The Parker Hotel Palm Springs - Sure it’s scenestery. Not
to mention slick. But it’s the Desert’s most popular celebrity crib; The
Parker Palm Springs.
Housed in the former
Givenchy Resort and Spa owned by Merv Griffin, The Parker sports a Tatler-meets-tacky
vibe that rivals the minimalist yogalux style of W Hotels.
Located on the far
end of East Palm Canyon Drive not too far from downtown Palm Springs, The Parker is Hollywood
hideaway for heretics and
hillbillies alike (i.e. Ozzy Osbourne and Britany Spears have been guests).
Designed by
modernist visionary Jonathan Adler, The Parker is rambling, 13-acre compound of
white whimsy, including two saltwater swimming pools, a candy-colored lemonade
bar, clay tennis courts, Croquet and Petanque areas, and a Girl-scout prepped
fire pit surrounded by butterfly chairs.
The concept of
retro-groove is alive in well in the 131 rooms, with Adler’s signature ceramics,
travertine and walnut nightstands, and vintage paparazzi prints of Jackie O.
A
basic boudoir like the Terrace or Estate rooms feature a king bed with 400
thread count sheets, sisal carpeting, leather and glass furnishings, and a
kitschy collection of 60s novels, like Peyton Place and Valley of the Dolls.
Most rooms open to plantation shutters and catwalk balconies, garlanded by pink
and red bougainvillea.
Bathrooms are tiny, but full of red carpet swag: Hermes
soap, Molton Brown shower gel, shampoo by Peter Thomas Roth, and more.
If you’re
feeling spendy, reserve the Gene Autry Suite, a two-bedroom, two-bath private
residence with a saline pool. And yes, Gene Autry left happy trails in the suite
back in the day.
The real deal of The
Parker Hotel Palm Springs can be found outside the accommodations, at the Palm
Springs Yacht Club. Frequented by such A-list celebs as Kevin Spacey, Charlize
Theron, Keanu Reeves, and Sarah Jessica Parker, (c’mon, where else would she
go), the exclusive Club has a full-service spa, his-and-her swimming pools,
sauna, gym and clothing boutique, and two restaurants, Mister Parker’s and
Norma’s.
Though
Mister Parker’s is clearly a 5-star dining experience, it’s Norma’s that is
worth the visit.
A four-time winner for “Best Breakfast” by
Citysearch, Norma’s is a morning person’s heaven with dishes like mango-papaya
brown butter cinnamon crepes, foie gras brioche and shrimp, and non-stop French
press coffee. Breakfast is served all day, and will cost roughly $100.00 for two
people, including tax and gratuity.
The spa at The Parker Hotel Palm Springs is known for their soothing body
treatments, with the ultra-relaxing Skin Polishing Sea Scrub which combines sea
water, lavender, helicrysum, and cystus from the Mediterranean.
Don’t miss the
Desert-exclusive Catcus Massage, which utilizes moisturizing extracts of Queen
of the Night, one the world’s rarest desert flowers.
Room rates at The Parker Palm Springs usually begin at $320.00 and sell out during
season. But follow the link below to get a special discounted room rate.