celebrities who have stayed here over the decades. Image © Pat Bailey
Where to Stay in Palm Springs
The Monkey Tree Hotel | Check Prices
On the list of things I love about Palm Springs is how devoted the locals are to maintaining the culture and iconic identity of this desert oasis. Gary and Kathleen Friedle are a perfect example of that. They have lovingly restored The Monkey Tree Hotel which was originally designed in 1960 by Albert Frey.
This 16-room boutique hotel, with an incredible list of famous guests such as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Gilda Radner and Gene Wilder, Eric Clapton, the Beatles (except for Paul), Bob Hope, Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn, and even a JFK and Marilyn Monroe rendezvous (guarded at the private entrance of their suite by the secret service), is quintessential Palm Springs.
Pat relaxes in the Jungle Suite at the Monkey Tree Hotel, Palm Springs. Image © Pat Bailey
The retro-cool Monkey Tree Hotel in Palm Springs. Image © Pat Bailey
The Friedle’s re-opened the vintage boutique hotel in 2016 and they can be found on property daily. Kathleen has made it her passion project to source authentic furnishings for the entire mid-century modern design property which are eclectic and on-period right down to every detail. Gary spends every morning in the properties commercial kitchen creating a special day-of breakfast for guests. I was asked when I made my reservation if I had any food allergies or restrictions and Gary created special vegetarian options for me based on my response. Breakfast is served daily in the community room and is self-serve, it is a great way to meet other guests and feel at-home instantly. I quickly became addicted to Gary’s pastries and I even enjoyed taking my breakfast back to my room one of the days I stayed and guests can also enjoy breakfast by the pool.
The open air lobby at Monkey Tree Hotel, Palm Springs. Image © Pat Bailey
It is obvious as soon as you pull up to the façade and walk into the open-air communal courtyard of this vintage property that you have stepped back in time and that you are walking into a postcard. Every bit of this dream property is well maintained and perfectly pristine, the thoughtfully designed rooms open up to this common space with the pièce de résistance pool in the center. Fluffy top palm trees guide your eyes up and out of the courtyard where you can follow the edge of the San Jacinto Mountains on the horizon which provide the most incredible backdrop for this property.
I was told that Mr. Frey took the mountain range into account when originally designing the layout of the hotel by creating the dramatic slanting roof lines to be in harmony with the mountains. He tracked the sun during the day to determine the best site placement for the property and situated the courtyard to maximise the views of this inspiring backdrop while sitting by the pool. This thoughtfulness is obvious when you are standing in the heart of the common area during your stay, the reward is a golden pink sunrise over the mountains in the morning, soft toned sunsets at the end of each day and an umbrella of stars over the courtyard each night.
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Every design detail is lovingly thought out at the Monkey Tree Hotel. Image © Pat Bailey
In addition to the daily house made breakfast, The Monkey Tree Hotel offers resort-like amenities to guests. You can enjoy complimentary soft drinks and snacks during the day while you dip in the heated salt water swimming pool or swim laps in the tether exercise lap pool, along with happy hour drinks and even a Scandinavian Spa with whirlpool, sauna and cold plunge pool. Massages, gym passes, meal delivery and even a butler service can be scheduled with the front desk as the property has cultivated many relationships with other local businesses to make adding these experiences to your stay easy.
Common area for breakfast at the cosy Monkey Tree Hotel, Palm Springs. Image © Pat Bailey
Choose from the Standard or Deluxe King or Queen Rooms or splurge and stay in the Presidential Suite or Jungle Room. I loved my stay in the Jungle Room, 465 square feet of jungle-inspired vintage décor right down to the leopard print walls, pillows and carpet. I was happily lost in the California king-size bed and found the extra seating area and private courtyard with lounging to be a dream too. But, my very favourite part of this room, and perhaps Eric Clapton’s too because this room was his preferred, was the light-filled, original bathroom with walk-in shower and floor to ceiling glass windows.
Related: The Ultimate Local’s Guide to San Francisco
The Parker hotel Palm Springs showcases a beautifully curated collection of art and design. Image © Pat Bailey
The Parker Palm Springs | Check Prices
For a luxurious getaway in the desert you can’t go past Parker Palm Springs. This immaculate five-star property invites you into the world of Jonathan Adler and you cannot help but feel like a fashionable accessory to the picture perfect pages of his expression of this decadent home away from home.