grounds of the parker palm springs with palm trees and landscaped gardens image © designboom

the parker palm springs is a luxury boutique hotel in palm springs, california, USA. it is situated on palm canyon drive, in the coachella valley – in the shelter of the san jacinto mountains. it opened in 1959 as california’s first holiday inn, then became singing cowboy gene autry’s melody ranch until it was revamped in the merv griffin’s resort hotel & givenchy spa in the 1990s. the property was purchased in 2004 by jack parker, who also owns le parker meridien in new york.

parker palm springs image courtesy the parker palm springs

the hotel has 131 rooms, 12 one-bedroom villas (and the original gene autry house), set in 14 acres of lush desert gardens.

parker palm springs at the lemonade stand, an adorable place by the pool image © designboom

parker palm springs vaporizers in action image © designboom

parker palm springs and fresh lemonade at the pools image © designboom

parker palm springs open air lounge image courtesy the parker palm springs

parker palm springs an open air lounge, located next to the pool area image © designboom

parker palm springs chlorine-free saline pool image © designboom two pools are here to refresh you : the chlorine-free saline pool and the silicone valley pool, which is located on the north lawn and contains an adjacent whirlpool.

parker palm springs whirlpool image © designboom

parker palm springs balinese bench image © designboom

parker palm springs image © designboom

parker palm springs the silicone valley pool is surrounded by … image © designboom

parker palm springs … estate rooms and patio rooms image © designboom

parker palm springs image courtesy the parker palm springs

parker palm springs open air lobby image © designboom

parker palm springs open air lobby image © designboom

norma’s restaurant, a perfect citrus-colored scene for breakfast

parker palm springs norma’s tables with bird-shaped ceramic salt and pepper shakers that designer jonathan adler made specifically for the hotel image courtesy the parker palm springs

parker palm springs image © designboom

parker palm springs image © designboom

parker palm springs the villas – private courtyard image © designboom

parker palm springs the villas – kitchen image © designboom parker palm springs the villas – hanging wicker chairs swinging in the living room image © designboom

parker palm springs opened in 2004, and at the time, the US designer jonathan adler envisioned the hotel as ‘your great aunt’s estate’ – she likes the irregular, geometric shapes of ’60s décor and mixes them with peruvian wall hangings, statuary of exotic animals and sequins on her couch pillows, right?

parker palm springs bedroom image courtesy the parker palm springs

parker palm springs bedroom image © designboom

parker palm springs marble bathrooms and amenities image © designboom

parker palm springs image © designboom at night, watch the stars while lying in a lounge chair or rocking in a hammock.

parker palm springs image © designboom

the garden design was done by elysian landscapes in LA. the idea was to create intimate little nooks tucked away in the meandering paths of the garden.

parker palm springs the kumbaya-ready fire pit that is surrounded by butterfly chairs image © designboom

parker palm springs image courtesy the parker palm springs

parker palm springs fireplace by night image © designboom

parker palm springs relaxation spots have been created and hidden all around, with water and fire for the guests’ peace and tranquility. image © designboom

parker palm springs the exterior of the spa looks like a versace version of versailles image © designboom

parker palm springs spa lounge with shop image © designboom a daily resort fee (of 30 USD) covers access to the spa facilities, the gym, valet parking and, if there are any during the slow season, exercise classes.

parker palm springs the cheekily named palm springs yacht club, or PSYC for short image © designboom

parker palm springs yoga mats image © designboom

parker palm springs the spa lounge and boutique image © designboom

parker palm springs the lobby features knights in armor,  wire-based warren platner chairs … image © designboom

in the lobby, your attention is drawn to numerous decorative items arranged together, even though you wouldn’t expect them to be, since their styles and colors are so different.

parker palm springs … a fireplace … image courtesy the parker palm springs

parker palm springs … leather chesterfield sofa and a wall rug … image © designboom

parker palm springs … and a vintage store sign that says ‘drugs’. image © designboom

parker palm springs the lobby image © designboom

palm springs the first visitors came around the turn of the 20th century to soak in the hot mineral-spring baths and recuperate from respiratory ailments in the dry desert air. the desert ecosystem reduces the four seasons to two – from warm with chilly nights (winter) to dry, hot, and somewhat deserted (summer). palm springs is a year-round getaway and has always felt like a place suspended in time. the real action began in the 1920’s, when palm springs became a hollywood hideaway filled with mediterranean villas built by silent-film stars.

parker palm springs a twinkling glassware collection image © designboom

from those rowdy rich who wined, dined, and gambled to a movie-star retirement home in the seventies, the parker is probably the most ambitious attempt to restore the luster of palm springs. in any case, during the high-heat, low-price summer, it’s a good destination to escape crowds.

the parker palm springs, 4200 east palm canyon drive, (888) 450-9488 more info on the website (which has hilarious movies).