Palm Springs

Parker Palm Springs

THE BEST OF WHAT’S NEW IN

PALM SPRINGS

From renovated lodgings to newly opened dining and retail, here’s our insider’s guide for what to discover and explore.

BY SARA SMOLA

Parker Palm Springs

The 147-roo m Parker Palm Springs offers 12 stand-alone villas, and the 2,550-square-foot Gene Autry villa, complete with home theater and 6,000-square-feet of outdoor space. While its grounds have always offered opportunities for social distancing—croquet lawn, two pools, and 225 palm trees—this season, enjoy a renovated kid’s pool with three additional cabanas, or book one of the South Building’s 72 renovated rooms. From $599; parkerpalmsprings.com

L’HorizonResort & Spa

The ultra-private (hotel guests only; adults only) resort is adding a 24-room hotel within a hotel on 1.5 acres adjacent to the existing property. The entirely new build is set for a mid-2021 debut, with Neutra-inspired bungalows and an 80-foot-long rectangular pool. From $1,200; lhorizonpalmsprings.com

Les Cactus

Opened in February of 2020, this 27-room, budget-friendly, adults-only property is the brainchild of 33-year-old Los Angeles native hotelier/designer Matthew Kurtz. The pink-and-green hideaway exudes retro charm in public spaces, while the guestrooms carry a more minimal aesthetic. Don’t miss the gift shop: incense, ceramics, candles, fragrances, as well as tie-dyed bucket hats, Turkish towels, and totes. From $209; lescactusps.com

Casa Cody

Founded in the 1920s, Casa Cody is one of the oldest operating hotels in Palm Springs. After a yearlong renovation, the property reopened this spring, debuting 26 guest rooms and four freestanding homes ranging from 281 to 817 square feet, as well as two swimming pools, an edible garden, and expansive lawns—all on 1.5 acres in the heart of town. Rooms from $199, stand-alone homes from $409; casacody.com

Sparrows Lodge

No TVs, no phones, no kids, no mid-century modern design. Since reopening as Sparrows Lodge in 2014, the 1952 property now has 20 cabin-inspired rooms surrounding a central pool and garden. Its intimate restaurant, The Barn Kitchen, is overseen by Chef Carlos Arciniega (previously from Momofuku

Kaufmann House

Casa Cody

TQLAS Agua Caliente Cultural Museum

Les Cactus Desert X Rancho Relaxo

Noodle Bar in NYC and Nomad hotels in LA and NY), who came on in late 2020 and has been creating new menus and dining experiences. From $329; sparrowslodge.com

Celine and Loewe

Two of LVMH’s most coveted brands are now available—at steep discounts—at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets. Stop on your way into town for sunglasses, straw bags, resort wear, leather jackets, and more. premiumoutlets.com

Kaufmann House

Richard Neutra’s iconic property hit the market late last year with an asking price of $25 million (Gerard Bisignano of Sotheby’s International Realty; sothebysrealty.com). Those not looking to buy can book a tour through Palm Springs Modern Tours (palmspringsmoderntours.com).

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum

Designed by JCJ Architecture, the soon-to-open cultural museum celebrates the history, culture, and modern times of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. At the center of the project will be the Agua Caliente Spa and Bathhouse, featuring mineral hot springs, which were an important element for the tribe and are more than 12,000 years old. accmuseum.org

Tailor Shop

Award-winning sushi chef Engin Onural (Sand sh Sushi & Whiskey and The Venue Sushi Bar & Sake Lounge), launched this concept in October to serve cocktails “tailored” with sights, feel, and tastes from around the world. tailorshopps.com

Desert X

The site-speci c exhibition returns March 12–May 16 with an array of statement-making works Installations comment on timely issues like immigration and the environment desertx.org

TQLAS

Since its re-grand opening in the fall of 2020, TQLAS has become a community staple due to its take on traditional, fresh Mexican food and reputation for its well-stocked bar featuring more than 75 specialty tequilas and 20 mezcals. tqlas.com

Rancho Relaxo

Founded by Stella Adena, this boutique maintains a sustainable, artisan-forward ethos. Located in Rancho Mirage (worth the drive), it is thoughtfully curated with clothing and apothecary items and recently launched Reworked, a professional upcycling service designed to give a second life to sentimental items. ranchorelaxoca.com