PALM SPRINGS, MY IDEAL MID-CENTURY HEAVEN
Palm Springs is easily one of my favorite places to visit. The mid-century homes are towered by palm trees and are situated between beautiful, blue mountains in the distance. The spectacular desert resort setting combined with the architecture is truly something to behold. The town itself is small and quaint. The hotels are luxurious and encourage relaxing around the pool and pampering yourself at the spa. it’s the best of both worlds. Palm Springs is also the perfect place to grab a bike and go!
Here is a quick guide to all of our favorite things, as well as some things we hope to do next time we’re in town.
EATS //
Cheeky's - The best breakfast/brunch spot in Palm Springs! Cheeky’s is well-known by locals and tourists, so expect a wait on the weekends. Try the $5 bacon flight with five different kinds of bacon, and ask about the specials. Coty had the jalapeño bacon and cheddar waffle with sweet chili maple syrup for $11. I had the custard cheesy scrambled eggs, maple sage sausage, and Deb's cheddar scone for $9. Heaven! We’ll definitely return when we’re in town.
Elmer’s – Elmer’s is perfect when you want to get something great to eat without spending too much. There isn’t anything fancy or trendy about the ambiance, but the food, service, and prices were hard to beat. I also noticed they’ve won a lot of awards, and it's no wonder.
Koffi - Exceptional coffee to please all the coffee snobs. Koffi roasts their beans right in the Coachella Valley. The pastries are also made fresh in-house daily. I tried the blackberry and peach yogurt with granola, and it was one of the best yogurt parfaits I've ever had. There are three locations in Palm Springs, in addition to one located next to the Ace Hotel.
King's Highway – Located within the Ace Hotel, King’s Highway is a retro cafe for breakfast or lunch. I've been here a couple of times, but honestly, I'm never really impressed. It's a little on the pricey side for what you get. The service we had on this day was pretty terrible (and not so friendly). We were one of four seated tables and waited 15 minutes before getting a glass of much-needed water.
Workshop Kitchen & Bar - We arrived here when another traveler, Curt, staying at the Sparrows Lodge, invited us out for dinner. We all were in the mood for something light, so I went with the soup special and a beet salad. Both dishes were so full of flavor, and the drinks were on point all around. If you go, you have to try a cocktail! Next time we visit, I look forward to trying their brunch, particularly the duck fat fries! I recommend Workshop Kitchen & Bar for a special evening, as it's on the pricier side, and the atmosphere is super cool.
Thai Smile – We ate at Thai Smile during both of our visits to Palm Springs, and it never disappointed. Thai Smile feels like a family-run establishment with reasonable prices. The service is quick, and the food is delicious. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!
Great Shakes - The best gourmet shakes, malts and floats made with real natural ingredients. I got the Blueberry Hill with blueberries, lemon, and lavender. SO refreshing! They also come with a cute mini donut on the straw which surprisingly isn't too sweet. You can check in on Yelp to upgrade to the next size shake. Although, a small is plenty after dinner.
SLEEPS //
Sparrows Lodge - We heard amazing things about this rustic hotel and boutique, and let me tell you, it lived up to our expectations. So much, in fact, that we wanted to stay another day just to enjoy the property and relax poolside, sipping margaritas and chatting with other travelers. When we arrived to check-in, we entered a cozy, fire-lit room that included a giant Annie Leibovitz book on a tripod stand. We passed through the room and out into the pool area. There were fountains and lighting that created a nice ambiance. From there we went into the barn and were greeted with welcome drinks.
The rustic barn, once called Castles Red Barn was built in 1952 and is now the main communal barn, similar to a lobby. There you can check in, have a cocktail, and relax with the other guests. The owner has a true appreciation for art, which is reflected in the decor, artwork, and books that inhabit the property. There is a total of 20 rooms. Our poolside room was pretty minimal (no TV or phone), but included a private back patio and an open stone rain shower. The Barn Kitchen serves a continental breakfast for all guests each morning. A small food and drink menu is available during the day - perfect for lounging around the pool. A family-style dinner is offered to a select number of guests twice a week: Chicken Wednesdays and Steak Saturdays. We missed the dinner option but heard from other travelers that it was incredible. As you can tell, I'm head over heels for the Sparrows Lodge; it feels like the best adult summer camp I could imagine. Highly recommend this gem!
The Parker - Jonathan Adler Heaven. If you're not staying, I encourage you to at least visit The Parker. Its decor is modern, chic, and playful - I call it bohemian rock n' roll. Within the hotel, you will find a few dining and drink options: Mister Parker, a moody French bistro; Norma’s, a comfy, breezy diner; and a super chic mini bar. After having a drink and food, relax in the lounge or explore the immaculate grounds. There you will find fire pits for smores, hammocks, lawn games, the cutest lemonade stand hidden in the citrus trees, and multiple pools.
The Ace Hotel & Swim Club - A hip, artsy, boutique hotel that offers motel style rooms. Some of the rooms include an additional space such as a patio or a fireplace. The style is organic, bohemian, and retro because after all, it's Palm Springs. Formerly a Howard Johnson and Westward Ho attached to a Denny's, The Ace is now home to the hotel restaurant and bar, King's Highway and The Amigo Room. There are two large pools as well as a large event center, and the hotel is pet-friendly. The location is just minutes from the Moorten botanical gardens and an easy bike ride to downtown. Free bikes are available to guests, and they also have scooter rentals.
THINGS TO DO //
Wander the garden. We spent about an hour taking photos of and walking around the Moorten Botanical Garden. It's a must see for anyone who loves cacti and succulents as much as I do. There is on-street parking available, and for a $4/person fee, it's totally worth it. We listened to singing doves as we tried to get a photo of a hummingbird that lingered around the feeders.
Go for a bike ride. Find a bike rental or see if the hotel you’re staying with offers them for guests. It's a perfect way to explore different neighborhoods and admire the beautiful architecture.
Drink at another hotel. It's nice to switch up the scene and see what other hotels have to offer. The Segaro, The Parker, and The Ace hotels all have restaurants and bars with cool vibes.
Shop till you drop. Okay, I promise - I won’t talk about shopping ever again but let me have a moment. In summer 2014, I came out here for a job and happened to come across the Desert Hills Premium Outlets. Now I won't lie, after I came home with a new All Saints wardrobe for Coty for $180, we couldn't wait to go back. The second trip didn't disappoint, the deals were insane. I took two minutes to sign up online for the VIP Shoppers Club, then made a stop at the visitor’s center to get a free coupon booklet for additional deals. If you plan to make this part of your trip, I recommend planning for a half day or full day for the outlets. There are so many stores, and it takes a bit of time to walk from one end to the other. We also stopped at Blaze Pizza for a fresh and tasty lunch.
Just relax! One of the best things to do in Palm Springs: lounge around the pool with friends under the sun.
WHAT WE SPENT //
BUDGETING: A general outline of what we spent in USD.
Hotel - Sparrow’s Lodge - for two nights - $275 total - average $137.50/night - Booked using Hotel Tonight App
Meals - Breakfast $15 per person, Lunch $15 per person, Dinner $20 per person.
Moorten Botanical Garden -$4 per person
Did I miss anything? What are some of your favorite things to do in Palm Springs? Xx ASH
