vacation – Melodrama

Checking In: A Weekend at The Parker Palm Springs

Published on August 3, 2015August 4, 2015 by Krys4 Comments

As you may have guessed by now, I have this love affair with Palm Springs. Funnily enough while I was growing up and living there I couldn’t wait for any excuse to get out, now I can’t wait for any excuse to go back. It’s one of those weird things where you don’t appreciate something until you’re a grown up I guess. Or maybe it’s because Palm Springs is totally making a come back as the hottest (literally) vacation spot around for millenials. Since the 1920s Palm Springs has been the quick getaway of choice for Angelenos, and I’m no exception. I’m not entirely sure that I’ll ever live there again, but I do like making the trip as often as possible.

This time we stayed at The Parker Palm Springs. Once you see the pictures, you’ll know why I love this place.

Built in 1959, it was originally California’s first Holiday Inn. In 1961 Gene Autry purchased the property and changed its name to Melody Ranch. Throughout the 90s it took on a few other identities, but in 2003 it became The Parker we know today. The hotel is fabulously decorated and set on a 13 acre secret garden-esque property, where getting lost isn’t so bad. Don’t worry they give you a map upon check-in.

Let me take you on a little photographic tour.

When you drive up to the secluded property you’re instantly greeted by the most photogenic brick wall and the friendliest valet around.

After you pass your keys along to the nice guys in the colorful shorts, stop and take a deep breath, because you’re officially about to experience what The Parker is all about.

Pass through the big orange doors and straight into the lobby.

The hotel, which was decorated by one of my favorite designers, Mr. Jonathan Adler, has the kind of colorful, eclectic, retro vibes that I live for. JA is great at mixing vintage and mod styles with humor and unexpected touches. Like the cheeky DRUGS sign that hangs on the wall.

You’ll notice is there is plenty of lush seating areas and colorful glasswork featured throughout the lobby.

That mid-century Flintstones-like wall kills me. Behind it you’ll find what reminds me of a 60s party pad, in the best way possible. I mean LOOK.

There’s a firepit and hanging basket chairs. What, what, WHAT?

There are three places to eat on the property – Mister Parker’s, Norma’s, and the Lemonade Stand. Mister Parker’s is open for dinner and features a posh, dark dining room where they serve french bistro style fare.

Norma’s is most known for its impressive breakfast and brunch menu and casual dining experience. I love the cute ambiance and colors of this place and the round chair cushions make me insanely happy.

Norma’s also has a small dinner menu and PIE SHAKES. That’s right…PIE. SHAKES. You pick the ice cream, filling, and topping. Like pie a la mode in milkshake form.

If you’re looking for something more of the liquid diet variety there’s the Lemonade Stand. Here they serve up refreshing and delicious alcoholic drinks.

I’ll be honest, at first I was a little shocked by the price on my tab(around $30 for 2 drinks), since the drink prices aren’t listed on the menu, but when you take into account the size of the drinks and the quality and amount of liquor they use, it’s not really any more expensive than other places. The drinks really are delicious and sizable. I definitely caught a buzz.

The Lemonade Stand is a bar conveniently located next to the main 24 hour adult pool so you can sip and sun your way through the weekend.

There is also a family pool (which was closed for renovations during our stay) and an indoor pool at the resort’s luxe spa, PSYC.

The grounds also have plenty of little secluded pockets featuring fire pits, hammocks, and lawn games where you can lounge and play.

We stayed in one of the 465 square foot deluxe patio rooms situated near the back of the property.

I loved this spacious room. It was a little dark because it’s on the ground level and has a private fenced patio, but it was nice and cozy and good escape from the heat and sun. The king sized bed was comfortable with soft pillows and good linens. I slept SO well. Oh! And free wifi!

Jonathan Adler everywhere!The spacious bathroom has double sinks and a soaking tub.Our favorite part of the room was the private patio that has a small table with chairs and a HAMMOCK. The hammock is great for private outdoor napping and milkshake sipping. Warning: the hammock is so exciting you might get a little too eager and fall out like my husband did. See what I mean about those Lemonade Stand drinks? Don’t worry. He’s ok!Now you’ve gotten a full glimpse of one of my favorite hotels in Palm Springs. I can’t wait until the next time we get to spend the weekend. Who knows, maybe I’ll see you guys there.Thank you to the Parker Palm Springs for a wonderful stay.

The Parker Palm Springs
4200 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264
(760) 770-5000

Checking In: A Glam Getaway At Viceroy Palm Springs

Published on August 26, 2014August 4, 2015 by Krys1 Comment

One of the things I love most about Palm Springs is the vintage feel and Viceroy Palm Springs is a perfect place to experience the Hollywood Regency vibe of the area’s glory days. The hotel was designed by Kelly Wearstler, one of my favorite designers.

This spanish style property opened in 1933 as a bungalow retreat, but in 2001 hotelier Brad Korzen (Kelly Wearstler’s husband) turned it into the Viceroy we know today.

The mountain views make a picturesque backdrop and the property is walking distance from downtown’s shops and restaurants, making it the prime spot to experience what Palm Springs has to offer. But once you’re there, it’s hard to want to leave.

The grounds are classically decorated with black, white, and pops of vibrant lemon yellow.

The boutique style resort has 67 rooms, suites, and villas nestled around three pools and manicured courtyards. The pools are open 24 hours, which I LOVE. Major bonus points from me. Night swimming in Palm Springs is like no other. Pool floaties are included and are perfect for both soaking up the sun and star gazing. Or even keeping you afloat when you’ve had too much to drink.

When we pulled up we were greeted by the very friendly valet and escorted to the front desk. We arrived at the hotel a bit early so we had to wait for our room to be ready. That was a mistake on such a hot day, especially with dogs, but the hotel offered us sparkling wine and water, and directed us to the areas where we could lounge and wait. They even brought out water for our pups in a cute bowl.

The property offers a full-service spa and exceptional dining at Citron. I did not partake in any spa services but I did partake in some tasty crab cakes at Citron while we waited for our room.

Citron has an indoor dining room, a bar, and an outdoor seating area.

White tufted leather booths and bergére chairs with mirrored and yellow striped walls make this a really glamorous yet fun space. The pet-friendly outdoor area overlooks the main pool for prime people watching.

Once we arrived to our room we were not disappointed! A nice and helpful staff member carried our bags and showed us to our one bedroom Dorrington Villa located in the fountain courtyard. I loved this area of the resort. It was so quiet and secluded. I wish I could live there. For a second I considered becoming a squatter, but quickly realized that would probably be a bad idea.

The spanish tile roofs and vibrantly colored front doors made me so happy. The villas are set apart from the main hotel and are private with no shared walls between them. These villas are the real stars of this Viceroy.

Let’s go on a little tour.

Love at first sight. Look at that door with its amazing color, knocker, and KICKPLATE. I can’t resist a door with a knocker and kickplate. I wanted to hug it. The front patio area had two chairs, a table, and a privacy curtain.

And then I fell even more in love. The room opens up to a bright, open living room. It’s a perfect blend of classic vintage and modern. The black, white, and yellow color scheme obviously continues in here. The gas fireplace is perfectly framed by ceramic ginger jars, crystal sconces, and modern abstract art. The glass filler inside of the fireplace is so much better than faux logs.

These yellow chairs are the only pop of bright color in the room. The mirrored handles on the cabinet and the mirror-topped octagonal table add a nice reflectiveness and shine to the space. That along with the symmetrical furniture placement is very indicative of Hollywood Regency style.

On the other side there is a black and white gingham sleeper sofa. Behind that is the dining room.

I love the wallpapering in this room. It continues up across the ceiling and seemingly makes the room feel larger. Oh look, more white leather on the curved back dining chairs. Attached to the dining room is the full kitchen. It’s a standard vintage galley kitchen but has every thing you need if you choose to cook and dine in. The painted tile floor continues throughout the entire villa. I love the idea of painting over an existing terra cotta floor.

There’s a stove, microwave, and a goodie stocked refrigerator. The doors were removed from the upper cabinets and mirrors were inserted in the backs. I think that makes the space feel more open.

Not only does the villa have a patio area up front, it also has a completely private one in the back.

Back inside, opposite the dining and living area, there is a bedroom and bathroom. The bathroom has two entrances, one through the vanity area off of the living room, and one through the bedroom.

I adore a vanity area. The window above the mirror gives off a nice natural light for applying makeup and there’s enough drawer and cabinet space to store all your goodies. This bathroom is so classic and beautiful. I love that there’s a window. I love the arched shower. I love it all. It has everything you need. A stylish pedestal sink, a great light fixture, and a bath deep enough for a good soak. The shower also had the most amazing water pressure. All bath products are by Neil George.

The bedroom is serene in all white. I thought the king sized bed was plush and comfortable. The hanging lamps are a nice touch. By the way all of the lights are on dimmers, which is almost unheard of in hotel rooms, but something I definitely appreciate. The white curtains have a stylish Greek key design and wrap around the entire room. Another unique design element I love is the placement of the medallion above the bed. There is also an armoir and television inside of the room. There is no dresser but there’s a large closet with stylish bamboo luggage racks. There are also slippers and robes!

My only concerns with the hotel and its rooms is that with the use of so much white, special attention needs to be paid to housekeeping and maintenance. There is inevitably going to be more visible wear and tear on light colored walls and upholstery. The furnishings are due for a good steam cleaning and leather reconditioning. The rooms and the hotel were clean, yes, but in need of a little TLC.

Also, be aware that summer heat pushes bugs indoors, especially with the drought California is currently experiencing. I was alarmed to find a big bug crawl out of the fireplace one evening, though I’m sure the hotel does their best with pest control. They even leave a bedside note to warn you and ask you to give them a ring should you find any “unwanted guests” in your room.

Besides those concerns I loved staying here. At 470 square feet this villa is actually smaller than my current apartment, but because of the layout it felt much larger. If I could find an apartment or home similar to this I would probably live in it forever.

All in all we loved it and will stay there again. And soon I hope!

Special thanks to Viceroy Palm Springs for a lovely stay.

Viceroy Palm Springs
415 S Belardo Rd
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 320-4117

Checking In: A Technicolor Weekend at The Saguaro Palm Springs

Published on July 29, 2014August 4, 2015 by KrysLeave a comment

You would think after our summer road trip we’d want to take a little break from hotel life for awhile, right? Oh, no. Not us. We almost immediately got the urge for another adventure so we headed out to our beloved Palm Springs. Oh, Palm Springs. How I love your style. If you know me, you know I have a love for all things vintage, and Palm Springs is the best place to catch the vintage vibe. Whenever I look for a hotel I always look for three things: great design, great dining, and pet-friendliness. But when it comes to Palm Springs, a great POOL is a must. Summer temps soar into the 100’s so there is no point to being outside unless there is a pool and drinks. This time we stayed at The Saguaro Palm Springs – a Joie de Vivre hotel. It was my first time staying here but I’ve had it on my mind for awhile, and it has everything on my list of requirements. It was originally built in 1965 and had former lives as a Ramada and a Holiday Inn, but it’s never been as cute as this! The Saguaro opened in early 2012 and has taken on a new life in vibrant technicolor. The rainbow colored palette is the work of Peter Stamberg and Paul Aferiat, of New York-based Stamberg Aferiat Architecture. Each hue is inspired by indigenous flowers of the Colorado Desert and carried throughout the property. And the color continues inside where it’s met with handcrafted Mexican furniture. An interesting contrast that makes sense when you consider the southwestern inspiration. I loved the use of cacti and vintage brownie cameras as decor, further bringing the desert and vintage elements together. It works. The front desk stands out with its bold orange and yellow floral walls. The front desk staff was very helpful and accommodating to us. Great first impression. We were directed to our room on the color coded map and were happy to find self parking was ample and a breeze. Our king suite was spacious, and of course, colorful! The rooms are minimally decorated with only a few coffee table books and retro photography on the wall. The living area had a comfortable pull out sofa, little dining area, dresser, flat screen TV, and a walk out balcony. Oh and a refrigerator to store your drinks and stuff. Very convenient. The bathroom was ORANGE, spacious, and had a good shower. I hate when showers just have that weird, stupid mist that sprays at you and you can’t rinse your hair well, so you have to stick it under the bath faucet…sorry I’m ranting. This shower had none of that! It was delightful. The toiletries by Lather smelled gooooood. Lavender Lime lotion, bamboo lemongrass body wash, yuzu bergamot conditioner, and mint thyme shampoo. I was about to be like “heyyyy, can I have like 27 of each to take home?”, but then I just figured I should just buy them like a regular person. The bathroom has everything you need. My only “meh” is that the tile didn’t do it for me, aesthetically speaking. Hopefully it’s just left over from the Holiday Inn days. Anyway, enough about tile. LOOK ROBES! Hooded ones. The bedroom portion had a work desk, a table, and another wall-mounted TV. And a bed. Duh. Oh man, that bed was super comfy. I hadn’t slept that well in days. A lot of people are picky about room noise, but the room was quiet to me (except when the DJ was pumping jams on Saturday afternoon). It might be because I live in an apartment building on one of the busiest streets in Los Angeles, but I honestly didn’t notice any noise coming from other rooms. Bonus points for having lamps with electrical outlets on the base. I hate having to find a place to plug my phone and laptop in. Extra bonus points for the washable slipcovers on the sofas. That’s a good idea considering the dog friendly policy. WAIT. Let me talk about their super friendly dog policy real quick. No pet fee and they don’t stick you in the crappy rooms. They even included bowls and cute dog things. Mango and Pandie loved watching people at the pool and their hair colors fit right in. Now for the pool. The pool is important. If you don’t have a pool in Palm Springs, what is even the point? The Saguaro has one of the best and it’s open until midnight. There are two hot tubs, if you feel the need to soak. There is also a pool bar that has light snacks and drinks. Helllooooo. But wait, that reminds me. The middle portion of the pool goes to 9ft deep. Normally, I’m excited if any pool goes to even 6 ft deep, but in this case it’s kind of a funny problem. Every weekend they host a pool party (12pm-6pm) with a DJ and the drinks are flowing. Everyone ends up crowding into the shallow areas because they can’t stand and party it up while trying to keep their head above water in the deep end. Just make sure you snag a pool floaty if you can’t snag a spot in the shallow end. Oh, and one more minor observation: while it’s cool they have a DJ (because what pool is a party without one), they really need a better playlist. I enjoy the occasional ironic 90’s jam as much as anyone, but there really needs to be a better mix if they want to attract the crowd I think they do. The property also has a spa, bocci ball court, and daily yoga that I can appreciate but did not partake in. And FREE BIKE RENTALS! Jvee got stung by a bee and it was 106 degrees so we had to cut it short (typical luck), but taking these for a ride around the neighborhood is a blast. Rentals are for two hours at a time. There are two restaurants at the hotel, Tinto and El Jefe by Iron Chef Jose Garces. Tinto was closed during our stay but we had dinner at El Jefe where our server was very sweet and attentive. We ordered the vegetarian queso fundido as our appetizer. I had the fish tacos and loved them. Some of the best cabbage on a fish taco I’ve ever had. Jvee had the carne asada tacos because they were out of the cabrito that he had his heart set on. He enjoyed them. I liked the taco presentation. Very cute. However, I wish the food came out in the right order. My tacos came out, then the queso appetizer, then Jvee’s carne asada tacos. But it all tasted good in the end. You better get THE MARGARITAS. These aren’t watered down chain restaurant margs. I caught a little buzz off of one and the flavor was tops. I recommend the charred pineapple, even though I kind of wished it came with a charred pineapple garnish. Everywhere you look there’s color and it makes you happy! And the views! Maybe it’s the colors. Maybe it’s the tequila. I don’t know, but I’m definitely going back. I highly recommend you take a little visit to The Saguaro, too. And don’t forget to dress the part. Bye until next time.